Knowing God's Will for Your Life
So how do you know what God's will is for your life?
Go to the "Vision - Giver":
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
Go to the Bible:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Be alert to God's voice:
For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. Job 33:14-16
Seek the counsel of wise people:
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
Look for direction in circumstances and change. Change is one of the greatest blessings in life – allowing us to become what God would have us to be.
Consider your gifts, abilities and skills. Consider your weaknesses and your strengths. Consider your experiences, good and bad. Consider your personality. Consider your personality. Consider your personal desires and preferences.
Trust in God and depend on Him to help you discover your greatest purpose.
How can you "test" a decision to determine if it is God's will?
For major decisions in life – like career changes, who to marry, etc. – consider the following eleven test questions. If you can't say "yes" to all eleven, the tentative decision may not be "best" and may not be God's will. If you can honestly say "yes" to all eleven, then it is probably God's will and you can have the confidence in proceeding accordingly. If by chance it wasn't the best choice or it wasn't God’s will, don't worry; God will help you make another decision!
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Will it honour God?
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Is it consistent with Scripture?
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Is it the "best" thing that could be done? Is there something "better" to do?
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Is it my heart's desire? Is this something I really have a passion for?
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Does it fit who I am as a child of God? Does it fit my skills, gifts, resources, abilities, capabilities, limitations, etc.?
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Does it fit God's overall plan for my life? Has everything He's brought me through readied me for this opportunity, this purpose, this adventure?
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Are there, or has there been, any providential leadings toward this course of action?
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Am I willing to submit this decision to God's will?
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Is there, or has there been an inner conviction and compulsion to undertake this course of action? Has it been confirmed through another person? Through the Holy Spirit? Through His Word?
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Are thoughts "not" to really "fear" based? Am I making a judgement on what I can do with God or on what'
Do I have lasting peace in my decision?
The call to ministry for every Christian Achiever:
Every Christian Achiever is CREATED for ministry.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Every Christian Achiever is SAVED for ministry.
God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9
Every Christian Achiever is CALLED into ministry.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Every Christian Achiever is GIFTED for ministry.
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
Every Christian Achiever is AUTHORIZED for ministry.
Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
Every Christian Achiever is COMMANDED to minister.
"Yet it shall not so be among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28
Every Christian Achiever is to be PREPARED for ministry.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12
Every Christian Achiever is NEEDED for ministry.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Every Christian Achiever is ACCOUNTABLE for ministry and will be REWARDED according to his or her ministry.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 4:23-24
How should we direct our children in their career pathing?
God does not give us a list of options that says:
"Go ahead, make your life’s choices from this list."
Rather, according to His purpose for our lives, He gives us a single command that says:
"Here is my way for you. Walk ye in it."
Do you not think that God, with all He knows and with all He cares for us, has "a particular Plan and Purpose" for each of us - one single direction that He knows would be best? Now, that plan may indeed be thwarted, detoured and delayed - by our own failings, by the actions or lack of actions of others, or even by the attacks of the devil - but if we "persevere" and "get back on course" (like a ship going through ocean storms), we will yet lead "the magnificent life" that God would have us live.
Another perspective: Who is more likely to say "It doesn't matter what you do?" - God or Satan? Satan diffuses more Christians - especially young ones starting out in life - by getting them to choose "good" things to do versus the "best" thing to do.
How many Christians have chosen a "good" career path of being a doctor, accountant, sales person, teacher, hockey player or whatever – something any "non-Christian" could do? In so choosing, have they missed out on the "best" career path – that of being in full-time Christian service? As Oswald Chambers said, "The good is often the enemy of the best."
In a spiritual sense, we are very much living in "a time of war"! As in a time of war, every able body Christian person - male, female, from 18 to 80 - is commissioned to be, not "on standby", but in active daily service. And every Christian will be held accountable – by God – as to how they respond to such a call to duty.
If someone, young or old, is considering a new career path, perhaps a question to ask is: "Could a non-Christian do this?" If the answer is "yes", perhaps one should consider another career option – a career both that takes advantage of the knowledge and assets of being a Christian and that provides opportunities to be in active Christian service on a daily basis (to the fullest extent).
Consider the words of the famous 20th century Christian martyr, Jim Elliot wrote, at the age of 2o when commenting on "
secular jobs":"Our young men are going into the professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants."
Many people, striving to justify their more secular choice of profession, often make statements like, "Yes, but I can witness at my job. In fact, if anybody asks me about my faith, I have some tracts right here in my desk that I can give them!" Certainly it’s true that a Christian in any profession or job – from airline pilot to assembly line worker – can take advantage of opportunities to reach out to witness and to minister. And if one is already in a particular career, it may not be possible or best to leave and go into full-time ministry. The purpose of these comments is not to suggest that it is "wrong" for a Christian to be a doctor, lawyer, carpenter, salesperson or whatever. The purpose of these comments is simply to direct people – especially young people – to what is the "best" choice for a career – a career that will "best" serve God – and a career that will also provide the greatest meaning, satisfaction and joy in life.
The Parable of the Talents clearly relates how God expects us to use every talent, gift, ability and resource to His honour and glory - and how we will bear the consequences if we (out of fear or selfishness, as was the case of the one steward) fail to try. God has "one truth" and "one way" for each of our lives. Satan offers a choice of "many truths" and "many options". Think about it.
Should a Christian be an entrepreneur?
Here are 21 reasons a Christian should consider being an entrepreneur.
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To bring more glory to God – through the execution and fulfillment of those things listed below.
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To be a faithful, loyal and allegiant steward of God – diligent in managing ALL that is entrusted to him, including time, talents, energies, resources and opportunities (refer to the Biblical parable of the talents).
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As Charles Wesley said, "Make all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can." A godly purpose and motive for the Christian to be an entrepreneur should be to give all one can to others in God's purposes of ministry, benevolence, etc.
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To be ALL you can be, not settling for only a fraction of the potentials you have (Frequently the only opportunity to do so is in one’s own endeavour. Seldom, very seldom, do employees have such an opportunity to develop all of their potentials. Most often employees are kept in just one area of performance – often not even their best, most productive or most rewarding area).
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To create jobs, products, services, opportunities, investment returns, etc. for others and to make the world a better place to live (If we hadn’t had entrepreneurs like Edison, Kellogg and Ford, we wouldn’t have electric lights, corn flakes and affordable cars)
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To experience and manifest the touch of the Master's creativity in creating something that previously didn't exist – and, if not for that particular entrepreneur, wouldn't have come about (whether a product, a service or the corporate entity to market such product and services)
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To be MORE SECURE and less vulnerable to and dependent upon other people – whether they are employers, co-workers, unions, governments, etc. - and to be more in control of one’s own destiny
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"To be a man" (One of the most manly, fulfilling things a man can do – akin to conquering a mountain, only with greater purpose and with more rewards to share with others)
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"To be a godly woman" See Proverbs 31
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To have more freedom of time and flexibility of time for family
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To live longer (Research backs this up)
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To have a happier marriage (Research also backs this up. Plus, entrepreneurs are statistically far less prone to having an affair, as they get their excitement and fulfillment in their endeavours)
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To best teach self-sufficiency to one’s children, so that they are best equipped to handle whatever challenges of life they may encounter
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The freedom of choice to do something you really enjoy – and, if your desires later change, to accordingly also change your endeavour (Therefore not being "trapped" in a meaningless, boring and frustrating job like so many employees)
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To build equity for one's self, one's family – versus building equity for an employer (On the average, for every dollar an employee receives, the employer receives three to five dollars in mark-up and/or equity appreciation)
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Further to #15, to build an estate that can help take care of successive generations of one's family (Proverbs 13:22 says, "
There is inherent to being a successful entrepreneur a power and an influence among other men – a power and influence that can be used for God's glory (The Bible encourages Christians to grow in favour, not only with God, but with men - see Luke 2:52, Proverbs 13:22 and others)
For the sense of accomplishment and achievement that is from God and blessed by Him (Proverbs 13:19, "A desire accomplished is sweet to the tooth")
Further to #3, to tithe more and more – not only 10%, but 20%, 40%, even 90% (as other successful Christian entrepreneurs have done)
Sometimes, as in about 78% of entrepreneurs, simply because one can't find a "job" that is suitable
To be an example to others – as an entrepreneur and as a Christian – either directly or indirectly. "Mentoring" others in the aforementioned 20 other aspects of "Christian entrepreneuring", again, either directly or indirectly
Why such an emphasis on "Financial" needs of life?
Why does ChristianAchievers put such an emphasis on the "financial" needs of life – especially since it is a Christian ministry with a priority of meeting "spiritual" needs?
Most people (especially the great mass of disenfranchised Christians) view finance as their greatest unmet need (three times more often than health and many times more often than "having a relationship with God").
As outreach evangelism, ChristianAchievers can effectively get people's attention by helping them deal with their financial struggles. As we develop rapport and fellowship with them regarding financial matters, opportunities will also open up to share the more truly important spiritual matters.
ChristianAchievers plans to offer such information, not only through seminars, CD's and DVD's, but also through small group support programs and individual Life Development Coaching.
In addition to the above,
many people will find a solution to their financial challenges through getting
involved in Allegiant Life's Evangelism Team Career programs.