In making decisions and seeking the will of God, my husband often says, “He doesn’t leave a note on the night table.”
He is right. Even though entire books have been written on how to know the will of God, Christians are often puzzled in trying to find out what God wants from us. Some verses in the Bible clearly say, “This is the will of God. . . . ” then go on to describe some aspect of what He desires, yet many of these are general, not specific. We have questions like: Where do we live? What school should I go to? Which job offer do I accept?
The biggest problem I have with seeking the will of God is my own I-wants and the opinions of others so easily interfere. I cannot hear God because these other voices drown Him out. Yet in all of that, one verse gives me a great deal of instruction. For a long time I’ve read it in a general way, but this morning I see how to use it specifically.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
If I cannot figure out the will of God for specific questions or issues, perhaps it is because I am thinking like the world thinks. That is, I measure the pros and cons by what will make me the most comfortable, give me the most control, use my skills to best advantage, and reward me with the best return. By doing this mental hoop-jumping, my focus makes the choices all about me.
The will of God is not all about me. It is about overcoming sin and loving others. Romans 12 begins by telling me to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is my spiritual worship. After the next verse on mind renewal and its importance in knowing God’s will, it says to watch my attitude toward myself (no pride) and to use the gifts God has given me. Then it says . . .
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:9–18)
Most of these verses are about dealing with sin, loving others and serving the Lord God with a godly attitude. Clearly God’s will is general in the sense that He wants me to do everything in a Christlike way. That I understand. But the specifics of the to-do list can be confusing. What order? What is least important? Should some things be scratched off? Others added?
As I read Romans 12:2, the Holy Spirit poked me with this thought: What is on your list because of a worldly attitude, because of your need for a renewed mind? Are you trying to make choices because you are thinking like those who do not know me?
This gets my attention. For example, I have taken on ministry projects because the role became vacant and they were not being very well done. I thought I could do the job in a more effective way. My prideful attitude resulted in many hard lessons about serving others before I finally realized that my motivation was not God’s will.
God says His choices are not based on our wisdom and skills. Instead, He looks for those who will obey Him. Knowing His will is not about measuring myself according to what I can do, or what I think I can do, or even what others think I can do. It is about doing what He asks.
This is something like walking a dark path with a flashlight. The only clearly defined steps are the ones right in front of me. As I move into that well-lit part of the path, the flashlight moves to the next step and the next. If I stop and refuse to go farther, then I cannot see farther.
When author and missionary Elizabeth Elliot was asked how she managed her time. She said, “I do the next thing. I almost always know what that is.”
She is right. While the next thing could be difficult, or seem not very important, or even be an interruption or unexpected issue, I always know what needs to be done. My problem is never that, but with wanting to see farther than the flashlight shines. I want to make a life-plan, or at least a week-plan or sometimes just a plan for the day. So I make out my list, but at the same time am so very aware that I do not control what happens next.
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
The world’s way is being able to see what is ahead and prepare for it. The Lord’s will is that I walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Him for the next step. The world’s way is order and confidence, making plans with goals and clearly outlined procedures to reach those goals. While God is not the author of confusion, His way is not about an orderly and prioritized to-do list, but to keep my eyes on Jesus and my ears tuned to His voice. I’m to do what He says, regardless whether or not it fits my desires, or any structure or visible procedure.
From this reading today, I’m aware that I need to be cautious about making plans and decisions according to the world’s methods. Christian living is not about “what’s in it for me” or even about what makes sense to me. It is about glorifying God and obeying His commands. Examining my motives is often painful, but it is also a big part of taking that next step that will bring further light to my path.
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Lord, right now I know what You want me to do next. You invite me to prayer. After that, I know that I must do three things from my list that have deadlines and have other people depending on their completion. After that, I have lots of ideas, but Your will could be different from any of them. Give me ears to hear You and a heart to walk ahead, always moving in the light that You give me. Thank You for Your guidance and for nudging me in the direction of Your good, acceptable and perfect will.
Cop and robber stories like NCIS, CIS, Blue Bloods and others are usually in the top twenty television shows watched in any given week. Most viewers like to see criminals caught and justice done. What I’ve noticed is that the bad guys seldom express regret, and if they do, it is usually the regret that they got caught.
The Bible makes a distinction between this kind of regret and the grief God wants us to have when we do wrong. Worldly sorrow is not the same as godly sorrow.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Spurgeon says that genuine, spiritual mourning for sin is the work of the Spirit of God. We cannot experience this without Him. The reason for this is that repentance is “too choice a flower to grow in nature’s garden.” In our natural state, we love sin. Therefore, penitence never shows itself in sinners unless God is at work in that person. If there is any real hatred for sins committed, it is there because God puts it there.
Those who have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ know this is true. We know that our human sinful nature is filled only with that “I want what I want when I want it” attitude. We will even manipulate sorrow or fake it for our own benefit. Because “that which is born of the flesh is flesh,” we cannot produce true repentance.
Then how do I know when my sorrow for sin is real? Spurgeon says it has a distinct reference to my Savior. I will be thinking of Jesus and the cross when I repent, realizing the ugliness of my sin in the light of His sacrificial love for me. My sorrow is over the fact that I have put Him there. My sin is the reason that He died. I might think of the consequences to me, but godly repentance never forgets the consequences to the Son of God.
Spurgeon adds that godly repentance is practical. No one can hate sin without wanting to be rid of it. I don’t put my hand in a fire now that I know it will burn me. I don’t play with snakes now that I know they will bite me. Each day I am aware that my sinful nature wants its way. I must walk in the Spirit, abandoning all selfishness. Analyze the motives behind even the television crimes and it is easy to see the practicality of repentance.
Godly repentance is also continual. I expect to repent until my dying day. Other sorrows yield to time, but this one grows as I grow. This is why I’ve shaken my head when others suggest getting older makes walking with Christ easier. Sorrow for sin and repentance leads to salvation without regret, yet it is a bittersweet and continual part of Christian growth and maturity.
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Oh Lord, I am thankful that You are the Author and Finisher of my salvation. You came into my life and put into my heart the fact of Your love for me — and the fact of my total disregard for You. You enabled me to feel the horror of what I have done against You and failed to do in response to You. You have given me godly sorrow over and over. Oh, I know the other kind, the sorry-I-got-caught sorrow that leads downward, but this repentance is a sweeter sorrow, one that draws me ever closer to You. It also leaves me with no regrets (except regretting sin) because when I repent, You forgive — a blessing beyond anything I could ever earn or deserve.
Probably they were not thinking. But architects and home designers are not the only ones whose minds seem disengaged at times. Travel any busy highway or thoroughfare and observe drivers whose minds are obviously elsewhere. Mothers do it every time they set their small child’s glass on the very edge of the table. I did it this week when I read an article and jumped to conclusions without thinking about what it said.
In today’s devotional reading, Spurgeon asks, “Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make slow advances in the divine life?” He answers his own question by saying that some neglect thoughtful meditation on God’s Word. They hear but do not think about what they heard, unlike the psalmist who declares his love for it.
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:15–16)
In today’s world, enjoying solitude and time to just think is almost suspicious. Those who spend time alone with God are becoming rare, yet by waiting on Him we gather strength for the work He gives us to do.
This is not easy. My sister met a Christian missionary who told her that it takes a lifetime to learn how to meditate. She lived in a time and place that gave more opportunity than our society does, yet even then realized the challenges.
Spurgeon draws several illustrations concerning the value of meditation. He says that truth is like grapes from a vine. If we want wine, the grapes must be bruised, crushed, pressed and squeezed. Otherwise the juice does not flow but is wasted.
He also points out how our bodies cannot be nourished just by putting food into our mouths. Muscles, nerves, sinew and bone are supported by digestion. That food must be assimilated to be useful. It is the same with our inner lives. My spirit is not nourished by listening to this sermon, and then to that speaker, and by reading devotionals and spiritual books, or reading and even memorizing the Bible. No matter how much I hear, read, mark and learn, it must be inwardly digested to bring growth and health to my spiritual being. Meditation plays a huge role in God’s work to transform me into the image of His Son.
As Spurgeon points out, Christian growth is stunted if I “love the wheat” but fail to grind it, or observe water flowing at my feet, but will not stoop to drink it. If I want to be strong in my spiritual life and effective for God in my ministry, then I must meditate on the truths that God teaches me.
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Lord, I have learned that sometimes solitude is better than being with others and silence is wiser than speech. Yet I also have learned how difficult meditation is, particularly with my easily distracted mind, and with so many outward distractions to the eyes and ears. I’ve at times jumped up from reading Your Word and forgot to pray, never mind give extra thought to what You have revealed to me. From such foolishness deliver me, O Lord. May You continue to urge me to meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes and ears and heart on Your ways.
In studying the will of God, I’m becoming convinced that He isn’t nearly so interested in choices about vocations, residences, even friendships as He is calling me to choose godliness, holiness, being like Jesus.
In the beginning of my walk with Christ, God gave me these verses. They have been a guide to carry me through the “all things” that could otherwise push me off track.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30)
These verses conclude that God’s desire for my life is that I be like His Son. His calling is to that destiny, not a career or where I live or what I choose to occupy my time each day. He this call to holiness it possible by grace, forgiveness, justification and so much more.
Spurgeon writes about His calling. He quotes 2 Timothy 1:9 to remind me that God saved me and called me to a holy calling, not because of my works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave me in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
This is “a holy calling” that forbids my trust in my own doings. It draws me to Christ alone for salvation, but it afterwards purges me from dead works to serve the living and true God. There is no mention where or how, just do it.
The Bible also says that just as the One who calls me is holy, so I must also be holy. Anyone who lives in sin is not called, but those who are truly Christ’s are anxious and stressed over sin, desiring to be rid of it and asking the Lord for grace to be holy.
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13–14)
This is an upward call, a call toward godliness. Again, the Scriptures say very little about what I might choose to do with my life here in this world. I can be a writer or an artist, an engineer or a maid. God isn’t as concerned about those choices as He is that I am holy, that my heart is set upon heavenly things. He wants my hopes, tastes and desires to do with that which is eternal, not occupied with anything that cannot be taken into glory with me.
Hebrews 3:1 calls this a “heavenly calling” which is from there and to there. I “look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” because I am a “stranger and pilgrim upon the earth.” My literal occupation is secondary to the occupation of my heart and mind and spirit.
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Father, I’ve been unnecessarily stressed over what I should do with the rest of my life. I could concentrate on one thing or try to do several. I’ve wrestled with these choices and have heard no clear direction from You except this — You want me to be like Jesus in whatever I do. The doing is not as important as the being. As I think about this, I sense that You want this priority totally in place before offering me guidance on anything else. Thank You.
The prophet Jeremiah was hated during his years of ministry. He had one servant that stuck by him and one man who pulled him out of a pit. Everyone else tried to shut him up or kill him.
Few Christians in North America can relate to Jeremiah. Our lives are seldom in danger and even if we are disliked, the laws in our land protect us from the physical harm of persecution.
Yet I understand and identify with Jeremiah. No one has thrown me down a well or ripped up my words, but I’ve felt the same confusion and fear as this one who has been called the “weeping” prophet. I’ve had a small taste of rejection because of my faith or my expression of it. I’ve also wondered if God had abandoned me when everyone else seemed to have turned their backs.
God reminded Jeremiah of his initial commission to his prophetic ministry. He’d told him in the beginning that no one would listen, that he would be rejected. When circumstances became difficult, Jeremiah faltered and God spoke.
Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.” (Jeremiah 15:19–21)
Even as a man of God, Jeremiah could turn away, stop declaring truth from God and be a victim of his enemies. To avoid that, he needed to stay close to God and allow the Lord to continually refresh and restore Him. This is one reason for having daily devotions. I need daily power to stand before God. Without His Word to me, I’m side-tracked at the least and overcome at the worst.
Jeremiah also needed to say precious truth, not utter worthless words. God wanted to use his mouth, but he had to cooperate. Paul wrote the same command in the New Testament.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
if I want to be a mouthpiece for God, then I must watch my mouth. Worthless chatter is just as contrary to His speech as coarse talk and filthy language. When I open my mouth, He wants me to say things that build the faith of others in a suitable way. Grace, amazingly, is imparted through words. The unconditional love of God can be conveyed by how I talk. If I want God to use me, then idle speech must give way to precious words.
Some people don’t like to hear spiritual truth. Sometimes God wants me to say it in gentleness and use words that are gentle. On other occasions, I must speak firmly and perhaps become that fortified wall that others resist. Fear can keep me from doing this, but God told Jeremiah that He would deliver him from those who fought against him. Jeremiah suffered but God protected him. I can claim the same promise . . . as long as my words are precious and not worthless.
Of course my life and ministry are not even close to that of Jeremiah or any other of God’s prophets. I teach a Sunday class. Almost all who attend it are on the same page in their desire to serve God. Seldom does anyone come in with a personal agenda and a mean-spirited desire to prevail over me or spiritual truth. However, when that happens, I have God’s promises. He tells me to stand before Him and utter words of value. He will take care of those who do not like what I am doing.
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Father, I’m always amazed at Your power to protect those who are bold and stand for You. The prophets of the Old Testament and the faithful disciples of the New Testament (and beyond) have met opposition, yet You deliver all from the hand of evil and ruthless people. This deliverance can be literal in this life, or it could mean removal from their presence into Your eternal realm. Either way, no enemy or person who hates truth can prevail over Your people when we stay close to You and do what You tell us to do. No one can separate us from Your love. Thank You for this reminder to watch what I say — and for Your promise to continually save and deliver me.
Spurgeon begins his devotional reading for this morning with, “In some sense the path to heaven is very safe, but in other respects there is no road so dangerous.”
Most Christians speak of their Christian walk as quiet and peaceful. Some missionaries tell about the other end of the scale. Whatever our lot may be, the Lord makes the same promises to all and keeps us.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)
Much like the traditional marriage vows, God says that through sickness or health, trials or ease, He will never leave or forsake His people. We are His and He will keep us that way.
But there are dangers. Spurgeon talks about one false step, any of which may seem a little thing, but the more I walk with Jesus, the more I realize how weak I am. As he says, a straw may throw me or a pebble wound me. The dangers on my path are not always large and obvious.
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (Psalm 73:1–3)
The psalmist “almost stumbled” when he saw the prosperity of sinners. Envy is an attitude of heart and often unseen unless revealed by words. We can be alert to the larger stumbling blocks like anger or hate, but fail to see those hidden attitudes that can trip us before we notice them, like resentment or annoyance. In my walk with Jesus, I often feel like that little child who trembles taking her first steps. If my heavenly Father were not holding tightly, I would soon be down.
Besides those sinful and selfish attitudes, we have an enemy who casts temptation and accusations into our minds, even when we least expect his attacks. Only God who sees the unseen can protect His people and keep us from falling.
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Father, last week someone blind-sided me. It was verbal, but bordered on physical, a danger I did not expect. Most of the time my path is safe, yet I am more than ever aware of the “road so dangerous.” I am also convinced that You alone can preserve me from whatever lies ahead. Not only that, You are totally engaged to defend and protect me and even keep me from falling. I don’t want to stumble into sin even when someone sins against me. Shine light on my path. May I not be distracted or complacent. Help me see what I need to avoid and instead embrace Your loving care. I’m so thankful that even with this sense of utter helplessness, I am a child safe in my Father’s arms.
Years ago I heard a sermon that was word for word the message I’d previously heard, but given by another pastor. The first version affected lives; the second was without power, and even irritating.
Perhaps the second speaker obtained permission from the first to use his words. Perhaps it had been plagiarism. Either way, something was missing. Today’s devotional reading seems a likely explanation.
And when (Jesus) had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. (Luke 5:4–6)
First of all, God can do whatever He wants to do without any human help, yet He has chosen to do His work with our hands. The catch of fish was miraculous, yet God included the fisherman, his boat and his fishing tackle. He chose to use human instruments to do His work.
It is the same with saving souls. No one is saved apart from the work of God through the Holy Spirit, yet God is pleased to use the foolishness of preaching to reach lost sinners. No doubt He would be glorified if He did this apart from any human voice, but by using people, He is magnified.
This is easier to see by a simple comparison. The fishermen “toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” Why not? They were doing what they knew best. They had skill at fishing and worked hard, even all night. There were fish in those waters, but no fish in their nets.
Then Jesus came. The Bible says, “Without Him, you can do nothing” and “With Christ, we can do all things” (John 15: 4-5 & Philippians 4:13). The presence and power of Christ ensures success. Jesus sat in Peter’s boat, and by His will and mysterious influence, fish came into the net.
It is this way in evangelism and all Christian work. When Jesus is lifted up, His presence is our power. If He is left out by our choice or indifference, we can expect empty nets. We can work hard and do our best, even use words that have already proven to be good words, but without the power of Jesus, we are nothing and can do nothing. Only in Christ can I bear fruit and be an instrument in His hands.
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Lord, if You give me a nudge or a big push to do something for You, I need to be obedient, but I also need to be filled with Your Spirit. I don’t understand why You decided to do Your work on earth through us. We are sinners, forgiven, but so weak and flawed. How amazing and how wonderfully gracious that You include us in what Your are doing. Thank You for making me, an earthen vessel, Your dwelling place and sometimes Your center of operations.
