In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Exodus 40

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. v36-38

We need God to provide direction for us - we need to be in prayer and in the word so God can reveal His plans for us.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

We may not know all of what lies ahead but we know that God will be with us and that He will be a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provide - for all things.  I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of Your love and care.  I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

Psalms 69

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. v30-31

We exist to worship and glorify God.

[The people] are the shoot I have planted,

the work of my hands,

for the display of my splendor.  Isaiah 60:21

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  1 Corinthians 10:31

 

We often struggle trying to understand God's will for our lives.  Yet God makes it clear that we exist to glorify and worship Him.  This is a good place to start.  God also wants us to know Him so we should be reading and studying God's word.  As we worship and get to know God, we are better positioned to understand God's will for our lives.  

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

 

We should not struggle with this topic.

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God You are...You know all things, You are in all things, You hold all things together, and You are able to do anything...You don't need me but You are able to use me...as broken as I am...for Your glory and my good.  You know everything about me yet You chose me and then suffered and died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a blessing. I am too easily distracted by the things of this world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. v14-15

If we are close to God we must know His "good, pleasing and perfect will" and Paul shows us how in his letter to Romans:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

We must yearn to be close to God, in prayer, in reflection, in study, etc.  By drawing closer to God and knowing His will for our lives, we have confidence in knowing that God hears and answers ALL prayer - according to His will.  The implication is that our prayers should consist of either praying for what we KNOW God wants for us or for us to fully submit to His will - whatever that might be.

My Prayer: Lord You are a Great God and I know that Your designs, plans, etc. for me are perfect, glorify You and are GOOD for me.  Yet I often want to satisfy my OWN desires and this is sinful and wrong Jesus - please forgive me and help me turn from such sinful behavior and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me desire what You desire.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.