8/31/12- The Possibility of Knowing God's Will

³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34)

We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9). 

Thoughts: Paul Simon, in his song "Slip Sliding Away", gave a theological statement: "God only knows.  God makes his plan...the information is unavailable to the mortal man."  This is a blanket statement that is only partially true.  Sometimes God withholds information- because it is too much for us, or it would not do us any good to know all of God's plan.  Yet, scripture reveals enough of God and His will that we might please Him.  God is not silent. God speaks, and our task is to listen and to do God's will.
   Jesus obviously believed God's will was knowable- for He called doing God's word His nourishment- His "food."  Paul says he prayed that the church folk would be filled with the knowledge of God's will.  It is possible.  The first and greatest step is to believe that God can reveal His will.  We need to seek God's will like looking for a dropped pearl, or a hidden treasure.  If we seek it, we will find it. 

Prayer: Give me grace to believe that you have spoken and I may understand your will for me.  Then give me grace to find it and do it. 

8/30/12- Knowing God's Will

¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. ¹⁶ Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Thoughts: How can someone be so certain that "it is God's will" as this passage says?  We believe that God has revealed His will in scripture.  So the first question when asking if something is God's will is whether it is in scripture or not.  The slogan of the Reformation is "reformed and always reforming according to the Word of God."  We try to mold ourselves and be shaped by the form laid out by God.  If God has already told us "no" to something, then we do not need to continue to ask God for a "yes."  

Prayer: Help me to know and do your will, Lord.