Understanding The Fathers Will?

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Time: 1:03:05 min. | Speaker: Mike Klopfenstein

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Is His will clear only in the area’s of how to become saved and living righteously or does he also provide clear directions in our personal life, like choosing a life partner, educational interests, occupations, major purchases, where to live, and even recreation?

Our Heavenly Father Knows Best

Romans 12:1-2
1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God (Elohim), that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God (Elohim), which is your reasonable service.
2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Elohim).

Paul begged the brethren in Rome to present themselves a living sacrifice, by going to the Father seeking His will and what pleases him. By offering there service in ways that were contrary the world. And in the process of renewing there mind or changing the way they think and make decisions, they were tasked with always proving what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Elohim) (Elohim).

To fully understand the plea of Paul to the brethren in Rome, we need to understand the social climate that they lived in.

Rome was the most powerful city in the ancient world and the capitol of the vast empire which bears its name. Traditionally founded in 753 B.C. and located on the Tiber River in central Italy, Rome was a truly cosmopolitan city, attracting people from all over the Mediterranean world. It had in Paul’s time over 1 million (one inscription says over 4 million). It was full of magnificent buildings, but the majority of the people were slaves. The Assembly in Rome was well known and it had been established for several years by the time of Paul’s letter to them (Romans 14:14, 15:23). (References on Rome from "The Laymans Bible Encyclopedia" and "The New Open Bible")

The majority of the population in Rome were slaves, so I am sure there was some anomisity between the workers and their masters, which helps explain why Paul spent time focusing on the sinful condition of man and the need for believers to live a sinless life by living in the spirit and not in the flesh, and honoring authority rather than despising them.

Romans 8:6-10
6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (Elohim): for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither indeed can be.
8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Elohim).
9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God (Elohim) dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.
10  And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Romans 13:1-3
1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God (Elohim): the powers that be are ordained of God (Elohim).
2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God (Elohim): and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Romans 13:10-14
10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14  But put ye on the Lord (Master) Yahshua Messiah, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Paul’s plea to the brethren in Rome, a city full of slavery, was to seek the Heavenly Father to do His will, to look at the life of Yahshua and think and act like Him, who came not to do His own will but the will of His Father. And in the process, always proving what is good and acceptable, and perfect will of Yahweh.

Proverbs 21:2
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but Yahweh pondereth the hearts.

Proverbs 3:1-6
1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4  So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God (Elohim)and man.
5  Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Our Life Decisions Impact Our Circle of Influence

Another reason why it is so important to know the will of our Heavenly Father is understanding the impact our decisions has on our circle of influence.

Shortly after I graduated from High School, I started working for a company that designed and built injection molding machines. I was given an opportunity in an engineering position with no experience. They provided training and a mentor to develop my skills in mechanical engineering …After 3 ½ years I decided with the influence of a Business man in the church to quit and work for him designing the same type of equipment…I regret to this day that decision because of the negative impact it made on those I worked with and especially my former boss. I lost my opportunity to be a good witness.  

The bible is clear with examples where employees were free to move on as required, so Yahweh’s will is not that we have to remained committed to any one employer all our life. The bible is also clear on how we are to treat and honor our employers while working for them and when not working for them.

Ephesians 6:5-8
5  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Messiah;
6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Messiah, doing the will of God (Elohim) from the heart;
7  With good will doing service, as to the Lord (Master), and not to men:
8  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord (Master), whether he be bond or free.

1 Peter 2:11-22
11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God (Elohim) in the day of visitation.
13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord (Master)'s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15  For so is the will of God (Elohim), that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God (Elohim).
17  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God (Elohim). Honor the king.
18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God (Elohim) endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God (Elohim).
21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Soon after I left the company and went into competition with them, we were taken to court for violating their trade secrets and I was forced to pursue another occupation. What image did I leave with them? Did my actions show honor and respect and leave them praising the Almighty for the way I did them? Absolutely not. I lost all opportunities to be a light unto them again.

When making life choices, always consider the affects it has on your circle of influence in terms of your ministry. Our Fathers will is that we not hide our light, but always let are light shine so that all those in our circle of influence may see our good works and glorify our father in heaven.

How many are in your circle of influence?  (Parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, cousins, in-laws, co-workers, friends, neighbors, people you do business with, etc.)

Open Doors Are Not The Guide to Knowing Our Fathers Will

Yahweh does open doors in answer to prayer, but he also allows doors to open to test the thoughts and intents of our heart. So was the case when I decided to go into competition against my employer. I saw it as an open door, an answer to prayer, but had I carefully weighed the opportunity with scripture, I would have not entered in.

Consider the first sin. Yahweh allowed Satan to open a door for Adam and Eve, and behind that door was fruit that Eve saw was good for food and pleasant to the eyes. Had Eve carefully considered the words of her Creator, she would not have entered that door (Genesis 3:1-6).  

Consider the man of God (Elohim) from Judah, who was given a mission to go and prophecy against the altar at Bethel, and return straight home eating no bread or drinking water. On his way home he was tempted by another claiming to be a prophet, that an angel told him to turn in a eat bread and drink water. He went through the door to find our later, it was not His Fathers will (1 Kings 13:1-26).

There is one place in scripture where Yahweh clearly opened a door for Paul and Silas, but the response was rather unique.

Act 16:26-36
26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31  And they said, Believe on the Lord (Master) Yahshua Messiah, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord (Master), and to all that were in his house.
33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God (Elohim) with all his house.
35  And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
36  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

Why did Paul not take this opportunity to escape? Did he weigh the situation according to how it would benefit him or someone else? What was the outcome of Paul’s choice to not take the open door for his own benefit? He saved the soul of the prison keeper. 

Yahshua was tempted in many ways, and his responses always reflected back on scripture as his guide to knowing the Fathers will. 

 

Mathew 4:1-4
1  Then was Yahshua led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.
3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God (Elohim), command that these stones be made bread.
4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Elohim).

There were also times that Yahweh gave man what he wanted knowing it was not good for him.
1Samuel 8:1-18
1  And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2  Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
3  And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
4  Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5  And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Yahweh.
7  And Yahweh said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other God (Elohim)s, so do they also unto thee.
9  Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
10  And Samuel told all the words of Yahweh unto the people that asked of him a king.
11  And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
12  And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
13  And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
14  And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
15  And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
16  And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
17  He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
18  And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not hear you in that day.

How can we discern an open door or a desire being fulfilled as Yahweh’s will? How can we prove what the will of Yahweh is?

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Jesus.
16  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (Elohim), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17  That the man of God (Elohim) may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Our Responsibilities Vary,
But Yahweh’s Will in Each Area Does Not

Yahweh has created all of us unique, special in our own way with talents and gifts that vary widely. Our roles and responsibilities may differ, but Yahweh’s will for our lives remain’s the same.

The ten commandments, regardless of who you are, what you do, where you live, or where you work, applies to all.
Position’s great or small, must show honor and respect to others. Our role in ministry may vary, but no matter who or where we are, we must all serve to bring others to Messiah.

Romans 12:3-17
3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

 

1Pe 2:11-15
11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Knowing The Father’s Will For Our Lives is Not A Mystery

The common theme in understanding the Fathers will for our lives is to seek his counsel in the pages of scripture. If His will for our lives is supposed to be a mystery, only to be revealed through dreams, visions, or circumstance, then why would Paul plead with the brethren in Rome to prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Elohim)?

Dreams and visions were often used to reveal His will, but scripture was to be used to prove there validity.

Solomon tell us to “Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Yahshua tell us not to live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh.

When making decisions in life, who you plan to marry, what occupation to do, how to handle finances, where you plan to live, seek the Father’s will through the words he has provided and prove whether or not your decision is in His best interest and not yours.

Remember, our decisions affect all those in our circle of influence. Do we have their best interest at heart?

John 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 6:39  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Yahshua had our best interest at heart in all His life decisions. Let us follow in His footsteps.

 

Comments or questions accepted.

 

mikek@messiahshouseofyahvah.org