Acts 16

“How can I be sure that I know what God wants me to do?”
“How can I discover God’s perfect will for my life?”

These and questions like these weigh heavy on the minds of many believers. Regrettably, many are caught in the “Paralysis of Analysis” syndrome, unable to make a decision or move forward out of fear of being “out of God’s will” in their decision.

So this week, I’m going to just “put it out there” as my granddaughter Lydia says. In today’s Faithnotes I will give away the summary points for this week’s sermon. I hope doing so does not increase your drowsiness come Sunday! ☺

As I read and re-read Acts 15 and 16, a pattern emerges which provides guidance for those seeking to find and to do the Lord’s will with their life. I summarize them in seven points (Seems almost perfect, don’t you think?)

Finding God’s Will:

1. Take initiative…start moving (My Dad would say, “You can’t steer a parked car!”)
2. Be part of a complementary team (Seek and evaluate godly counsel.)
3. Be steadily devoted to receiving the Word (God NEVER leads in contradiction to His revealed and recorded truth.)
4. Commit to obeying the voice of the Spirit (His “no” is but a clarification that will lead to His “yes,” and the “yes” will always prove to be better.)
5. Actively seek open doors of opportunity (Keeping your eyes up and looking forward will reveal possibilities often overlooked by others.)
6. Look outside yourself (Practice compassion toward others by recognizing needs and meeting them.)
7. Persevere through the pain (Distractions, discouragements, and diversions will be frequent traveling companions. Stay on mission!)

Many years ago when faced with a major direction-of-life decision, we sought counsel from my father-in-law. Uncharacteristically, he did not have much to say. But what he DID say has been burned into my memory for some 35 years. “God WANTS you to know His will, even more than you want to know it. Therefore, if you look for it, He will make sure you don’t miss it!”

The only thing that glorifies God is God at work. Only God can do God’s work. God alone can glorify Himself. He does that through those who walk in His will!

Found: God’s will.

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom