Pastor Tony Jeffrey
Jim Denison, PhD, founder of Denison Ministries, tackles this question in his Biblical Insight to Tough Questions.
Reportedly, a college professor attending a church conference in the 1870s said, “I think we are living in a very exciting age.” The presiding bishop asked him, “What do you see for the future?” The professor responded, “I believe we are coming into a time of great inventions, for example, men will fly through the air like birds.” The bishop said, “That’s heresy! The Bible says that flight is reserved for angels. We’ll have no more such talk here.” When the conference was over, Bishop Wright went home to his two small sons Wilbur and Orville.
God’s will is bigger and more exciting than anything we can imagine. Living in His will is the key to living the abundant life. How can we know God’s will for our lives?
First, we must believe God does have a plan for our lives. Some evolutionists say that life began as a chance coincidence, with no particular plan or purpose at all. Existentialists say that life is all there is, and life is chaos. Postmodernists say that truth is relative, that there is no overriding purpose to life. So, does God have a plan for us, or is life a random coincidence?
Here is God’s answer: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has a plan for every part of our lives. God wants us to know His will even more than we want to know it, and here is how we can do so:
First, make Christ your Savior. God’s first will for you is to trust His Son to be your Lord.
Second, put God on the throne of your life. Not just Sunday, but every day, not just our ethics at church, but at work and in life also. Do this as a daily, regular commitment.
Third, refuse the world’s influence. Stop being molded by our culture and its values. Ask yourself what the culture says about the issue before you, then reject it wherever it contradicts biblical truth.
Last, seek the mind of God—spend time with God so that He makes new your mind by Scripture and prayer. Seek His mind, biblical guidance, His Spirit’s leadership through prayer and worship.
Now you are in a position to seek God’s specific will for your specific problem or decision. He will guide you through biblical truth, open and closed doors and circumstances, the counsel of godly friends, and the urging of His Spirit in your heart.
Come join us at Fellowship At The Ranch Church and learn more about His plans for your life!