God Has The Answer
Dear Friends,
A few months ago our son, Josh, had some important decisions to make. He was coming to the end of his A Levels and was offered work as an apprenticeship in Accounting. It was just what he wanted to do. The offer was a good one and it was with a company he liked. At the same time he was offered work in a church as an intern. It came out of the blue, but again was something he was interested in. Now what was he supposed to do? He wanted to do what God had planned for him, he just wasn't sure what that was.
God makes us a promise in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you." (AMP)
As his Mum there was part of me that wanted to tell him what was best for him, but this wouldn't have been right. It was not my decision to make. It was for him to decide. Jason and I told him that we would support him in whatever he decided and we would be there to talk things through with him. We would also be praying for him.
How did Josh come to his decision? Well, this was what he (and we) did. You might also find this helpful when applying it to any decisions you need to make.
1. We prayed. He prayed. We also asked people to pray for him. We knew God had the answer so we prayed for God to direct and guide him. I find such encouragement from the following verse in James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him." (AMP)
2. We talked it through together, looking at both the options. I believe that God gives us common sense and expects us to use it.
3. Reading the Bible is also important. God reveals his will through his word and will often confirm his will to us as we read it. I've certainly known this to be true in my own life.
4. Joshua talked with one of our church leaders. It's always good to be able to share with a mature Christian who you respect. Someone outside of the situation can be more objective and see things differently. Although it is useful to consult with another person, we need to remember that our final decision is not based on whatever anyone else may say but is based on what we ourselves believe God is saying to us.
When we genuinely seek God's will, he will not punish us if we get it wrong. Either he will make it clear that we are to go in a different direction or he will use it for our good. Nothing is wasted with God.
We told Josh that we are proud of him and that whichever option he went for, we would support him in the decision he came to. Josh came to the decision that God was directing him to take a year out to work as a church intern. He contacted the accounting firm to see if they would be willing for him to defer his training for a year . But, even if they didn't, he had made up his mind to still honour God by taking the year out and trusting God with his future. The firm replied that they were happy for him to do this, as long as he achieved the exam grades they were asking for. We saw this as an answer to prayer as it's not their usual practice.
Josh is now into his second month working as an intern and is enjoying what he is doing. I know that this year will be so good for him. it will take him on further in his faith and will also develop him as a person.
He did really well in his exams, but didn't quite get the grades needed in a couple of his subjects. He has informed the accounting firm but hasn't heard yet as to whether they are still happy to have him next September.
I don't know the future, but I know God has the answer. David says of God in Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw me when I was still an unborn child. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place." (GW)
I don't know whether Josh will train as an accounting apprentice next year or whether he will be doing something different. But that's OK. As long as Josh keeps looking to God for his direction, there is no need to worry about the next stage in his life.
Not only does God have the answers when it comes to your life and my life, he is the answer for our life.
"The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning." Psalm 25:14 (AMP)
With our lives in his hands we have no need to worry or fear about what tomorrow may bring.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands." Psalm 138:8 (HCSB)
To Think About:
What do you do when you have a decision to make?
How have you seen God's direction in your decision making in the past?
Is there a decision you need to make today which is troubling you? What do you need to do which will help you?
Vicki
A few months ago our son, Josh, had some important decisions to make. He was coming to the end of his A Levels and was offered work as an apprenticeship in Accounting. It was just what he wanted to do. The offer was a good one and it was with a company he liked. At the same time he was offered work in a church as an intern. It came out of the blue, but again was something he was interested in. Now what was he supposed to do? He wanted to do what God had planned for him, he just wasn't sure what that was.
God makes us a promise in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you." (AMP)
As his Mum there was part of me that wanted to tell him what was best for him, but this wouldn't have been right. It was not my decision to make. It was for him to decide. Jason and I told him that we would support him in whatever he decided and we would be there to talk things through with him. We would also be praying for him.
How did Josh come to his decision? Well, this was what he (and we) did. You might also find this helpful when applying it to any decisions you need to make.
1. We prayed. He prayed. We also asked people to pray for him. We knew God had the answer so we prayed for God to direct and guide him. I find such encouragement from the following verse in James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him." (AMP)
2. We talked it through together, looking at both the options. I believe that God gives us common sense and expects us to use it.
3. Reading the Bible is also important. God reveals his will through his word and will often confirm his will to us as we read it. I've certainly known this to be true in my own life.
4. Joshua talked with one of our church leaders. It's always good to be able to share with a mature Christian who you respect. Someone outside of the situation can be more objective and see things differently. Although it is useful to consult with another person, we need to remember that our final decision is not based on whatever anyone else may say but is based on what we ourselves believe God is saying to us.
When we genuinely seek God's will, he will not punish us if we get it wrong. Either he will make it clear that we are to go in a different direction or he will use it for our good. Nothing is wasted with God.
We told Josh that we are proud of him and that whichever option he went for, we would support him in the decision he came to. Josh came to the decision that God was directing him to take a year out to work as a church intern. He contacted the accounting firm to see if they would be willing for him to defer his training for a year . But, even if they didn't, he had made up his mind to still honour God by taking the year out and trusting God with his future. The firm replied that they were happy for him to do this, as long as he achieved the exam grades they were asking for. We saw this as an answer to prayer as it's not their usual practice.
Josh is now into his second month working as an intern and is enjoying what he is doing. I know that this year will be so good for him. it will take him on further in his faith and will also develop him as a person.
He did really well in his exams, but didn't quite get the grades needed in a couple of his subjects. He has informed the accounting firm but hasn't heard yet as to whether they are still happy to have him next September.
I don't know the future, but I know God has the answer. David says of God in Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw me when I was still an unborn child. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place." (GW)
I don't know whether Josh will train as an accounting apprentice next year or whether he will be doing something different. But that's OK. As long as Josh keeps looking to God for his direction, there is no need to worry about the next stage in his life.
Not only does God have the answers when it comes to your life and my life, he is the answer for our life.
"The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning." Psalm 25:14 (AMP)
With our lives in his hands we have no need to worry or fear about what tomorrow may bring.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands." Psalm 138:8 (HCSB)
To Think About:
What do you do when you have a decision to make?
How have you seen God's direction in your decision making in the past?
Is there a decision you need to make today which is troubling you? What do you need to do which will help you?
Vicki
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