Understanding God's Will

Let's look at what God says in Isaiah 43:1-2 about His plans for our lives.

1) But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.What is it that we find here? (Isaiah 43:1-2)

We discover here two special truths about God's relationship with man that have much to do with understanding God's will.

1• God is Our Creator

We first discover that Yahweh our God is our Creator. He claims to have formed us. When we make something, we usually have a purpose for that thing we have made.

My daughter spent quite a few hours assembling a four foot high roller coaster out of small pieces at a friend’s house the last couple of days. The box was full of pieces but each one had its special place. When it built according to design, one can see the special place each piece holds. Design reveals purpose.

DESIGN => PURPOSE

But many people are very suspicious of God's plans for our lives. If He indeed has made us, then we are obligated to perform according to His expectations. Islam only has this distant understanding of God. They are fearful of impersonal fate.

Without understanding God's love for us, we can understand that He might make us just as a tool. Instead though, we discover that each is specially made so that we can cooperate with Him in the accomplishment of His will.

2• God is Our Loving Redeemer

Let us note how this verse speaks so powerfully of God's loving plan.

1• Do not Fear

We first note that the Lord tells us not to fear. In other words, once we hear the great Creator has designed us for some purpose, we can feel afraid. We can feel used. Many of us have been made unimportant by the way people shout and just want us to get something done. They don't really care much for us, or at least they don't let us know that.

2• There is a Reason ("For”)

Note the word "for” in this verse.  The word 'for' shows us there is a reason we do not need to be afraid. If we just speak of God's mighty purpose for us, we will be alarmed. We know not whether it is good for us or not. He tells us not to fear. He gives us two reasons. 1) He has redeemed or bought us and 2) He has called us by name.

3• God's plan is a loving plan ("redeemed”)

God Himself is in charge of it. Notice the "I" that is used. Redeemed of course refers to the special way God buys His people back from the power of death. The OT picture of the Exodus helps us picture this, but even this points to the great buy-back plan by Jesus Christ who redeems His people by His death on the cross. His death became a satisfaction of our moral obligations and released us from the control of the dark one. Last Friday I junked our Volvo. We appreciate being able to use it for seven years. But it is kind of hard calling place after place asking if anyone would want to buy it. "No.""I'll tow it away for you."We appreciate one place that gives us a little money but it is hard to junk it.

4• God's plan is a personal plan ("called by name”)

 We also see that He also calls us by name. God is not just speaking to the masses but to the individual. Like in the New Testament Jesus called Simon and later called him Peter the Rock. This naming reminds us of His personal knowledge and care for our lives. He bought us and called us means that we belong to Him in a special way.

5• His Prized Possession ("You are Mine”)

We as His people are His. We are not just things but prized possessions!

Many people struggle with this concept of purpose and meaning in life. They should realize this quest for significance reveals an imprint by the Almighty Creator on our lives. People will try all sorts of means to fulfill this void:  possessions, comfort, ease, knowledge, wealth, protection.

Many of us try through experience to fulfill that gap in our lives. We might conquer mountains or climb corporate ladders, but these quests will never fulfill our lives. We are not saying climbing a mountain is wrong in itself. Not at all. But we can be sure if we are seeking that one thing to fulfill us, we are very wrong. The curse behind all this is that we only discover it until we have gained that item. Then with the attainment is all that emptiness of life. When Solomon the King took his eyes off the Lord, he tried to use all sorts of things, stimulants, experiences, accomplishments, etc. to satisfy the inner craving, but none of them could.

I wonder if you have experienced this void of life before? I hope now you can identify where this consciousness of being part of a greater purpose comes from. We only will be fulfilled as we seek out God's purposes for our own lives. The Lord tells us,  "For because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures, Even you yourself will be captured; And Chemosh will go off into exile Together with his priests and his princes."(Jeremiah 48:7)

Summary   "You are Mine!”

Before we make some applications, come back and remember the major points made here in verses 1 and 2.

• God made us. • God shaped us. • God called us. • God named us. • God bought us. • God claimed us.

Applications

• In the end by acknowledging these facts, we as His people can prepare our hearts for what God's purpose is for our lives. God has personalized our lives by naming us. If we are His then He has a plan for each one of our lives. It comes all together as a package plan. God is building up our trust in Him. Without this trust, we will never be able to live fulfilled lives.

• We are making some stronger claims though too. We are saying that unless you know God personally through Jesus, you will never be fulfilled in this life. Some Christians are instructed to tell non-Christians "God has a wonderful plan for your life."We should question this. It is true if we say if they come to know God this is true. there is a great gulf between the Christian and non-Christian. We must keep this distinct.

• Lastly, if you as a Christian, even though named by God, do not seek to know Him and His purpose, you will always feel left out and waste time trying to get accepted by others. And as we have mentioned before, we will spend all of our time trying to fulfill a greater goal in life even if it is ease and luxury. This is tragic. This is like a man dying from lack of food even though he hid loads of money in the walls of his home.

Why don't we all turn our hearts to this good God? Now is the time to see His glorious purposes fulfilled in our lives. Can't you hear God's Words to you, "You can trust Me!”

B• What is God's purpose for my life? (43:7)

What is this plan that God has for us? Why am I made? Let's look at 43:7 for two guidelines to keep us in God's will even in the most confusing times: Means and Motives.

1) Means of Guidance (Isaiah 43:7a,c)

"Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."(Isaiah 43:7)

There are three parts to this verse. (1,3) Notice how the first and third phrase have already been stated in verse 1. Notice how verse one first spoke of forming and then calling us by name. Now in verse 7 He starts by calling us by His name and then speaks about forming us. The point of this is to show that in God's mind His design is not just a mechanical process. Nor is it fate which denies the importance of each individual part. The New Testament confirms an equal emphasis on choice and relationship with the accomplishment of His plan.

Note how Paul begins discussing God's great eternal plan in Romans 8:29-31.

"For whom He foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son... and these He called .. justified ... glorified."(Romans 29-31). We join Paul in saying, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us."(Romans 8:31) We see here a wonderful connection the personal touch with love and relationship perfectly blended into the comprehensive and eternal plan of God. This is again and again repeated throughout the scriptures.

Let's draw some applications regarding God's will for our lives. God's will always keeps these in proper tension and so must we. Our flaw is to favor one over the other. God's purpose is to blend them together and accomplish His wonderful works.

• Plan: project-oriented Get the job done!	• Person: people-oriented Relationships matter!
Whenever we become driven with purpose to such a degree that we ignore our spouse, children, friends or even enemies, then we have somehow misunderstood God's will. Jesus was ever so plan-conscious. He always was busy doing His Father's will, but at the same time He was very clear on the special needs of the individuals He met up with. Do you remember the time Jesus stopped to talk to a lady with a special need? He stopped and ministered to her. Meanwhile at the place where He set out to go the person died. What was Jesus' solution? He simply had the confidence that God would have to do a greater miracle!	Likewise, if we become all people-oriented and forget God's plan, we likewise fail. Whenever we forget, ignore or just don't know of our purpose, then we are misdirected. We are out of alignment and need to be put back into alignment. These people need to ask not why or when but what. They need not to focus on ones feelings, desires or situation as much as simple obedience. This is why love works with mission. A cell group, family, individual, business and church must always have both a design in mind but also a sensitivity to the special needs and place of the individual. Jesus said every Christian is a part of the body. All work to a greater design. Each is important.
Application: What are you more like? Do you tend to emphasize the what and forget the who or so focus on the who you never get beyond the relationship? I suggest that God will probably do some of His most significant work through your life in your weaker area. Satan wants us to miss it. We need to be more alert and attentive to Him in His Word to rightly live out our lives like Jesus.

2) Motives of Activities (Isaiah 43:7b)

And whom I have created for My glory (Isaiah 43:7b)

We saw the first need of our lives. We need to keep an important balance between mission and love or plan and person. But we discover here another crucial element in living out God's will in our lives- the purpose. We discovered how to carry out God's will. We now need to focus on why we carry it out - the motive.

God clearly expresses that he has formed man for His own glory. These other phrases were mentioned much earlier and given practical examples of how this worked out in the other verses. This phrase however was not mentioned until here in verse 7. God's point is quite clear. Unless we understand and appreciate His calling and design for our lives, we will not grasp this crucial concept. This is where the typical modern Christian faces a crisis.

You can almost feel the problem. We hear so much about God's love. We actually start thinking that we are the purpose for which God exists. This phrase of course reminds us of His purpose. All the things He does is for His glory including our own lives. It takes a while for us to come off our thrones and begin to recognize that God is to be praised and adored and not ourselves. We are to live for Him rather than Him for us. We can see how we can read His love wrongly and interpret all that attention as something deserved.

We get everything out of perspective when we do this. But the scriptures are ever so clear. If we are called by His Name, then we are created for His glory. Let me bluntly state that the very special things that God does in and through our lives is ultimately for His glory. We are benefited and blessed when we serve Him but He is doing something yet greater. We can see the principle we just read in operation here. God is accomplishing a greater plan and yet we in our complete unworthiness are included. God's will for us then is to join Him in His great works to bring glory to His Name. If you can understand this and purposely let it shape your own goals in life, then you will be greatly lifted up by Him.

Please understand the conflict that you might feel inside you. You are wondering/feeling what right does God have to have all the glory to go to Himself. This is our flesh. You see, we are sinful. We steal God's glory for ourselves. God does so much for us and yet we forget Him. Until we can confess our pride and begin to live to bring glory to Him, our lives will be in total chaos. We are fighting the inevitable for God says every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

Instead of trying to attain our goals in life, we need to see what goals He has by which we can bring Him glory. I would like to mention a few illustrations how when we grasp this concept our lives and ministries radically change for the good.

John Piper, a Baptist pastor, has become famous by connecting a church's mission with the glory of God. He has helped the church see that their goal is not just to support missions in a general or even specific way in and of itself, but to bring glory to God. Do you realize this is true with everything we put our hand to. In fact, as much as we realize that we exist to glorify God, our life begins to take a different shape than before. Their church began to implement this and found that God began to do

Cell group leader Before he led cell group. He was a natural leader. Someone had to do it. So he did it. But when he realized he lived for the glory of God, he translated that job to a whole different sphere of operations. Now he leads cell group to glorify God. He is not always sure how God is going to do it, but he meets with God regularly so that he will know what he needs when he needs it. He is in faith looking to how God will glorify Himself in each of the member's lives as well as through the group as a whole.

A tired Christian mother Before she was trying to get the kids to be good kids. It was partly for her own image – to show that she was a good mom but also to help her child. Now, however, she has learned that God is doing something much greater in their family. God is revealing His glory through her own life and the family. She notes carefully how God is glorified when she listens to her husband rather than fighting with him. This commitment brings her to desperate praying at times because of her husband's differing decisions, but she waits on God and sees God answer wonderful prayers in ways she just couldn't believe. She also sees that she is not just trying to have a good kid but a godly one, a son that adores God and trusts in Him like David and Daniel of old.

A broken down van Let me give you a personal example that just happened. Our second car has been dead for six months, and ready for a funeral any day. I got an offer for $75 the other day. We learned to trust God for this. We could do it . Two days before Christmas just after delivering some Christmas presents at the post office early in the morning to our parents (yes we are a bit slow), our van died in the middle of the road. I had two choices. Some wouldn't even think there was a choice! We still had many things planned for those busy days with a large family of eight. But God said, enough was enough.

But I began rejoicing in my heart that God would take care of the situation. In my prayers I delighted myself in God and told Him I didn't need any vehicles to be happy in Him. Just a few hours later after being towed to the station, I found out that the van's engine seized up. It would need to be junked or the engine replaced at literal thousands of dollars. We prayed and called out to the Lord. We purposely enjoyed our quiet Christmas even though we had many other things planned for those days. We trusted the Lord for this just like we might need groceries or money for a bill. 36 hours later on Christmas Eve, God had an anonymous love gift delivered to us.. I am not sure who they were or how they even knew or even if they knew of our situation. It was enough to replace the engine. Meanwhile God has prompted individuals of the church to loan us their car or van.

This is God's way of working. God wanted to bring more glory to His Name through my broken down van. My response to God about the situation would shape the whole family. If I as Dad grouched, complained or had these sour faces, we would have had a very miserable quiet Christmas. Instead our whole family saw the glory of God.

When we begin to understand and accept God's way for our lives, we are radically changed no matter whether you are old or young. God has a higher and loftier goal.

This is the principle that we see. For God to reveal His glory, He must do special works. He only can do these works through specially created circumstances. Unless we adjust our expectations and understandings, we will get bitter and anxious rather than excited that He is doing something for His glory. Remember God works through normal life situations. Everyone has cars that break down and frustrations to fulfill our obligations. God wants to change how we respond to them so that we can see His glorious work fulfilled.

We often miss God's purpose for our lives because we miss the major guidelines. Stay inside these guidelines and you will have the peace of GOD. What are these guidelines? Means and Motive.

If the way we do something is honorable to the Lord, then this will guide us to the right path in which we should go. The world says the means is not important but only the end goal. God, however, says the way we do it is a moral issue. this includes our attitudes. He examines our every step.

If the end purpose of why we do something is pleasing to the Lord, then this will keep us on God's path for us. Why we do something is as important as what we do. Without the right motive, some of the greatest acts become pure wickedness. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 speaks about this, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”Love is a great purpose that brings glory to God. Love is the mimicking of God's person in our daily meetings whether it be with our parents or friends. In each case we have a choice to glorify God or self.

C• Why are God's ways so difficult? (43:18-21)

For these last two points we turn to verses 18-21 of Isaiah 43. The question that we want to address is, "Why is God's way so hard or difficult?" Let's read the verses.

18 "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.

 19 "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.

 20 "The beasts of the field will glorify Me; The jackals and the ostriches; Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people.

 21 "The people whom I formed for Myself, Will declare My praise. (Isaiah 43:18-21)

Let's go through these verses and see what God is saying about this. We will note that there is first brought to our minds a contrast of the past and the future.

1) Forgetting the past

Verse 18 says, "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past." If we are familiar at all with the scriptures, this command might surprise you. We might respond by wondering what is wrong with the past? There is more at stake, however.

Many of our holidays such as thanksgiving and Christmas including Biblical ones such as the Passover focus on the past. We are told to celebrate communion. Because of this, we must not draw the conclusion that dwelling on the past is necessarily wrong. Sometimes it is very good and necessary.

The understanding of this verse comes with the contrast of the next verse. The past has many great testimonies of God and His mighty acts, but our lives can't stop there. Did you ever meet someone who always says what great things God did (such as saving him) but never says what great things God is doing for us now? God is not saying that the past things are unimportant but only that He is the Living God and lives to make a difference every day of our lives. This is what Paul had in mind when he said,

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead"(Philippians 3:13).

He needed to forget what has happened so that he could put all his energies into what God still had for him. By focusing on the past we tend to get prideful and compare ourselves with others. By running after God's plan for us, we are humbled by our weak faith and awed at God's mighty and merciful hand.

2) Striving for the new

God delights in doing something new. Even more God delights in involving us in His new plans. Unfortunately, the 'new' are things which often make us uncomfortable. They lead us to unseen circumstances. We are not sure on how to handle the things which we face. This alone makes it hard. If we stay in the past we tend to get prideful. But these new experiences are always humbling. God stretches us.

We might have a problem with a friend, a struggle with a spouse, a money problem, loss of employment, failure on a test, etc. Each of these situations usher us into unpleasant situations. You don't like it and I don't. We want control of our situation. Wealth as a whole enables us to live in cushioned environment where we are protected from these situations. Success in the world means protection from these very situations. This is often the reason we need to go through crisis to get us back on track. And simply speaking, we should not always think the highest paying job, the most attractive lady, or the best college is for you. It might be. It might not.

God, however, seeks these 'new' situations. Maybe you are thinking that I have wrongly described what 'new' means. But let us keep reading and you will see with me that this is not the case.

 "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. beasts of the field will glorify Me; The jackals and the ostriches; Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people."(Isaiah 43:18-19)

God describes what new is. They are wondrous things that He plans. They are the impossible things that He does. But we must remember for us to experience the impossible, we first have to face our inability to work out a solution. Roadway in the wilderness? Rivers in the desert? These are impossible things to do!

Did you ever see the Judean wilderness. We might think of some barren land. We are right to think of it this way, but it is more than this. The whole wilderness is jagged steep hills unfit to walk or even climb in many situations. It was in these caves that they hid the Qumran scrolls for thousands of years before being discovered. If we made a road, we would need to flatten each hill and fill in each deep gulley. We would need some monster of a bulldozer-helicopter to do it.

The same thing with creating a river in the desert. Sure we can take a bucket of water and throw it in the desert. But everyone knows what water you pour in will disappear in a quick moment. The only way a river is formed in the desert is that a miracle occurs just as God did in the wilderness wanderings. But in either case, it was impossible. We are dealing with impossible cases. Even with today's marvelous technological advances, we are stumped at these things.

Our salvation is impossible. We are not able to gain salvation until we acknowledge our inability in gaining it on our own. It is by grace. In other words, we don't deserve it and can't obtain it on our own. It is only because of God's extraordinary plan and love through Jesus Christ that He involves us in His redemptive plan.

For God to do something new means He needs to bring us to the impasse, the wall we can't pass. This goes directly against modern man and his devices.

If we would only be more honest, we would see that we face quite a few impossible situations. We often handle them wrongly? What do you do when?

You want a baby but can't have one?
You are terribly frustrated by some obstinate person?
You lose your job?
You didn't get into that school or land that job you thought you had?
You get sick, seriously sick?
You have a serious financial need?
You hit some kind of emotional problem?
You are kicking dust in devotions time?

There is no end of desperate situations. We see Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Isaiah, Jesus facing impossible situations. We need to understand that it is the crises of life which form the greatest opportunities. One Chinese word (wei/ji-) for crisis includes the character for danger as well as opportunity.

Like these men of faith, so we need to be ready for God. When we are seeking God's guidance, we need to pay special attention to what new things God is doing around us. The circumstances are designed to shape and mold us into Christ.

In order for something great to be done to the glory of God, a great contrast needs to be made. We need to be brought to the end of our own resources. If we put our trust in the Lord, it is at this point that our faith is awakened. We are able to put our trust in Him to do the impossible.

The temptation is to not trust God. This is why we need to constantly be aware or as the scriptures says, "Be alert."God doesn't want us to fail. He has made it that we can endure, trust Him and see some special work of God. God wants to show His extraordinary power in the midst of every one of our trials.

Let me ask you what do you want for this New Year? Do you dare to ask for anything 'new?' In one sense it doesn't matter. God will have you encounter crises. This is His purpose. Not just to keep us humble and protected but so that He can reveal His marvelous works. The point is that we need to anticipate these changes to be ready for them. Perhaps the best way to test your preparedness is to see if you can ask Him for something 'new' in your own life.

Just pause for a moment. Ask Him for something 'new'.

If you can do this, then just remember to stay alert. A journal helps to keep us attentive before the Lord of what is happening in our lives.

If you find yourself hesitating, see if you can find out what is it that holds you back. More than likely, it is this very area that the Lord will work on (a stronghold). He wants you to trust Him. He has called you by Name. You can follow Him. Ask Him to train you through the process. He is excellent at this.

Let's look at one more verse. Verse 21 nicely summarizes all our points "The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise."(43:21)

The end purpose for life is not that we be comfortable or so-called happy. He is not concerned with our status, image or class. He has made us and put us where we are with both our giftings and limitations whether they be physical or possessions. In any case, we should be on the look out for how God is going to reveal His glory in our lives. We are not to compare ourselves or what we have with others. Instead we are to focus on what He is doing in our lives.

Let us note a few things.

1) Formed - design

Here is that same word 'formed' again. God takes pride in His design for our lives. Some people worry over how people will think of them. Your nose is too fat; your hair to black, your legs too short, etc. You will make so many foolish decisions about life  when you doubt God's good design for you and your life. God makes no mistakes.  If we have life blemishes, whether they be bodily features or poverty, God wants you to know you can trust Him with them. God has specially designed you to carry out a greater work through you that otherwise couldn't be done. Do you need to be a doctor or have a PhD to show  you are  love worthy? Not at all. God knows how to use all your giftings and limitations to bring greater glory to Him.

The evil one would have us doubt Him but God should be trusted here. Many of you are young.  Unless you settle this question, you will spend all your life in vain looking for God's will. Trust Him right now, then you will be free to seek His will.

2) The people (for Myself)

God wants us involved in His plans.  His ways are the greatest.  When we look at Jesus, do we not see  what happens when someone fully dedicates Himself to God and His purposes? Sure. God has chosen a great number of people to show forth His love and grace. If you orient  yourself around this understanding, then you can  easily get through some of those problems  regarding seeking  His will. Let me  give you one  short examples.

• You have two job  offers. Which should you take?  You must go back and think of it from God's perspective. Which will give you more opportunity to give Him praise?   Will the greater paying? Not necessarily. Will the higher position? Not necessarily. That is how man thinks.  In prayer we begin  to search these questions. If your motives are  correct, then you will pay  close attention to the opportunities for service, the needs of people around you. You will not let fear or difficulties hold you back from things that God has put on your heart. Remember you are  seeking His glory. Let Him pave your path. If you have to lie to get a job, then you know for sure that God does not want you to have it.  At times I have at great risk made applications by speaking the honest truth. I let God work it out.

• Relationship questions. Compromise and you might  get a guy.  You might be convinced, for example,  that noone will marry you because of your height, race or religion. It might be true. It might not be. But  you should be convinced that God has given you such stature for a particular purpose. Remember he knows you by name. Someway He is going to bring forth His glory through your life. Don't get caught on what you think you need. Trust Him to care for you.  Just seek Him and He will  do the very best concerning your life. He works through all the different problems that you face: no friends, sickness, etc.

This year determine to live by faith. You see, you now know that God brings all things together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. When we allow ourselves to be carried away in the river's current, we are not sure where we might end up. But because God's love is everlasting, we can be sure it will be good. It will be wonderful. God doesn't just like okay situations. Like the roller coaster, God creates great extremes for greater glory. He starts training us with small things but then works us up to great faith situations. Good fellowship groups share about life experiences in light of God's purposes. They are faith building times because you are sharing how  God is working.

3) "Declare  My Praise”

God wants more than anything that you bring praise to Him. This is why He made you. He wants to give you a 'new' testimony. He doesn't want you just to rely on past things He has done. They are great, but this year He is going to do something very special and new. Did you ever notice the thread going through the commands from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18?

"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks.   For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. "

Brothers and sisters, if you think life is boring, stand back and ask God do something new in your life. If church, your family, your job, - anything is just going on. There is no real glory for God there. He wants to make a Name for Himself. Ask Him to do it. Place yourself in the current of His will and let Him take you for a ride. What does He want? Begin praying. Persistently observe. Wait – maybe for a long time. But He will come through. Remember He is setting up the act so you will have something to praise Him for.

After looking back on how He has led me in my past, I actually learn to go with the flow. I can trust Him for big and small changes. This is because He is utterly faithful. If you had a dull New Year's party – you are just getting older. This year get together with other brothers and sisters and start praying that God would give you a New Year's party next year which is about Him! You each want a testimony of what has done in your lives.  Watch. Wait. Respond with anticipation. Let Him lead. Don't panic. Praise Him!

Remember our main lessons.

• A) Trust Him fully. He has done everything to bring you close and wants you part of His glorious plan.
• B) Stay within the two guidelines: The Means and the Motives.
• C) Purposely launch in faith in 'new' experiences expressly designed to bring Him glory but we get to go along with Him for the ride!

You will feel desperate, inadequate, unequipped, but this is part of His design so He can get the glory. Steve Camp's Song, "Mercy in the Wilderness" reflects the difficulty and joy of going through these 'new' experiences with Him.

Every day that I walk with You, you break me down, and You make me new.
Though my faith is tried this I know is true. There is mercy in the wilderness.
Through the Valley deep and the mountain high. You have been my strength; Your Word my guide.
I have known your grace through the tears I've cried. There is mercy in the wilderness.
In the barren place, where the hard winds blow
Oh my flesh cries out, "Lord Refresh my soul.”
O the Lord is kind; and the Lord is good.
He is faithful to His children
Through the fire and flood. He has with me stood; He gives mercy in the wilderness.

After looking back on how He has led me in my past, I actually have learned to go with the flow. I can trust Him for big and small changes. This is because He is utterly faithful, and I have had a lot of training. But still each 'new' situation is a challenge. It is a choice that demands trusting in Him.

If you had a dull New Year's party – and just getting older, this year get with the other brothers and sisters and start praying. Watch. Wait. Respond with anticipation. Let Him lead. Don't panic. Praise Him! You will have a lot to share at next year's New Year party.

Dear Lord, I have been so consumed with my life that I have never been able to plug into your great work. I have become deadly secularized. I ask for forgiveness for this major mistake and now commit myself to be part of your great plan. I don't know what that is but I am readying myself for You. I want to have a greater testimony, a new one for You and not for me. I want to boast to others how great You are. Thank you for calling me. Thank you for making me yours. Thank you for making me yours in a very special way. I am yours forever. In Christ's Majestic Name I pray, Amen.