Dear Reader, it is most recommended, if you are able, that you physically write out all verses mentioned below in full, perhaps in a notebook. Not only are these verses helpful as a reference, but seeing and reading combined verses on a particular theme from the whole council of God’s Word is highly beneficial for spiritual growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and to illuminate His word to you, and to impart the faith needed to be both a hearer and a doer. Remember, He is our Wonderful Helper!
To gain the most benefit from these readings, allow time for thinking on each verse, prayerfully asking yourself these questions, making notes on your reflections…..
Do I believe this? If not, Mark 9:23-24, Hebrews 11:6
Am I willing to act on this? If not, Romans 12:1,
Am I acting on this? If not, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 4:13
The Power to Walk in God’s Will
PART 1 God’s all sufficient provision
When we receive instructions from the Bible, experience conviction over a matter, or have a prompting from The Holy Spirit, we are given the choice as to whether we obey, delay, or disobey. The Lord desires our “Yes!” and when we give it, He makes available all that is needed to succeed in the matter, be it big or small.
1. While The Lord has specific plans unique to each of His children, these plans and works as varied as they are, all have a common purpose. The following verses make clear the unchanging will of God for all His children.
a) John 15:16, John 15:8
b) Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18
c) Ephesians 2:10
2. What are The Lord’s chosen ways for these purposes to be achieved?
a) John 15:1-10, Zechariah 4:6
b) John 14:12, John 7:38, John 6:29
c) Hebrews 11:6
3. How does The Lord help His children to walk in His will? What specifically does He do?
a) Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:12-14, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 2:14
b) Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Romans 8:15-16, Romans 8:26-27
c) 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, Ephesians 1:3
4. The Lord has made complete provision for His children to be fruitful, live in newness, and succeed in the plans He has made. Read John 6:63 and John 6:29 and decide if you are going to walk on in the strength of your flesh, or in the power of God’s Spirit.
5. Read Philippians 2:13 again. Compare it to the promise given in Ezekiel 36:26-27. Where does the initiative come from?
6. Every day we are making choices, and responding or reacting to our circumstances, whatever they may be. The following verses give very practical and wise instructions that will help to keep the doer of them in line with God’s will.
a) Isaiah 55:8-9, Isaiah 48:17, Psalm 32:8
b) Proverbs 3:5-6, John 15:5
c) James 1:5-6, 1 John 5:14-15, Hebrews 4:16
PART 2 Stumbling Blocks
It is the Spirit of Christ in us that delights to do God’s will, and is fully able to. When we present ourselves as a living sacrifice and say “no” to the desires of the flesh, the Spirit of Christ is then given reign to lead and guide us, to equip and enable us, to encourage and strengthen us, to fulfil His plans for us.
1. Read Luke 9:23. What three things does Jesus say a person must do to be able to be His follower?
2. In The Lord’s call to pick up our cross and follow Him, He warns of specific areas that can be a hinderance, a stumbling block and a real test of faith when it comes to choosing and doing Gods will against our own, and following His path for our lives. Look at these four areas and prayerfully consider them.
a) Matthew 10:34-37, Luke 14:26
b) Luke 14:33, Mark 8:36, Matthew 6:24
c) Mark 8:35, Matthew 10:39
d) Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 9:26, Matthew 11:6
3. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus goes on to bring to light the things that can halt a believer’s spiritual progress. These are common pitfalls, have you experienced these in your walk with God?
a) Matthew 13: 20-21, Luke 8:13
b) Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14
4. We all have natural inclinations that initially govern our choices, also known as the “self” life. Because of our fallen nature, we tend to automatically respond to and steer situations according to self interest….it could be a defensive attitude, a selfish choice at the expense of others, or picking the easiest and most comfortable/convenient option. Why is it absolutely necessary for us to deny this “self”, to say “no” to our self-government?
a) Romans 8:5-8, Galatians 5:17, Galatians 6:8, 1 Corinthians 2:14
b) Proverbs 14:12, Matthew 6:24, Amos 3:3
5. We see from The Lord’s instructions that denying our “self” is not for just for a season, but is intended to lead to a complete death of self. The cross we are called to carry is not a burden put upon us, but rather our agreement with God over this death, our acknowledging His wisdom that it must be so, our co-operation with our death, and our embrace of this death. Are you believing, willing and responding to relinquish your rights to your self- life and accept its death to allow the Spirit of Christ with all His sufficiency to live in you?
a) Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
b) Galatians 5:24, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Colossians 2:6
Parts 3 and 4 to follow in the next issue
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 