2. IntroductionIntroduction
Two Extremes:Two Extremes:
““I am the captain of myI am the captain of my
ship…”ship…”
““Let God and let go…”Let God and let go…”
Two ImportantTwo Important
Tensions:Tensions:
God is sovereign and inGod is sovereign and in
controlcontrol
Man has freewill andMan has freewill and
choicechoice
Some bugging questions:Some bugging questions:
Does God really haveDoes God really have
a plan for me?a plan for me?
If He has, does heIf He has, does he
want me to know whatwant me to know what
it is?it is?
If He does, how can IIf He does, how can I
know what His plan is?know what His plan is?
How do I go aboutHow do I go about
making decisionsmaking decisions
about my career?about my career?
3. Does God really have aDoes 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 prosperfor you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hopeyou 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.
4. If He has,If He has, does He want me to knowdoes 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 tobeginning, 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 goodyou to will and to act according to his good
purpose.purpose.
5. If He does,If He does, how can Ihow can I
knowknow what His plan is?what His plan is?
There is no mystery inThere is no mystery in
knowing the will of Godknowing the will of God
6. 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 ofhaving been predestined according to the plan of
him who works out everything in conformityhim 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 tobeginning, from ancient times, what is still to
come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will docome. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do
all that I please.all that I please.
7. Know also that He reveals His will toKnow 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 withoutask 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.
8. Know that His will is clear in HisKnow 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 bepleases 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 doTherefore 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 toDo 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 shouldwill that you should be sanctified: that you should
avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learnavoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn
to control his own body in a way that is holy andto control his own body in a way that is holy and
honorable,honorable,
9. Be SubmissiveBe Submissive -- (James 4:7) Submit(James 4:7) Submit
yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and heyourselves, 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 shouldwho suffer according to God's will should
commit themselves to their faithful Creator andcommit 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'sgive thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.will for you in Christ Jesus.
10. 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 shoulddo 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 beremain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be
given you.given you.
11. How do I go about knowingHow do I go about knowing
what I wantwhat I want about my careerabout my career??
Heed His WordHeed His Word
Check the Word for anything that is expresslyCheck 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 andCheck 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
