Category: God’s Will

Bible Stories, Religious Ethical Teachings or THE TRUTH to be applied so you can live faithfully?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

Bible Stories, Religious Ethical Teachings or THE TRUTH to be applied so you can live faithfully?

The answer to the question: “Is The Bible a record of Stories leading up to and including Jesus? Is the Bible Religious Ethical Teachings we can choose from and adjust for our own particular circumstances? Or is the Bible THE TRUTH to be applied to keep you from stumbling, so you can live successfully and faithfully?

The answer could be ‘yes’ to all the above. But that view will lead you to minimizing the importance – no, make that the vital urgency – of knowing and doing the Will of God for your life and in your life.

Let me begin by saying that the Bible was written to you, for you and about you, for your understanding and relationship with God. There are those who would argue that the Bible sometimes was written to specific people or about specific people but not always for those people, and this, unfortunately, is the prevalent view among most theologians and Christian denominations. It is an attempt to avoid having to apply the parts Truth of God’s Word which they do not understand or do not agree with. In other words, puny and arrogant humans standing in judgement on God and His Word! (Think about that.)

Here is why I say what I am saying:  The Bible instructs us, “Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:3-9).

And again in Deuteronomy 28:1-13, “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I am commanding you today, that the LORD your God will put you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come to you and reach you if you obey the LORD your God:

“Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the [c]country.

“Blessed will be the children of your womb, the produce of your ground, and the [f]offspring of your animals: the newborn of your herd and the young of your flock.

“Blessed will be your basket and your kneading bowl.

“Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out.

“The LORD will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated by you; they will go out against you one way and will flee at your presence seven ways. The LORD will command the blessing for you in your barns and in everything that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. So all the peoples of the earth will see that [i]you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you. And the LORD will give you more than enough prosperity, in the children of your womb, in the offspring of your livestock, and in the [l]produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless every work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will only be above, and not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God which I am commanding you today, to follow them carefully”.

In a nutshell, your thoughts, your ideas, your circumstances and your needs, no matter how great or dire, overshadow or trump the Truth of God’s Word. Anytime you skirt or compromise the clear teachings and instructions of God’s Word you get, at best, a diluted result and at worst, death – death, whether the death of a dream, the death of your hopes and aspirations,  or a physical death.

We, as Christians, are so quick to exclaim “He is risen, indeed”, but then hesitant when it is time to act on the Words of the Risen King, Jesus Christ!  Perhaps it is because we are a frail and broken people, saved only by God’s Grace and through our faith in Jesus. Or, perhaps it is because we are a rebellious people, bent on having our own way.

But know this: If you are able, you must.

If you cannot, put yourself at God’s mercy. He knows that’ our frames are but dust’, prone to fail. And though He will not test you beyond what you can endure, the finished Work of Jesus on the cross has provided and secured our salvation.

Do what you can, and all you can, while you can. If you cannot, turn to The Father through Jesus His Son, our Lord, our Savior, our Friend and Brother.

If you have called on the name of the Lord, you can depend on Him and His Word. Read it. Know it. Believe it. Do it. It is Creative, Causative, Prophetic and Instructional.

Each and every Word of the Bible is God’s love letter of hope, promise and instruction written specifically to and for you and me. This is how and why it is written. This is how it is to be read, understood and applied – every time, all the time.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

KNOWING GOD’S WILL

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

Do you ever wonder about “The Will of God for your life” or for your life’s circumstances?

I frequently hear people say “I want to know the will of God” when making important or difficult decisions or trying to find their way out of difficult or trying situations.

I often hear people finish their prayers with “IF it is your will” as a polite guess.  You get the sense that a person who prays this way is saying, “I really don’t know Your Will, God, but, here’s what I think” as if we can bring God to our point of view.

Or is it a reluctance because the person praying feels like they are imposing on God?

I see some folks wearing a rubber bracelet or sporting a sticker which reads “WWJD?” (What would Jesus do?) I guess that is supposed to make us stop and think about what He would do before we make important decisions or misbehave?

My experience has been that most people, including MOST preachers, are not ready to give a definitive answer to this all important question for their lives: “What is God’s Will for my life” or in this situation?

The phrase “the will of God” and “God’s will” is used a total of twenty-five times in the Bible (“The Authorized version”).

The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us is the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase.

But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.

Here is a novel idea, “why not use the Bible to decide what God says about GOD’S Will and go with that”?

Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

        • 1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
        • Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
        • 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
        • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

        • DO RIGHT.
        • RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.
        • ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
        • IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Think about it.

Also, it is almost impossible to escape from these three ideals in your daily living.

Let’s look at the first requisite for God’s Will in your life: DO RIGHT.

We are constantly faced with the opportunity to DO RIGHT. The choices usually come in the form of a temptation, whether mild or severe.

      • “Should I clean up my mess before I leave?”
      • “Should I buy that new car?”
      • “Should we go to church this Sunday?”
      • “Should I take the petty cash for my personal use?”
      • “Should I pay what I owe or spend my money on something I would enjoy?”
      • “Should I carry on that flirtatious relationship, even though I am married?”

We somehow have the idea that “God’s Will” for my life is unique for MY needs or wants.

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick-in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.

Another way of looking at God’s Will for my life is that I wouldn’t need to ask (“what is God’s Will for my life) regarding the various circumstances if I have been doing His Will for my life all along. That is, have I been DOING RIGHT all along?

Here’s another great example: A friend asked me and my wife if she should continue dating a certain man she had met because she wasn’t sure of God’s Will. She says she is looking for a husband.

We asked her to tell us about this man. Turns out this man is married (separated) from a difficult and unfaithful woman with whom he has children.

“So” I said, “he is a married man, fighting with his wife and dating around in front of his children? And you have been dating this man? And you want to know God’s Will regarding this matter?”

In other words, do you want a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING? Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

To which she replied, “Yes, but, I am lonely”.

Yeah? That can be tough. But, the question isn’t ‘how do you feel today’ but DO YOU WANT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE? Then,

 1. DO RIGHT.

 2. RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.

 3. ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

 4. IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here for more on KNOWING and EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE.

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD – It is not about you or me.

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD: It is not about you – or me.

I have heard preacher after preacher say that “It is not about you. It is about Jesus.” I agreed then, and I agree now…sort of, that is. (What I mean is I want to agree with Jesus and I mean to agree with Jesus, but when it comes down to sacrificing my comfort, my rights, my little space on this earth and yes, my life, I become conflicted. I find it becomes a struggle within my mind.

But the truth is that it really is not about me and my comfort, my rights or the survival of my physical body  – or yours – nor any of the things of this natural world.

And, yes, I know that the Apostle Paul warned that this kind of thing may happen when he confessed: “I do not do the things I wish to do, but I do the very things I detest. Wretched man that I am. Who will save me from this body of death?” (see Romans 7:21-25)

Of course, God cares about our earthly and physical needs. He provides what you and I will eat or what we will drink, and for our bodies, that is, as to what you will put on. But, life is more than food, and clothing. Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (see Matthew 6:25-33)

But God’s primary purpose was not to come to feed and clothe us, He came to seek and save the lost – to buy us back from the curse of sin and death. He came to rescue us and give us a home with Him, for all eternity.

There are times that we are tempted and seduced to follow our own desires – the desires of our flesh, as the Bible calls it. We may even begin to think that it is perfectly normal to want the better things of life, possessions, some degree of wealth and status. And there are many instances that God grants these things to His dedicated followers. But this life is not about us and what we want. It is about God and what He wants for us. Anything else we might think can be a form of idolatry.

Jesus asks why we call Him Lord when we do not do what He says? Let’s be clear.  Jesus says that His own, that is His disciples, His sheep, know His voice and they follow Him. They do His bidding and not their own desires. He warns that if we continue doing things our own way for our own purposes, He will tell us to depart from Him because He does not know us!

It is not about us. It is about Him. It is about His purpose and His plan for this world and for us as His followers. And if you and I want to experience the peace, the power and the spiritual prosperity He offers, then we must forsake the things of this world and live to walk in His ways, in His Spirit.

Listen to how the Apostle Peter describes how it is about God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Again, in Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

The answer to Paul’s question, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” is this: Thanks be to God for my deliverance through Jesus Christ our Lord, because even though I find that I serve my human nature, my worldliness, and my sinful capacity, through the law of sin with my flesh, on the other hand with I serve the law of God my mind.  And I praise God that “there is no condemnation whatsoever, (despite this seeming contradiction), for those who are in Christ Jesus.” And praise God that the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (see Romans 8).

So, let’s set our mind on the things above. Let’s set our mind on the things of the Spirit of God. Let’s think on, dwell on, meditate on and practice whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, pure, lovely, and whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds.

So, what is the point of all of this? IT IS NOT ABOUT US. IT IS ABOUT GOD, HIS PLAN, HIS PURPOSE AND HIS WAYS. It is not about what we want. It is about what God wants for us. And if you and I want to experience the peace, the power and the spiritual prosperity He offers, then we must seek first the Kingdom of God. We must forsake the things of this world and live to walk in His ways, in His Spirit.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND – What Does It Really Mean?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND

What does that really mean?

New American Standard Version

Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Verse 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.

Amplified Version

Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. Verse 2. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

From the Greek

Verse 1. I exhort therefore you, brothers, through the compassion of God, to present the bodies of you a sacrifice living, holy, to God well pleasing, which is (the) reasonable service of you.

Verse 2. And not be conformed to the age this, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for to prove by you, what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect.

This exhortation by Paul is not ‘a magic formula’. This ‘transformation’ comes from the Greek word, metamorphóō, which is the root word of the English terms “metamorphosis” and “metamorphize.” It is an irreversible transformation, and it does not come miraculously. It comes by exercising your spiritual disciplines. For examples:

Read Ephesians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. Verse 9. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

ALSO

Read Romans 8:5, “For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Verse 6. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

ALSO

Read Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. Verse 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Verse 9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Dwelling on, thinking on, meditating on and memorizing scriptures is always a good thing. But strategically studying and dwelling on, thinking on, meditating on and memorizing ‘targeted scriptures’ is highly effective in renewing your mind and thus being transformed in your thinking and behaviors.

What I mean by ‘targeted scriptures’ is scriptures and texts that speak directly to your thoughts and behaviors in life. It is useful, then, to ‘personalize’ those verses from the ‘third party’ to the ‘first person’. For example:

John 8:31 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

Personalized, I would recite to myself thus, “Because I believe Jesus, and Because I abide in Your word, I am Your disciple indeed.”

 Matthew 21:21 says, “And Jesus answered them, ’Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

 Personalized, I would recite to myself thus, “And Jesus is telling me, ’Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

 Therefore, “since I have faith and do not doubt, I will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if I say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”

Personalized, I would recite Joshua 1:7, thus, “I will be strong and very courageous; I will be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses commanded; I will not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that I may achieve success wherever I go. Verse 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night, so that I may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will achieve success. Verse 9. Has God not commanded me to be strong and courageous! Not to be terrified nor dismayed? The LORD my God is with me wherever I go.”

PLEASE NOTE:  This is not a ‘name it and claim it’ methodology. And please do not be mistaken by thinking it is you who is doing these things – it is God, through you, doing His Works.  By following the teachings and methods found in scriptures, you will be transformed by the renewing (the reprogramming) of your mind, in order to prove to yourself, what is the will of God in and through your daily life!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Text Analysis (From Biblehub.com).

Go to Parallel Greek

Strong’s Greek English Morphology
3870 [e] Παρακαλῶ
Parakalō		 I exhort V-PIA-1S
3767 [e] οὖν
oun		 therefore Conj
4771 [e] ὑμᾶς,
hymas		 you, PPro-A2P
80 [e] ἀδελφοί,
adelphoi		 brothers, N-VMP
1223 [e] διὰ
dia		 through Prep
3588 [e] τῶν
tōn		 the Art-GMP
3628 [e] οἰκτιρμῶν
oiktirmōn		 compassions N-GMP
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 – Art-GMS
2316 [e] Θεοῦ
Theou		 of God, N-GMS
3936 [e] παραστῆσαι
parastēsai		 to present V-ANA
3588 [e] τὰ
ta		 the Art-ANP
4983 [e] σώματα
sōmata		 bodies N-ANP
4771 [e] ὑμῶν
hymōn		 of you PPro-G2P
2378 [e] θυσίαν
thysian		 a sacrifice N-AFS
2198 [e] ζῶσαν
zōsan		 living, V-PPA-AFS
40 [e] ἁγίαν
hagian		 holy, Adj-AFS
3588 [e] ««τῷ
tō		 – Art-DMS
2316 [e] Θεῷ» ⇔
Theō		 to God N-DMS
2101 [e] εὐάρεστον,
euareston		 well-pleasing, Adj-AFS
3588 [e] τὴν
tēn		 which is Art-AFS
3050 [e] λογικὴν
logikēn		 [the] reasonable Adj-AFS
2999 [e] λατρείαν
latreian		 service N-AFS
4771 [e] ὑμῶν·
hymōn		 of you. PPro-G2P

Verse 2

 

2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 And Conj
3361 [e] μὴ
mē		 not Adv
4964 [e] συσχηματίζεσθε
syschēmatizesthe		 be conformed V-PMM/P-2P
3588 [e] τῷ
tō		 to the Art-DMS
165 [e] αἰῶνι
aiōni		 age N-DMS
3778 [e] τούτῳ,
toutō		 this, DPro-DMS
235 [e] ἀλλὰ
alla		 but Conj
3339 [e] μεταμορφοῦσθε
metamorphousthe		 be transformed V-PMM/P-2P
3588 [e] τῇ
tē		 by the Art-DFS
342 [e] ἀνακαινώσει
anakainōsei		 renewing N-DFS
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 of the Art-GMS
3563 [e] νοός,
noos		 mind, N-GMS
1519 [e] εἰς
eis		 for Prep
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 – Art-ANS
1381 [e] δοκιμάζειν
dokimazein		 to prove V-PNA
4771 [e] ὑμᾶς
hymas		 by you, PPro-A2P
5101 [e] τί
ti		 what [is] IPro-NNS
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 the Art-NNS
2307 [e] θέλημα
thelēma		 will N-NNS
3588 [e] τοῦ
tou		 – Art-GMS
2316 [e] Θεοῦ,
Theou		 of God, N-GMS
3588 [e] τὸ
to		 – Art-NNS
18 [e] ἀγαθὸν
agathon		 good Adj-NNS
2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 and Conj
2101 [e] εὐάρεστον
euareston		 well-pleasing Adj-NNS
2532 [e] καὶ
kai		 and Conj
5046 [e] τέλειον.
teleion		 perfect. Adj-NNS

 

 

GOD’S WILL?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Whether the questions and decisions with which you are faced are personal, local or global in nature, knowing and doing the Will of God is of greatest importance.

The world is changing from what we have known for the last 250 years into something we could not have imagined even 75 years ago. It is frightening for those who are aware the ramifications, the breadth and depth of these changes and it may leave you with many questions.

The entire world is being or has been swallowed up and is being transformed by a One-World cabal, headed by the United Nations through U.N.E.S.C.O. and the World Economic Forum into a Global Socialist-Marxist One World Government implementing a set of what they call ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) or Global Goals.

  “FOREIGN TO AND IGNORES IDEAS PRECIOUS TO THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE” (In Their Own Words)

Their goals are lofty sounding and seem beneficial on their surface. The Commission on Global Governance is an organization co-chaired by Swedish Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson, and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal, that produced a report, Our Global Neighborhood, in 1995, calling for United Nations reforms that would increase its power.

“The commission made a standard definition of global governance, stating that “Governance is the sum of many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and co-operative action taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance.”

The Commission on Global Governance has publicly stated that when their Agenda is fully implemented, “it will bring all the people of the world into a global neighborhood managed by a world-wide bureaucracy, under the direct authority of a minute handful of appointed individuals, and policed by thousands of individuals, paid by accredited NGOs, certified to support a belief system which contains ideas that are foreign to the American experience, and ignores other values and ideas that are precious to the American experience.”

The United Nations Conference on Environment & Development claims far-reaching global goals, while hiding or obscuring their Marxists methodology. They are organizing international cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies at the cost of personal human rights and freedoms, the dismantling of democracies around the globe and other goals which are anti-Christian and malevolent to the Jewish Nation and people.

This come at the loss of personal freedoms and subjugation of every person on earth by a global political elite. The early results can be seen in Brazil, Argentina, Cuba and China, among others who suffer under the heavy boot of Socialism-Marxism. Failure to cooperate or submit is met with global sanctions, economic and social marginalization and even political brutality.

Their own statements:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) and are intended to be achieved by 2030. They are included in a UN-GA Resolution called the 2030 Agenda or what is colloquially known as Agenda 2030.

The 17 SDGs are: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced Inequality, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life On Land, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Partnerships for the Goals. Though the goals are broad and interdependent, two years later (6 July 2017), the SDGs were made more “actionable” by a UN Resolution adopted by the General Assembly. The resolution identifies specific targets for each goal, along with indicators that are being used to measure progress toward each target. The year by which the target is meant to be achieved is usually between 2020 and 2030. For some of the targets, no end date is given.  (Source: Wikipedia)

This movement is truly Biblical in its proportions as the U.N. and the Agenda 2030 turns every longstanding social norm upside down. They are truly Marxist in their worldview and doctrines, which explicity marginalize and eliminate Christianity and Judaism as direct threats to thier objectives and world dominance goals.:

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Isaiah warns of this day, saying, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

The Bible has prophesied that this day would come and it is here. So, what does God have to say about how we are to respond, which leads me to also ask, do you ever wonder about ‘God’s Will’ when you have decisions to make? Or perhaps you even wonder about God’s Will for the direction of your career or your life in general?

Whether your decisions are global, local or personal, know and doing the Will of God is of the greatest importance.

I hear many sincere Christians pray, make requests and end with “IF it be your Will”. It leads me to believe they don’t really know what God will do. It also leads me to ask, “Where is your faith?”

It’s like living in a wonderland, and I don’t mean like a Christmas wonderland, I mean like Alice in Wonderland, where nothing makes sense and you are always wondering, “what’s next?”

I have good news for you. You can know God’s Will, and as many Bible teachers like to put it, ‘both practically and positionally’.

(Simplify: Practical is ‘you are doing it’’;  Positional is ‘God said it is true for you, but you just aren’t doing it yet’.  Example: Positional vs. Practical righteousness. The fact that they still do sinful actions after they were born again, bewilders believers. On the one hand, the Bible says that Christians ARE ALREADY righteous, but on the other hand, in reality, they don’t see that righteousness MANIFESTING YET completely.  This explanation is a nice escape route from a religious conundrum, but it is weak.)

It is comforting (or discomforting) to hold the idea that God deals with each and every person according to their own personal needs, flaws, circumstances and tastes, i.e., He micromanages every believer.

The Truth, simply put, GOD IS. This is the bedrock of thought and existence. He is saying, “I AM the Pre-existent One. There is none other.

I AM the cause and creator of all things that follow”. God established His dominion and sovereignty over all things created and yet-to-be-created.

He established both natural, physical laws and spiritual laws that determine the course and the end of all things. Nothing and no one can escape this inevitability.

However, God gave the power of choice to humankind, alone. We can choose to abide in Him and His in ways and live in eternal perfection with Him or choose to rebel and go our own way which ends in eternal destruction.

He says, “I AM THE GREAT I AM”. This sets the paradigm and the parameters of existence for all things living and non-living. Everyone and everything ever created abides by God’s design, plan and method. So, no matter what you or I think of a situation or circumstance, for good or for bad, if you are a believer and a follower of Jesus, then “We know that for those who love God, all things work together for their good, that is, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30.

 The Truth is that GOD has created all things, human, animal, plants, all the elements and everything made from them. He also set the physical and spiritual laws that govern them.

The Truth is that GOD has explained these laws as well as the function of all His creation.

The Truth is that GOD is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. God is sovereign. Nothing escapes God.

The Truth is that God clearly explains His Will in the Bible, and He explains it explicitly in just a few short understandable phrases. He explains it otherwise by His presence, through His creation, through the prophets and in these last days, through His Son, Jesus, Who is the exact representation of Him.

The Truth is that all things, with the exception of humankind, obey God. God gave man and woman the power of choice.

So, what’s the point? The point is that if you want to know GOD’S WILL for your life at any time, in any circumstance, regarding any question you might have, you have to KNOW GOD and HIS WORD.  Too much to know? Too much to deal with, especially in a crisis?

Simplify: Everything manifest (everything you see or will encounter) is the creation of God, except for sin and rebellion toward God. Sin and rebellion toward God is a choice of humankind allowed by God but initiated by humankind.

Everything else is in order – in God’s Order. If you ‘join God in what He is already doing, you will find the perfect answer for your questions, for your life, as well as the perfect conclusion.

Disclaimer: You may have your own idea of what you want, what you should receive, about when and how you should receive it, and thereby, at the very least you will be dissatisfied with what comes about in your life; and at worst, you will reject what happens after you pray, questioning that anything troubling or hurtful could possibly come to you from God. (After all, you have always thought that since God is a loving God, He would never allow bad things to happen to good people. Right?)

The truth is that God’s plan for your life is to transform and conform you to the image of His Son – regardless of the direction of the world. Anything and everything else is incidental. God’s plan to bring you to perfection through His methods and trials can often be difficult and unpleasant. The Apostle Peter explains this very well when he says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

KNOWING GOD’S WILL

EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL

 IT AIN’T EASY

 THE JOURNEY TO PERFECTION

 *41 recent articles on the Agenda 2030 and the Global Socialist-Marxist Takeover

Experience God’s Will

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Have you heard this ‘funny definition’ of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results.”  I guess it is sort of funny, but because it bears so much practical truth, it’s really not that funny, especially if you are struggling with an issue. Sometimes it seems, the harder we try, the worse it gets. We might have success for a while, but then we slip back into the same old patterns. We try to lose weight, or we try to stop a habit, over and over and over, we keep using the same old methods, and nothing changes, permanently.

But, since “there is nothing new under the sun” what NEW thing can you expect? That “there is nothing new” has been said by a lot of different people, as a sort of sigh of resignation. But the phrase actually comes from the bible. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”

So, how do I change what I am doing if it is all anyone has ever known or if it is what people have always done? And, it is what everyone is always teaching? And the results are always the same?

How can change what I know, so I may KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL? Again, the Bible says to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The 1st Life Truth:  To know and Experience God’s Will for your life is to DO RIGHT as a constant of your life.

The 2nd Life Truth: To know and Experience God’s Will for your life is to BE TRANSFORMED BY RENEWING YOUR MIND.

If you really want to know and experience GOD’S WILL for your life, you have to know it won’t come easy. The farther you want to go with God and the more you want to know of God, the more it will require of you.

– WARNING –

ONLY THE MATURE AND SINCERE SHOULD PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.

The word “transformed”, here, comes from the Aramaic Greek in the bible, ‘metamorphoo’ from which we get the English word, metamorphosis. It more literally means to ‘change into another form, or transfigure’. It means to become something you are not so you can be conformed to the WILL OF GOD. (Sounds like something from a science fiction movie, doesn’t it?)`

Renewing your mind is a renewal, a renovation, and a complete change for the better. It is synonymous with a new birth; a regeneration, referring to God’s act of causing the sinner to pass from the death of sin into spiritual life in Christ.

This renewal of your mind is a continuous process through which you become more fully Christ-like, in which process you are a worker together with God.

To KNOW GOD’S WILL for my life, I must

(1) DO RIGHT as a constant in my life, and

2) Undergo a metamorphosis. I must become irreversibly transformed by the renewing of my mind.

Are you kidding? Are we saying I have to DO this to KNOW GOD’S WILL for my life?

The answer is, YES. A thousand times, YES! You can no more KNOW and EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL for your life without

      • intending to DO RIGHT as a constant in your life and by

      • BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND

than you can think without a brain, see without eyes or walk without legs and feet.

Anything less than DOING RIGHT as a constant in your life, and BEING TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND is just a good try at the same old thing you’ve always done. It’s insanity.

Before we move on to the next Truth, I can just hear someone asking these two questions:

(1) Are you saying I have to DO something in order to be saved? (The answer to that is NO. Salvation a free gift of God. We are saved by His Grace through our faith in Christ. Not be works)

(2) Are you saying I have to be ‘perfect’ to know God’s Will for my life? (The answer to that is NO. We are told to strive toward ‘perfection in Christ’, “be perfect even as I Am perfect”. And God’s perfection or maturity is our aim. But, we will stumble, so we have the provision of confession, repentance and God’s forgiveness to see us along our way. But, our heart’s desire is to attain to God’s perfection.

In fact, read 1 John 1: 8-10, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-6, continues, saying, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;  and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;  but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:   the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

Please hear me when I say that this is not a lecture or a sermon. It is not a platitude or an experiment in spiritual matters. THIS IS THE TRUTH. WE WOULD DO WELL TO TAKE HEED.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S PERFECT WILL IN YOUR LIFE:

  • DO RIGHT as a constant in your life

  • BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what THE WILL OF GOD IS, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Click this text for the next article, we will see what and how the Bible says we shall DO RIGHT and BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS.

It is a discipline. Very few will attempt it. Fewer yet will finish and succeed. But the few who do will KNOW AND EXPERIENCE THE WILL OF GOD IN THEIR LIFE. An experience unparalleled in this lifetime.

Until then, let’s Remain in His Grip!

Your brother and friend,

Mike Young

Knowing God’s Will

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

Do you ever wonder about “The Will of God for your life” or for your life’s circumstances?

I frequently hear people say “I want to know the will of God” when making important or difficult decisions or trying to find their way out of difficult or trying situations.

I often hear people finish their prayers with “IF it is your will” as a polite guess.  You get the sense that a person who prays this way is saying, “I really don’t know Your Will, God, but, here’s what I think” as if we can bring God to our point of view.

Or is it a reluctance because the person praying feels like they are imposing on God?

I see some folks wearing a rubber bracelet or sporting a sticker which reads “WWJD?” (What would Jesus do?) I guess that is supposed to make us stop and think about what He would do before we make important decisions or misbehave?

My experience has been that most people, including MOST preachers, are not ready to give a definitive answer to this all important question for their lives: “What is God’s Will for my life” or in this situation?

The phrase “the will of God” and “God’s will” is used a total of twenty-five times in the Bible (“The Authorized version”).

The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us is the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase.

But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.

Here is a novel idea, “why not use the Bible to decide what God says about GOD’S Will and go with that”?

Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

        • 1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
        • Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
        • 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
        • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

        • DO RIGHT.
        • RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT
        • ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
        • IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Think about it.

Also, it is almost impossible to escape from these three ideals in your daily living.

Let’s look at the first requisite for God’s Will in your life: DO RIGHT.

We are constantly faced with the opportunity to DO RIGHT. The choices usually come in the form of a temptation, whether mild or severe.

      • “Should I clean up my mess before I leave?”
      • “Should I buy that new car?”
      • “Should we go to church this Sunday?”
      • “Should I take the petty cash for my personal use?”
      • “Should I pay what I owe or spend my money on something I would enjoy?”
      • “Should I carry on that flirtatious relationship, even though I am married?”

We somehow have the idea that “God’s Will” for my life is unique for MY needs or wants.

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life.

God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.

Another way of looking at God’s Will for my life is that I wouldn’t need to ask (“what is God’s Will for my life) regarding the various circumstances if I have been doing His Will for my life all along. That is, have I been DOING RIGHT all along?

Here’s another great example: A friend asked me and my wife if she should continue dating a certain man she had met because she wasn’t sure of God’s Will. She says she is looking for a husband.

We asked her to tell us about this man. Turns out this man is married (separated) from a difficult and unfaithful woman with whom he has children.

“So” I said, “he is a married man, fighting with his wife and dating around in front of his children? And you have been dating this man? And you want to know God’s Will regarding this matter?”

In other words, do you want a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING? Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

To which she replied, “Yes, but, I am lonely”.

Yeah? That can be tough. But, the question isn’t ‘how do you feel today’ but DO YOU WANT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE? Then,

1. DO RIGHT.

2. RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.

3. ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

4, IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Mike and Betty Valentines 2018.jpg

(Click here for more on KNOWING and EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE.