Daily Sheet: Day 94: Discernment

Family Book: “Babu’s Song”

Travel: Mozambique; Malawi

Song: “Turn Your Eyes” – Jadon Lavik

O soul are you weary and troubled?  No light in the darkness you see?  There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion – for more than conquerors we are!

Video: “Painting Pictures of Egypt” – Sara Groves

I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacks, and the future feels so hard and I want to go back but the places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I’ve learned.  Those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned.

If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it.  Is that the reason behind all this time in the sand?  And if it comes too quick, I may not recognize it.  Is that the reason behind all this time in the sand?

Verses about the Will of God:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  -1 Thessalonians 5:18

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  -1 Peter 2:15

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  -2 Peter 3:9

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  -Micah 6:8

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  -Jeremiah 29:11-13

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  -Matthew 6:33

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  -Proverbs 3:5-6

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  -Romans 8:28

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!  -1 Chronicles 16:11

“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

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.  -1 Peter 3:17

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  -1 Corinthians 10:13

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  -Psalm 37:4

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: …that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust…  -1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, …but be filled with the Spirit.  -Ephesians 5:15-19

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  -Luke 9:23

“Peace I lead with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  -John 14:27

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  -Matthew 28:19

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  -1 Timothy 2:3-4

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  -Philippians 4:8

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  -James 5:16

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.  -Colossians 3:23

In Christian circles, people like to talk about “discerning God’s will for their lives,” as if God has a very specific itinerary mapped out for each of us and it is our job to guess correctly what we are to do next.  This theology is largely based on the above passage from Jeremiah (“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord!”…)  However, if you continue reading that passage, you come across the following promise, if you are calling upon Him and coming and praying to Him:  “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”  The emphases there are mine.  Note that the passage does not read as follows: “You will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you.  You will seek the correct path and find it, when you seek it with all your heart.”  Nope, God tells us that we will find him!  Read over the above verses again and look for the answers to these questions:

• God’s will is for us to thank him when?
• God’s will is for us to do what?
• God’s will is for us to seek what?
• God’s will is for us to trust what?
• God’s will is for us to love what?
• God’s will is for us to think what?
• What is God’s will for us when we are tempted?
• What is God’s will for our bodies?
• What is God’s will for how we use our time?
• What is God’s will for us when we are feeling fearful?
• What is God’s will for us when we sin?
• What is God’s will for us when we are working?
• Is it God’s will for people to perish?
• Is repentance always in God’s will?
• Is it ever in God’s will for us to do evil?
• God requires a few specific things of us.  What are those things?

It is interesting to note that in nearly all of the above verses, God explains that there are good consequences attached to doing His will.  Only the passage in Micah uses the word “require.”  God is specific about His will but he gives us the freedom to choose our response.