Knowing God's will is a challenge for most of us. Henry Blackaby, in his book, Experiencing God, shows us some tools that help.

1. Lost
Conversation
Clear up misspoken re: Scarlett
not behavior – Spirituality!
Knowing God’s will?
• Star Wars
• Matrix
• Lord of the Rings
• Lost
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3. Lost
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6. “It’s tough to determine what’s scarier, that
our innermost fears are so readily
exploited by dramatists, or that millions of
viewers get their most provocative
thoughts on fate, destiny, religion, and
philosophy from television.”
Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post TV Critic
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7. “It’s tough to determine what’s scarier, that
our innermost fears are so readily
exploited by dramatists, or that millions of
viewers get their most provocative
thoughts on fate, destiny, religion, and
philosophy from television.”
[and movies?]
Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post TV Critic
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8. Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)
There is a path before each person that
seems right, but it ends in death.
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9. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says
the LORD. “They are plans for good and
not for disaster, to give you a future and a
hope.”
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10. Genesis 22:1-3 (NLT)
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Later on God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience.
“Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”
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“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love
so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him
there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which
I will point out to you.”
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The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his
donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with
his son Isaac. Then he chopped wood to build a fire for a
burnt offering and set out for the place where God had
told him to go.
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11. So, how do we know these plans?
How do we hear God’s voice?
How do we know God’s will for our lives?
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12. How to discern God’s voice:
• Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my own.
• Do not rely simply on feelings or impressions.
• Seek the will of God through the Bible.
• Take into account God-directed circumstances.
• Ask God to reveal His Will completely.
• Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection –
come to deliberate understanding of God’s will –
then if you experience peace and it continues
through two or three more petitions – proceed
accordingly.
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13. How to discern God’s voice:
• Surrender my heart so that I have no will of my own.
own
• Do not rely simply on feelings or impressions.
impressions
• Seek the will of God through the Bible.
Bible
• Take into account God-directed circumstances.
circumstances
• Ask God to reveal His Will completely.
completely
• Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and reflection –
come to deliberate understanding of God’s will –
then if you experience peace and it continues
through two or three more petitions – proceed
accordingly.
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14. Surrender my heart so that I have no
will of my own.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)
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“The human heart is most deceitful and desperately
wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10But I know! I,
the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret
motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to
what their actions deserve.”
Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)
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Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the
passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross
and crucified them there. 25If we are living now by the
Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every
part of our lives.
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15. Do not rely simply on feelings or
impressions.
Judges 21:25 (NLT)
In those days Israel had no king, so the people did
whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it
ends in death.
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16. Seek the will of God through the Bible.
Psalm 119:11 (NLT)
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin
against you.
Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)
Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of
God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives,
and trust the Lord as they do.
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17. Take into account God-directed
circumstances.
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT)
From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the
tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the
temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel
to take.
Matthew 16:2-3 (NLT)
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He replied, “You know the saying, ‘red sky at night
means fair weather tomorrow, 3red sky in the morning
means foul weather all day.’ You are good at reading the
weather signs in the sky, but you can’t read the obvious
signs of the times!
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18. Ask God to reveal His Will completely.
Isaiah 52:6 (NLT)
But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will
come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize
that it is I who speaks to them.”
John 16:15 (NLT)
All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when
I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he
receives from me.
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19. Thus, through prayer, Bible study, and
reflection – come to deliberate
understanding of God’s will – then if you
experience peace and it continues through
two or three more petitions – proceed
accordingly.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
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But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he
will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
peace
faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here
there is no conflict with the law.
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