PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to assist the Faithful in being able to discern the Will of God for all of our actions.


INTRODUCTION

To be able to discern the Will of God so that we defer to It, is much simpler than it appears or simpler than we have been led to believe by those who enjoy being idolized by "the masses".

As you read this document, keep in mind that miguel de Portugal has lived in this mode for almost 16 years: Whether the action prompted by God was to embark on a transAtlantic journey with not one cent to his name and not being able to ask for it, or to travel to Constantinople, Ephesus, etc. on three days notice, or leave town in three hours notice or take a different way home to ensure his personal safety. That is - what you will read here is "lived experience" as inspired by, and lived with, God and not "book learned".

We have received a letter which has prompted this document. We will reprint the letter below and use it as a starting point for the development of the document.



DETAILS

The key to easily discern the Will of God, even in very minor areas, is, first and foremost, to have a solid interactive relationship with God. God is not "a fixture" - He is a concrete Eternally living "entity" - for lack of the appropriate word to describe God. We were created in His Image, therefore, it logically follows that if we want to have a close and solid interactive relationship with God we should try, as a first step, whatever we would try to achieve that same type of relationship with another human being.

The advantage that the establishment of this relationship with God has is that, in His case, as opposed as to establishing it with a human being, He will greatly assist us in achieving it.

Another key - just as important - is to truly desire such relationship out of sheer Love for Him. Not for any material benefit; not for securing Eternal life; not for the sake of Holiness - simply for Love for Him and the consequential logically burning desire to serve Him, to please Him, to console Him, to thank Him for everything,... to be totally His. When you are His, all else will logically follow.

That is the meaning of: Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God (1), and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. [Matthew 6:33]

Once the above foundations have been laid, there are a few signs to look for and which will assist you in doing His Will in everything you do.

1. When we do the Will of God our actions will never - ever - be immoral or illegal as judged by the accepted standards of our environment and our faith-formed conscience. The "code of ethics" that has been used, and continues to be used, by organized religion - The End justify the Means - is amongst the biggest snares perpetrated upon humanity by satan.

2. There are situations whereby Choice "A" or Choice "B" are both just the same as far as the Will of God is concerned. Then you chose what may be more personally pleasing to you in the total comfort of knowing that either choice will be pleasing to God.

3. A confirming sign of fulfilling the Will of God is being prompted to do something, which fully meets the requirement No. 1, above, but that you may not personally prefer doing. It may actually be the last thing you would like to do.

A case in point: miguel de Portugal dislikes to move to the point whereby he turned down the first promotion he received in the exercise of his professional career because it entailed moving to another city... even though it was an "all expense paid" transfer. Since his "Yes" to God sixteen years ago he has practically lived out of a suitcase and a few boxes stored in two continents. When he is asked by a friend or acquaintance, whom he may run into after the latest move: "Where are you now?", he answers: "Now, in front of you; ten minutes from now, only God knows!"

However, once it is clear that it is the Will of God, although "you'd rather not do it" you would not avoid it under any circumstances. It is like we have discussed elsewhere (2): When you physically suffer because God needs that sacrifice, even though you may be in terrible pain, somehow "it is OK" and you would not wish to be free of it UNLESS God did not need you to suffer said pain any more. Please note: This has nothing to do with the sadomasochistic practice of using the cilice or self flagellation or any other similar behavior completely alien to God (3).

4. Whenever you are fulfilling the Will of God - even if the event (like moving, in the case of miguel) is not pleasing to you, there is peace in your soul - a peace that can only come from God.

We suggest not to dwell so much on the issue of "discernment of spirits" (4) but on focusing on God and trying to discern the Will of His Spirit. We assure you - no "spirit" will touch or confound you when you are in an intimate and interactive relationship with God. God rules the Universe and even satan must serve Him!


CONCLUSION

The popular version of the pursuit of the Will of God reminds us of the situation faced by individuals who are always trying to lose weight and try every imaginable diet without much success, yet, they do not do what would be most effective - Eat the right kind of foods and eat less of it!

Therefore, if we want to be sure and live the Will of God: Establish and maintain an interactive relationship with God. All else will be like those diets that seem to never work.


EPILOGUE

Just like a person who becomes blind develops all other senses beyond the normal to compensate for the lack of the visual stimulus; or just like a deaf person, likewise, develops the remaining senses; or just like an physically abused child develops an uncanny sensitivity to determine what pleases his/her tormentor in an effort to appease him/her, when anyone truly wishes to please God and do His Will, he/she will develop a "sixth sense" through which the Will of God will be easier to detect than for the average mortal who may have just a passing acquaintance with God.












En Español:  Discernir la Voluntad de Dios - La clave: Mantener una sólida relación interactiva con Dios

Published on May 19th, 2007 - Mary Queen of Prophets