Guidance in discerning the will of God

• Seek to get your heart in such a condition that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Do not depend upon feelings or impressions.

• Seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God.

• Take into account providential circumstances.

• Ask God in prayer to reveal His will clearly.

Thus, through prayer to God, the study of His Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. I have found this method always effective (Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, Includes Indexes. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 234.)

“Good things” can keep you from “THE GOOD”

Jesus told his disciples a parable that we all need to learn today. The conception has been that only sinful things like sexual immorality, lies telling, deceitfulness etc can keep someone from entering the Kingdom of heaven. These things truly do hinder people from the kingdom. But, not only those things we generally know to be bad are hindrances to the kingdom.

In Luke 14:16-24, Jesus gives a parable of the kingdom, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. ¹⁷ And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ ¹⁸ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ ¹⁹ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ ²⁰ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”

Right at the time when the banquet was ready, the invitees all gave excuses (legitimate)

1. I just bought a field, and I must go out and see it

2. I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them

3. I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come

Buying a field, buying oxen, cars, televisions, dresses, cloths, etc are not sinful in themselves, but they can become great snares if God is not held in the right perspective. We should not let gifts hinder us from the GIVER. Gifts are intended by the GIVER to point us to him. A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Let no “good thing” keep you from ultimate Goodness.

For your ultimate Joy