How to Know the Will of God: His Plan for Us Is Better Than Our Own

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God check out virtue our website for Christian women go to harvest.org/virtue will bring you is good but here's the problem so mom is free because we will warm the concept of God. We think God is willing to go to our lawn. This almost taste and see that the Lord is good. Pastor Greg Laurie assures us God's plans for your life that are wrong. Listen to this really does what you really does have a wonderful plan for your life. Model GPS live real-time traffic information show you what roads to avoid God wants to do that for a lot.

He wants to direct his number right some of us think we can make better decisions. Just looking out the window today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see how to discover God's will for our lives out his plans are far better than ours and his compassion is for knowledge messages how to know the will of God go grab your Bible in Romans chapter 12 Romans chapter 12 when we start with prayer. Father, we want to know your will and then we need the power to do your will. So were praying now as we look at Scripture that you give us a clear understanding of your plan and purpose for our life as individuals but also as believers in general.

And maybe there's someone here that needs to get some direction there grappling with some issues and questions there's decisions they need to make and they need wisdom from on high Lord, would you give that to them in this message us because we would ask in Jesus name, amen. This is our last message in our series that we have been calling every growing Christian needs to know what I think God of all the topics I'm asked about this is probably one of the most popular one that we all deal with this young Christians and even as older Christians and that is how can we know God's will for a lot.

We wonder, does God still speak to people today does the Lord have a master plan for our lives, and if he does, how to wipe discover it. How can I learn how to know the voice of God. How can I discover the will of God will here's the answer. Yes, God has a master plan for your life. Yes, God speaks to us today. Yes, the Lord wants to reveal his will to you because we as Christians are not victims of chance, hoping that our luck will be good order not run out, God has a plan for each of us, but here's the problem. Some of us are afraid of God's will because we have a warp concept of God. We think God is effectively out to get a seesaw to ruin our lives. Listen to this God's plan for you is good.

I know it's a cliché, I know you've heard it before but I believe it's absolutely true God really does love you and he really does have a wonderful plan for your life. Having said that, we come to Romans 12. Here are some steps you can take to sorta prepare the ground to hear the voice of God, and know his will, read verses 1 to 2 of Romans from the new King James version, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is the good underline that word if you would please. What is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Notice it's called the good acceptable and perfect will of God.

God's will for you is good that were told over and some 34. Eight taste and see that the Lord is good.

But here's the problem. Our definition of good is different than God's definition of good and the best way to illustrate this is children and food.

You know, if a child had their way they would live off candy and you have to come and reign in their parade and say no more candy factory and eat no protein. You can have some vegetables, even I have to eat some kale because it's good for you and you need to drink some water and you can be drinking all those carbonated drinks all the time so you're looking out for your job.

It's not fair and they can send them a cry, but you're doing what is good for them ultimately sewn the same way in life were interested in what brings us immediate gratification. That's good getting everything I want. We think that's good. That's is actually it isn't. If I want to give you everything you wanted. It would destroy you, hold back some of those things from you, for your own good you're interested in the small picture God's interested in the big picture. Our definition of good is that which is happy, fun, pleasurable pain free in the moment, God's interested in what is productive, character forming an internally focused were interested in the here and now God's interested in the by-and-by what is that mean God's interested in making you more like Jesus each and every one day when we get to heaven working to see things a lot differently and I think we may look at life and realize that some of those things we thought were good were actually bad and some of those things we thought were bad were actually good because they cause us to depend upon him, and they made us more like Jesus.

Does that make sense to you, it will one day and I will make more sense to me to write so much ruckus up almost done here, which is some some basic ways that God directs us up. You're trying to discern God's will. Here's are some good principles to keep in mind number one God primarily speaks to us through his word. He primarily speaks to us through his word.

Scripture says his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path to God will never lead us contrary to what the Bible says here's a simple way to remember it. It's not in the word. It's not of the Lord is not in the words not of the Lord. The Bible is a bedrock. The Bible is her absolute. The Bible is our touchstone. The Bible is a clear revelation that we measure all other so-called revelations by it's a rock of stability. We measure our pickle human emotions by the way we know something is true or right is by comparing it to what Scripture says in second Timothy 316 says all Scripture is inspired by God. It's useful to teach us what is true and to help us realize what's wrong in our life. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right, so God will never lead you contrary to Scripture and I bring this up because sometimes people come along as they have a new revelation from God. It's never been this close before. But this spirit is given this to me and I don't know why will get excited about stuff like here's something remember if it's new, it's not true and if it's true, it's not new.

If you can make a bit of a good case for what you're saying if you can show me where it is in the Scripture. I have no interest in it whatsoever.

On the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit was poured out in supernatural phenomena was taking place. Peter stood up and said this is the which was spoken of by the prophet Joel in the biblical basis for what was taking place should always have a biblical basis for what is taking place. So the word of God needs to be precious to you. Here's a thought. What if we treated our Bibles like our cell phones have you noticed how important cell phones are to us now. I googled the server for a came up as a question. How many people have cell phones like 91% of Americans have cell phones and 70% of those are smart phones right so that means that we can text on them and we can check social media on them and all kinds of stuff like that and think how important your phone is to carry with you wherever you go and sometimes weaving. Room to room right who was in the other room have to get it right.

There is you want to miss a thing. You want your phone with you at all times and and then maybe you get in your car you're driving on the street and you something real. I love my cell phone at home. What you do, you do a U-turn and you go all you need that lifeline with you treated your Bible. That way, this is not original to me, someone else wrote this, but what if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone. What we carried around in your purse or pocket. What a complete flip through it whenever you had a bright knowing you're standing in line what is everyone doing now plopped herself, don't talk to anyone any longer. Just ignore one of the phones and would be treated you. By the way, I pray. The Bible see what the Bible is thinking of the best of both worlds and of the Bible on your phone you can read the Bible output would be treated your Bible that way would've U-turn back home to get it if you forgot your Bible when you drove out when we use the Bible to receive messages from the text. What if you treated the Bible as though you could live without it.

What if you gave the Bible as a gift to your kid. I like this. Unlike our cell phones or none of the worry about your Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill and there's no dropped calls right so also. So you need to open up the Bible and read it on. Here's the thing.

Sometimes we don't understand how important it is to read through a book of the Bible okay because here's where people get into trouble. They spiritualize Scripture. By that I mean they don't read it contextually. They take verses and cause them to mean something they never were meant to me and here's a good illustration of what we looked at last time, as we look at that temptation of Jesus in the wilderness" of the Bible. Remember, and then he told Jesus to jump off the top of the temple but the devil was quoting this scripture out of context, encouraging Christ to test the Lord instead of trust the Lord. So I've seen people get the weirdest things out of the Bible that are not really there. Here's a Lord I just need wisdom today just speak to me from your word. I just pray that the wind will blow it now to the page that I should read and just do it now, Lord, two pages boning and Judas went and hanged himself really sure what that means. Lord just show me what it means and then a few more pages of go thou and do likewise. Okay Lauren, don't be so read it in context understand what it's saying but speak to Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message in just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a Bible study. It's a worship service. It's church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now. If so, join us per Harvest at Home people are listening this from around the world listen to this. We have seen thousands of people commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend harvest@home.o Pastor Greg continues now with some basic principles to keep in mind by way of his message. How to know the will of God number two God can speak to you through circumstances he can speak in this circumstance and we ask God to confirm his word to us. Gideon was called by the Lord out of obscurity to lead the Israelites out of the bondage of the Midianites and depict an unlikely character in Gideon and so Lord that I wanted to do this. Gideon Gideon's honor Lord to prove it to me and Gideon came up with this thing. He laid an animal skin on the ground, also known as the fleece and he said, but if you really want me to do this on Malaya fleece on the ground and in the morning if there's due on the fleece and the ground is dry on the which you so get up the next morning that is doing the fleece. The counterstrike then getting is okay Lord reported again one more morning and this time if there's due on the grass and the fleece is drive.

I'll know what you and that's of the expression laying the fleece before the Lord comes from okay but I don't suggest you base a huge decision on circumstances along what I do suggest is you operate by biblical principles and then say Lord if this is your will would you confirm it to me. I am a God often leads us one step at a time, not a detailed blueprint. God told Philip go to the desert didn't say we get to the desert. There's going to be a guy from Ethiopia in a chariot caravan reading out loud from Isaiah 53.

So read up, get ready God to just go to the desert.

Assume that the Lord will just sort of not just in a certain direction were not sure what were doing exactly what we take that step in the next step becomes clear. Then I take that step and then the next step becomes clear so there's sort of circumstantial confirmation.

Sometimes God. You, Paul talked about how he was stopped by shipwreck and sentence. Yes, God can even use sickness to alter your plans you wanted to do this something happen when you are not able to do it. That's where God leads to circumstances just be very careful about that God can speak your people to and I've had time dry. I sent the Lord is speaking to my heart to do a certain thing and out of the blue someone that I love or respect. Or maybe someone I've never met a company out of the blue said no Greg you think about doing this. Just think, so that you be a confirmation but on the other hand, people come up with crazy stuff so you don't base everything what someone says to you, God told me to say this to you and a girl come up to me years ago and she said the Lord spoke to me and said I'm supposed to marry you for several my wife. We gotta talk about this. Needless to say God and tell her that people come up with strange things so you want to base a major decision on someone saying that there's another one.

Number three there is a work in your heart. Sort of the peace in your heart. Colossians 315 says let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of his body. You're called to peace, be thankful for. Another translation puts it this way.

Let the peace of God isn't umpires settle with finality all matters that arise in your heart like God's peace like an umpire is in what is an umpire to go he gets people mad at him or her right as we don't like the calls they make, but an empire generally is there to watch the game and make a decision any of that was out. That was then either save the route, whatever. That's a job at the umpire let the peace of God act as an umpire I find when I'm in the will of God. I have the peace of God, there are times when I just don't have God's peace about them by God's reasoning that sense that this is for the something inside of you think this is not right. The Bible says you will go out with joy in your be led forth with peace so put all those in the play. As for God's wisdom.

I believe you got your steps. Let me close with one final thought now about God's will. I know this is God's will for every person listening to me. I say this one for last, I noticed God's will that everyone put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Hello. I know that because first Timothy 247 God's will is that all people be say in second Peter three nights as God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. That's God's will. Listen to this God is not going to force his will on people is to make you believe if you don't want to believe he secular forgive you of your sins and you don't want to be forgiven of your sent you something to make you go to heaven if you don't want to go to heaven is missing Up to heaven right now young man you want to go enough to go breaks my heart. I sent my son to die for you and purchase your ticket, so to speak, so you can be forgiven and go to heaven. But if you reject this on the can make you take God's will. God's desires for you to know. Like I said earlier he wants to be your friend. Think of that God wants to be your friend. Yet he wants to be your savior in your Lord and your master he wants to be your friend want you to confide in him was that he wants to confide in you. He wants to enter into this relationship with you.

Maisie and you need to ask and become in your life. Jesus as I stand at the door and I knock it if you hear my voice, and open the door. I'll come in and being a Christian is having a relationship with Christ who lives inside of you. I ask you here now you have this relationship with Jesus Christ you know that is living inside of you is God your friend or is he to Stanton and someone that seems unknowable.

You listen you can know God, you can have a relationship with God, and you can discover the will of God is a McGregor beat up mess of my life.

It's too late for me know it isn't, but is a great job of taking messes, turning them around and he can turn your mess into a message you can take all your problems and transform them for his glory and make you a different person, but you have to say God I need your help in Judah.

Forgive me because were all separated from God by our sin. That's why Jesus died for us 2000 years ago and rose again from the dead, and he'll come into your life right now. If you ask a man so close in prayer number to give you an opportunity to ask Jesus Christ into your life. You've not done that yet.

Do it now some of you may be in you know what's right for you been doing crazy stuff that you know you should not be doing as a follower of Jesus, and maybe some of you need to make a serious rededication to Christ tonight. So whatever your need is respond to this invitation as we close in prayer. Father, thank you for loving us.

Thank you for your word to us. Thank you for your promises to us and I pray for anyone here anyone listening right now. If they don't know Jesus yet. Help them to come to you. Help them to enter into this friendship with God and have the hope of heaven, but also they have meaning and purpose in this help them become that prayer Pastor Greg Moore and if you like to make a change today in your relationship with God. Pastor Greg will help you take that step.

Just a moment before today's broadcast of a new beginning. Concludes that was pastor Greg Rapp sent this message may be like to preserve this insight for the future. You can call us and will help you receive a copy dial 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org for an instant replay. The study title is how to know the will of God and I were excited about making available Pastor Greg's book called Jesus revolution yesterday during the Jesus movement.

You are a new Christian yourself did you have any idea the uniqueness of the season you were living in or or when did you start realizing you live through something rather epic. Yes, that you know that's a really good question, Dave and the answer is I did not know I walked smack dab in the middle of a spiritual revival. You see I wasn't raised in the church so I had no real background in these things, I'd never really read the Bible for myself.

So when I came to Christ to my high school campus and then went to this church, Calvary Chapel were the Jesus movement was in full swing. I thought, well, this is amazing. Then I didn't realize that I was in a revival till I started traveling around the country, because I would travel with these Christian bands and speak in various venues and I was in a lot of different church settings and I realize all well before experiencing is not happening everywhere but it was happening. In some places no revivals interesting. It's sort of like when you open or close your door to it for the churches that open their door to revival and open the door to the kids coming to Christ, which in this case were primarily hippie kids they experience revival to the churches and kept their doors close. They missed it. So it was really a lot, up to the people. Do you want to see God work or do you not want to see him work so it was like little embers blowing and they would catch year they would catch there, and in many of those embers came together and it was a gunfire but a good fire spreading across our nation and we need to see that again and so I wanted to talk about it for a long time so I decided to write a book and I had a personal work would be her name is Ellen Vaughn very talented writer. In fact, she help me write my autobiography called los boy she did a lot of research on the time on the culture of what was happening around the city gives you a greater appreciation of what God did in the Jesus movement in the Jesus revolution and then I also weave my personal story throughout the book, and I seek to find take away principles in this book that we can apply in hopes that we can see another Jesus revolution so you want to know more when you got to get a copy of this book.

It's free. Let me restate that it's free for your gift of any size. This is not a gimmick or trick son can only give a little will send you the book. Some can get more will send you the book but whatever you can do know this will take those resources and use them to continue to get the gospel out to as many people as possible so again for your gift of any size I want to send you a copy of my book Jesus revolution and will also include a copy of a brand-new study guide out that's been created that undergirds the insights in the book is not right that's right yes at something special we prepared for this special edition of Jesus revolution and this will help you to dig in deeper. Will be glad to send you this special edition of Jesus revolution along with the study guide to thank you for your donation of any size large or small. You don't see investments of listeners that make it possible for us to bring you these studies each day and that help us reach out with the gospel more than 150,000 people made decisions for Christ through harvest ministries last year alone we are so thankful for the investments of listeners that help to make that outreach possible. So, with your gift today. We should ask for Jesus revolution you can write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 and we can take your call anytime or go online to harvest.org and then for those who like to make a change in their relationship with God right now pastor Greg would you like to help them do that. I would unite I receive so many letters day from people from every walk of life from successful businessmen to those who are incarcerated to mother struggling is trying to raise their children to young Boys and Girls Club writing and saying they've made a commitment or recommitment to Jesus and maybe you need to make a commitment to him right now. Let me lead you in a word of prayer.

Yes, you can meet God right now and I would just ask you to pray this prayer out loud after me and this is what you are asking Christ to come in your life. Pray with me know if you would, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner. I know that I've broken your commandments and I fallen short of your standards but I think you that you have loved me and you've called me of yourself so I turn for my sin right now and I choose to believe in and follow you be my Savior be my Lord and be my God from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and loving me and accepting me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Hey let me just say God bless you. You've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God.

Yet we want to follow up with you by sending something called our new believers growth packet to help you get started. Living as a Christian will send it without charge. If you prayed for the first time today to receive Christ just as per the new believers growth packet when you call 1-800-821-3300. Again, that's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click know God. Next time pastor Greg begins a fun series exploring the Jesus movement of the late 60s and early 70s is the last great spiritual revival. Our country has seen and seen several will begin learning about that next time, new beginning pastor Greg Laurie Greg Laurie was made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email devotions and harvest.org