Decision Making and the Will of God

Hey DOODS. This is a really sensitive topic because for many of us, hearing from God is the thing we cherish most. But HOW does that really happen? What does the bible say about it? What should we expect?

So if you are not interested in having your views challenged, best not continue with this thread. BUT, if your like me and need to wrestle through everything you believe before you can feel good about believing it, here is a good place to do that. The goal is to challenge the traditional view of "Hearing God's Voice." I have wrestled with this a lot, as long as I have believed in God. It was one of my biggest struggled during DTS, and I talked with many of you who shared some questions and frustrations. Well the goal here is to draw closer to the truth and therefore God.

I think if we want to go deeper with the Lord, its going to take some real hard questions that challenge the way we think. We can share testimonies here, we can share opinions, thoughts, teachings, or whatever, because its all done in Love and with a common goal, to Love God. If nothing else, thinking about this stuff will make your relationship with God more honest. Like Habakuk.

So, if your interested in this, and want to read the best book I know of on the subject (highly recommend it for everyone), here it is.

http://www.amazon.com/Decision-Making-Will-God-Alternative/dp/1590522052
or
CD or mp3---- https://secure2.convio.net/str/site/Ecommerce?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1122&store_id=1161

Here is an overview of the teaching, if you want the basics.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/8449/wisdom.html


Its worth your time, I promise.
Miss and love you guys,

Jordan

Hey Jordo! It's really good to hear from you again!

I gotta say that, having skimmed "The Basics" on the geocities website I pretty much agree with what is said there.

I guess in my opinion, what it all comes down to is the Bible. What is the standard for absolute truth? The Bible! The Bible is such an awesome and infallible book! It's God's main avenue of revealing himself to the human race and is the only one I trust absolutely. Thus "hearing God's voice" isn't so much for me waiting for a big booming voice to come out of the sky but more living according to the bible in submission to the will of the Sovereign God who made and formed me.

Here's the way I look at it. A couple months ago I was approached by my Youth Pastor to become the Youth Intern at my church. At the time I was sorta struggling in my relationship with God (I got lax plain and simple). And so I didn't really come before God and ask him if it was the right thing to do. No, I simply thought it out rationally and found that there was no reason for me NOT to take the position as a summer intern. In lieu of waiting on God for a word regarding the youth intern position I used the rational mind that God had given me, the advice of others around me, and the circumstances before me in addition to the Bible as criteria for my decision.

1 week after I officially start my youth pastor's wife who was 5 months pregnant had a misscarriage, an event that really threw my youth pastor for a loop. He immediately took a week off and hasn't been really running at full capacity since. So for the past month or so I've been basically running my church's youth group and things have gone (more or less) great (I'm not saying I'm perfect or that I don't make mistakes, Lord knows I'm guilty on both counts). God definitely placed me here at this time to do his will at this time.

Now swinging over more to your side of things, I too am considering returning to the missions field. But considering my position now I don't think it's too terribly likely (then again, who knows?). I've consistently said that I would return to the missions field if "God Called Me".

Now what would that look like? Well for me it would be a combination of the following things.
- If it were a true calling from God it would provide an oppurtunity for me to use at least some of my gifts if not all of them.
-It would be something I was passionate about
-It would be something that reasonably I'd have or be able to attain the means to do.
-It would be a place where I would grow and mature in my relationship with Christ
-Others whom I consider mentors/important figures would agree with my decision.
-My purpose lines up Biblically
-And finally a spiritual inclination from the Holy Spirit

Anyways those are my thoughts on the matter.

I'm curious to hear yours. I totally agree with your statement that a healthy discourse is a great way to learn. It's a great thing to agree to disagree and remain friends.

word. thanks for the response jon.

my opinions are similar to those presented in this teaching. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/8449/wisdom.html

he does 'leave room' for supernatural specific nudges or urges (e.g. God is calling me to be a glacial tour Guide in Resolute, Northern Canada) but doesn't believe the bible teaches us to be seeking and expecting such an answer. the view he presents - and i tend to agree with - holds that God's will is not who you marry but what kind of a husband you are. it's not where you work but what kind of an employee/co-worker you are. etc...

with that said, i do believe God guides us as we ask him for wisdom and direction in the choices we make, but we do not need to be worried about choosing outside his will if we are honestly pursuing it. just because i believe God's will doesn't choose my wife for me, and it doesn't choose where i do ministry, doesn't mean i should marry a 40 year old wiccan and sell drugs in Rwanda for a living. our choices should reflect God's revealed moral will and wisdom as given in the bible. there is plenty of advice on who to marry in the scriptures---if God wanted to chose for me---why would he give me advice about qualities to look for in a woman. would it not say, "let God set in your heart the woman he hath chosen...."

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies....20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31.

So when praying about the future and a family, I start by telling God what I have in mind - what I really want and think best - ask for opportunities to meet people like her, and then end by submitting it all to him, asking that his will be done. Even though the choice is mine, submitting it to God's will ensures that my priorities are in line, that his will will be done this way or that, and i open myself up to the possibilities of more specific guidance (but i don't spend time trying to decode inner nudges--- was that really you God? was that the devil? was that me? )

whatever choice faces me--
i pray 1. that for God's will to be done 2. for wisdom 3. for guidance
i seek 1. advice (wisdom) 2. open/closed doors (but open doesn't mean I must step through)
i decide 1. what is my preference? how does this line up with my gifts?

then I choose. sometimes this process takes a few seconds for little choices (usually whatever the most selfless thing to do is) or a few months for big choices (should I go to seminary or back to the mission field or get a job and be financially responsible preparing for my future goals).

Anyone else have some thoughts?