“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NKJV)
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV)
Today I want to focus on “Recognition.” It is essential that I learn to recognize what is, and isn’t “God’s Will” for me. Far too often I turn this idea of knowing God’s Will into something deep and mysterious, when in reality it is typically straightforward and clear. I have heard it said that “God’s Word is His Will.” I think that statement is right on. A faulty view of God’s design and desire for me will result in a flawed view of my identity. Only God’s Word can give me accurate “Recognition” and “Identification.”
God created me to live according to His design and desire for my life. This design and desire is called “God’s Will.” His Will is described in His Written Word (Bible) and demonstrated by His Living Word (Jesus).
God’s design and desire (Will) is most clearly seen in Heaven, the Garden of Eden, and the New Jerusalem. In each of these venues God is dwelling with His children in an environment in which His Will is demonstrated without the presence of sin or Satan. The presence of sin and Satan creates confusion and chaos. This confusion and chaos corrupts my ability to clearly discern God’s Will if I take my eyes off the Word (written and Living).
When Jesus came to Earth He demonstrated how to live within God’s Will on Earth as it is in Heaven in the midst of an environment infected, and infested, with sin and Satan.
In the life, words, and ministry of Jesus I can see clearly that loss and lack, sickness and death, destruction and calamity, and anything else not in the environments in which sin and Satan are absent, are outside of God’s design and desire for me.
Anything less than life and abundant blessing is NOT God’s will for me.
If it exists in the environments in which sin and Satan are absent then it is part of God’s design and desire and therefore it is within His Will for me.
If it is absent in the environments in which sin and Satan are absent then it is not part of God’s design and desire and therefore not within His Will for me.
Loss is NOT…
Lack is NOT…
Sickness is NOT…
Death is NOT…
Destruction is NOT…
Calamity is NOT…
Anything less than life and abundant blessing is NOT…
…GOD’S WILL FOR ME!
The Truth is straightforward and simple. Sin and Satan make it confusing and chaotic. Religion makes it cloudy and impossible to discern.
Tomorrow I will try to remove the confusion, and clear the clouds, as I build on…
…Eric’s Life Lesson #89: “The lesson of ‘Recognition’ versus ‘Identification’ (knowing the difference is critical to my life).” Part 3