The Happiest Place to be is in the Center of God's Will

Some of us have heard the saying, "The happiest place you can be in is the center of God's will, the most frustrating place to be in is outside of God's will." Personally, I believe that saying. Do you? Lets see what God says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."* So now I guess the question is, "How can I really know God's will for my life?" It boils down to choices. Can a believer know if he is really making the right choice? Many times I think I are making the right choice but honestly speaking, I am not sure. Personally, I have read books regarding God's will but more than often, I will not find what I need for my specific situation. Maybe you find yourself in the same situation. How can I really know which school, job, friends I should choose? Well, I hope these 4 universal principles will help you stay happy in God's will. This is important because "The happiest place is in the center of God's will"

Principle 1: Principle of Obedience.
"God loves us so much that He always gives us the power to trust and obey what He wants us to do"

Explanation: In those areas that is addressed specifically in the Bible, the revealed commands and principles of God (His moral will) are to be obeyed.

Examples:
a. to glorify God in all things ( 1 Cor 10:31)
b. to minister to others (Romans 14:19)
c. to fulfill God-given responsibilities (1 Pet:10-11)
d. to evangelise lost people (2 Pet 3:9)
e. to do good works (Titus 3:8)
d. to produce spiritual fruit (Titus 3:8)

Principle 2: Principle of Freedom.
"God loves us so much that He always gives us the freedom of choice within His moral Will"

Explanation: In those areas where Bible gives no command or principle (nonmoral decisions), the believer is free and responsible to choose his course of action. Any decision made within the moral will of God is acceptable.


Examples:
a. Adam and Eve were given freedom to eat from every tree in the Garden of Eden EXCEPT from the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17)
b. Giving to the church (2 Corinthians 9:7)
c. Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:39)

Principle 3: Principle of Wisdom
"God loves us so much that He wants us to actively seek wisdom from His Spirit, others and self so that we will learn how to make the wisest and most beneficial choices in life"

Explanation: In nonmoral decisions, the goal of the believer is to make wise decisions on the basis of what is spiritually best and fruitful. Most importantly, God himself has promised to give wisdom to those who ask Him in simple faith! On the other hand, let us also be humble enough to seek wisdom from careful research about the facts, wise counselors God has brought in our lives and past experiences.

Examples:
a. Paul's travel plan changes due to external pressure (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2)
b. Paul's sending of Epaphroditus to Philippi (Philippians 2:25-26)
c. Twelve disciples' appointing deacons in church (Acts 6:2=4)

Principle 4: Principle of Humility
"God loves us so much that He wants us to cooperate humbly with His perfect overall plan for our lives."

Explanation: In all decisions, the believer should say, "if God wills" and humbly accept or be willing to change in accordance to God's overruling will. This reminds us that our choices could be wrong and that God's will is always best. So when we realized we are wrong, we need to humbly admit and accept changes God wants in our lives.

Example:
a. Paul and companions were sensitive and humble to accept change in their mission work when the Spirit of God stopped and redirected their travel plans (Acts 16:6-10).
b. Paul was humble and willing to have God change His plans (Acts 18:21, 1 Corinthians 4:19, 16:5-7)
c. James' warning against boasting about future plans (James 4:13-16)

*Psalm 16:11
For more information, check out bookles - "Principles for Decision Making: Living according to God's will" by Friesen & Maxson