Driving Notes

Today Joe and I shared about the Will of God from our study series  in the book The Battle Plan for Prayer

John 6:38
³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

1 John 5:14
¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

The best place in the world of any of us to be is squarely in the middle of God’s will. It is His perfect that will bring Him the most pleasure. It’s not only what’s best for us, but it’s what will yield God the most glory. He has promised every one of His children that we can live in His will continually. Some people are convinced that God is a mystery, Yet the best strategy to use first of all in beginning to seek Gods will for specific questions is to pray like Jesus did – to pray in surrender to it from the onset. Not my will, but yours be done.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² 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.
The presentation of ourselves can lead to the revelation of His will.

Second, we should pray in accordance with what we already know to be His will. The chief goal of God’s will is that He will be glorified in all circumstances.
1^st Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 115:1
Not to us, Lord, not to us
    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.
If your desire is for the glory of God to be elevated and made known, be assured His will is going to be accomplished in you.

God’s will is to advance His kingdom – the seen and unseen parts. In Heaven and on Earth.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

As you align your goals with His kingdom goals, He promises to provide everything needed for your life to flourish.

Third, God’s Will is for Christ to be Lord
This is giving Christ all the power and authority in every arena of your life.

So as you follow Christ as Lord, you’re saying with your life (not just your words), that you intend to give Him your full allegiance.

Titus 3:8
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Glory. Kingdom. Lordship. Those are the 3 major components of His overall will for you. He also wants you living a pure, sanctified life.

1 Thessalonians 4:3
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
These verses are telling us that God wants us to produce fruit no matter where we are in life.

Philippians 2:2
² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Much of His will, therefore, is readily known. Not only does His word declare it, but the spirit affirms it in your mind and heart. So your quest for Gods will on a specific issue, be it a large one or a small one, it’s not a separate matter from the other elements of His will. They’re all tied together. The heart that isn’t only praying for His will, but is also surrendering to it simultaneously, whatever the Lord reveals His plan to be, will not miss his desires when all is said and done, because He will bail you out when you take a wrong turn.

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

The leadership that God gives as you pray your way through hard decisions is not to be evaluated merely by the physical events happening around you. Sometimes the most difficult, painful, fearful, or illogical path is the one that ends up being the open door. The one bearing His fingerprints.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

This is not just an emotional peace that shows up for a few hours and then morphs into panic and confusion by nightfall. This distinctive ‘peace of Christ’ settles in and is often confirmed by other believers. The enemy may try to agitate you into doubting it. But being reverent and trusting and prayerful will lead you to the right door. And that’s faith. That’s obedience. That’s where His will for you shines and bears fruit. And that’s the kind of praying that leads remarkably to peace.

PRAYER:
“Lord, I know I’m in skillful hands as I pray for You to show me Your will and lead me faithfully into it. I accept from You specific guidance through your word to give me ‘a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’ for this moment. Thank you for being Heaven – and – Earth beyond me in size and scope. Yet, somehow, stooping down to involve Yourself in my details. Tune my heart to the desires of Your heart. Align my mind with your thoughts. Guide my path to the center of Your plans and help me pray and live in accordance with Your will. I love You, and I will follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

We also gave away a pair of Sonfest tickets! Our Sonfest trivia question for today was “What is the name of Sarah Reeves’ husband?” The answer to this question is “Philip Kothlow”

Congratulations to Lisa from Mount Vernon who correctly guessed the answer to our trivia question!

If you would like to know more about Sonfest or to buy tickets click HERE.

Congrats to Maddie from Mount Vernon for being our third caller; she won two tickets to The Lion King Jr. show from MTVarts this weekend!

If you would like to know more about this show are just more about MTVarts click HERE.

Our word of the day today was: