FINDING HOME
SCRIPTURE
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2
I love the GPS "go home" command. It means that, no matter how lost I feel, there is a way home, and GPS will take me there. Don't you wish GPS could help us find God's will too?
Even though it won't, God does provide us with his special version of GPS assistance. Jesus told us that he would share his "Spirit of truth," who would "guide you into all the truth" John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is our guide to God's will. To know God's will, we need to recognize how the Holy Spirit is the truest voice in our minds to show us God's will, which is the truth for any circumstance.
Sometimes the Holy Spirit nudges through something like an internal whisper. Sometimes the Spirit points to an action we need to take. Sometimes the Spirit brings Scripture into our minds to help us recognize and choose God's will.
We also must connect God's character to his will. One of my spiritual mentors said, "God is more than who you think he is; but who you think he is affects how you respond to him." We need an accurate understanding of God's character because God will not affirm anything that does not represent his character as defined in his Word.
When we ask God to live in us, he plants a hunger for his will that we must nurture. We nurture this hunger with every step of obedience. Sometimes multiple small obediences teach us more about God's will than one big obedience. For example, taking responsibility for words that hurt or do not strengthen a relationship could be a step of obedience that restores or protects a relationship.
If the word "will" confuses you, pray for God's wisdom. It's the same thing. What God wills for us is wise beyond our knowing. It is always easier to know God's will when we want his will more than ours, when his will is more adventure than duty, more "want to" than "ought to." Then his will becomes our hope, our safe place, and our heart's home, where God always waits with a welcome.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. How have you struggled to know God's will, or where have you been afraid to ask for it?
2. How will you live God's will today?
AFFIRMATION
Recognizing and obeying God's will is my best way to be at peace with God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord of my life, may your good and perfect will be done in my mind, heart, and actions.
SCRIPTURE
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2
I love the GPS "go home" command. It means that, no matter how lost I feel, there is a way home, and GPS will take me there. Don't you wish GPS could help us find God's will too?
Even though it won't, God does provide us with his special version of GPS assistance. Jesus told us that he would share his "Spirit of truth," who would "guide you into all the truth" John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is our guide to God's will. To know God's will, we need to recognize how the Holy Spirit is the truest voice in our minds to show us God's will, which is the truth for any circumstance.
Sometimes the Holy Spirit nudges through something like an internal whisper. Sometimes the Spirit points to an action we need to take. Sometimes the Spirit brings Scripture into our minds to help us recognize and choose God's will.
We also must connect God's character to his will. One of my spiritual mentors said, "God is more than who you think he is; but who you think he is affects how you respond to him." We need an accurate understanding of God's character because God will not affirm anything that does not represent his character as defined in his Word.
When we ask God to live in us, he plants a hunger for his will that we must nurture. We nurture this hunger with every step of obedience. Sometimes multiple small obediences teach us more about God's will than one big obedience. For example, taking responsibility for words that hurt or do not strengthen a relationship could be a step of obedience that restores or protects a relationship.
If the word "will" confuses you, pray for God's wisdom. It's the same thing. What God wills for us is wise beyond our knowing. It is always easier to know God's will when we want his will more than ours, when his will is more adventure than duty, more "want to" than "ought to." Then his will becomes our hope, our safe place, and our heart's home, where God always waits with a welcome.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. How have you struggled to know God's will, or where have you been afraid to ask for it?
2. How will you live God's will today?
AFFIRMATION
Recognizing and obeying God's will is my best way to be at peace with God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord of my life, may your good and perfect will be done in my mind, heart, and actions.
Posted in Lent