It Starts Small

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:5-6

What is the way? I live a bit under a rock right now. My days are just focused on my Savior and diligently, struggling, to just hang on and wait as he has spoken. Yesterday I learned a new season of Mandalorian is out. When my son and I are fellowshipping with each other, we often coin the now famous phrase: this is the way. Except our way is God the Father’s through Jesus Christ.

How can we know the way? Paul is our greatest example. There’s two key questions Paul asked: who and what.

Guidance over our lives is a promise. Jesus revealed himself to Paul. Notice that Paul wasn’t actively seeking Jesus. In fact, he was headed to go gather Christians up to be stoned. Paul asks, who are you and what do you want me to do. Paul was told, go into the city and it will be told to you.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

God has a plan or my life!

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23

God guides my steps.

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

God will teach me and guide me.

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

God will guide me continually.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

God directs my path.

The three wills of God:

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

Sovereign Will: God is God. He accomplishes his will no matter what. We don’t know God’s way. We have to let God be God. We have to accept that God rules and reigns over the entire Universe. He cannot be opposed. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is enthroned, and his throne is a symbol of his sovereignty. God’s will is supreme. Nothing can hinder God’s plan.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Confession time: I keep asking this question over and over, what is stronger, free will or God’s sovereignty? God’s not going to force us to do anything we don’t openly choose to do. So how does sovereignty work?

The truth is we deserve nothing from a Holy God. We can manipulate God in prayer nor can we expect to go to heaven because we are “good” people. Part of God’s sovereignty is that despite our unworthiness, he choose to love and save us anyways. He gives everyone the freedom to accept and reject. Even when we are in rebellion, He creates circumstances that will circle us back to him. He allows us to build our “house” on sand and then let’s it crash an fiery ash around us, but that doesn’t mean he has given up, it just means he is drawing us back to him.

Moral Will: God has a standard of morals he commands us to keep. it’s not because he’s a kill joy, it’s because all immoral things cause great separation between us and him. He says don’t do these things because they separate us. They bring you nothing but pain, suffering, mental health issues, bodily harm, and death to our relationship. God says there are things that are right and things that are wrong. There’s no gray area. A lie is a lie. There’s no such thing as white lies. Stealing is stealing. Hate is hate.

The 10 commandments are the most well known moral laws in Exodus 20. These are not irrelevant to today. Jesus sums it up best, Love God the a father, first and foremost, and love others as you love yourself. It’s a condensed version of the 10 commandments.

Particular Will: God has a particular Will for all of us! He can call you into a particular ministry. That ministry may not be a program in the church. It may be something peculiar to you, the talents he gave you, the character he gave you. He has given you a uniqueness that is yours. He has given you experience and suffering to share with others.

God’ particular Will does not come with a road map. It’s through a relationship with him, your purpose is revealed. God’s purpose is not to limit joy and fun. It’s actually quite the opposite. There is only peace and joy in God’s will. God doesn’t limit his will to a small section of “saintly” church goers. God uses everyone! Discovering God’s will is not always an experience like Paul or Elisha. Sometimes is just the still quiet revelation of the Holy Spirit.

God does not show his will to just the young. 16 or 100, God has purpose for all at any age. You’re never too young, not to old. God does not hide his will. You don’t find the Will of God, it finds you when you are walking in the Spirit.

God’s Guidance in our Lives is Provisional

There are four requirements to receiving God’s guidance.

Willingness: we have to want to truly know the will of God in our lives. You don’t write your story in your head and expect God to make it happen. It requires laying down every desire you have and giving them to the Lord, and in exchange he gives you back something even better! You have to truly seek it! You have to want it, no matter what he gives you.

Meekness: We have to be able to say God, you are in complete control and to be teachable. To allow God to equip us with his Word and ways.

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalm 25:9

Openness: We need to be open to active listening in prayer, worship, and reading God’s Word. You can’t simply just sit around, pray in vain, read a five minute devotion and expect God to reveal His Will. How much time are you spending actually seeking? What is taking precedence in your life? Your job, making money, watching sports on tv, hobbies? How much time do you report to duty with God?

Yielding: God must be in the lead. So many times we think we need to be involved in every committee and program, but we miss the mark. We have to let God lead us by the hand. No hesitation. No worry of the cost. No doubt. Complete surrender is required.

Guidance is Practical

God is full of mystery. His ways are higher and his thoughts are higher, but he never makes his practical will hidden. God gives us six ways he reveals his will for our lives. Sometimes he uses all of them or one or a few.

Miracles: Acts 9:3, Jesus uses a miracle to reveal to Paul who he is and God’s purpose for his life. God may speak to you through a vision, dream, audibly, or a miracle.

His Word: God will speak to us through his Word.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

I will never forget the day I was reading over asking, seeking and knocking. The Holy Spirit spoke and said, you guys have always talked about living out in the country. You have even asked, but have you sought and knocked on the door? I remember the excitement I shared with my husband, that hey, I believe God has spoken now is the time to do this. God’s treasured Word can reveal his will.

Other People: God will lead you by other spiritually mature Christians. Ananias was sent by God to confirm the will of God to Paul (Acts 9:10). It is a good thing to find elders in the church to mentor us. I’ve had a few people randomly tell me something they didn’t understand, but I knew exactly why God told them to tell me. It’s incredible when God confirms through others his Will.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6

When God is speaking, often he is also speaking to someone else to confirm what he is telling you.

Spirit of God: the Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

God whispers and leads.

Wisdom of God: God gave Paul supernatural wisdom.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Acts 9:20

Paul didn’t even get a day of rest, he just went straight to church and started preaching to the people. The mind of Christ is in us and his mind is our wisdom.

Providence: God will open a door, leave a door locked, or close or door. There is no coincidence. There is no happen stance. There’s only the will of God in our lives.

I can testify, that sometimes God is preparing you r for something absolutely amazing. I don’t exactly know what it is, but I know he’s working and through rebuilding, reconciliation, and restoration, he’s going to do something amazing with our lives.

The hardest part is it’s, spoken, now it’s wait and obey. It’s like the start of a roller coaster. You slowly climb to the top of the first big hill. The whole way up your filled with anticipation and excitement. Then the ride stops at the very top. You see you’re hundreds of miles off the ground and start to wonder if this is indeed a good idea. Fear creeps in, you try to reason within yourself. Jesus is up there saying, wait for it…… wait for it…..

All we can truly do is wait for it, and obey what you do know.