Living the will of God - Part 2

“And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.””

Mark 14:36 NKJV

'Will' as we are using it in this context is a noun, defined  according to Cambridge Dictionary as what someone wants to happen. This definition is too simplistic for me, so I came up with my own:

The will of God is the heart of God; what He wants to be done and to be, for His glory.

The will of God is the heart of God and the outcome of His will is the glory of His name. To understand the will of God, we must see it from His view not what we desire but what He desires.

Many times we pray for the will of God in our situation but we are not ready to accept it because of our selfishness; or too impatient to wait so we 'help' God along.

The Holy Book gives us insights into the will of God. I have classified these into two categories; the will of God as it relates to Himself. I call this God-will. And the second is the will of God as it relates to mankind.

1. God-will: What God does by His own will without mankind. Creation was an example. By Himself God did it, according to His will, desire, purpose. Another example is the creation of man. This was by the will of God. He purposed to create man in His own image. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen 1:27). And God saw everything He created was good. Gen 1:31

In God’s relationship with mankind we see these wills in action:

2. Free will: God created man in his own image. He also gave us free will, to make decisions and choices in life. God also provides man the  necessary information and options to make the decision. Gen 2:15 - 17 (NKJV); 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  Of course we know that man chose to eat of the fruit they knew not to eat (irrespective of the tempter the ultimate decision was still man's. Our conscience tells us what is right or wrong. We make the choice on what to do; which way to go. He called everyone to make the choice of life in Christ. Many will hear the call, some will even answer the call but only a few will choose to do his will. 

3. Permissive will: This is when mankind asks God for something they desire against the expressed will of the Father and He let them have it. Israel demanded a King and God gave it to them (1 Sam 8). But it was His will for them. And we read the everlasting impact on the nation. How many times have we asked, pleaded, begged, even tried to blackmail God (if you do this, I will serve you forever...)? We quote the scripture - God gives the desires of my heart (Ps 37:4) as justification for badgering Him with what we want instead of asking for His will. What about what He desires for you? 

4. Perfect will: When we know, acknowledge and accept God's will irrespective of our own desire.  We do what He asks. We go where He sends. We say what He tells us and when He tells us. Our perfect example is  Jesus. He came to earth to do the will of God the Father. Whatever He did was the perfect will of God - his birth, ministry, death, resurrection and the ultimate redemption of mankind. We should seek first to know and understand His perfect will. And then walk in it. Many times we might not know the end or know the vision, nor be clear on the details. Sometimes the journey is painful, uncomfortable, hard but He knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not harm us, to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11).

5. Self-will: When you operate in self-will, there is no acknowledgement of God. There is no desire to ask His will. All you want is to do what you desire. You think all you need is your own abilities, intellect and strength. This is different to permissive will because in the latter you still acknowledge God but you ask Him to rubber stamp your desires. Like a loving father to a petulant child, He lets you have your way. The history of Israel gave us many examples of incidences of self-will. They kept rebelling against God and following their own desires. The prophets kept warning them about God’s heart concerning the rebellion. 

For a declared born-again Christian, self-will is rebellion against God. Because you are saying, ‘You are not my God.’ 

“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.” Psalms ‭81:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬‬‬

Brethren, Elohim gave us free will but He expects us to choose Him; to acknowledge Him; to obey Him; to honour and glorify Him.

What is the perfect will of God for your life? Are you walking in it?

Prayer:

Almighty Father, in the name of Jesus help me to operate in Your perfect will for my life. Amen

#will #willofGod #sppiritualmaturity

Living the will of God - Part 1

Many of us christian pray for the will of God to be done in our life. I do as well. To be truthful, then I use to wonder even as I prayed it, to what extent I was willing to do the will of God. I mean we read about the people of faith in the bible and what they had to go through all in the course of doing God's will. Jesus is our perfect example of one who did the perfect will of His Father. And we know what it caused him.

At the beginning of this year 2017, when God gave me this word 'Thy will Oh Lord be done'. It led me to a journey of exploration, discovery, understanding and finally coming to a place of decision to let 'thy will oh Lord be done.'

During the year, God taught me lessons on His perfect will. I was taken through His will for creation to His relationship with mankind. I will be sharing some of these over the next few blogs as directed by the Holy Spirit. I pray that it will impact your life positively and get you going (still) walking and working out His perfect will for your life.

The will of God can be seen from creation. The creation of earth was from the will of Elohim. His will was to create a dwelling place for humankind.

Please read and reflect on Genesis 1. 

“I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded…
For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:12, 18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Everything He made was good
The will of God is that the earth should bring forth fruits and herbs
The will of God is that the stars, sun, moon in the firmaments are for signs of times and seasons (the wise men were led by the star when Jesus was born) and for days and years (many orthodox Churches refer to the stars and moon for days and years)
It was after God created the habitation that He created living things
It was the will of God for man to be in His image
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” Genesis‬ ‭1:26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It is the will of God for humankind to be fruitful
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis‬ ‭1:27-28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It is His will for man to fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion over all that He has created - except man
It is the will of God for man to work. To take care of the earth
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Gen 2:15
It is the will of God that man should not be alone but in a family
"And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Genesis‬ ‭2:15, 18‬ ‭
It is useful to also realise that it was God's will to delegate authority and responsibility to man.
It is also worth understanding that it was the will of God that there is an intimate connection between a man and woman - when He created woman from man rather than directly from the dust of the earth as He did Adam. That is why there is always a longing or sense of intimacy between a man or woman. Except those that have been given the gift of celibacy (Mat 19:12)
“But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”” Matthew‬ ‭19:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It is the will of God that man should rule over sin
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”” Genesis‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

From creation, we can also see it was not the will of God for woman to have pain and sorrow in conception
It was not the will of God for man to toil to eat and sweat to have bread (man to tend and care for)
It was not the will of God for earth to bring forth thorns and thistles
And it was not the will for God for man to die

These were consequences of disobedience to God’s expressed command. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:16-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In the beginning everything God planned was good and perfect.

Disobedience led to the end of the perfect world of Eden to the cursed earth, to spiritual separation and finite years.

But praise the LORD for His love for us. That despite these, He made provision for our reconciliation and the restoration of all things to the way He intended it by His perfect will. Through His only begotten son Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came to reconcile man back to God through faith.

The pole that holds the bridge of this connection by faith is obedience.

It is the will of God that everyone who believes in the son will have eternal life.

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus said he knows His Father always hear him. Because he came to earth to do his will (John 11:42)

Let us pause to pray:
Help me to understand your will by growing in the knowledge of you
Help me to have the desire to know and do your will not mine.
Let Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven

Divorce (4)

So I sought the Lord in prayer and studying His word to know and understand His heart concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage. 

The first thing I learnt was that God hates divorce. Any kind of divorce is a sin. I had to genuinely ask for forgiveness concerning this. I thank the Lord for the blood of Jesus that washes away all sins. I believe Elohim does not count this against me. I am righteous in His sight by the finished work on the Calvary. I am not ashamed of my marital situation.

Secondly and for me the most important was asking God for revelation to me of His will and plan for my life. I understood that not everyone is meant to be married. Irrespective of how the church perceives singleness - many a vigil has been held for unmarried sisters and brothers. Decrees and prophetic declaration has been made. If there are so many mighty men and women of God in the bible that were single who says everyone must be married? Jesus was not, neither was John the Baptist, Apostle Paul, the Samaritan woman that became the first evangelist was divorced so many times before she met her Saviour. And many more examples (search the word yourself).

What was God’s plan for my life when He had me in mind even before He formed me? Was I meant to be married or single for Christ?

Thirdly, if my life was to bring glory to God what decisions and actions must I take that will bring glory to Him rather than questions about His word and Him that I serve.

Fourthly, the need to make restitution and put relationships right. It was not about who was wrong or right. It is easy to always blame the other person and not reflect on your own part in the situation. I had to purposefully seek and make restitution for the breakdown of my marriage (ask for forgiveness for my part in what led to the divorce). 

And then hand over my life to Elohim. I had to go through a spiritual journey of maturity to get to the place where I can say through heart belief - 'Whatever you want of me Lord, here I am. Married or not married, it is all about you. Yes I would like to be married but Your will for my life takes precedent.'

It was not easy and it is not easy. It is a daily commitment. But I rest on the promises of God that His plan is to give me a hope and a future. He delights in every details of my life. He gave me beautiful children. He did not ordain children outside of marriage. But my life is about Him. 

Where I am now is living a life that is about Elohim, the expansion of His kingdom and the glory of His name. Do I want to get married and have a home? Of course yes. BUT I am not doing that in my power or by the flesh. I have and still pray that Almighty God will do what He has in plan for me. What He will do that I will testify. What He will do that will bring glory and honour and many souls to give their lives because He is the one that can make dead bones to live again.

Do I worry about the passage of time. NO because I fill my life with Him. I focus on using the gifts He has given me by empowering others; sharing my testimonies, lifting others up like writing this blog. It is when you focus on yourself so much that you give your flesh the opportunity to take control of your thoughts.

All I know is that God will restore my marital life and it will be done in a way that will not be divisive to the body of Christ but will be a jaw-gapping, hands lifted, body rolling on the floor testimony to the Almighty!

Whilst I am waiting for their manifestation of God’s will concerning this, I am living and loving life! I am maximizing this time of singleness to travel and do the work of the kingdom.

Are you a divorced child of God, seek God for your situation, focus less on it, enjoy life and let God be God in your situation. Marriage does not define who you are but complements you. Let God take charge and you enter His rest. Do not worry about what people are saying or will say. Age is just a number. It is better your latter years is greater than your early years. Don't waste each second of your life in worry, self-doubt and unhappiness. Fill your life with Elohim. When you then want to remarry no-one will doubt this is the work of the ALMIGHTY GOD. And it will be in line with His word. 

By the grace of Elohim, I want to encourage the matured singles in the body of Christ - either matured never been married (over 35s), divorced and young widows. 

I will be starting a non-denominational SINGLENESS IN CHRIST FELLOWSHIP in 2018 by the grace and will of Elohim.This will be a weekly one and half hours fellowship through social media forum; studying the word, praying together, sharing and encouraging each other. If you are interested in joining send me an email - adeola@we-can-leadershipinstitute.com, message me through Facebook Adeola Akintoye or send a message through this blog. I am excited as I look forward to what Elohim has in store for us.

I hope you have been blessed and encouraged by these series.
Shalom

Divorce (3)

Almighty God created the institution of marriage. “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" Gen 2:18. He desires godly children from this union (Malachi 2:15). Nevertheless, He is not against singleness or celibacy. The greatest single person ever lived was Jesus Christ. The most impactful apostle - Paul never married. No single person must ever feel ashamed in the Christendom about their marital status.

There are and will always be differences of opinion on divorce and remarriage until YESHUA returns. It is easy to judge those who are divorced in the church and be judgmental about whether they can or should re-marry or not. The word of Elohim and His principles concerning marriage and divorce should be our yardstick not our feelings or fleshy desires. Please refer to previous articles on these.

As someone who became a born again Christian after having been divorced for many years and even in a relationship which I had hoped would lead to a settled home; this was one of the issues I had to contend with in the church.

I had so many different and conflicting opinions and advice in the Church that I decided to seek the Lord directly myself. I heard extreme views like you can never remarry once you are divorced and irrespective of how young you are unless your (ex) husband dies, you will be committing adultery with any remarriage. Okay... should I start praying for his death given I was still very young (in my thirties) I wondered. 

I also heard that given I was divorced before I became born again old things have passed away all things have become new. I can remarry but this time its till death do us part and the person must be a believer. But...?

Then I also heard, well marriage is till death but there are many who divorced and said God told them to remarry and they are happy. Then I also got examples of ministers of God that are divorced before or during ministries, and are still doing ‘wonders’ in the ministry.

As a new believer what do you do? You read the bible, you read what God has said and then you hear what those who have been in this christian journey long before you are saying. And you see even Pastors getting divorced as Christians and remarrying and you wonder? Was there another bible people are following?

So I decided I will seek God myself concerning this issue and my own specific situation. After all I have access to Him as well. He will guide me and lead me according to His plan and purpose for my life.

And what did I hear? Look out for the final part of this Divorce series. 

Shalom.