God's Will

Since I couldn't get back to sleep this morning I decided it must be God's will to read a book that I borrowed from a friend about a year ago and have been impressed to read and get it back to her as soon as I can.

The only conflict I had in reading it is that I quickly came upon somethings that I wanted to remember--so I took my notes and then I thought I should blog this because maybe it could help somebody else too! Needless to say, I didn't read very much this morning. So, to my friend out there, who let me borrow this book, please be assured that I am reading your book and I fully intend to give it back--someday!! :)

The Book is called The Classic Works of Phillip Keller. It has 4 of his writings in it titled:

1. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Very good--He does a great job of showing God's love for us as a shepherd does for his sheep. He also shows extremely well how much we as humans are silly like sheep and very much need our shepherd!)
2. A Layman Looks at the Lord's Prayer (currently reading and very impressed--this is the part I'll be quoting in this blog...)
3. A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and His Sheep (Looking forward to reading!)
4. A Gardner Looks at the Fruits of the Spirit (Can't wait to read!)

So now with all that background information here is the passage that I particulary found helpful on pages 197-198 and hope you will too!

Here are seven sure guidelines to assist one in finding and doing God's will.
1. Is it definately in agreement with God's will expressed and written in His Word? If so, fine. If not, don't do it.
2. Have you faced a similar situation before? If so what did God show you as His will then? If you made a mistake, don't repeat it.
3. If the decision is difficult and far beyond you, seek the wise and prayerful counsel of mature and godly persons who have the mind of Christ and know how to ascertain God's will.
4. Make the matter one of quiet but earnest prayer. Ask God, your Father, by His Spirit, to impress upon you distinctly by a deep inner conviction what the proper course of action is.
5. Our Father has endowed us with a fund of wholesome and practical knowledge which He expects us to use. We ignore it with risk.
6.Expect and wait to see events and circumstances surrounding this situation alter in such a manner as to influence your mind and will in determining God's will. Time takes care of many decisions. We are prone to be too impatient and hasty. God is seldom in a great rush about things.
7. Anticipate that as time goes on, the way will either open or the way will close for you to proceed along any given course. This should be accompanied by a sense of acceptance, gladness that you are being made aware of God's will, happiness in doing it, and peace about it.

When these points are followed precisely, and there is no great conflict between them, one can be assured of knowing and doing God's will.

Here's Rana's paraphrase of what Keller says:

1. Is it biblical and inline with what God has already said to do or not do?
2. Have I had a similar experience? Don't repeat previous mistakes.
3. Seek godly counsel from mature and godly persons in Christ.
4. Pray! Ask God to impress upon my heart the clear path to follow.
5. What wisdom or knowledge do I already have that can be applied to this situation?
6.Wait! Don't rush into a decision without thinking it through.
7. Is it an open or a closed door?

There is yet a little more I would like to quote from Keller but am not able to do so now. Hopefully the door of opportunity will open again sometime soon. We'll just have to see what the Lord wills and impresses!! :)