Aligning Our Lives with God's Perfect Will
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound topic of living in the will of God. We began by acknowledging the greatness and sovereignty of God, emphasizing that our language, whether English or our local dialect, falls short in describing His magnificence. Living in God's will means doing what God wants, valuing what He values, and aligning our desires with His. This concept was illustrated with the analogy of parents knowing the right time to give their children certain things, just as God knows the right timing for our lives.
We explored the importance of relying on God's omniscience, as He knows the end from the beginning. Jesus taught us to pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, highlighting the necessity of insisting on God's will in our lives. When we are in God's will, we experience peace and fear nothing, even when circumstances don't make sense to the ordinary man.
The story of Queen Esther was used to illustrate how God positions us for His purposes. Esther's obedience to Mordecai's counsel and her alignment with God's will led to the salvation of her people. This underscores the importance of listening to godly counsel and being spiritually discerning.
We also discussed the dangers of impatience and the consequences of stepping outside God's will, using the example of Abraham and Sarah's impatience leading to the birth of Ishmael. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is crucial in waiting for God's promises to manifest.
Training our spirits to discern God's voice is essential. We are not led by our senses but by the Spirit of God. This involves immersing ourselves in the Word of God, as it is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path. We must ensure that any direction we receive aligns with Scripture.
Finally, we were reminded that God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect. To discern and walk in His will, our minds must be renewed. We concluded with a call to declare God's will over every area of our lives and to trust in His perfect timing and guidance.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Sovereignty and Timing: Understanding that God knows the end from the beginning helps us trust His timing. Just as parents know the right time to give their children certain things, God knows the right time for everything in our lives. Trusting His timing brings peace and alignment with His will. [37:42]
2. The Importance of Godly Counsel: The story of Queen Esther highlights the importance of listening to godly counsel. Esther's obedience to Mordecai's advice positioned her to fulfill God's purpose for her life. We must be open to godly counsel, as it often channels us into God's will. [48:03]
3. Patience in God's Promises: Impatience can lead us outside of God's will, as seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is essential in waiting for God's promises to manifest. Trusting God's timing ensures we receive His perfect will. [51:13]
4. Training Our Spirits: To discern God's voice, we must train our spirits through consistent engagement with His Word. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirits, and we must be sensitive to His leading. This spiritual training helps us align our actions with God's will. [57:24]
5. Renewing Our Minds: Romans 12:2 teaches that renewing our minds enables us to discern God's good, acceptable, and perfect will. This renewal comes from immersing ourselves in Scripture and allowing God's Word to transform our thinking. A renewed mind is crucial for testing and approving God's will. [01:07:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction and Greetings
[2:30] - The Greatness of God
[4:15] - Living in the Will of God
[6:00] - Simple Definition of God's Will
[8:30] - Parental Analogy
[10:45] - God's Omniscience
[12:30] - The Lord's Prayer and God's Will
[14:00] - Peace in God's Will
[16:00] - Story of Queen Esther
[20:00] - Importance of Godly Counsel
[22:30] - Dangers of Impatience
[25:00] - Training Our Spirits
[28:00] - Renewing Our Minds
[30:00] - Declaration and Prayer
[32:00] - Closing Blessings and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:16 - "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
2. Matthew 6:9-10 - "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'"
3. Romans 12:2 - "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."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Colossians 1:16 tell us about the scope of God's creation and His sovereignty? How does this relate to trusting God's timing in our lives? [39:12]
2. In Matthew 6:9-10, what specific request does Jesus teach us to make in our prayers? How does this reflect the importance of aligning with God's will? [40:56]
3. According to Romans 12:2, what is necessary for us to discern God's will? How does this process of transformation occur? [01:07:14]
4. How did Queen Esther's obedience to Mordecai's counsel position her to fulfill God's purpose for her life? [48:03]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty and omniscience, as described in Colossians 1:16, help us trust His timing and plan for our lives? [39:12]
2. What does it mean to pray for God's will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven," and how can this prayer shape our daily decisions and actions? [40:56]
3. How can renewing our minds, as instructed in Romans 12:2, help us to better understand and follow God's will? What practical steps can we take to renew our minds? [01:07:14]
4. Reflecting on the story of Queen Esther, how can listening to godly counsel and being spiritually discerning help us align with God's will? [48:03]
### Application Questions
1. Think of a time when you struggled to trust God's timing. How did you handle it, and what can you do differently in the future to align more with His will? [39:12]
2. How can you incorporate the prayer "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" into your daily routine? What specific areas of your life need this prayer the most? [40:56]
3. What are some practical ways you can renew your mind daily to better discern God's will? Consider specific habits or practices you can adopt. [01:07:14]
4. Have you ever received godly counsel that helped you align with God's will? Share the experience and discuss how you can seek and value such counsel in the future. [48:03]
5. Reflect on a situation where impatience led you outside of God's will. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you cultivate more patience in waiting for God's promises? [51:13]
6. How can you train your spirit to discern God's voice more effectively? Identify one specific action you can take this week to immerse yourself in God's Word. [57:24]
7. In what ways can you declare God's will over different areas of your life, such as your family, career, or personal goals? Share a specific declaration you can make this week. [01:08:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Perfect Timing
Understanding that God knows the end from the beginning helps us trust His timing. Just as parents know the right time to give their children certain things, God knows the right time for everything in our lives. Trusting His timing brings peace and alignment with His will. When we align our desires with God's timing, we experience a profound sense of peace, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. This trust in God's timing is a testament to our faith in His omniscience and sovereignty. [37:42]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing. How can you actively choose to trust Him more in this area today?
Day 2: The Value of Godly Counsel
The story of Queen Esther highlights the importance of listening to godly counsel. Esther's obedience to Mordecai's advice positioned her to fulfill God's purpose for her life. We must be open to godly counsel, as it often channels us into God's will. Godly counsel can come from various sources, including spiritual mentors, friends, and family who are grounded in their faith. Being receptive to such counsel requires humility and a willingness to seek guidance beyond our understanding. [48:03]
Proverbs 11:14 (ESV): "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
Reflection: Identify a person in your life who provides godly counsel. How can you seek their advice on a current decision or challenge you are facing?
Day 3: Patience in God's Promises
Impatience can lead us outside of God's will, as seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is essential in waiting for God's promises to manifest. Trusting God's timing ensures we receive His perfect will. The story of Abraham and Sarah serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of impatience. Their decision to take matters into their own hands led to complications that could have been avoided by waiting on God's promise. [51:13]
James 5:7-8 (ESV): "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are waiting for. What steps can you take to cultivate patience and trust in His timing?
Day 4: Training Our Spirits to Discern God's Voice
To discern God's voice, we must train our spirits through consistent engagement with His Word. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirits, and we must be sensitive to His leading. This spiritual training helps us align our actions with God's will. Immersing ourselves in Scripture and prayer sharpens our spiritual discernment, enabling us to recognize God's voice amidst the noise of daily life. [57:24]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with God's Word and improve your spiritual discernment?
Day 5: Renewing Our Minds to Discern God's Will
Romans 12:2 teaches that renewing our minds enables us to discern God's good, acceptable, and perfect will. This renewal comes from immersing ourselves in Scripture and allowing God's Word to transform our thinking. A renewed mind is crucial for testing and approving God's will. By continually renewing our minds, we align our thoughts with God's, making it easier to understand and follow His will for our lives. [01:07:14]
Ephesians 4:23-24 (ESV): "And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Identify one area of your thinking that needs renewal. How can you use Scripture to transform your thoughts in this area?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When we say being in God's will, in simple terms, I would just say is, do what God wants, in very simple terms, do what God wants, want what he wants, value what he wants, do what he wants you to do, that is in simple terms, being, living in God's will, not just in some things, but in all things." [37:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you are in God's will, you fear nothing. Even though where you are doesn't make sense, as far as you know that you are in God's will, you are calm. I remember I was in a particular situation in my life one time and someone was telling me, okay, well, it's time to move on. I already have a word from God: hold on." [40:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Living in God's will has to be in every area of your life to enjoy abundant life, abundant joy, abundant peace. A lot of people will resonate very well with that because the moment they veer off God's will, it's struggle, it's chaotic." [41:56] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God can create space for you just to make sure that His will concerning you comes to pass. They can say in that organization, all these spaces are filled. If God says you will go there, He will create a space for you. He will create a space for you." [49:07] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. God has given you all these ingredients so that we can live this triumphant successful life here on earth, not in heaven, here on earth. As He is, so are we in this world." [50:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We need to be spiritually discerning to see and follow the path that God has created for us. Like I said before, God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the end from the beginning." [44:09] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Esther positioned herself in line with God's will. Bible records that she listened to Mordecai as she has always done. Some people, they don't listen to Godly counsel. If you give them Godly counsel, they will cut you off. They wouldn't talk to you again." [48:03] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You want to run a business? You want to do a project? Don't do it outside of God's will. Seek his will. It makes life easy for you. It makes life easy. Hallelujah. God promised Abraham Isaac. He promised Abraham Isaac. Abraham would have just waited for his Isaac. Wait for your Isaac. You only need an Isaac, not an Ishmael. Wait for your Isaac. God will bring it to pass." [55:55] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must walk in God's will by knowing what the word of God says. I remember recently one of my boys came to meet me and he said why do you tell me to read books and I asked him in return why do you read the Bible and our conversation went like this: we read so that you know the author puts his thoughts his mind in books so we read to extract what the author is saying from the book." [01:00:34] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We should learn not to be led by senses. We should train our spirits so that we are led by the spirit of God. For the Bible says as many that are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. So God will enlighten us through our spirits." [59:01] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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