Charles F. Stanley - The Will of God: Understanding and Pursuing His Ultimate Plan for Your Life

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Copyright 2019 by Charles F. Stanley

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Stanley, Charles F., author.

Title: The will of God : understanding and pursuing his ultimate plan for your life / by Charles F. Stanley.

Description: New York : Howard Books, [2019]

Identifiers: LCCN 2019000893 (print) | LCCN 2019005063 (ebook) | ISBN 9781982104818 (eBook) | ISBN 9781982104795 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781982104818 (ebk.)

Subjects: LCSH: God (Christianity)Will. | Discernment (Christian theology)

Classification: LCC BT135 (ebook) | LCC BT135 .S785 2019 (print) | DDC 248.4dc23. LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019000893

ISBN 978-1-9821-0479-5

ISBN 978-1-9821-0481-8 (ebook)

1 STEP IN

A Starting Place on the Journey

The will of God.

We talk about it in church and our Christian circles enough. We hear repeatedly that the Lord has a plan for us and that it is good. We are instructed to seek it, embrace it, and live it. We are even told that it is the key to our future. But what is it? Even though Gods will sounds like something we would likeand even needto know, the whole idea of it often stirs up more questions than answers.

After all, it is the willthe volition that drives the workings of the universe, the paths of empires, and the lives of all peoplesof God, of the all-knowing, all-powerful, unseen, indescribable Creator of all things. Who wouldnt want to be aware of such lofty information?

Yet even those of us who have been believers a long time sometimes have mistaken ideas about what the will of God really is. Some think it is special knowledge or divine and mystical revelations that the Father gives to super-spiritual people, which is not true. Still others would admit that they shy away from Gods will because they believe the Lord will ask them to do what they really dont want to do. They believe Gods will is always difficult, sacrificial, or heartbreaking. Thats not accurate, either.

Sadly, whatever your view of it, Gods will can seem grand and unreachable, cant it? In fact, after my many years in ministry, I have heard enough people talk about how frustrated they are about their Christian life that I am fully persuaded theres one ultimate reason: They do not understand the nature of the will of God, nor do they know how to find it. And if you dont understand those two things, you may feel insecure and directionless in your walk with Jesus. Both the small, daily pressures as well as the life-changing and overwhelming issues in life can make you feel as if you are under constant assault, lost, and helpless.

Maybe thats what stirred your interest in this book. Certainly, it could be that you want to honor your Savior and stay on track with what He envisions for your life. After all, He created you and knows what He intended you to be. If He has a plan for your life, who wouldnt want to experience His very best?

But thats not usually what drives people to seek Gods will. Often there are questions about the future, decisions that must be made, or challenges that arise that have no foreseeable solution that drive us to our knees before the Father. Our only hope is the Lords insight, intervention, and provision.

In other words, perhaps youre interested in the topic of Gods will because you are at a crossroad and have no idea which way to turn. Or maybe youre between a rock and a hard place and see no hope of escape.

It also could be because you dont know why the Lord has waited so long to give you the desires of your heart. Is this longing part of His plan for you or isnt it?

Or maybe you simply dont understand why certain hardships have befallen you.

The problem is, of course, how do you seek out Gods will? And how do you know for certain if you have heard Him correctly? There is an incredible level of frustration when you are desperate for the Lords guidance, but heaven seems silent. We can get so discouraged that we are tempted to say, I really dont know how to find Gods will, so what Im going to do is the best I can and hope it all works out.

But understand, you merely wishing that everything will be all right is not the Fathers intention. Its not His best. Its not the relationship He desires to have with you. He has a very specific plan for your lifeone that can and should inspire your complete confidence. He promises in Jeremiah 29:11: I know the plans that I have for you plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. This is the hope each and every one of us can cling to. God has plans for you and He knows how to accomplish them in the best, most effective way possible for your particular personality, giftedness, and future.

So right now, set your mind on this truth: Our God is a planner.