HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 352
page A350
Will of God continued
Why is discerning God’s will important?
• A C T S 1 6 :7 -1 0 | Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province
of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they
went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from
Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to
Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded
that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
In life, you will have innumerable opportunities. Discerning God’s will helps you recognize
the best opportunities with the most potential from the mediocre ones.
If God’s will is going to happen anyway, why do I need guidance?
• E X O DU S 1 4 :1 5 | Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the
people to get moving!”
• PR O V E R B S 3 :6 | Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
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God designed the world to work in a way that your choices make a difference. Your
choices impact whether you will be participating in God’s will or not. God’s work will
get done, if not by you then by someone else. If you want to participate in God’s will,
you can’t sit around waiting for him to write a message on the wall. Seek his guidance
first, and then make a decision to move ahead. If your choices always involve asking
God for guidance, they will usually be in line with his will, and you will be involved in
his work.
HelpFinder
Should I be embarrassed by asking for God’s guidance in front of those who
don’t believe in God?
• 2 K I NG S 3 :1 1 | But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord
with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.” (See note on page 329.)
When your unbelieving friends or acquaintances encounter difficulties, it can be a natural
time to offer to pray for them and to encourage them to seek God’s aid.
How do I know when to wait and when to act?
• R U T H 3 :7 -9 | Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. . . . “Who are
you?” [Boaz] asked. (See note on page 242.)
When God opens a door, step through. If a door closes, don’t barge in.
PROMISES FROM GOD
• PR O V E R B S 3 :6 | Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
• E PH E S I A NS 1 :1 1 | He makes everything work out according to his plan.
Wisdom See also Advice; Bible; Conscience; Decisions; Holiness; Maturity;
Prayer; Self-Control; Vulnerability
Solving a complex problem in trigonometry and writing a computer program that will
guide a nuclear submarine both require great intelligence. But such intelligence does
not guarantee a fulfilling, balanced, and productive life. Success in relationships, raising
children, and spiritual maturity are dependent not on intellect, but on wisdom. The Bible
has an enormous amount to say about wisdom (and even devotes the entire book of
Proverbs to it) because successfully navigating through life requires so much of it.
How will having wisdom help me?
• R O MA NS 1 2 :2 | Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform
you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s
will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.