Monday, May 07, 2007

Discerning God's Will

I found this in the bulletin of my parents' church and thought it was good. Based on Dr. James Dobson's answers to the question "how do you make decisions that are in line with God's will?".
1. A search for God's will should begin on your knees. He will meet you there.
2. Examine the scriptures for principles that relate to the issues at hand. The Lord will never ask you to do anything morally wrong or in contradiction to His word.
3. Seek advice from those who are spiritually mature and solid in their faith. A godly counselor or pastor can assist you in avoiding the common mistakes that confuse many people.
4. Pay close attention to what is known as "providential circumstance." When you begin to be blocked on all sides in a particular pursuit, you might consider the possibility that God has other plans for you. Don't give up at the first sign of obstacles, but be attentive to what God is already doing around you.
5. Do nothing impulsively. Give God an opportunity to speak while you concentrate on the first four approaches.

In addition to these five steps to determine God's specific will, you can know His general will for each of us. The Scriptures give all believers the same assignment, and we find it in the words of Jesus, who said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15). So in whatever you do, whether you are a dentist, a truck driver, an artist, or a homemaker, you have the privilege of using that position as a springboard to witness for the Savior.

6 comments:

HollyB said...

This comment has nothing to do with discerning God's will.

I read your comment on LawDog's blog asking "WHY?"
Although 'Dog is too much of a Gentle Man to answer your question, honestly, I will try to give you a couple of clues.
I read your blog back as far as May 1. That was as far as I could go before my brain said "Please, NO MORE!"
First...you need to install a "site meter". Profile views and comments are NOT an accurate indicator of how many peeps are visiting your site. www.sitemeter.com will give you easy to follow instructions on how to install a meter on your site. You can make it visible or invisible to visitors. If a cyberlexic like me can install on on her blog, you can do it on your blog.
I started my blog in May 2006, but didn't install the Site Meter until November, I think. SInce that time I've had over 8,000 visitors. From all over the world! It's a lot of fun to see where your readers are checking in from.

Second, one reason LawDog, and AmbulanceDriver have such an ENORMOUS amount of readers is that they are ENTERTAINING! And they don't PREACH.

Your blatant homophobia may be putting off a lot of readers. They may check in once, just to see what you have to say...but once they see that you HATE homosexuals, male and female, they will never be back, unless it's to leave equally hateful comments.
PLease try to remember a couple of things, statistics show that 25% of people in America have a Homosexual family member [60% of homosexuals have been married and had children] and Wasn't it your Lord and SAvior and Best Friend Jesus Christ who instructed you to "Love the Sinner"?
Leave the preaching to those who have been to Seminary. Reach out in Love and Compassion, for those were the messages of the NEW Testament.

Try to show some respect for the English language. Use it to describe interesting and amusing events in your life. Not to castigate your readers. Don't beat them over the head with your religion and beliefs. Reach out in Love, not judgement, Sister. Let She who is without sin cast the first stone.

These would be the first steps to increase your readership.
Then again, I could be wrong.

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

Yes, you could be wrong, because you misconstrue, as have others, the purpose of the writing about homosexuality, and that it is reaching out to those who struggle with it. Though I have tried to use that language, you again overlook that, which is sad, because you miss the point of the gospel - setting us free of sin. I am not worried about being popular here. I am just curious about the profile view numbers and what they mean. If someone comes into a site and views the profile for the first time, they got in there some way first, and it had nothing to do with the content, i.e., the language of 'homophobia' etc. That's what I am wondering about - the initial thing that has brought someone in.

Honestly, Hollyb - this blog is from my heart. I have fellow believers coming here who share my heart and my views and that is enough for me. The increasing profile views on my blog also are satisfying. Your opinion of my blog means nothing - a perfect stranger, and I don't know what you meant to accomplish in your comment.

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

Also, holly, thanks for the suggestion regarding the meter.

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

Also, holly, when it comes to homosexuality, I have found nothing brings harsh criticism like that in the blogosphere. And if I wondered if I was being read by any other than my small circle before posting anything about homosexuality, I find out after, that certainly, people are finding me. Amazing.

Anonymous said...

They should do a study and find out if the liberal tendency to label anyone who does not support or accept the normalcy of homosexuality a homophobe and hate-filled is brought on genetically or environmentally. It doesn't seem to matter if you make a reasonable and thought-out determination, and it's simply your belief or opinion; nope, your just a hate-filled, blatant homophobe. The liberal definition of tolerance: I'll accept you and your opinion, as long as you totally agree with me and don't say anything in opposition to my own beliefs. You think she was bad, wait until some bozo comes on and labels you a 'global warming denier.' Ouch, that must be really hurtful to you.

KD (sorry, I'm not logged in right now)