Knowing You Are In The Will Of God

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Chapters: Acts 20-22
Message Title: Knowing You Are In The Will Of God

Hello My Friend,

Most saved, born again Christians who walk with Christ daily truly want to follow the will of God, and it's amazing to see God working in our lives doing so. Knowing we are following the will of God can be a bit tricky sometimes cause we are relying on His Word as well as the Holy Spirit to guide us, while it may seem like we are in His will, we may not be, sometimes it's the devil making us think we are. So, how do we know we are in the will of God? Put on the whole armor of God. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:10-13.

The most effective way to know that you are in the will of God is to first know you are saved. Do you know how many people tell others about Christ that are not saved? I asked Jesus to come into my heart in my teens, but still thought I had to say the sinners prayer every time I sinned. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I finally learned that Christ died once for me and forgave me the very first time, and only had to ask Him once. The second thing we need to do is to be baptized for the Holy Spirit to work in us more effectively, the third thing is to tell others about Christ. Paul was a Jew before he got saved, but immediately got baptized and started preaching Jesus. Paul was convinced he was to go to Jerusalem to die as Jesus did, while in Troas he speaks to them and reminds them that he did all he could in preaching the Gospel in this town.

“And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” - Acts 20:18-20,24-27.

“I am pure from the blood of all men.” We may think that passing up someone who the Holy Spirit has led us to speak about the Gospel as nothing, but it's everything to God, and we will be accountable for those we pass up. We don't need a lot of Scripture to tell people about Jesus, all we need to know is the Gospel and be a testimony of how Jesus saved us. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:35-37.

Another effective way to know you are in the will of God is to get around other saved people who are mature in their walk with Christ. We all grow at different levels of our Christianity, getting around the mature will help guide us as they will see things we don't. Don't get offended by those who come to you with concern, instead listen and think about what is being said. Of course, we have our own minds and quite often do what we want rather than what others suggest. Now, as Paul continues on his journey to Jerusalem he spends some time with Philip in Caesarea, it was there that several people warned him not to go, but he still did not listen.

“And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.” - Acts 21:8-15.

“for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem” Paul truly thought he was to be captured and die in Jerusalem. Sometimes our heart blocks the Holy Spirit from allowing Him to get through to us, it seems right, and all the signs point that it is from God, but it's not. Then He tries to send others to show us we are doing something wrong, but even then we don't listen to reason. The best way to know if what we are doing is in the will of God when confronted by others is to study God's Word. Find Scripture that relates to your issue and let the Holy Spirit guide you, if it's something that you can't find, He will guide you to some kind of understanding. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” - Romans 8:26,27.

“because he maketh intercession” When we are still determined to do what we feel is in our heart and will of God nothing can stop us, and that's when God says, “Okay, have it your way.” Okay, it's not quite that way, we must remember that God directs our steps and He will allow us to go so far in our own will, but stops us in our tracks should we go too far. You see, God allowed Paul to be captured in Jerusalem, but He wasn't going to let him die there. Paul arrives in Jerusalem and was accepted, but there was a lot of confusion as to what it meant to be saved, many convinced that they needed to be circumcised, and purified. They convince Paul to go through a purifying ceremony in order to enter the temple until the unbelieving Jews causing a problem showed up and started telling them that he was preaching Jesus to the Gentiles. Paul stands before the elders giving his testimony and was captured when he told them that Jesus told him to go to the Gentiles.

“And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.” - Acts 22:17-24.

“Away with such a fellow from the earth:” Some people just don't believe that salvation is for all. I remember growing up the great division between Christians and Jews, it still goes on today, but now that the Muslims are becoming more open they are targeting Christians. It's sad, but that's the reality and it's only going to get worse as we get closer to Jesus returning. The unbelieving always want to stop their followers from knowing the truth. I came across this film on Netflix called the Gospel of Jesus's wife. Now, does that sound absurd or what? To us who walk with Christ it is, but to those just learning about Him or newly saved, it may not be. That's why it's important that we learn all the Scriptures. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:12-16.

Today's Prayer: God, There is nothing more powerful that Your Word, no matter how many people try to alter it or our perception of it it always remains as it written. It's comforting to know that when You have a plan You stop at nothing for it to come to pass, including Your plan for me. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for never letting me go off the edge of the cliff when I am not in Your will. Lead me and guide me, help me to do what I need to do to get in Your will and know when I am not. In your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Receive KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.