Outside The Will Of God There Is Nothing I Want.

And in the will of God there is nothing I fear. -A. W. Tozer

Outside of the will of God there is nothing we should want and in the will of God there is nothing to fear. The will of God is perfect and therefore we can surrender to Him, knowing that He is a good Father; who always has our best interest in mind.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

I know the pain of living outside of the will of God. I have experienced the consequences of living independently from Him and there is nothing I want outside of the will of God. But, even though I want to live in the will of God, sometimes it’s easier said than done. That’s because there is a battle going on between my flesh and the Spirit.

For example, sometimes I have allowed people or things to become idols in my life and heart; and then I have to surrender them to Him, because He alone is worthy of my worship. This process can be very painful, but God helps me each time and I experience freedom.

The will of God is best, because He is perfect in understanding, wisdom and knowledge. There is no greater peace than to be in His will; even though it may include pain and suffering.  He uses suffering for good (Romans 8:28).

We are wise to want nothing outside of the will of God and to give our lives to Him. However, sometimes we want to take the path of least resistance and instant happiness. Although being outside of His will may offer short term gratification, ultimately sin causes pain.

God is in control and sovereign over everything. Therefore, we can trust Him to guide and provide for us.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:10 NIV)

We should only want what God wants for us. Unfortunately, it’s part of our sin nature to want what’s outside of the will of God because we’re born sinful and we’ve been given free will. Think about the first words that a young child learns to speak, and they are usually “mine” and “no.”

Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” (NLT)

We desperately need a Savior and thankfully God gave His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sins (John 3:16). God wants us to surrender to His will and He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

In our sinful state, if it were not for His grace and mercy, we would never choose to come to Him as John 6:44 says, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” (NLT)

The will of God is better than anything we could want for ourselves. It is good, pleasing and perfect; and we gain by submitting to Him.

Living in submission and surrender to the will of God, means that we are responsible to know and obey His Word.

Ephesians 5:17-19 says, “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” (NLT)1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother and sister and mother.(Matthew 12:50 GW)

In the will of God there is nothing to fear. If we have trusted Christ as our personal Savior and Lord; we can be confident that He will always comfort and help us; as these Bible verses promise.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (NASB)Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (NIV)Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

Do you seek the will of God for your life?

Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“Outside the will of God there is nothing I want. And in the will of God there is nothing I fear.” A. W. Tozer

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For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How to Know God’s Will in Difficult Decisions

• Who Needs a Vision Retreat?

• 4 Steps to Identify Core Values and Make the Best Decisions

• Quotecard We Make Our Decisions…Jesus Wants More Fans

• Have You Made a Contract with God?

• How to Balance Content and Discontent in the Christian Life

• What Does God Owe Me? How to be Successful in Life When You Have Failed

• How to Overcome the Agony of Discouragement and Find Hope Again

• What if God Eliminated all Suffering?

• My Classmate Bart Ehrman’s Hopeless Response to Suffering and Death

• 6 Solutions When You Suffer for Doing Good

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

The Lord Is Close To The Brokenhearted…

and saves the crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18

This verse reminds us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Even though it may not always feel like it, we have God’s promise that He is close to the brokenhearted and that He saves us when we are crushed in spirit.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

I have been brokenhearted many times in life. I think of the tragic, sudden loss of my brother at age 29. Then 6 months later, how I was equally brokenhearted by the sad, but anticipated loss of my maternal grandmother at age of 87.

I know what it is to be crushed in spirit too; to feel the weight of despair and depression. I know about being humbled and having to ask God and others for forgiveness and help.

But, each time, God has been close and saved me. He hasn’t always changed the circumstances, but He’s given me new mercies each day of strength, hope and people to encourage me. He’s given me His Son, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. He’s given me His Holy Spirit to guide, empower and direct me. He’s given me His sure and Holy Word to stand on and promises to claim.

I’m sure the majority of us have been brokenhearted at one time or another and for various reasons. Whether from a betrayal or grief from a loss, being brokenhearted is part of being human. We live in a world where suffering occurs.

Sometimes, it feels like we are being held under the waves when we are brokenhearted or crushed in spirit.

Psalm 42:7 says, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” (NIV)

Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. (Psalm 69:2 NLT)

God is close to the brokenhearted to help us when we feel like we are drowning.  We can trust Him to be a support for us.

• Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” (NLT)

• 2 Samuel 22:17-20 says, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (NIV)

The same One who created the mighty breakers of the ocean, is the One who is close to the brokenhearted. 

The Bible reassures us that the Lord saves the crushed in spirit, because He will not reject us when we are broken or crushed.

Often times, it is when we are humbled that we recognize our need for God and acknowledge our dependence on Him.

Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (NLT)

The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy. This is what he says: I live in a high and holy place. But I am with those who are crushed and humble. I will renew the spirit of those who are humble and the courage of those who are crushed.” (Isaiah 57:15 GW)

It is incredible that even though God is highly exalted, He is with us when we feel low and crushed. He has compassion for us in our humble state, not to demoralize, but to renew our spirits and give us courage.

God is so good!

How have you experienced God’s closeness when you are brokenhearted?

Has He saved you when you’re crushed in spirit?

Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Please click here if you would like to do so now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 ESV) | CLICK TO TWEET

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How to Handle the Death of a Loved One and Other Losses

• How NOT to Deal with the Death of a Loved One

• Four Steps to Climb Out of a Pit of Depression

• What if God Eliminated all Suffering?

• 7 Reasons Christianity Provides the Ultimate in Positive Thinking

• You Can Do It!

• 4 Characteristics in the Attitude of a Winner, Part 1

• 7 Biblical Christian Mantras I Find Helpful

• How Biblical Thought Replacement Creates Time and Energy

• How to Balance Content and Discontent in the Christian Life

• My Classmate Bart Ehrman’s Hopeless Response to Suffering and Death

• What Does God Owe Me? How to be Successful in Life When You Have Failed

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Expect Great Things From God. Attempt Great Things For God. –William Carey

We can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him when we step out in faith to serve Him, because He is so great!

William Carey, known as the “Father of modern Protestant missions,” embodied this quote. His conviction for reaching the lost by traveling to remote locations based on Matthew 28:18-20, was considered radical by his contemporaries in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, undaunted, he forged ahead in faith and God used him to inspire a great missionary movement that continues today.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

I have learned that I can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him when He leads me to step out in faith. Over the years many opportunities to serve have come through pastors and leaders from my church. Sometimes it feels like I’m stepping off a cliff with no net, until I remember that He will catch me. As a result, God has worked through me to accomplish things that I could have never imagined; and He has never disappointed or failed me.

The key to expecting great things from God and attempting great things for Him is realizing that He is the One accomplishing the work through us. Our motive must be to glorify Him and I’ve discovered that when we stay consistent and don’t give up; He is faithful to use us.

Do you expect great things from God and do you attempt great things for Him?

We can both expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him because, He is omnipotent or all-powerful. He is the supreme Ruler, reigning with unlimited power. He is invincible and undefeated. He has no equal or match.

All throughout the Bible, we can read about the greatness of God and His awesome works.

• Psalm 66:3 says, “Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.” (NIV)

• Psalm 48:1 says, “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.” (NIV)

• Psalm 77:13 says, “Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?” (NIV)

Jesus said that believers would do the works that He did and even greater things because He was going to the Father.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NIV)

Christians can expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him, because we have the Holy Spirit living within us.

John 14:15-18 says, “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. (NLT)

Does that mean that believers can expect any great thing from God or attempt any great thing for Him?

The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), but no if the great thing we want to attempt conflicts with His will and His Word.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:7-10 ESV)

God wants us to bear much fruit for Him however, our dreams and goals must be to glorify Him and not ourselves or others.

Sometimes we may have God’s blessing to move forward in faith and we’re expecting great things and ready to attempt great things; but like William Carey we may face opposition from people or from the devil.

It’s always wise to take a step back and make sure we’re in God’s will. We can take time to use discernment and obtain confirmation from the Lord. Personally, if I’m faced with resistance, but I have prayed, sought God and His Word, and obtained wise counsel from pastors and mature believers; then I will confidently move forward in faith.

What great things are you expecting from God or attempting for Him?

Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE | CLICK TO TWEET

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• 5 Fantastic Spiritual Senses that Lead to Faith

• Faith Means Acting When You Feel Inadequate

• How to Tackle a Mountain-Sized Goal in Faith

• 6 Solutions When You Suffer for Doing Good

• Having Just One Person to Please Brings Peace

• Who Needs a Vision Retreat?

• 7 Steps to a Productive Vision Retreat

• So You Think You Can’t Take a Prayer Retreat?

• Have You Written Your Own Bible?

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth