Will of God Poll

Which of the following pictures best represents your view of God's will?
Cast your vote(s) in the sidebar.


A. Maze









B. Hieroglyphics









C. Dice Roll










D. Fork In the Road












E. Soaring Eagle












F. Blueprints

Decree, Desire, and Direction

One of the most confusing phrases in the Christian vocabulary is “The will of God.” It seems everywhere you turn people are searching for it, waiting for it, deciphering it, or dictating it. Browse the aisles at any Christian bookstore and you will probably find a substantial assortment of books on the subject.

One problem is the usage of the phrase. Sometimes we talk about things happening according to the will of God. At other times we talk about being obedient to the will of God. And still at other times we speak of searching for the will of God for our life. The confusion comes from the three distinct aspects of the will of God.

Will of Decree
God always gets His way. His sovereign decrees cannot be thwarted. God’s will of decree refers to what He has ordained in eternity past. As we have already discussed here, God’s providence is in control. Augustine said,” The will of God is the necessity of all things.”

Ephesians 1:11

What God decrees will happen, and what happens is in accordance to God’s decree. God’s counsel will always stand and His purpose will always be accomplished (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Will of Desire
This aspect is what God has commanded, and is clearly revealed in Scripture (Deut 29:29). Unlike God’s will of decree, His will of desire must be followed by choice. Not everyone submits to God’s will of desire. Only those who do will abide forever (1 John 2:17) in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21).

God’s revealed desire for our lives is that we are saved (2 Peter 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4), Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:18), sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7), submissive (1 Peter 2:13-15) and in continual, thankful communion with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is God’s will of desire for your life.

Will of Direction
We often colloquially refer to God’s will of direction as His specific calling for our life. This aspect is what we mean when we speak of searching for God’s will about careers, relationships, marriage, education, ministry, ect. These questions and concerns often take precedence in our lives. It is peculiar, though, that Scripture does not give explicit guidelines on how to distinguish God’s specific will of direction. This is probably why there are so many books on the subject. God’s will of direction is more subjective, and somewhat artificial.

In the coming days, weeks, and months I will continue to delve further into the discussion about the will of God. I mean, I will if God wills it.

for His glory,
DJ

Providence, Pain, & Perspective

In chapter thirteen of his gospel, Luke recounts an incident where a group of people ask Jesus about two recent tragedies. One involves a group of Galilean Jews who were brutally murdered while offering their sacrifices in the temple. The second calamity involved a tower falling and killing eighteen men. The question in the minds of the crowd then is the same question we still ask today. Why?

¹ There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5, New King James Version)

It is believed by many that disasters and tragedies are always the result of divine displeasure over a particular sin. It is true that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8) and God disciplines all His children for their own good (Heb. 12:10-11), but this is not always the cause of affliction. The prevalent worldview of karma makes sense to the natural, unregenerate mind. It assumes that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. This is the basis of works based salvation. In the passage from Luke, Christ challenged this notion. The victims of these tragedies were not greater sinners. They were not guiltier and more deserving of punishment. Jesus warned His listeners to repent because these tragedies could happen to anyone at anytime. God uses tragedies to remind us that we are mere mortals, a vapor that appears for a little time then vanishes (James 4:14).

Tragedy, pain, and suffering characterize the common condition of man (1 Pet. 5:9). Young and old, strong and weak, learned and unlearned, time and chance happen to us all (Eccl. 9:11). The rain falls on the evil and the good alike (Matt. 5:45). We live in a sin-cursed, sin-stained fallen world, and the effects are evident all around us.

As believing men and women, we have a problem of perspective. We know that God works all things together for good (Rom. 8:28). We have assurance in the power, love, and providence of God. But the problem is that we can’t always see from down here. We see through a glass dimly (1 Cor. 13:12 ). We feel the agony and pain and wonder “Where is God’s providence in this situation?” Our finite mind cannot understand because our perspective is limited.

It is at these times that we walk by faith and not by sight ( 2 Cor. 5:7 ). This is where the rubber meets the road; the litmus test of the soil of the heart. All we can do is to continue to trust in the Lord. We must trust that His providence is on our side. We must trust that even when our faith is weak, He remains faithful (2 Tim. 2:13). We must take confidence in the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We must believe that God is in control of the evil intentions and tragedies of this world and will redirect them for His good purpose (Gen. 50:20). We must have faith that He holds the future and that after we have suffered for a little while in this current world, the God of all peace will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us (1 Pet. 5: ).

In conclusion, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:20).

for His glory,

DJ

LBC Paintball

Saturday October 10th
1:00 p.m. @ Dozer's Paintball
Everyone is invited: Guys and girls, young and old, beginners or experienced.

In Praise of Providence

Over the past few years, God has continually impressed upon me one important principle: God is big. The realization (or illumination) of this fact has greatly changed my view of Him, myself, and this world we live in. He is, after all, the great and sovereign I AM. I am continually amazed at His surpassing awesomeness. The more I learn of His power and sovereignty, the more I am capable and compelled to worship Him in spirit and truth.

One of the questions which I have often pondered is God’s role in the seemingly casual, mundane aspects of my everyday life. In other words, does God micromanage the universe? This is a fundamental question about the character of God. It’s not a question of His capabilities, but of the extent to which He intercedes.

Is He similar to the Greek god Zeus, sitting afar on His throne throwing down miracles like lighting bolts?

Or maybe He is the proverbial watchmaker, looking on His creation with unconcerned and disinterested?

Or is He the God who is infinitely involved in every aspect of His creation; lovingly guiding, directing and working all things according to His own desire and plan.

More and more I believe the latter.

The Bible is a testament to God’s total providence. Phil Johnson states it this way, “Providence is God’s faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created achieves the end He has chosen.”

God works all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11) and for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). God controls the details of the universe, from ever falling sparrow (Matthew 10:29), to every roll of the dice (Proverbs 16:33). He has carefully number the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). He guides the steps of men (Proverbs 16:9) and works all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God provides for our every need (Matthew 6:25-26) and graciously gives us good gifts (James 1:17). He draws us to Himself (John 6:44) and He tests and sanctifies us with trials (1 Peter 4:19). He redirects evil intentions, transforming them into good (Genesis 50:20). He holds all things together (Hebrews 1:3).

Indeed God is a God of providence. He is intimately involved in our lives, guiding, directing, managing, and interceding. Experience and history are yet another testament to His providence. Though invisible at the time, hind-sight reveals God’s handy work. I can see God’s control in the decisions, circumstances and “coincidences” in my past.

Realizing this awesome truth should increase our hope and trust in Him. Therefore, with joy, hope and confidence we can pray, “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!”
God is big. Amen.

For His glory,
DJ

The High Cost of High Control

Book Review: The High Cost of High Control by Dr. Tim Kimmel

This book deals with the common yet destructive issue of control. At some point in our lives we have all dealt with troubles stemming from high control. We have all felt the sting of controlling spouses, parents, in-laws, and bosses. Often times, we ourselves are the controllers causing grief in the lives of our loved ones. This book meets this issue head on with clinical studies, psychological insight, and scripture.

“Control is when you leverage the strength of your position or personality against the weakness of someone else’s in order to get that person to meet your selfish agenda.”

There are three basic types of controllers.

1. The Aggressive Controller – “Aggressive controllers use volume, size, muscle, or authority to get what they want at other people’s expense.” Aggressive controllers are easy to recognize from their in-your-face, unyielding attitude. Aggressive controllers are domineering and powerful. They often assume the role of slave master or monarch.

2. The Passive Controller: Passive controllers are “quiet and can manipulate with ease.” They will often wear masks so that others cannot see their true identity. Passive controllers will also “horde anything someone else needs. They may seem to be meeting the needs of those around them, but if you look closely there are expectations attached.” Passive controllers will also typically use the “silent treatment” to stonewall others and manipulate them with guilt.

3. The Passive/Aggressive Controller – “Passive/aggressive control is a nightmarish combination of the two forms of control.” “Passive-aggressive controllers have the in-your-face potential of an aggressive controller, but their aggression is housed in the meek and often innocent-looking mask of a passive controller.” Passive/aggressive controllers are often characterized by displaced anger, denial, underground emotions, mood control, and martyrdom (causing guilt).

There are five “fragile flaws that turn well-meaning people into control brokers:” fear, rage, shame, bondage, and strength. These qualities are, to an extent, necessary and important in the right situations and in the correct context. When taken to the extreme, however, these characteristics are a recipe for high control. On the other hand, grace is the antithesis to control. We should strive to have grace-based relationships with our spouses, children, parents, in-laws, ect.

The last chapter dealt with coping with high controllers. The main theme can be generalized into one four letter word – love. The book describes “how our love can be activated in a way that empowers our relationships rather than deflating them.”

Sincere love has several ingredients.

1. Tender Love – Tender love is love from the heart (1 Pet. 1:22). To accomplish this we must place a high value on the individual (as Christ does), identify and empathize with him, and communicate on his level.

2. Truthful Love – (1 Cor. 13:6) Often referred to as “tough love” truthful love is confronting the controller about their inappropriate behavior. You should always make sure to confront with facts rather than feelings, be direct yet not judgmental, and take personal risks for the sake of the other person’s well-being.

3. Task Love – Task love involves loving in deed (action) and not merely in word alone (1 John 3:18). This is where love becomes self-sacrificing. “We must follow these (tender and truthful love) with activity directed toward loving the person at his greatest point of need.”

The ultimate goal is a grace-based reconciliation. “That happens when you let Him [God] use your heart, then your head, and ultimately your hands.” “Loving with God as your source will give you a clearer purpose. Even if you can’t change the situation you’re enduring, you can tap the ultimate patience of God’s love to see you through.”

for His glory,

DJ