I remember it like it was yesterday. But, it was actually in the spring of 1957. I was sitting in my bedroom in my parents home, 400 Pine Street, Frederick, Oklahoma.
I was in bad need of knowing God’s will for my life! I was 17 years old, and I had to make a big decision.
My need coincided with a challenge Wayne Hughes, my Sunday School teacher, made to us teenagers on Sunday. He said, “If you guys will read your Bible and pray every day for the next seven days, I guarantee you it will change your life!” No seventeen year old boy is going to ignore such a simple but promising challenge. I don’t know if any of the other boys tried it, but I did.
And, on Thursday afternoon of that week, sitting on my bed, I just happened to read I Thessalonians 5:16-18. It was the answer to my prayer! I wanted to go work at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly that summer with my friend, Ken Schrimsher. When I read, “. . . for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I was ecstatic! That was my answer from God’s word. I made the arrangements to go to Ridgecrest and met my wife, Marilyn, on the way ! Would I have met my future wife without the challenge from Wayne Hughes? I don’t know. I only know it changed my life, just like Wayne promised.
Finding and knowing God’s will is very important to a Christian’s life. I have some ideas I would like to share with you this Sunday on this subject.
There is some classic theological material out there on finding God’s will. Prominent among it all is the great work of Dr. Leslie D. Weatherhead. His book, written in 1944, is entitled “The Will of God.” I will refer to his work, but, mainly, I want to tell you how I have sought the will of God for my life.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 is my main text, but you will be amazed, I think, at how often the Bible mentions “the will of God.”
By the way, I challenge you right now to read your Bible and pray every day for the next seven days! It will STILL change you life!
Blessings and love,
Dan