Need help with life

Johndowling said:

I truly want to seek the kingdom of God. But what does it mean? Is it through works? How do I seek His kingdom?

Click to expand...

It is not through works. The entire passage is about seeking Him for revelation concerning His word. This is what I meant by "growing in Him." The passage is actually a continuation of what He was talking about in the Lord's Prayer, when He said to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." He meant spiritual bread, i.e. revelation from Him through His word primarily. If it were merely physical bread He was referring to He would have been contradicting Himself in verse 31, when He said take no thought for bread. And take no thought for tomorrow either (v.34). Focus on Him, and growing in His word.

Johndowling said:

to be honest before I found god my dream was a hedge fund manager

Click to expand...

BINGO!

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...

God prepares the people he uses through life and you have time so be used now with what gifts you have. Be willing to serve where the need is and seek to grow in character and you will also grow in usefulness to the Lord. You will bring this ministry with you where ever you go business or even on your days off. 2 peter 1 is a great chapter to memorize and apply. There are promises to those who do that they will be fruitful and useful in the kingdom of God and they will never stumble.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Note the order you start with faith and by faith you already have the righteous standing before God. When you add virtue to faith you are desiring to do the right thing. Notice the desire to do right come before the knowledge. You see if you are wanting to to right or be virtuous when you learn something is wrong you won't do it and when you see something can be done that is good you do it. This is self control which is one of the gifts of the Spirit. Perseverance comes next and this is the hardest one as over time things come against our commitments and selfish motives and complacency can creep in. We see many start off and can't stay the course. Most growth comes through growth pains and being tested. This combination produces brotherly kindness in you and is the manifestation of love. This is the path to maturity in your life.
create god habits that keep you on this path. Start each day with prayer and devotion and keep a journal of the things you are hearing and learning. Be looking for open doors to serve, Sunday school or youth group whatever you see you are suited to do. Know that seeking the Lord is in itself the prime directive and that is what will guide your life. Maturity takes time and will only happen if you pursue it.

Recommended reading on this subject: (Sir) John Marks Templeton... The Templeton Plan.
Sir John Templeton - Mutual Fund Pioneer

Also...
Work As Worship Conference
http://www.convenenow.com/
https://www.c12group.com/
Kingdom Ventures -A Different Type of Venture Capital Firm
http://www.hopeinternational.org/
http://www.kiva.org/

This is a good thread. HiddenInHim has written some good things as have others. I too like your attitude and sense something special about it. I'm firmly convinced that each of us is a unique creation of God. You are meant to walk with Him in a way unique to you. He will do things in and through your life that will reflect His glory in a way unique to you. Sometimes our paths are more commonplace and typical, other times they are rather unique. The challenge with the more unique ones is that sometimes you are trailblazing and have few people to follow. There can often be doubts when you are out standing in the middle of a field by yourself and wonder if you've completely deluded yourself. I speak of that I know.

I just read the hedge fund manager post. I'm a physics/math PhD and spent some time as an analyst so I have a bit of familiarity with this. For a time, I had thought about going for CFA or actuarial certification. There are many forms of Godly service something like this can take. I worked for a time at a Christian non-profit that provides services to adults with developmental disabilities. There is a need for people who know how to deal with finances in a complex manner beyond typical accounting methods. There are many Christian organizations that could use Godly counsel and quantitative expertise with regard to their fundraising and investments. In addition, I think the world could use talented people that bring Christian values to the world of high finance. Too much of the hardship I've seen in the midwest is a result of the rich effectively tyrannizing the poor by taking their jobs away for the sake of commissions and bonuses. There are empty buildings a short walk from me because someone made a quick buck by buying it out and closing it rather than taking the time to make much more money by investing in it.

FWIW, this is my story of seeking God's kingdom and how it looked career-wise. Perhaps it can save you some frustration and give some encouragement. Fast forward to the last paragraph if this is too boring. Us old guys with gray hair can really ramble when we get started.

For me, seeking God's kingdom started in earnest when I was 12. I had grown up in a mainline protestant church and believed in God. It was during Lent we had some Wednesday night services. One night, the speaker said something that really hit me, about knowing for sure that heaven existed and that we'd go there rather than just hoping so. He invited people to ask more after the service and I did. I ended up saying a short prayer that amounted to something like, "God please forgive me and come into my heart". I felt different at that instant, as if there were now a warm comforting presence inside of me. I've heard similar stories from other people.

From that time on, I had a sense of God's presence and leading in my life. I ended up being drawn into math and physics as a field of study. To be honest, this was not "God is calling me to be a physicist", but rather I had an insatiable curiosity about things and physics seems a good way to understand what made the world tick. I had toyed with the idea of going to seminary or Bible college to become a full-time minister (because that's what dedicated Christians should do), but that just never fell into place. I really wasn't thinking about having to get a real job. I got a BS in physics and math along with education. I went to grad school intending to become a university professor and have an academic career. I juggled being married, having kids, being a part-time campus minister with grad school. (In hindsight, INSANITY!!). When I graduated in the early 90s, the eastern bloc had fallen so many defense industry scientists needed jobs and many scientists from former communist countries moved to the US. Bottom line, few jobs for people like me.

Unwilling to leave academia, I spent a few years as a temporary professor and computer administrator. God clearly directed us back to my home state where I found a job designing airbag crash sensors. I was with that company 20 years (and 6 owners, 1 bankruptcy, and more re-orgs and downsizings that I can recall). I acquired an expert-level set of niche skills involving permanent magnet design. Things got really miserable there and God clearly set up the situation for me to leave. I became an analyst with a nearby national-scale Christian non-profit that provided services to adults with developmental disabilities. This was great working with the CEO, board, and execs in an organization that had never had an analytics team before. We were having a profound impact on the decision making process in an 100+ year old organization on the verge of financial failure. We were bringing a human side to things to preserve the heart of the organization where normal practice would have been to circle the wagons and start closing programs. To make a long story short, unfortunately, the organization had an unhealthy culture and I ended up having high stress levels that led to some panic attacks and I had to leave. God basically put me on extended sabbatical for about 4 months and forced me to deal with the fact I'd gotten too wrapped up in work and had been doing that my entire life.

I tried to start up a consulting business doing my magnet stuff, but that completely failed to go anywhere. A few months after that, my old boss at the sensor company had a lot of work, so I'm back doing the fun parts of my old job part-time at a pretty good pay rate. I'm now semi-retired looking for the next adventures in life. This was clearly God setting up this situation for me.

In hindsight, I've gleaned the following things from my career. God clearly had a purpose in the path I took (thought at many times I felt like I was wasting my life and talents).
1. At heart, I am an artist that plays with ideas. The training for a PhD in physics and decades of working in technical fields forced me to learn to think systematically and clearly. I have never lost my creative side, but rather the discipline of my education and career has tempered it. My entire career has been characterized by doing unique and creative things.
2. Had I stayed in academia as I wanted, I'd have effectively lived in a bubble my entire life. I got to spend my career out in the "real" world. Instead of writing papers where the worst thing that would happen is they wouldn't get published, I designed sensors and did analyses with no safety net. If I screwed up, it would ultimately cause financial losses and job losses. I learned to do stuff with real world consequences.
3. God has been positioning me to do the big things I felt I had been called to. Early in life, I felt like God was calling me to certain things. Most of those had ended in failure and never materialized much so I just sort assumed some combination of falling short or having missed God. In the past few years, I have found those things reawakening and starting to have a sense of God's destiny and promise once more. The difference now is that I feel like God has been making me into a person ready for this.

When I was young, I viewed myself primarily through the lens of my gifts and talents. I viewed my contribution to the kingdom of God as being active in ministry and using my gifts and talents. I came to view my value to God and others as what good works I could do. This defined me for a few decades. This also ended up draining the life out of me over time.

About 10 years ago, God took me out into the desert (figuratively speaking). Opportunities for volunteering and ministry just vanished. Seriously, I was volunteering and being turned down. I got a boss who basically shoved me in a corner and wouldn't let me do anything of value. All of my professional and ministry activity came grinding to a halt. At the time, I ran through the gamut of trying to confess sin in my life, spiritual warfare to fight the devil, seeking direction,etc. etc. It took a long time before I realized that this was about me having to sit still and find myself. I came to realize, I had no clue who I really was. I looked in the mirror (and thought "hey you loser!") and couldn't extend the encouragement, grace, and optimism that I so easily give to others.

The biggest thing that came out of this is something I wished I had understood when I was younger. It's not about my gifts and talents and doing things, it's about being who God really meant me to be. I came to see that the times in my life where I was at my best, was when my real self, the person God meant me to be was pouring out. The skills, talents, gifts, experience, and training, are merely tools to be used. It is about the heart, passion, and power God has shaped and wants to wield in a unique way through each of us. The way God showed me this was by making me aware of the times I had almost started crying during particular movie scenes. Things that other people probably didn't even notice had this deep impact on me. I finally realized it was because I was looking deep into the mirror of who I really was.

You are unique creation of God. This is something much deeper than gifts and talents and interests. It is something that goes to the core of who you are. By walking with God consistently (prayer, Bible reading, being with other Christians) we mature spiritually and grow. But, in all of this, God means for us to walk with Him in a way unique to each of us. He wants to pour out His Spirit through us in a way that is unique. It's not about Him using our gifts and talents to accomplish things, but rather pouring out His love, grace, and power through our unique passions and personality and heart into the hearts of other people. This will take many different forms because we are all different.

I can sympathize heavily John. At one point my dream was to own my own business in the fitness field. However once I came to know Christ I realized everything I was chasing was vanity. Now while there are Godly ways to be in the fitness field my heart wasn't into it. I wandered lost for a while and with patience I was blessed with a wedding business where I am making more money then I would have doing anything fitness related. I can go to sleep every night knowing people are appreciating my service which is more important then all the money in the world.

Remember proverbs 14:12 and keep seeking his kingdom and wisdom and like Solomon you will be blessed with the Other things we need as well.

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...

You've got to study the bible to know what God wants, no pastor is always right the bible even says so, here's something to do.
Matthew chapter 4 verse 4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Romans chapter 1 verse 28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

John chapter 8 verse 31,32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, " If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2 John
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Job chapter 23 verse 12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Matthew 11
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Luke chapter 21
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Romans chapter 10
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Mark chapter 13
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
James chapter 1
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James chapter 4
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 19
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Jeremiah chapter 9
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
Jeremiah chapter 5 verse 1
5 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...

My advice, you are harder on yourself then God would ever be.

Johndowling said:

could u guys explain what It means to live for Christ?

Click to expand...

Johndowling said:

to follow his teachings to fight desire to live like he did he said we can not have 2 masters you will love one more then the other you can not serve both god and money he also said that me must deny ourselves and follow after him and that's what im struggling with I don't know what to do I feel lost do you guys follow whats called "the prosperity bible" ? or do you follow traditional biblical principles? if your involved with business how do you put god before money im just wondering

Click to expand...

Johndowling said:

it touches my heart to hear you say that it means a lot and I know exactly what your saying I need to put it in gods hand and I truly want to seek the kingdom of god but what does it mean? is it threw works? how do I seek his
kingdom?

Click to expand...

John, it looks like you are already seeking his kingdom/living for Christ. At least, you are indicating with your response that you know what to do: follow his teachings! Let's go to the Scriptures...

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26)

1. You must have desire to be his disciple. (Do you?)
2. You must deny yourself, that is, make God preeminent in your life.
3. You must take up your cross and follow him. (This is not a pleasant thing)
4. If you give your life up for Christ, you will gain more than you can know.
5. Never be ashamed of Christ!

It all starts with whether or not you want to be his disciple. It sounds like you do; so do it!!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

It sounds like you are inclined (perhaps gifted) towards financial business. Seek confirmation with those who know you and most of all pray for God's wisdom. If your desire to be a businessman is not quenched, be a businessman. Only, commit it to the Lord so that he will be honored by what you do!!

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...

John,
Do you have a yard? If you live in an apartment and don't, do your parents? And do you live close enough to them to be able to go frequently to that yard?

Johndowling said:

to be honest before I found god my dream was a hedge fund manager but I gave it up because I thought I was being greedy the thought has arised to have a fund based on biblical principles if this is my calling ill have to pray that god keeps my path straight we all know the temptations wall street can bring

Click to expand...

Do you have a the capacity to be a hedge fund manager? Do you have the education and the access to funds to launch one? If you have the ability to generate money hand-over-fist in the financial markets, then DO IT. Do it, live a modest life, and use that flow of money to change the world around you.

If you don't have the education for it, and aren't connected to the business, you can't be one anyway, so don't worry about it.

Johndowling said:

if your involved with business how do you put god before money im just wondering

Click to expand...

Primarily in the way you think about and treat your employees. They are literally dependent upon you. Do you look upon them as sheep you need to shepherd forward and dependents to be protected, and then protect them, treat them that way? Or do you view them as labor commodity units, expenses, assets to be managed, hired and fired, purchase and used, and replaced if something better comes along?

If you treat them as you would like to be treated, you're doing it right.

Johndowling said:

I truly want to seek the kingdom of god but what does it mean? is it threw works? how do I seek his
kingdom?

Click to expand...

If given the choice for a week of settling into a quiet place and reading a book undisturbed, or being up at a cabin by a lake in the far north, without Internet, TV or phone, which would you choose?

Johndowling said:

to follow his teachings to fight desire to live like he did he said we can not have 2 masters you will love one more then the other you can not serve both god and money he also said that me must deny ourselves and follow after him and that's what im struggling with I don't know what to do I feel lost do you guys follow whats called "the prosperity bible" ? or do you follow traditional biblical principles? if your involved with business how do you put god before money im just wondering

Click to expand...

Peter, Andrew, James and John had to fish all night sometimes. This is not greed; it is survival. One who is almost 22 might be in school to train for an occupation or working a job or two. In old age, the body weakens and strength departs from a man. How can one decide what he is going to do for the remainder of his life if he can not find something to do today? Benjamin Franklin wrote we should not put off until tomorrow what should be done today. Did I read the Gospel of Luke like I planned today? It is not too late for me to start.

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...

Why can't you still go into business and serve God in that way? Give your employees a fair wage, provide your customers with a good product and treat all you interact with fairly and with respect. The Lord has put us in in the world, where we are in our situations for a reason. He does not want us to withdraw from the world and become hermits; we are to be lights that shine for the world to see, that others would see our good deeds as well as the hope we live for and perhaps ask us about it (or at least they will see it, and maybe it will be be seed on the long road to their harvest).

You say you don't want to go into business because you feel like you're going after money and not God if you did that. Why don't you make it not about money and serving God instead? If the Lord blesses you with a successful business, be a good steward of the wealth he has given you and give to others who have less than you.

Johndowling said:

if you're involved with business how do you put god before money im just wondering

Click to expand...

By following the Lord Jesus' commandments in conducting your business instead of whatever it takes to earn a profit.

Johndowling said:

I truly want to seek the kingdom of god but what does it mean? is it threw works? how do I seek his
kingdom?

Click to expand...

By advancing his kingdom here on earth by following his commandments. By living as though he is the Lord of your life. It is by works that we seek the kingdom of God. Yet you should be aware that those works in no way secure your salvation, the eternal fellowship you will enjoy with our Heavenly Father. Only Jesus' perfect life and death on the cross secured our eternal peace with God. We live (or try to live) holy lives because we have been saved, we are not saved because we live holy lives.

Johndowling said:

to be honest before I found god my dream was a hedge fund manager but I gave it up because I thought I was being greedy the thought has arised to have a fund based on biblical principles if this is my calling ill have to pray that god keeps my path straight we all know the temptations wall street can bring

Click to expand...

Ok. If it is indeed the case that He is calling you to finance the kingdom, here is what you especially need to be praying for: The ability to unmistakably hear His voice and His leadings accurately. And I mean unmistakably. Throughout your education and experience in preparing to fulfill your calling, you will need to be praying to operate ever more accurately in this.

I can elaborate on how you should continue strengthening your relationship with Christ through His word, but that would probably be a more ongoing discussion that would best be dealt with through personal conversation. If you would like me to send you one, feel free to let me know.

Johndowling said:

could u guys explain what It means to live for Christ?

Click to expand...

Mark 12:31 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself which means :

To love everybody as we love ourselves.

The Jewish people and their Rabbi assumed they were the true chosen nation who inherited the kingdom of God and understood only those who were of their own country, nation, and religion, whom they were pleased to look upon as their friends. Others salute their brethren, and embrace those of their own party, and way, and opinion,
but we must study to conform ourselves to the example of our heavenly Father,

Matt 5:44 but I -- I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,

46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Deny yourself and let Jesus rules.

May Jesus bless you all HalleluYAH

As a veteran of several businesses, I too have that unease. But if you do not exploit, and act with honour, then you are helping the economy and with it others, particularly if you employ.

At one time , I too have searched for businesses that align with faith, but there I do draw the line : I think it a problem to turn god's message and gift into an earning opportunity.

And in reality, it is now easier to start business than ever in history - the platforms and tools and audience that Amazon, ( and FBA) , google , eBay and so on provide without upfront costs are amazing

Johndowling said:

ive been trying to figure out what to do with my life I us to be really into business and still kinda want to pursue starting a business one day but I feel like I'm going after money rather then god if I do that. I don't know what god wants to me to do in my life and its really bothering me I 21 about to be 22 and I really need to start moving forward

im also having a hard time figuring out what to do in my spare time I seem to be spending most of it trying to figure out what I said above.

and I know we are supposto live in the spirit and do spiritual things can any one elaborate or give examples of what consist of that.

if I do what I said above can I still be saved? should I find something else? am I going down the wrong road? any and all advice would be more than appreciated

god bless
john

Click to expand...