Me: Prodigal, Do you realize that you are in a box?
Prodigal: Of course, I am packing. After thinking a lot about it I decided to move.
Me: That can be a big decision, How did you come up with that decision?
Prodigal: I guess the way everyone else does. Is there a certain way?
Me: I do have some checkpoints that might be helpful to others, do you mind if I share?
Prodigal: Go ahead, I am all ears.
I receive this question a lot in interacting with people. Michael Catt in Fireproof Your Life completes a check point with scripture references that I feel is a great foundation when we are discerning God’s will for our lives.
He writes The following questions will help with discerning God’s will for our lives.
Do you believe that God’s will can be known definitely and accurately? (Ps. 32:8; Isa. 30:21)
Are you willing to seek God’s will and do it, or would you just like to know it as an option? (John 7:17)
Have you made a permanent decision of commitment to be yielded to God for the rest of your life? (Rom. 12:1-2)
Is there any known unconfessed sin in your life? If so, stop here and confess it and forsake it. (Ps 66:18, 1 John 1:9,Prov. 28:13)
Are you obeying the known will of God for your life on a daily basis? If not, start today and demonstrate your obedience before going on. (Ps 119:59-60)
Are you in neutral? Are you willing to go either way on this issue? Ask God that His desires will be your desires. (Phil. 2:13)
Are you praying specifically and definitely about it in faith? Make a list of your specific thoughts and pray about them by faith. (Mark 10:51; James 1:5-7)
Are you spending time with God daily in prayer and Bible study? If not, begin today. (Ps 5:3)
Have you asked the counsel of spiritually mature people? (Prov. 11:14, 12:15, 15:22, 19:20, 20:18, 24:6)
Are you willing to wait In faith for God to line up His Word, your peace and the circumstances? (Heb. 10:36)
Do you have an inner conviction or peace about your course of action? (Rom. 14:23)
Will it bring glory to God? (1 Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17)
This is just a really good foundation when we are trying to find God’s will. Sometimes it will take a short time and sometimes it is a slow process. If you really seek God, He will reveal himself to you. Some of you have that confusion today about what direction you should go next week? Take and ask your self these question. See what God says? You may be surprised!
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
