Knowhiswill.com

doing God's will... what is that?

2009-08-21T07:41:00.001-07:00

I had the awesome priviledge to be challenged and to challenge some young folks to DO God's will in a more active way. Obviously it wouldn't be fair to say God has just one thing he wants us to do, unless you were to say as Jesus did to the man who asked him what the greatest commandment is, in which case Jesus replied, "love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself". This is what I was challenged to find the many ways that we can fulfill God's will and to do it in a more agressive and proactive measure.

This page may drastically change because I may use this as a think-tank for ideas to serve our NEIGHBORS and thus demonstrate our love for God - completely.

The young folks at Stuart want to sell some of their possessions and/or sell things they make and give the money to help those less fortunate. My prayer is that YOU will pray that this is successful and impactful. People need hope, it's amazing that our simple acts of kindness opens the door to renew hope in mankind as well as open the door to share with them the powerful, eternal hope offered only in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 15-18

2009-06-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'll put more on here later. Post your comments on this exciting book. Here's a few questions to generate thought:

1. What is your interpretation of this Revelation?

2. How much of this will happen literally as we read it in Revelation?

Revelation 7-10

2009-04-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

How often do you take time out of your day to rest, reflect, and re-charge? God has always taken time out to rest, so it makes sense that we should too.

In Rev 8:1 we read that God wanted to take time out before the final seal was broken, "When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour."

God rested after the final day of creation. Jesus took time for himself after his baptism, after John the baptist was killed, and many other times. Even in the garden before his "trial" he took time to be alone with God.

When was the last time that you took some time out to talk to God? Or to simply reflect on a big decision before you make it? Or just simply took some time off to rest? Make it a habit to not be so "busy" that you can't fulfill what Paul challenged us to do in Eph 5:1, "Be imitators of God".

Remember what B.U.S.Y. stands for... Being-Under-Satan's-Yoke. Satan wants us to rush and rush without time to think and reflect. Don't buy into his lies.

Revelation 4-6

2009-03-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

Do you look forward to your eternal reward? Do you know where you'll be when you die? All people die, but not everyone has life. It's up to you know how to secure your eternal position. Don't rely on other people to tell you what is acceptable to God and what isn't. Read it for yourself. The key is to ask God to help you understand what you read, then you need to read it several times to make sure you're understanding the context, the language, and anything else that might be a barrier for some people in their study. Finally, use common sense while you're reading. God has made the bible to be much simpler than we've made it to be.

Too many times we want to justify why we can do whatever our impulses direct us to do, instead of focusing our attention on what our Savior directs us to do. The temporary sacrifice is worth the permanent reward.

Share some verses that you know that might encourage someone to stay faithful to the truth.

Revelation 1-3

2009-02-03T02:47:00.000-08:00

"Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

What kind of power do we have to impact our life? Or someone we care about? Or even an entire nation? I'm reminded of the scripture in Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

How much credit do we give God? Does he really make a difference to us, or is our faith skin deep? Many people long to see some kind of sign that God really is who he says he is. Jesus faced this problem... John 6:30, "You must show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What will you do for us?"

Yet did they get one? Do we get one? Why do we want to see proof? It removes the need to believe, we could just know.

Too many times we've given the work Jesus has done a bad name by relying on science, or money, or other things as the solution to our problems instead of truly trusting in God. He is the one that opens doors. He is the one willing to use your life to demonstrate his love for all humanity, where ever they are.

Does God want to save your life and allow your soul to be lost? Absolutely not! We can't make God's mind up for him on how he answers prayers, but lets make sure that through our actions we leave the doors open that he has opened and help lead as many people through those doors as we are able. Live for God! Die to self! The joy of life lies in that.

2 Thessalonians

2009-01-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

How fast can it grow? I've planted some trees recently and was very curious to find out when I should expect to see some blossoms or at least some leaves. Are we as anxious to see ourselves grow as we are to see something like a tree?

2 Thess 3:1-3, "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

When we come to Christ we've been given God's holy Spirit to help shape us into something that is ready to grow. He does the biggest part of that process but it's up to us on how fast we decide to grow. Remember as Paul reminds the folks at Thessalonica that when they came to Jesus Christ, they were rescued from perverse and evil people.

We don't have to live to that life anymore, and it's the freedom from that kind of slavery that keeps us from growing like we should.

Try to make some new habits in your life that will help you to grow like never before. The nice thing with God is that you don't have to wait years to become the kind of Christian you'd like to be, it just depends on how bad you want to immitate Jesus.

Pray! Study! Pray! Pray! Study!

What's the point in mission work?

2008-12-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

I would love to hear from as many people as possible to get an idea about how we can encourage missionaries around the world (including the US).

Please tell me your opinion about this idea:

If we could reach as many missionaries as possible and have them give a brief explanation of thier goals for their ministry (preferably by video), and how they are doing emotionally. We that aren't involved in this kind of work need to know how we can help them personally which in turn will help them reach their goals in their work.

Share your thoughts.

1 Thessalonians

2008-12-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! We've been doing this for an entire year. I know I haven't always stuck to it the way I inteneded, but I've definitely read the previous books many times over. I believe I probably averaged between 15 - 20 days each month reading the text. My goal is to do it every day this year, I hope you'll join me in this powerful adventure of Knowing God's Will!

Let me know your thoughts on this program and any new ideas you have for next year. Thanks a bunch.

Philemon & Jude

2008-11-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

What happens when people ignore God's commandments?

Many people have said that our country is experiencing a decline on many fronts due to our lack of respect for God's laws, but could it be that we are experiencing hardship because of our neglect to teach our children, and remind ourselves of God's laws?

Let me know what you think. This passage in Jude, depicts a people that don't really understand what they are doing. They mock things they don't understand. Do we resemble that same mentality?

"But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! "

What are other thoughts or comments about Philemon or Jude? Share with us.

James

2008-10-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

James 1:2 gives a challenging outlook on things...

What do you do to maintain a positive attitude?

How do you consider it all joy whenever you face difficulty?

Is a "good day" a decision you make or an outcome of events beyond our control? The truth is we do have some control of our attitude regardless of the circumstances around us.

Define religion:

Why is religion such a negative word for many people (including believers)?

Titus

2008-09-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Titus 2:7-8, "in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us."

How important are our actions?

How we respond to insults, ridicule, praise, or any kind of recognition is important for us to examine ourselves. Make sure that we keep our consciences clean and our minds pure. When we act from a good heart, doing the best we can for others then that is a great opportunity to let our light shine.

Be sure to check out a new section on Knowhiswill.com!

2 Peter

2008-07-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

What do you think about most in a day? Family? Friends? Money? Home? God?

When it comes to honoring God, we can't put him at the end. It actually is not to our benefit, in this life or in eternity, to put God on the bottom of the list in our thinking. In 2 Peter 2:20. Peter tells us, "for if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first."

This verse shouldn't scare you, but encourage you to keep God in number one place in your thinking. Trust him enough to allow him to guide you with his words [the bible], and his power [spiritual wisdom and a strong relationship with him]. You'll be surprised how much you find that having him number 1 in your life brings peace and contentment and confidence about facing our end on this earth.

Keep praying, studying, and keeping him in first place.

1 Peter

2008-06-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

In 1st Peter 1:3, Peter encourages the early church with some powerful words, "Thank our loving God and Father of Jesus Christ, for being so merciful; making it possible for us to be born again to a LIVING hope (a real hope). He gives us that hope through the fact that his son was raised from the dead, which is what we want too. He's promised us a place that will never fade away, never need updated or remodeled, never become obsolete. And the best thing is that it is reserved for us, and protected by the creator of the universe himself."

This (parapharsed version) is a statement from Peter that helps me stay focused. No matter what I go through I can remember that Jesus has prepared a better place for me and I don't have to worry about getting it or not.

Tell me if you think this verse is helpful to you. You don't have to read my paraphrase, the original is really much better. Sometimes putting it in my own words makes it stay in my head better. Let me know a verse in the bible that gives you encouragement.

John 16-21

2008-05-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

John 17 is a powerful prayer from Jesus that I think we all could do well to understand. Tell me what you think Jesus is telling us in that prayer.

In John 20, Jesus appears to all the apostles except Thomas, he was out to lunch; how do you tell people that you've seen Jesus? Not physically, but how has being a Christian changed your life? And would others believe that you've seen Jesus change your life? Tell me your story of Jesus' involvement in your life.

John 10-15

2008-04-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

John 10 is one of my favorite chapters when it comes to describing our life on this earth. Read the "scriptures alive" portion this month and let me know one way or another about what you think.

John 14 is another chapter that is filled with information that I believe each of us need to take personal and understand. Try to memorize a few passages from John 14.

John 5-9

2008-03-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

Define Truth:

John 1-4

2008-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

The book of John is full of insightful teachings about eternal life. I especially like the conversation with the woman at the well. chapter 4.

Notice the similarities between the beginning of this book and 1 John.

your favorite verse

2008-01-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

What's your favorite verse? Post it hear, share a little bit about it if you want. Thanks

1 John

2008-01-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

1 John summaries. I changed a few things around, I promise next month will be a little more clearly laid out. Thanks for your patience.

philippians

2007-12-31T09:49:00.000-08:00

ch1 - our life belongs to Jesus, give it ALL to him

ch2 - Jesus is God, he lived to show us how to be like him

ch3 - to really be like Jesus we must not focus on our own "greatness"

ch4 - Jesus gives us the strength to endure anything