I hear a lot of people talking about God’s will.  The amazing thing is that most of us walk around acting like we’ve got this whole thing figured out, but living like we don’t have a clue.  We can talk a pretty good game, but when it comes to walking, we are barefooted and on the rocks.

It’s not that God’s will is really all that complicated.  God’s will is really pretty simple, when you and I are willing to get real about it.  The complication comes in, when we add all of our stuff to the mix.

If you want to know and do God’s will then read, apply, obey and practice Romans 12:1-2:  “1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1.) Give yourself completely to God!  This is your spiritual service of worship!  It does not really matter what anybody else thinks.  People say they want to know God’s will and then listen to what everybody, except God has to say about it.  If you really want to know God’s will, then take five minutes to not care about what anyone else thinks or has to say about it.  Ask God to reveal His will and to give you peace.  Read His Word and listen for the voice of His Spirit.  In this five minutes give yourself completely to Him and you will know His will, now the question is:  What are you going to do about it?

2.) Don’t be conformed, but transformed!  Let the Spirit renew your mind, so that you are not thinking your way or the worlds way, but His way.  After you spend five minutes and discover His will, it will amaze you at how fast it can be taken away from you.  We fight way to many fights that we don’t need to fight.  Don’t let others or the world shape you.  Instead allow the Spirit of God to recreate you into something amazing for His glory.

3.) Prove God’s will – in and through your living!  This is action that is good, acceptable and perfect.  You need to prove His will to yourself and to others, so just live the life that He has marked out for you – moment by moment!

God has an amazing plan for your life – don’t miss out on it, because you got caught up in playing a game of pretend with everybody else.  It is the simple and consistent steps of obedience that allow God to take you to where you could never take yourself!  Enjoy the journey!

Today was a very special day at Grace Place.  We had our first unofficial/official service as Grace Place Community.  I really did not have any expectation, only a hope that things would be as the Spirit wanted and I think that this is exactly what happened.

It was great having family and friends together for a sweet time of worship and the beautiful and amazing thing was seeing all of the new folks coming to join us.  When you give your life to something, you need confirmation, whether you realize it or not.  The Spirit provided some much-needed and appreciated confirmation this morning.

I am thankful to God for blessing us with the opportunity to be a part of something amazing and special.  I am thankful to all of the people – those who were there today and those who could not be there today, who have been faithful over the past several years to help make a day like today possible.  I am thankful to family and friends who continue to encourage me to stay faithful.

To God be the glory for what He has, is and will do.  To all of the faithful folks who have given, are giving and will give of themselves – thank you – the blessings of today are a testimony and witness of how God rewards the faithfulness of His people.  To the family and friends who encourage me in so many different ways – I would not want to think of having to do this without you?

Heading to bed tonight – humbled, thankful and hopeful!  I love you all – God Bless and Press On!

Almost everyday of my life, I talk with people who are facing some of the hardest  and most difficult times they have ever had to face.  The hard knocks of life have been rough and left them wondering is life really worth living?  The answer to that question is YES!

This is what Jesus said on the issue:  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Life is going to be tough and in this world we are going to have tribulation, but He has overcome this world and if we have Him in us, then the same power that allowed Him to overcome this world flows into and through our lives.

The key is this:  As we live in this world, we need to make sure that we are living in Him, because in Him, we have peace.  We live in Him by letting His words live in and through us.  We let His Words live in and through us by reading, thinking and obeying His teachings, which are found in the Bible.

It really is not nearly as complicated as most of us try to make it!  Read/obey His Word and you will live in Him.  Live in Him as you live in this world and you will have His peace and power flowing into and through your life.  His peace and power gives you overcoming power, which allows you to live the victorious and glorious life of grace.

Get it and give it – you will be glad you did!