Come see us at the Billy Graham Library on Friday, April 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. for a book signing with Dr. Henry Blackaby, who has written numerous best-sellers, including Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Pick up one of Henry Blackaby’s books at Ruth’s Attic bookstore, or bring one of your own copies for him to sign.

For those of you who don’t live nearby, you might enjoy this interview the folks at BillyGraham.org did with Dr. Blackaby.

Q: Why do so many people struggle with knowing what God wants?

A: They don’t know God, and they’re not in His Word. When you ask them, “What has God been saying to you in His Word?” they don’t know what you’re talking about. So I ask, “Have you spent time in God’s Word to let God speak to you? Because God instructs the Holy Spirit what to tell you, and the sword which the Holy Spirit uses is the Word of God.”

So when you’re reading, you’ll see things about God that you’ve never seen before. That’s an encounter with God. The Spirit of God is bringing you face to face with God. He tells you in His Word what He’s like, and then you have to decide whether you are going to obey Him. It doesn’t even cross my mind not to. I mean, He is God, and at best, I’m a sinner. My best thinking is flawed by my sin. His thinking is not.

Q: How did you know when God called You?

A: That one is unmistakable, because you see the activity of God throughout your days. Then there comes that moment when God says, “I’ve been telling you all along that I have the right to help Myself to your life any time I want.” I was 17 and in a youth rally in Vancouver. It was as if I was the only one there, and God basically said, “I have the right to your life. I want you to release it to Me for whatever purposes I have in mind.”

I’ve always believed that the call of God is not to be a pastor, not to be a missionary, not to be anything. The call of God is always to an unconditional relationship with Jesus as Lord. So the call is to the relationship. Whatever He assigns, the answer is, “Yes, Lord.” It’s never based on my talents and my abilities. He doesn’t say, “Look at all the talents and abilities you have. I’ll use them.” If He did, people would give me the credit. God says, “You need to understand that when I do something in your life, people will know that it’s Me, not you.”

For the complete interview, click here.