God’s Will

Zoar’s Good News Letter is a quarterly publication of ZoarUMC

All are welcome to submit articles for publication to Genevieve Williams at gengmw@bellsouth.net

or Vycky Anderson at

vycky2210@bellsouth.net

THE WILL OF GOD Lathel Thomason

I’ve heard it. I’ve said it. “How do I know what God wants me to do? Start in the Bible. “I desire & delight to do your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8

Oswald Chambers says, “Before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentler nudges.” My life gives credence to this. The Lord continually speaks to me through my circumstances and insists I have “the examined life” as Paul says.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps. 37:4

This little verse has had a profound impact upon my life by affecting my prayers. I ask God daily to mold my desires to His desires for me. In other words, I pray scripture. I only want what He wants for me. Anything outside of God’s desire is doomed for failure, destruction, and heartache.

When I have a decision to make, I pray it out. I read scripture and ask the Lord to say anything He pleases to me, because I am listening. I trust what is rising in my heart and mind knowing that God will re-direct me if I am in error. Then I may seek wise counsel from those whose faith walk I respect.

God seems to speak to me in a soft, quiet voice. Is it that way with you? I battle with having too many distractions in my life. While my computer, tv, music, radio, phone, etc. are wonderful gifts from God, they can become impediments if I am not careful. Silence is necessary for me to listen and reflect.

I want to make a point that I believe is important. When you know that you should do something or stop doing something, DO IT! Obedience reaps blessings – especially the further revelation of His will. Why would God give us new insight when we have not acted on what He has already revealed?

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3a God desires that we be made holy and grow in Christ through His Word.

Want to know God’s Will? Let’s give up our right to ourselves, our natural independence and self-will. This is where the battle is fought. Delve into the Bible. Get into a Bible Study group. Hang out with people who are on the same journey of discovery. It is crucial to feed your mind with the things of God and think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy as it says in Phil. 4:8

Heed the words of Jesus when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:37 As you do this, you will begin to know the will of God, because you know God Himself.

A View From the Pew by Genevieve Williams

I have recently added a new dimension to my daily prayers and it has changed my life.

Ever since childhood I have prayed “bedtime prayers”. I also pray one-liners throughout the day as the situation warrants. However, as an outcome of our recent Tuesday Morning study on intercessory prayer I have started “morning prayers” and that is what has precipitated the change.

It is very simple. Each morning when I awake and before I get out of bed I greet the Lord and thank him for watching over me through the night. I ask him to be with me through the day, guiding my path so that I may walk always within his will. I ask if he has any particular work he wants me to do for him that day. Then I wait. . . . Seems there’s always something on his list of things for me to do. And that is what has caused the change in my life. It’s so much easier now that God is in charge. I know what he wants me to do and I do it. It makes me happy and it makes God happy. What could be better than that?

Try it; you’ll like it.

Dear Lord, make me an instrument of thy will. Help me to do your work, to speak your words, to share your love with all those with whom I come in contact. Help me to follow the example of your precious son in whose name I pray. Amen