In my last post I gave three sources of confirmation to look for when seeking to know if one’s plans are according to God’s will:

a corroborating Biblical text comes to mind while praying or reading Scripture
a validation when using sound reasoning
a deep sense of prevailing peace when considering specific plans

Since my last blog I have listened to an i pod sermon given on the same topic at Santa Barbara Community Church during the month of July. The information was from the life of Paul. (Acts 18:1-23)
Using the above passage and other Scripture, the pastor showed that Paul sometimes acted on a clear word from God or on what he thought best. At other times, Paul acted not knowing God’s will beforehand.
Hearing the latter was disconcerting to me. I get frustrated when I feel that I’m not receiving clear direction from God and must move ahead without it. That’s probably the perfectionist in me wanting my course mapped out before I travel. For me, frustration is sin. It is not trusting God.
What I was not taking into account was Paul’s spiritual DNA , knowledge passed onto Paul through time with God, tried and true facts built into Paul’s new life that he could use to test and guide decisions and actions automatically. Some of these facts given in the sermon were:

God’s decrees are absolute.
Christ is to be pursued in thought, word and deed.
Christ crucified is to be the focus, not ourselves.
Disciples are to be bond-servants to others for Christ’s sake.
All that is done is to be to the glory of God.
Disciples have been blessed and are to be a blessing.

Some of you may be thinking, “I don’t have that kind of backlog of facts about God’s word, ways and work.” Well, you can begin to build it. Attend and/or listen to Biblical sermons. Join a Bible study.
Although I attend my church regularly, each week I do a computer review of Sunday’s sermon at http://www.fbcwindsor.com. With school back in session, new Bible studies are beginning. Join a Bible teaching church’s Bible study or attend a Bible Study Fellowship class near you. Check out http://www.bsfinternational.org/locate-a-class.
While at a Beth Moore simulcast she pointed out a Scripture we would do well to keep in mind while listening or reading God’s words from the Bible. “ And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14 (NIV)
Beth Moore emphasized the word “respond” and asked, “What will you do with what you receive?” Scripture listened to or read may or may not find a permanent spot in the mind or heart. That same scripture is more likely to stick with us, and build a backlog like Paul’s, when we apply it to our present decision making. It also makes reality of the words with which the Santa Barbara pastor began his sermon. “Seeking the will of God is to be our delight, not dilemma.”