The Will of God: Understanding and Pursuing His Ultimate Plan for Your Life

Stanley (Relying on the Holy Spirit), senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, offers advice in this hopeful work for Christians who feel unsure of God’s plan for their life. For Stanley, a relationship with God through daily connections to the principles of Christianity is critical. In sermon fashion, he outlines God’s communication methods: communication (through scripture and prayer), counsel of fellow Christians, conscience (one’s inner voice is the voice of God), common sense, and contentment (finding the divine in the ordinary). He lists factors such as personal desires, sin, fear, doubt, anger, self-worth, ungodly influences, and guilt that influence choices and interfere with being able to ascertain the will of God. He cites examples in his personal life where he felt God’s will, such as when deciding to buy a car (did he really need it?) and whether to accompany young friends to a pool hall (though he was tempted, he knew he needed rest). Many of the scriptural passages he quotes are meant to offer encouragement to readers who feel distance from God’s message: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Stanley’s fans will enjoy these simple, clear ideas for discerning God’s plan. (Oct.)