God's Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will (Part 2)

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Wednesday April 2, 2008

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer 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.

Yesterday we looked at how God's "good" will is for us to pray (which gives HOPE), His "pleasing" will is for us to act in faith on His Word (FAITH), and His "perfect" will is for us to walk in love (LOVE).

There are a number of intersections between these three parts of God's will:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4. who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Notice that it is "good" AND "pleases God" when we pray.

Hebrews tells us it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God WITHOUT faith:

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God...

Since it is impossible to PLEASE God without faith, we know that the prayer that is both "good" and "pleasing" is a "prayer of faith".

James 5:15 (NIV)
And the prayer offered in faith (KJV: "prayer of faith") will make the sick person well...

Jesus outlined the "prayer of faith" in Mark 11:24:

Mark 11:24 (NIV)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

James also mentioned it:

James 1:5-8 (NIV)
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8. he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Since a person who doubts what he prays is "double-minded" and "unstable", when we pray a "prayer of faith" we are being "single-minded" and "stable"! Sounds like a mind that is renewed with the Word of God, doesn't it?

So the "good" will of God and the "pleasing" will of God coincide when you pray a "prayer of faith".

But then to take it a step further, faith WORKS by LOVE!

Galatians 5:6 (KJV)
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Since faith WORKS by love, that puts love into the equation for every part of God's will as well.

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your life-giving Word. Thank You for telling me how to carry out Your will on this earth. Help me fulfill my personal ministry as effectively as possible, by staying in prayer, walking by faith, and walking in love. Help me to follow the leadings of Your Holy Spirit every day.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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