Today, I was to share my sermon notes you on the subject:
Going Deeper in Jesus “Knowing God’s Perfect Will”
~ Min. Juanita E. L. Cameron
preached Feb. 9, 2025 at Lighthouse Ministries International
MAIN TEXTS: Romans 12:1-2, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Psalm 37:4-5 NIV, Isaiah 40:31 NLT
INTRODUCTION: God’s Will – GPS for Life
What is a GPS? A GPS (Global Positioning System) is a navigation tool that provides direction and guidance to help travelers reach their intended destination. Spiritually, God's will functions as our divine GPS, offering us the best path to our purpose when we FULLY trust and follow Him.
[Psalm 32:8-9 TPT “I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!””]
Have you ever followed a GPS and ended up in the wrong place because you didn’t follow the exact directions? Sometimes, we take detours in life thinking we know best, only to realize later that we should have just followed the original route. That’s exactly how God’s will works. Beloved, don’t let God have to tug you along, just go / come along with Him.
You see, His perfect will is like the direct route of the GPS, but when we insist on our own way, we end up on the scenic (or stormy) route of His permissive will.
Who is your life’s journey GPS? Is it you or Almighty God?
Beloved, don’t let God have to tug you along, just go / come along with Him. His perfect will is like the direct route of a GPS, and insisting on our own way, causes us to end up on a scenic (nice view but far off track, adding more time or delays) or we could end up on a stormy route, both of His permissive will, which could’ve been avoided, if we didn’t insist on our own way and veered off.
With Valentine's Day around the corner, many singles and even married couples are wrestling with the question, "Is this the one? or should I stay?" Others are still grieving losses from recent tragedies. Both sets of people find themselves wondering if God’s plan still includes a lifetime of love OR joy after sorrow. The answer is YES, if we delve deeper into Jesus. As we also reflect on Black History Month, we recognize the resilience of those who trusted God's perfect will despite oppression, and today, especially now, we need to relentlessly trust God’s will.
Key Scriptures to study and meditate upon:
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV): "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Psalm 37:4-5 (NIV): "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this."
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT): "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
THE WILL OF GOD:
The Will of God – The divine purpose, plans, and intentions of God for humanity, which encompass His perfect will (what He desires and ordains) and His permissive will (what He allows, though it may not be His best for us).
God’s Perfect Will – His ultimate plan for our lives, designed for our good and His glory.
God’s Permissive Will – What He allows when we insist on our own way, often leading to unnecessary struggles, less for His glory.
What does THE BIBLE (our GPS) affirm about being in God’s perfect will:
The Bible urges us to surrender ourselves to God, allowing Him to transform our minds so we can discern His will - Romans 12:1-2
The Bible reassures us that His plans are for our good, giving us hope and a future when we seek Him wholeheartedly - Jeremiah 29:11-13
The Bible reminds us that delighting in the Lord aligns our desires with His, leading us into divine purpose - Psalm 37:4-5
The Bible encourages us to trust in Him, knowing that we will soar in strength and endurance as we walk in obedience to His will - Isaiah 40:31
Here are three important points to note :
Point 1: Clarity Through Intimacy is the Key to Knowing God’s Will
Biblical Times: Samuel’s life was fully dedicated to obeying God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
Application: Follow Prophet Samuel’s example
Seniors this means finding renewed purpose and fresh meaning in prayer, mentorship, and service, becoming spiritual guides for the next generation sharing your wisdom and experience.
Youths and Young adults should prioritize their relationship with God over fleeting social trends and temporary pleasures. This will lead you to a life aptly aligned with purpose, especially God’s perfect will for you.
Understanding and discerning God’s will for our lives requires a deep, intimate relationship with Him. Just as Samuel was able to hear and obey God's voice through his dedicated life, we can also find clarity in our own lives by drawing closer to God. This intimacy allows us to trust His plans and align our lives with His divine purpose.
Point 2: Trusting God's Plans Even When They Don’t Make Sense
Joseph “The Dreamer” kept on believing in God’s will. (Genesis 37:5; 41:14, 40-41, 44, 46 NIV)
Despite being thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph’s unwavering faith in God's vision ultimately led him to a position of immense influence and purpose.
Dr. King’s perseverance, rooted in faith, brought about transformative change, set the pace for other civil rights leaders and future leaders; and continues to inspire generations.
Application: Keep Dreaming and Trust God’s Will
Life doesn’t always go as planned, and we need to recognize that life’s setbacks can indeed be divine setups for greater purposes.
For those grieving or experiencing hardships, know and trust that God's plan still holds hope for your future.
Instead of settling for what’s available, trust that God’s best is worth the wait. God often comes through bigly when he seems late, and moves swiftly at the appointed time, after what seemed like a long delay or waiting process.
Trusting God's plans requires faith, especially when circumstances seem dire. Joseph’s trials and the struggles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. illustrate that while the journey may be fraught with challenges, the outcome aligns with God’s divine purpose. As we seek alignment with His perfect will, we find that both our historical figures and personal lives reflect a steadfast commitment to His greater vision, offering hope and encouragement to persevere.
Point 3: Choosing God’s Perfect Will Over Immediate Gratification
King Saul lost his kingdom because he chose his own timing over God’s will (1 Samuel 13:8-14).
This biblical narrative reveals the dire consequences of prioritizing personal desires over divine command. King Saul's decision to act on his own timing rather than waiting for God's direction cost him his kingdom and good legacy.
In today's world, we see parallels to Saul’s “career” choices as King when individuals jump ahead in their careers or life choices, making hasty decisions without seeking the right counsel - they face failure and disappointment.
Always ensure that your closest business partners are Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit and Abba Father.
In modern times, the pressure to achieve quick success is pervasive, especially among the younger generation. It is crucial to note that true success is rooted in God’s timing.
Application: Always CHOOSE Perfect Will over Permissive Will
Choosing God’s perfect will over immediate gratification emphasizes your patience and trust in His timing - this really pleases God.
True success comes from aligning ourselves with God's perfect timing and being around those who are liked-minded… choose your company wisely. Young people, you also have value, so don’t let anyone despise your youth, you too can encourage others now and later with your testimonies of waiting on the Lord.
Encouragement for Singles: Don’t let loneliness push you prematurely or drive you into a relationship outside of God’s will. Better to wait single in peace than marry in turmoil outside of God’s perfect will.
Choosing to trust in God’s perfect will and timing, as exemplified by both historical and modern figures, offers hope and encouragement to persevere through life's challenges.
Walking in Alignment with God’s Perfect Will is POSSIBLE and has MAGNIFICENT Benefits
When we seek God first, trust His plans even in uncertainty, and resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands, we SHALL walk in His perfect will. This doesn’t mean life will be without difficulty, but it does mean we’ll have peace, purpose, and divine alignment.
Ten (10) BENEFITS of Being in Alignment with God’s Perfect Will:
Divine Protection – (Psalm 91:1-2).
Supernatural Provision – (Philippians 4:19).
Unshakable Peace – (Isaiah 26:3).
Fruitfulness and Favor – (John 15:5).
Kingdom Purpose Fulfilled – (Ephesians 2:10).
Spiritual Growth and Maturity – (Romans 8:29).
Clarity and Direction – (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Blessings for Generations – (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Effective Prayer Life – (1 John 5:14-15).
Eternal Rewards – (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Ten (10) RAMIFICATIONS of choosing to be in God’s Permissive Will:
Unnecessary Struggles – (Jonah 1:1-4).
Delayed Destiny – (Numbers 14:33-34).
Lack of Peace – (Isaiah 48:22).
Missed Opportunities – (Esau in Hebrews 12:16-17).
Loss of Favor – (Saul in 1 Samuel 15:23).
Spiritual Stagnation – (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Compromised Testimony – (Matthew 5:13-16).
Strained Relationship with God – (Isaiah 59:2).
Generational Consequences – (Exodus 34:7).
Regret and Unfulfillment – (Luke 15:17-19).
Choosing God's perfect will over His permissive will is vital for our spiritual growth and well-being. While God may permit us to follow our own desires, it often leads to the consequences mentioned in this message such as delayed destinies, lack of peace, missed opportunities, and generational consequences.
On the other hand, walking in God's perfect will brings immense benefits—peace that transcends understanding, divine favor, spiritual growth, and a strengthened relationship with God.
As we reflect on the importance of aligning with God's perfect will, especially during Black History Month, we can draw inspiration from those who trusted in God's vision and SOARED above oppression. Let us also remember, as Valentine’s Day approaches, that true love, whether romantic or divine, is best experienced when we are aligned with God’s perfect will.
Affirmative Prayer of Alignment
Heavenly Father, we come before You, seeking to know and walk in Your perfect will. Forgive us for the times we have taken matters into our own hands, choosing our own way instead of Yours.
Lord, we surrender our desires, our relationships, our careers, and our futures into Your hands.
Align our hearts with Your vision, so that we may walk in divine purpose.
Let Your wisdom guide our decisions, and may our lives reflect Your glory.
For those grieving, bring comfort. For those waiting, bring patience. For those searching, bring clarity.
We declare that we will soar higher and go deeper in Jesus, trusting that Your plans for us are good.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
God bless you … This week, use your vision mapping tool, and take time to seek God intimately as you get a clear / clearer vision of His will for you. Write down areas where you need clarity and wait on Him for direction. Trust that He is working all things together for your good.
Let’s go deeper and soar higher in Jesus, knowing that His perfect will is always better than our own. Amen!
Vision mapping is a practical and spiritual tool to align your life with God’s purpose. It often involves writing down key aspirations, identifying obstacles, and creating actionable plans. Click download to get the WORKSHEET (USE COUPON code "SOAR2025" for 100% off).
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