Words of Encouragement -- Knowing God's Will

This talk is never an easy one. People often come up and want to know specific answers about their lives. I hope that what you read in this outline will help you to draw closer to God and to follow His will.

Introduction -- write your answer to the questions below:

1.      Do you think God still speaks to His people today in the 21^st century?

2.      How do you think God speaks to His people?  Or what ways does He use to speak to people?

3.      Have you experienced God speaking to you recently or in the past three           months?

           What does the Scripture reveal about God's will for us:

A.    For our Good so that we can experience His love

                          Gen. 12:2-3;Jer. 29:11, Rom. 8:28

B.      For our Growth so that we can be more like Him

                           Phil. 1:16;Col. 1:9-12, 28; 2:10

C.    For our Gladness so that we can bring Him glory

                           Matt. 5: 16, 11:28-30; Phil. 4:4-7                                                             

What can be God's answers:

A.    Yes – 

           Immediate – Nehemiah – Neh. 2:1-8

But notice:  Neh. 1:4-11 – prayer & fasting for days

        v. 5 – adoration    

        v. 6 – confession and intercession

        v. 7-10 – claiming of God's promises

        v. 11 – intercession & submission

Short wait – Daniel – Daniel 10:10-14

But notice:  Daniel 9:20-23

        v. 20 – what was Daniel doing?

        What is the whole chapter 9 about?

        What is Daniel known to do daily? 6:10

B.      No – 
             Paul – II Cor. 12:7-10 (look also at 3:5 & Phil 3:3-7)

What was the situation?

What was Paul's prayer request?

What was the answer and why?

C.    Wait – 
            Abraham – Gen. 15:1-6

             God promised in chapter 12, but in Gen. 18:11 it says that Sarah was past childbearing.  Then in 21:1-2, at the appointed time... God brought His promise to be fulfilled.

 What can we do when the answer is "NO" or "WAIT":

A.    Trust that He knows best

B.      Seek counsel

C.    Add more prayer flames

Have you fasted and prayed for 21 days?  For 7 days?  For 1 day?

 Conclusion

What do you know about God's will?  How would you describe God's will for your life?  Do you have the assurance that God's will for you is for good, for your growth, for your gladness?  Can you "hang in there" when the answer is NO or WAIT?  Can you, will you, trust Him enough to let Him have all of your life? For as God spoke in the Bible, He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  You can count on that!

Seek Him First!