Getting Beyond Doing What You Don’t Want to Do

In review of John 8:32 it says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

Bottom Line:

Following Jesus Teaching will reveal the truth to you, one that will set you free.

What this means to me:

I will truly be his disciple if I remain faithful to his teaching. Then I will know what the truth is. And it is a truth that will set me free.

Today’s verse comes from the last part of the book of John chapter 8. In it John explains that Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It's amazing that I often still do, what I don’t want to do. Why is this, especially when I know what are the right things are to do.

Seems the sinful nature within me causes me to make the wrong choices. It’s actually easy to relate to Paul when he says, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate …. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t” (Romans 7:15, 17-18 NLT).  At least I’m not alone in this feeling.

Even after becoming a believer, there’s this tension that still exists inside of me. One one hand I have the new good nature that God gave me, but I also have my old sinful nature that is pulling at me.

The good news is that there is a way out! Jesus promised as refrenced in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NIV).

So the secret to personal change is not willpower. It’s not a pill. It’s not a resolution. It’s not some vow that you make. The secret to personal change is not something you do or say.

The secret to personal change is something I know. I know the truth. When I change the way I think, it changes the way I feel. And when I change the way I feel, it changes the way I act.

Behind every self-defeating act is a lie that I believe. It may be a lie about myself, my past or future, God, or others.

So why do I do something that I know is bad for me? Its because I think there’s some kind of payoff. Now that’s where the lie is! I can only change and fulfill God’s purpose for my life if I start with God’s truth. If I want to change the way I live, I have to start in my mind. I have to know and believe God’s truth.

When I know the truth, the truth will set me free. What I need to do is expose and uncover the lies that I have been accepting. Some of those lies I picked up on the playground as a kid or from TV. Some of them I picked up from my parents or I creatively thought up myself. But they are lies, and when learn to I reject them and instead find out what God has to say, I will experience freedom like I’ve never known.

Today I will consider the lies that have been on repeat in my head for years. Which of God’s truths do I need to replace them with?

Ways God Speaks

In review of Job 33:14 it says, “God does speak — sometimes one way and sometimes another — even though people may not understand it”

Bottom Line:

God speaks in different ways, we just don’t notice or recognize it.

What this means to me:

God does speak. Sometimes it will be in one way and others times it will be in a different manner. I just need to learn to tune in and recognize his voice.

Today’s verse comes from the last part of Job chapter 33, where Job’s friend, Elihu, presents his case against Job. Job was saying that God does not respond to people’s complaints. Elihu tells Job that God speaks again and again, though people do not always recognize it.

I think that I get too busy to listen for God’s response. But what I’m learning is that I have to take the time to tune in and listen, because God is speaking. Job 33:14 says, “God does speak — sometimes one way and sometimes another — even though people may not understand it” (NCV).

So the question becomes, “How do I understand it? How do I tune in so that I can hear God’s voice?”

Here are four of the channels that I am learning that God uses to speak to me:

God speaks to me through His Word, the Bible. It’s my guidebook for life. It shows me the right step to take. That is why I need to read God’s Word every day. When I miss out on not having a daily quiet time and reading the Bible, God is effectively getting a busy signal from me when he is trying speak to me. I need to keep a constant connection, because I will find God’s will in His Word.

God speaks to me through teachers. There are times when it feels as if the pastor was communicating a direct message from God to me? There’s no way a teacher could figure out exactly what to say to meet every need. But God knows.

God speaks to me through impressions. There are two extremes to this. One extreme is the rationalist who believes no impression can be from God; it all has to be logical. At the other extreme is the mystical belief that every impression is from God. I need to get in the middle and realize that every impression has to match God’s Word.

Lastly, God speaks to me through my circumstances. If I’m going to live a life of significance, God’s got to make constant course corrections, and one of the things he uses to do that is the circumstances that come into my life. When I start to listen to God through circumstances, impressions, teachers, or the Bible, sometimes he’s going to lead me in ways that I don’t understand. I just need to hang in there! Following God will not always easy, but it will reap more blessing than I can imagine.

Thank God When He Answers Prayers

In review of Habakkuk 3:2 it says, “O Lord, now I have heard your report, and I worship you in awe”

Bottom Line:

I have heard about you, and I worship you in awe.

What this means to me:

I have heard all about what you have done in the past and I am filled with awe and worship you for what you have done.

Today’s verse comes from the first part of Habakkuk chapter 3. It is prayer sung by Habakkuk, a prophet. Habakkuk says, I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In our time of great need, please help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.  You had sent your chariots of salvation and saved your people with your might hand. I trembled when I heard this. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike those against us. I will rejoice in the Lord and be joyful of my salvation. For the Sovereign Lord is my strength!. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

It is so much easier to hear God speak when I’m worshiping him.

In other words, thank him for being a part of my life and for being interested in the details of it. I thank him for answering my prayers: “O Lord, now I have heard your report, and I worship you in awe” (Habakkuk 3:2a TLB). God provides a vision. God has given me some things to do, so now I thank Him for answering my prayer. This is all part of worshiping God.

I should not think of my prayer’s as a monologue. Rather I should view them as what they should truly be: a dialogue. Afterall, prayer is a conversation with God. God hears me when I pray, and he answers me when you ask questions. He wants to talk to me every day.

What I’m learning is that there are three levels of knowing God: recognition, acquaintance, and friendship. The recognition level: You know God is there, but you don’t really know him. The acquaintance level: You know God, but not very well.

The fact is that God wants me to live at the friendship level. He wants to be my friend, and he wants me to be his friend. God wants to talk with me all the time.

Today I pray: “Dear God, I’m amazed that you would want me for a friend. I really want to learn to have conversations with you. Help me to spend time with you every day. Thank you that you care about every detail of my life. Jesus, I want to know you more and more every day, and I want to depend on you for guidance in my job, my family, my future, and in every other area of my life. I invite you to be the manager of my life, my Lord and Savior, as I follow you and trust you. In your name I pray. Amen.”

Steps to Knowing God’s Will

In review of James 1:5 it says, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him”

Bottom Line:

If you need wisdom, ask God, and he will generously give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

What this means to me:

If I lack wisdom in any area, I should pray and ask God. He will gladly tell me, for he is always ready to give me a bountiful supply as long as I have faith that he will answer and will follow what he tells me.

Today’s verse comes from the first part of James chapter 1. In this section James tells us about faith and endurance. He starts by telling us that when troubles of any kind come, we should consider it an opportunity for great joy. For when our faith is tested, our endurance has a chance to grow. So we should let it grow and develop our character. Next, if any of us needs wisdom, we should ask our generous God, and he will grant it without rebuking you for asking. However, when we ask, be sure that our faith is really in God alone. We should trust God with what he provides and not waver or be indecisive if we are going to follow it. A person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave. If you don’t have plans to listen after asking or wholeheartedly following what he tells you, then don’t expect to receive anything from him.

Given this, knowing and understanding God’s will requires a couple of things:

First, I need to admit that I need guidance. I don’t always like to admit when I’m lost or confused. It’s not always in my nature to stop and ask for directions. I think this is why, when it comes to knowing God’s will, it takes some real courage to admit that I’m confused and need some direction. Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (NIV). However, If I’m arrogant and think I’ve got it all figured out, God’s going to say, “Be my guest. Go for it!”

Secondly, I need to ask God in faith for his direction. The Bible says in James 1:5-6, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (TLB). There are two keys to knowing God’s wisdom. First, I’ve got to ask the right person: God. I don’t ask a friend or a stranger on the street, or some other “reliable” authority like a radio talk show host. I need to ask the right person, God! Then I ask with the right attitude: expecting God to answer. It would be foolish for me to ask God to lead me, but not really expect him to. When this takes place, you won’t receive anything. I must ask expecting an answer. God honors faith, and he promises wisdom for the next step of your life.

In summary, to know God’s will, I need to admit my need, ask Him and have faith that he will answer. After he answers it is important that I follow what he tells me.

Why Won’t God Tell Me the Next Step?

In review of Ecclesiastes 5:4 it says, When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.

Bottom Line:

God doesn’t like fools. So don’t be slow to keep your promises to God.

What this means to me:

When I make a promise to God that I will do something, I should not delay in doing it. God has no pleasure in fools. So keep all promises I make to him.

Today’s verse comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 5. In this section Soloman speaks of approaching God with care. He tells us that as we enter the house of God, we should keep our ears open and our mouth’s shut. We should not bring mindless offerings, make rash promises or be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is above and we are here. So let our words be few. Too much activity makes us restless, however too many words makes us a fool. When we do make a promise to God, we should not delay in following through on it. For God takes no pleasure in fools. So keep all promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.  Don’t let your words make you sin. And don’t try to defend yourself by saying you made a mistake. For talk is cheap. Take God seriously.

Often I like to see a plan or complete course of action laid out in front of me so that I have confidence to move forward. However, what I have found with God is that he generally does not work this way. Instead God wants me to rely on him, one step at time. So far I already know a lot of things that God wants me to do with my life. So am I doing them?  If not, why?

God is the creator of all. As such God he does not owe me any explanations nor is He obligated to give me step 2 until I’ve already done step 1. While I want to know God’s will for my career/marriage, God’s is telling me, “Let’s get to the basics”, such as reading and absorbing his Word? Am I involved in a small group? Am I tithing and giving out of my abundance? Am I talking with Him?  

In trying to determine God’s will for my life, I just need start doing what I already know to be the revealed will of God for my life. In thinking through this, I recently attended a course at my church (a refresh for me) on what my shape is. I need to find a way to use what I have re-discovered / re-confirmed to serve others, such as participating in “Alpha” or in “FPU”  as a table leader.

Today’s verse in Ecclesiastes 5:4 reminds me that, “When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools” (NLT). So I shouldn’t delay. I should just do what I already know to do.

Today I pray: “Lord, I need your guidance in my life. I ask in faith that you direct me. Help me to listen for your response, to not get so busy that I can’t hear you. Father, when I don’t understand it, help me to trust you and understand that you have a path that is for my good. God, what’s my next step? Help me to do what I already know I should do. Help me to not get frustrated. Help me to not be fearful but to trust in you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Three Mistakes to Avoid When Seeking God’s Will

In review of Psalm 37:23-24 it says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord …. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand”

Bottom Line:

Follow what God has planned for you. Then if you were to stumble or fall, He’ll make sure it isn’t fatal.

What this means to me:

My steps are established by the Lord, he delights in every detail of my life. If I was to stumble or fall, He will make sure that it isn’t fatal. The Lord will be by side and keep me from danger.

Today’s passage comes from Psalm 37. The psalmist (probably David) saw that many evil people had everything that they wanted. They did what they liked and one seemed to stop them. They hurt the poor people around them. So the psalmist begins to get angry about this. Then he realizes that his anger would not do anything to help this situation. He recalls and brings to mind that God allows us to experience difficulties and pain to develop us.  Also one day God will put things right. Our job is to just trust in Lord and wait for that day.

Given this, there are times in my life where I’m not quite sure what is next for me in life.  This seems to be especially true when it comes to my career. For a while now it’s feeling routine and like it might just be a dead end.

Even though the future is unknown and mysterious I will one day see my life in light of eternity and how it fits together in God’s plan. Until then, there are three error’s I’ve come across that I need to avoid as I seek God’s will.  Keeping these in mind will help me trust in him, especially when things don’t make sense.

First, don’t be fatalistic. The idea of fatalism, that everything that happens is God’s will, leads to self-pity. It will cause me to blame God for everything bad in my life rather than accepting responsibility that I probably caused the problem. And, fatalism will also lead to passivity. It can make me think that, “I’m waiting on God to ____”.  However what I’ve learned is that God is more or less saying, “I gave you a brain! I gave you two feet! Get out and do something about it!”

Second, don’t be frustrated. If I try to figure out everything in my life, I’m going to be very frustrated. Sometimes I’m going to do what I think is God’s will, and it’s going to fail. When this happens I need to keep on trusting God, knowing that he’s working on my character through all of my circumstances and that he ultimately has good plans in store for me.

Lastly, don’t be fearful. Never doubt God’s love. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a NASB). I will always get into trouble when I doubt God’s love, because when I don’t trust him, I won’t obey him.

Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord …. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”

God’s will is an expression of his love. When I don’t understand what God is doing, I just need to learn to have patience. He knows what’s best for me. While I can’t see the end result, he can. While God’s path may be a path of pain, all those delays, difficulties and problems I face are things he is using to build character in my life.

Even though it may seem that others are prospering and I’m not, I need to remember that God is working on my character. He is much more interested in developing my character than in providing me comfort.  I should avoid being fatalistic, frustrated or fearful.

Finding God’s Will

In review of 1 Corinthians 1:9 it says, "God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord."

Bottom Line:

God is faithful to do what he says. He is the one who invited you into a partnership with His Son.

What this means to me:

God is faithful, for he always does just what he says. He is the one who has invited me into a wonderful friendship and partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ my Lord.

Today’s passage comes from 1 Corinthians 1 where Paul is writing to the church in Corinth.  He considered himself to be chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ.  He writes to those who have been called by God, to become his own holy people, made holy by what Christ Jesus did on the cross. Paul then gives thanks to God for them and their gracious gifts given through Christ.  It is through God that they are enriched in every way.  He tells them that they now have every spiritual gift they need as they eagerly wait for the return of the Lord. He tells them that God will keep them strong to the end so that they will be free from all blame when his Son our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says. God has invited them into partnership with his Son.

I often find myself asking, God what is your will for me. One thing I know for certain is that God wants me to understand his will, his purpose, and his plan for my life.

I want God to guide me, but I still get confused and don’t know what to do. I’m learning that this is because I’m often looking for the wrong thing. I need to know what I’m looking for before I can really find it.

God’s will is not a feeling, or a supernatural sign. Feelings are unreliable; they will often guide me the wrong way. Feelings can come from fatigue, hormones, or an event I’ve just experienced. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (NLT). My heart can play tricks on me. Even the enemy can create a feeling. So I shouldn't wait for a feeling while I’m trying to figure out God’s plan for my life.

Also, God’s will is not a formula. In our culture, we want everything to be easy. We want things to follow a simple formula so it will provide instant change. I often will look for a step-by-step guide. However the problem with this approach is: There’s no room for mistakes. If God’s will is a recipe, what happens if I leave out one ingredient? If was to leave baking soda out of a recipe, it would be the difference between a birthday cake and a pancake. What if I had “52 Steps to Knowing God’s Will,” and you leave out number 37?

God’s will is not a closed system, rather it is dynamic. It will not always be an issue of choosing A or B. In fact, many times you can choose from A to Z, and any of them will be OK. It’s my choice. Why would God give me a brain and not expect me to use it? He lets me make choices, and he gives me second chances.

What I’m learning is that God’s will is a relationship. Today’s verse in 1 Corinthians 1:9 reminds me, “God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord.” (TLB).

While there is very little in the Bible about the technique of knowing God’s will, there are thousands of verses that talk about developing a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

God’s will is a relationship. The better I get to know him, the less confusion I’m going to have about what his will is. Get to know God, and everything else becomes secondary.