It’s time to finish our lesson in how to seek and find the will of God in our lives. What is more important? Absolutely nothing! The Lord has a wonderful plan for your life. There is no one else like you. You are special to God! And He wants to make Himself real and present in your life—moment by moment—day by day.

That’s why I’m sharing nine simple points for you to put into practice as you seek God’s will in those important decisions you must make. The first three studies covered six of these points. They are;

1) DESIRE GOD’S WILL ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE

2) DEVELOP A STRONG FOUNDATION OF SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES

3) INNER IMPRESSION

4) THE WORD OF GOD

5) SIGNPOSTS

6)COUNSELLORS

 Here are the final three important steps.

 7. TIME AND PRAYER

I like to take a night to sleep on major decisions. I have made too many mistakes by being presumptuous and impulsive. Decisions that are off in the future give you time to carefully check out the Lord’s will. Other decisions must be made almost instantly. When possible, take at least one night to wait on the Lord in prayer and in the Scriptures before making the decision. Often, the next morning will dawn with your path made crystal clear because you took time to “Be still and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10)

Scripture reminds you that you do not have to make your decisions alone. In fact, you really don’t even have to make them at all if you give God a chance to make them for you. You will still have to be the voice behind the decision, but His will be the mind behind it. Taking time in prayer over the problem or action facing you allows you to view it from God’s perspective and makes you conscious of His lordship over your life and decisions. And this is the promise we have in 1 John 5:14, 15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

8. A FINAL TOTAL COMMITMENT TO GOD

Let me illustrate this point with expanding Shalom International from West Coast to East Coast in 1979. All Norma and I wanted was God’s will no matter the cost (point one). We had a basic foundation of scriptural principles (point two). A strong inner impression that God would give us miracle facilities (point three) was followed by many scriptures that challenged us to step out in faith (point four). We had signposts such as city commissions and zoning boards speaking in our favor, and a miracle price for large facilities (point five). A multitude of counselors advised us to “go” (point six) and we had spent time in prayer (point seven).

Now we chained ourselves to the will of God. In other words: “Lord, it all looks like it’s you. But if we have been deceived, blow the whole thing up if it’s not your perfect will.” We claimed the promise in Matthew 18:18, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven…” and rested in the Lord. What followed was the final point in this lesson.

9.THE PEACE OF GOD

Colossians 3:15 is a magnificent indicator of God’s will, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” God promises to be your umpire and settle all questions that fill your heart and mind. He will do it with that “perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3) that settles in when it’s really the Lord.

When all nine of these signals click in, you can make your decision, large or small, with the assurance that you have done your best to be true to the Lord and to listen to His voice. Now step out on faith and move in the direction that you believe to be right.

A FINAL WORD OF ADVICE

Always remember that you do not have to ask God if it is His will for you to give, witness, forgive, attend church, etc. Those are scriptural commands and privileges that a Christian automatically does without the excuse of “I don’t feel led.” Just do them and you will be blessed.

CONCLUSION

These nine steps, once learned, will become like a well-used map to which you will refer as you face decisions on who to marry, where to move, what church to attend, when to have children, what activities to involve yourself in, what purchases to make, etc. Too many Christians blow it by first making the decisions and then asking God to bless it. The Lord is not in the business of blessing wrong decisions and loves us enough to make us pay for them. Always make a mental note of the bad decisions you have made in the past so you don’t repeat them. Ephesians 5:17 tells us, “…be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Take these important steps I have given you, add any others that God may give you and go to work learning how to understand His voice and will. You will find a new confidence as you approach life’s decisions because you will be seeking one thing only—God’s will and never your own.

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras