(This talk can be divided into two sessions)

Open: Are you making a decision or do you have a choice to make? Then: We need to place our focus based on the source; the Source is God!

If you are not experienced in letting God lead you, and you are easily turned off the path from what seems to be common sense and good opportunities, knowing the Source is priority number one: Knowing God and allowing Him into your life and to work in your life! And then, beware of misleading choices, satanic influence, and the media. We need to learn about this stuff so we can make healthy, good decisions and lead a life that is both fun and fulfilling. If we make the wrong or bad decisions, we will have a life that is stressful and chaotic¾and who wants that!

First off, God's will is not a mystery if we search for it; but the question is, are you willing to accept what you find, and what He reveals? Or, do you bury yourself in your presumptions and pride?

The other option is to ignore God and stick to your own will and desires, thus missing out on great opportunities and growth, for which you were placed on this earth. So, I plead with you to do as Galatians 2:20-21 calls us, to surrender your will over to His. Then, you will find His pure and pleasing and perfect will, which is for you to learn and grow in Him. Would you rather lead a life with distinction and purpose, or continue to complain and spread the disease of sin, gossip, malice, strife, hatred, condemnation, and pride. God calls us to work together as His representatives in this life to those around us, with love, joy, peace, and patience.

Whether you are looking for God's will for your life or helping others determine God's will, God wants you to succeed on your journey. He will love and guide you through life. The discovery begins with the right attitude, allowing yourself to be stretched and challenged beyond your comfort zone. So, if you are really ready to grow in Christ and be your best for His glory, then He will unfold His will before you. You will see that what you think is important often is not, and what you take for granted and ignore is usually your primary call.

I believe that most of us passionately desire to know what God is up to in our lives. We want to know God's plan, His will for our lives so we can better live our lives. Yet, at the same time, we can allow our frustrations and fears to prevent us from seeking it. Our fears creep in, saying we cannot do this or live it. Or, that it may be just too hard to find or follow.

We also need to beware of the self-doubting mindset that says, I think I just need to live a good life, I think I'm doing OK, I hope my choices have been good, or, I do not have a clue.

Principle Point: God's will is about a Person who is God, who wants a loving relationship with us! What it is not all about is what we seek, such as what major should I choose, what career is best, who shall I marry, where should I move to, or, is this a wise investment? It is all about connecting with Christ in a healthy, loving, empowered way. Then, the bumps in the road come such as setbacks, failure, wrong choices, betrayal, fear, death, disease, sickness, trials, and tribulations, and we wonder what it is all about; why, why, and more why.

Sometimes, Satan tries to trick us and seeks to mislead and confuse us. Sometimes, we misinterpret our own will and feelings as being what God's will is. What we think might be the leading of the Holy Spirit may not be from Him at all, but just our own selfish ideas and plans. Our focus needs to be on what God has shown us through His Scriptures; not our own personal desires or what our friends and TV have to say¾regardless of how good they may seem to be!

We need to focus on the Lordship of Christ, and not the problems and decisions we face!!!

Discussion Ideas Read: John 3:16, 30; Romans 12:1-2

Let us look at the wonderful facts the Lord has given us:

1. Read EPHESIANS 2:1-3 several times and answer these questions:

a) In Galatians 5:19-21, what are the sources for our desires?

b) In 1 John 2:15-17, how does the world influence our decision-making?

c) In Ephesians 6:12, who is our struggle against?

d) Read these following Scriptures and state what the result would be of following the source they direct. We have three sources to choose from.

e) What are these sources, and what would be the result of following them? (Pick one, or have different youth to read: Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 6:8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:3; and 1 Peter 5:8.)

f) Read the following passages and determine how you can stand against the sources of confusion, Romans 8:9; 12:2; 1 Peter 2:11; James 4:7-8.

Question: What would your life be like if you completely trusted God? Luke 4:16-19; John 14:1-14

Remember: God's blessings are beyond our Imagination

Spend time in PRAYER

Deeper thought: We tend to be guided by what we know and by what we have experienced, but to be guided by what we have not experienced takes a leap of faith. So, how can this happen for us to be guided by the facts of God's direction? Well, this is where the labor pains are¾in our maturity and growth! Too few of us actually surrender to the facts and truth, only to the seemingly familiar deceptions and voices of unreason, the media, or peer pressure as our guide!

More ideas and help available at www.intothyword.org  on the God's Will Channel

© R. J. Krejcir 1994,2001 www.intothyword.com