Good Morning everyone

Isaiah 55:9-11
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

It is a privilege to sit with people at times who have a desire to do God’s will and ask the question how can they be sure of His will? Usually my response for my own life and for them is whether they have prayed and sought God through His Word. That is the plainest and safest way I believe you come to know the will of God, and stand on it confidently in the midst of any fears and doubts (Ephesians 1 v16-18). Sadly I think many times belief in Christ as the Living Word is the person in doubt when the question is asked by us. Because many times I already have a desire to do something, but the test is whether it is “God’s thoughts and ways” or my own. My own desires are usually the major conflict and distraction, not God being unclear. So here are some questions I ask myself when I am seeking to know God’s will.

vs 9-Have I “laid down” my mind for the mind of Christ in His Word?
vs 9-Do I look to put genuine faith in God to give me whatever it is, peace, joy, courage, love, provision?
vs10&11-Do I believe Christ is the living Word, being as truthful and consistent as the natural earth He created?

God’s promises have become the most precious thing in my life, even when I don’t treat them that way from my unbelief. God’s Word must always trump my feelings and desires if they don’t line up with the Word (vs9). Because to not allow the Holy Spirit to override my feelings and desires, is not to “be one” with God in thought and ultimately His ways/will (Luke 22 v42)! I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about a lot of things. Yet if the Word is not my final authority, I become a genuis in how to make my thoughts and actions appear to be godly, and therefore acceptable (2 Corinthians 10 v5). That is usually because we substitute religious deeds for Word and Spirit led thinking and actions. So though I am deceiving myself, I only come to realize that I am deceived when I allow the Word of God to be the final say (James 1 v22-27). By still being naturally sinful, it is EASY for me and anyone else to follow their natural feelings and desires (Romans 7 v25). The Word through the Holy Spirit must become my safeguard from myself to know and do God’s will.

I truly believe that if we live everyday with that frame of heart and mind towards Christ we will no doubt fulfill His will, peacefully and in Christlike joy regardless of circumstances (Hebrew 12 v2)! In being compliant with Him by submitting to His Word, we get more and more confidence that His promises are real and faithful to accomplish His will. The reason many times I make God’s will harder for me than it has to be, is because I don’t want it in those times of unbelief. Like a spoiled brat I want what I desire, no exceptions! So to remain non-compliant to His will as His child doesn’t make it change, it simply makes me subject to be “chastened/ disciplined”. Like a loving Father should do for His children to instill discipline from our spoiled and foolish ways. The perfect Father God chastens us until our hard heart of unbelief becomes pliable again to cheerfully submit and do His will (Hebrews 12 v 6-8). So that we grow and continually see that His thoughts and ways are best no matter how I presently “feel” about it.

In His Love, Ld