Summary of "How to Find, Follow, and Fulfill God's Will: Episode 14"

How to Find, Follow, and Fulfill God’s Will (Episode 14)

Main idea

Knowing God’s will is necessary but not sufficient; you must learn to do it God’s way — by being led by God rather than relying on your own wisdom or strength. The speaker uses Moses and his own life as examples to show how self-reliance can derail God’s plan and how submitting to God restores direction and effectiveness.

“My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10) “Delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4)

Key wellness / self-care / productivity strategies and spiritual practices

Come to the end of yourself / surrender control
- Make an unconditional surrender so God, not your own strength or wisdom, leads your life.
Cultivate the ability to hear God’s voice
- Intentionally tune your spiritual “hearing” to God so you recognize his voice rather than defaulting to selfish impulses or fear.
Use the desires of your heart as a signal (when aligned with God)
- “Delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4) means God will put his desires in your heart; a sudden, consistent change of heart can indicate God’s leading.
Let the peace of God be the umpire
- Use inner peace as the test to determine whether a desire or decision is from God (Colossians 3:15). If peace rules, it’s more likely God’s leading.
Pray, study Scripture, and seek confirmation
- Spend focused time in prayer and Scripture study to discern whether a prompting is from God or from your flesh.
Obey convictions despite criticism
- Be prepared to follow God’s leading even when peers, family, or culture oppose you; persevering through rejection is part of following God.
Learn from mistakes and persevere
- Even if you blow it (like Moses did early in his calling), repentance and perseverance allow God to recover and restore purpose.
Align practical decisions with spiritual leading
- Examples include ministry practices (giving resources freely) and career/mission choices (going on TV, starting a Bible college) — be willing to take countercultural or costly steps if led by God.
Test big decisions biblically and by inner conviction
- Combine scriptural principles (e.g., “whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” Romans 14:23) with the inner witness of peace to choose course.

Practical takeaways you can apply

If you feel a strong new desire or a sudden loss of interest in previous pursuits, pause and test it by prayer, Scripture, and checking for God’s peace.
Practice surrender regularly so decisions are made from God-led convictions rather than fear, pride, or habit.
Prioritize inner peace as a decisive factor in discerning direction — if a choice leaves you in turmoil, don’t take it as clear leading.
Expect resistance when you obey God; prepare emotionally and practically to persist through criticism and apparent risk.
Use disciplined spiritual habits (prayer meetings, Scripture study, seeking community counsel that affirms God’s peace) to strengthen discernment.

Examples and stories used

Moses: called to deliver Israel but initially relied on his own strength (resulted in wrongdoing and 40 years in the wilderness); later came to utter dependence on God.
The speaker’s conversion experience (March 23, 1968): total change of desires and a pattern for discerning God’s leading thereafter.
Personal ministry decisions: choosing to give materials freely, deciding to go on television, starting a Bible college — often preceded by a dramatic change in desire and confirmed by God’s provision.
A college decision early in the speaker’s life: tested by prayer and the peace-criterion (Colossians 3:15) and then acted on despite opposition.