How to Determine the Will of God
(Or How To Be “An Oak, The Planting of the Lord,
That He Might Be Glorified” (Is. 61:3),
“Instead of a Flower in Someone Else’s Bouquet”)
By Susan Hyatt M.A., M.A., D.Min.
SEED #1: RECOGNIZE, VALUE & GIVE who you are/what you have to those who RECOGNIZE, VALUE & RECEIVE who you are/what you have.
SEED #2: USE WHAT YOU'VE GOT
People often suppose that success lies in having something they don't yet possess, but God has already given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. We need to look at what is in our hands and steward it to the best of our ability. Life is about stewarding what we have where we are. And God brings the increase.
SEED #3: BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE
Be - It's not about doing, straining, trying, and learning new methods. It's about being.
The best - Be YOUR best. There's no room for comparing or competing in this!
You can be - It's not about being better than someone else. And it's not about copying someone else. Copies have little or no value. Originals can have great value. God created you an original, to be an original and never a copy!
SEED #4: BE LED, NOT DRIVEN
The Holy Spirit leads us gently from within. Christians are to be led but many are driven.
Consider: The cause is not the call. The CAUSE is something on God's heart that He alerts us to that He wants us to be involved in doing with Him to bring us closer to His will on earth. But our CALL is simply to know Him. Out of that relationship, He continues to lead. But a cause can easily become a driving force. Not good! Most Christians are driven by one thing or another. Very few are at rest.
SEED #5: STROKE FROM A POINT OF REST
The most important thing I learned at ORU was how to swim. The Lord told me to swim I would have to stroke from a point of rest. I could float. But everytime I would begin to try to swim I would take 2 or 3 strokes and sink! He spoke to my heart to float and stroke. That is like "trust and obey." Floating is like trusting. Stroking is like obeying. And it's easy.
SEED #6: INTERPRET THE WORD CORRECTLY
Many people abuse/misuse the Word of God. We are to read & apply it accurately.
SEED #7: BUILD ON ETERNAL THINGS, NOT MONEY
If you build on money (the economic system of this world), when the dollar fails, whatever you have built on it will fail as well. But when you build on/with eternal things, what is built will last forever/for eternity.
SEED #8: STAY IN GROWTH MODE
God is the Changeless One. We are called to grow. Growth means change and the flesh does not like to change–or die!
