Making Godly Career Making Godly Career Choices…Choices…

February 2013February 2013

IntroductionIntroduction

Two Extremes:Two Extremes: ““I am the captain of my I am the captain of my

ship…”ship…” ““Let God and let go…”Let God and let go…”

Two Important Two Important Tensions:Tensions: God is sovereign and in God is sovereign and in

controlcontrol Man has freewill and Man has freewill and

choicechoice

Some bugging questions:Some bugging questions: Does God really have Does God really have

a plan for me?a plan for me? If He has, does he If He has, does he

want me to know what want me to know what it is?it is?

If He does, how can I If He does, how can I know what His plan is?know what His plan is?

How do I go about How do I go about making decisions making decisions about my career?about my career?

Does God really have a Does God really have a plan for meplan for me??

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.and a future.

(Psalms 57:2) I cry out to God Most High, to (Psalms 57:2) I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.God, who fulfills his purpose for me.

If He has, If He has, does He want me to know does He want me to know about it?about it?

(Isaiah 46:10) I make known the end from the (Isaiah 46:10) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come…. come….

(Proverbs 16:9) In his heart a man plans his (Proverbs 16:9) In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.course, but the LORD determines his steps.

(Philippians 2:13) for it is God who works in (Philippians 2:13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good you to will and to act according to his good purpose.purpose.

If He does, If He does, how can I how can I know know what His plan is?what His plan is?

There is no mystery in There is no mystery in knowing the will of Godknowing the will of God

Know first that GodKnow first that God’s will is ’s will is sovereignsovereign

(Ephesians 1:11) In him we were also chosen, (Ephesians 1:11) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,with the purpose of his will,

(Isaiah 46:10) I make known the end from the (Isaiah 46:10) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.all that I please.

Know also that He reveals His will to Know also that He reveals His will to us in several ways:us in several ways:

His WordHis Word His WorkingsHis Workings His WhisperHis Whisper

(James 1:5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should (James 1:5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Know that His will is clear in His Know that His will is clear in His Word:Word:

Be SavedBe Saved – (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) – (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) This is goodThis is good, and , and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Be Spirit-FilledBe Spirit-Filled – (Ephesians 5:17,18) – (Ephesians 5:17,18) Therefore do Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Be SanctifiedBe Sanctified - (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4) It is God's - (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4) It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,honorable,

Be SubmissiveBe Submissive - - (James 4:7) Submit (James 4:7) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.will flee from you.

Be SufferingBe Suffering - (1 Peter 4:19) So then, those - (1 Peter 4:19) So then, those who suffer according to God's will should who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.continue to do good.

Be Saying ThanksBe Saying Thanks - (1 Thessalonians 5:18) - (1 Thessalonians 5:18) give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you are Saved, Spirit-filled, Sanctified. If you are Saved, Spirit-filled, Sanctified. Submissive, Suffering and Saying Thanks, Submissive, Suffering and Saying Thanks, then… then… do what you want! You should do what you want! You should be in the will of God!be in the will of God! (Psalms 37:4) Delight yourself in the LORD and he (Psalms 37:4) Delight yourself in the LORD and he

will give you the desires of your heart.will give you the desires of your heart. (John 15:7) If you remain in me and my words (John 15:7) If you remain in me and my words

remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.given you.

How do I go about knowing How do I go about knowing what I want what I want about my careerabout my career??

Heed His WordHeed His Word Check the Word for anything that is expressly Check the Word for anything that is expressly

against the career you are in or getting intoagainst the career you are in or getting into Read His WorkingsRead His Workings

Check your circumstances, capabilities and Check your circumstances, capabilities and passionspassions

Check out the counsel of Godly peopleCheck out the counsel of Godly people Hear His WhisperHear His Whisper

Check your heart and listen to His leadingCheck your heart and listen to His leading