In God's Will

We were doing our homeschool lessons yesterday and began a study on the character quality of alertness (you know...the kids weren't paying attention so I thought we'd try this!). Instead, I began learning a lesson I didn't even know I needed. We started reading about the ways Jesus displayed alertness and it said that He spent hours in prayer and never (yes, NEVER) did anything outside of the will of God. That has just been really eating at me....never is a term that has no loop holes like "sometimes" or "most of the time" or any one of those other terms us parents use to avoid a definite answer (maybe, we'll see, I'll think about it, etc..). Jesus never did anything outside of the will of God. This is something to really think about. I used to get excited when God's will and mine met up every now and then. I thought I was doing good. But never...that word holds so much meaning. My Funk and Wagnalls says, "never: not at any time; not at all, positively not". No maybes, no we'll sees. I want to never be outside of the will of God. How do I do that? Lucky for me I've got this really great instruction book that has the answers to all of these hard questions. A friend of mine wrote it and sure enough, I looked it up and there was the answer....

Romans 12:1-21

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

You should read this book, too. It's called the Bible and it is written by my friend and father, God. He would really like to meet you and become your friend, too. You will be surprised how many of the answers you may be searching for today can be found here. Take the time with me to never be out of the will of God again.

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