Jesus said he always did the Father's will. He was a carpenter. Does that mean I
     have to be a carpenter to be in the will of God? Of course not! Luke was a
     physician. Paul mended tents. These are careers, a way to make a living.

     Jesus never sinned. He completely fulfilled the entire Law, he kept each prophecy
     regarding himself, He gave His life so that we may have eternal life in him. He kept
     the Word. When he said, "not my will, but thine be done," Jesus actively chose His
     Father's purpose over his own desire to avoid having to endure excruciating pain and
     death. When we say, "Not my will, but yours be done," what we mean is that we chose
     God's purpose over our fleshly desires.

     What is God's will for you and me?

     In a nutshell (check it out), God wills no one to perish, that all may have eternal life
     (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4). It is His will that we each mature in Christ to the point we are
     sure it is it is Christ in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26, 27), manifesting the power
     we have been given. (1 Cor. 14:1, 1 Cor. 12:4-14). It is His will that the
     Jews and the Gentiles are fellow heirs, in the same body and partakers of the promise
     (Ephesians 3:3-6). It is His will that we be not ashamed of the gospel, and never be moved
     away from it, but make it known to others (Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3,4). It is God's
     will for us to prosper and be in health (3 John 2). He wills us to fear Him and love
     Him with all our hearts and seek Him first. ( Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:27, Ecclesiastes 12:13)

     Living the will of God is living according to the standards in His Word, ordering our
     steps to it. Living the will of God is devoting our lives to His kingdom purposes,
     not for our five senses, worldly desires. If you are born again, you are already in the
     will of God. Now it is time to grow up into Christ, if you are not already fully mature
     in Him.

     Next issue we will look at the purpose for God's will.

     -Carol Kenreigh