Customer Reviews

Knowing God's Will: Finding Guidance for Personal Decisions

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I find "Knowing God's Will" to be an extremely challenging and thought provoking book. Blaine Smith consistently presents a *balanced* and mature approach towards understanding and seeking the Lord's will for our lives. He makes it a point to test his own ideas against what the Bible teaches.

This book will surely challenge you to:-

(1) Discard your misconceptions on how we should go about finding God's will.

(2) Understanding how God reveals His will.

(3) Realize that we, too, need to take responsibility in knowing His will.

Effectively uses biblical basis for showing how God does indeed have a plan for those who are willing to follow it and desire to know it. Smith sets forth consistent guidelines that will change your life. The peace that comes from knowing God is in control is the greatest peace man can know. Short powerful chapters provide plenty of room for introspection and will greatly aid both a person in the early stages of their faith or an older Christian. The best use of $10 you will spend this year.

I have tested the biblically-based strategies recommended by this book over the past five years and have given away countless copies to students and friends who are struggling with decision making. First used in a Sunday school class, I often find myself back in the book refreshing my memory on details for how to seek God's will, especially for the important crossroads in life.

I'm trying to apply the principles now. It's nice to have a book that can show the different aspects of "God's will" (including the personal one), yet not discount the mind. It notes that what we often perceive as guidance (e.g., the supernatural, prophecy, fleeces, and inward guidance) are the exceptions and points out why. It focuses on prayer, understanding the Bible, willingness, and thinking carefully. It recognizes however that we consider our desires, abilities, wise counsel, and circumstances. It seems to answer a lot of my questions about guidance as well as my misconceptions. Best of all, he gives you the Biblical texts to read and analyze yourself to see if his arguments hold up, let alone Biblical examples. I know one friend (who found out about the book independent of me) that bought several copies of this book to give as gifts. I may just do the same.

Using the Bible as his basis, the author tells us that often God guides us incrementally, i.e., that we have "light for our path," but do not necessary see a long way down the road. Similarly he talks about taking opportunities as they present themselves as a form of guidance. If you're in a circumstance, do what is best at that time and place.

He also points out that God may have a person in a place for a while, but things change and there comes a time to move on.

One assurance that is given to people who might fear missing God's direction is that God takes the initiative in guidance. If we're sincere in wanting His will, He will see that His will is done, Smith emphasizes. He tells us the Shepherd illustration in the Bible is reassuring in making this point clear. Not only that, but God's guidance is a gift!

There are some areas in this book where I completely disagree with the author. Overall, however, I found more positive than negative--by far.

Wonderful book. Check out his website for his Nehemiah Notes ministry. Lots of good articles on there.

Very logical and straightforward rather than theoretical - a plus for someone in the midst of trying to find guidance for a personal decision.