God’s Will – What is it? HopeStreamRadio

God’s Will – What is it? Hope Stream Radio Podcast

As I started a quick study on prayer scriptures my first one brought me to understanding God’s will. I have heard that question many times: “How can I be in God’s will?”. I think I found the answer.

God's Will - what is it?

This week my podcast at Hope Stream Radio answers that question: What is God’s Will?  You can listen to the podcast here.

Here are the show notes:

This past week I have been studying 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

People are always asking: Is what I am doing God’s will or saying: I would like to be in God’s will.

What is God’s Will?

Paul answers this question, doesn’t he?

To be in God’s will we need to have continual joy, continual prayer and continual thanks in all circumstances.

That’s pretty clear. But it is not easy.

Paul encourages us on our spiritual walk. It is a journey, not a step or a marathon, but a walk.

In Thessalonians Paul talks about the second coming of Christ. But he focuses on how we are to live this life her on earth – the now – the present time – with the end in mind, learning to be in the presence of God now and hopeful of being in His Presence later.

In the meantime we can focus here on earth on those three things: Joy, Prayer and Thanks

Joy:

There’s a lot to joy. It is not happiness, which ebbs and flows. Joy is in knowing Christ. We can find joy at all times just in knowing Him.

How to we know Him? By reading the Bible and by prayer. We can actually learn to hear His voice. That’s why God left the Holy Spirit here on earth. I picture the Holy Spirit as a cell phone line to God. The Holy Spirit rings me in the middle of the night to talk to me. He beeps me when I am to watch or be careful. Words on the page of the Bible come alive when I have the right connection.

In sorrow, the joy I feel is comfort and peace in knowing He is with me.
In inspiration, He gives me words to write and pictures to draw to encourage others.
In study, He opens doors of understanding.
In pain, He soothes my spirit and heals me.

Prayer:

Next Paul speaks about prayer. He says to pray continually. At first I wondered how I could do that. Could I talk to God on an on-going basis? After much practice, I think I am getting better at having those minute to minute conversations. Learning to have a close connection to Jesus is the way to be able to pray continually.

Thankfulness:

Finally there is thankfulness. And that’s being thankful in all situations – good and bad.

The best book I have ever read to discover this deep gratefulness is A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It’s a book that needs to be read slowly, as a careful, prayerful and thoughtful study. I read it through 3 times. I started to develop an understanding of giving thanks for everything.

How can I be thankful at all times?

Seek God and know that He has me in the palm of His hands, holding me safe and secure. (click to tweet)

This is a verse worth remembering, so I can stand fast in adverse times, trust God through all things, and show the world the glory and wonder of my God.

Remember these words:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

God's Will - what is it?May I pray for you and me?

Lord, we live in confusing, sometimes violent times. We don’t understand this world we live in. We are grateful to be a part of Your Kingdom so we can stand firm in Your promises of being with You forever. In the meantime, we will endeavour to be joyful, prayerful and thankful always and in all circumstances because this is living in Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Until next time, take time to be with God daily in prayer and in the study of His Word.

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3 comments

  1. Thank you, Janis. Sometimes , well many times, I don’t want to even think about what I’m going through. But you reminded me that I can be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Not easy but with God I can have the right attitude.

  2. So good, Janis!
    We read lots about finding the will of God, and we hear people say that they want to know it, but it seems that the best place to start is with what He has already revealed in His Word!

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