DISCOVERING GOD’S PLAN

FOR YOUR LIFE

Chapel Counsel

from

Chaplain Councell

THEY MADE THEIR “FATHER” VERY PROUD!

                        

             

                        

             

                        

             

                        

             

ReverendGeorge L. Fox

RabbiAlexander D.

Goode

ReverendClark V. Poling

FatherJohn P.

Washington

Physical

Mental

Emotional

Volitional

Relational

Spiritual

SEXUAL

WHOLE PERSON

JOHARI WINDOW

What nobody, including yourself, knows about you, except God

What others know about you, but you don’t know; what you can’t control

What you know about yourself, but others do not know; what you can choose

What you and others know about yourself

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOWand ACCEPT ON FAITH

Origin (known only to God) – Birth

Destiny – Death

WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROLCHEMISTRY CIRCUMSTANCES

CHANGE

WHAT YOU CAN CHOOSE

• COMMON PATTERN OF PRIORITIES FOR LIVING:– Friends– Work– Escape from woes

• Backwards – Leads to problems and much unhappiness

• LIFE CHOICES FOR BETTER LIVING:– Values– Vocational calling– Preparation for service– Friends/companion– Family

• Leads to success, peace and happiness

WHAT ALL CAN KNOW

• Truth– Law (Psalm 119:142)– Word (John 17:17)– Jesus (John 14:6)

• Freedom (John 8:32) • Salvation (Titus 2:11)• Joy and strength (Nehemiah 8:10)• Abundant living (Psalm 37:4; John 10:10)• Eternal life (John 17:3)

GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU

• God has a plan for your life:– Psalms 25:4 and 5, 8-10 and 14; 16:11– Jeremiah 10:23– Psalms 32:8-11

• Much “babble” beckons in our world

• How does one hear God’s call and learn the Divine plan for one’s life?

• What happens when everything you thought was God’s will for your life turns out wrong?

PROGRESSIVE REVELATION

• God answers before we call – Isaiah 65:24• Principle of progressive revelation • Miraculous healing of a blind man – John 9

– Jesus called a “good man” – verse 11– Jesus called a “prophet” – verse 17– Jesus viewed as “from God” – verse 33– Jesus acknowledged as “the Messiah” – verse 38

• Two pre-requisites for knowing God’s plan:– Must be a child of God (believer)– Must be willing to follow that portion of His will already

revealed and understood

GOD’S PLAN REVEALED • Seven avenues or methods:

– Still small voice of the Holy Spirit – John 16:13– Guidance of the Scriptures – II Timothy 3:16– Educated conscience – Isaiah 30:19-21– Opened and closed doors of circumstances – Romans 8:28– Sound reason and judgment – Proverbs 1 thru 4 and 14:12– Wise counsel – Proverbs 12:15; 15:22; 19:20 and 21;

Psalms 1:1 and 2; 73:24– Corporate worship – Hebrews 10:25

• Pieces of a puzzle must be connected to form a picture; when linked together and all the methods clearly send the same “message,” you have a good indication of God’s direction and call for your life.

DISCOVERING THE PLAN• Response enabled by six qualities:

– Knowing the Good Shepherd’s voice – John 10:3-5– Inspired vision – Isaiah 6:1-8 and Acts 1:8– Interest – Romans 12:1 and 2; Colossians 3:1-17– Purpose – II Timothy 1:6-12; Matthew 6:24– Cannot do any other – I Corinthians 1:17-2:5– Confirmation – Matthew 25:34

• Ask yourself three questions:– Am I spending time daily seeking to learn God’s will?– Am I trying to discern God’s will, or am I merely

wanting God to rubber stamp and sanction my will?– Do I have the courage to do God’s will once I know

what it is? Do I really trust Him? Am I willing to start moving in the direction I have every evidence He wants me to go?

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLEWHO LIVED OUT GOD’S PLAN • “Wrong foot” starts:

– Moses– Jonah– Paul

• Enduring (through troubles):– David– Elijah– Jeremiah– Nehemiah

• Youthful: – Joseph– Daniel– Esther– John

GOD’S CALL

• Christ seeks every individual to become adopted as His son or daughter – Luke 19:10; Titus 2:11; I Timothy 2:4 and John 1:11-13

• He invites all to be His disciple – Matthew 16:24• He wants us to be “overcomers” – Revelation 1-3 • He commands us to witness – Matthew 28:18-20• He expects us to exercise our spiritual gifts –

Ephesians 4:11-13 • He calls some to the service of ministry – I Timothy 3; Titus 1 and I Corinthians 2:1-5• He asks some to serve their fellow citizens even

in the military – Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 3:14

THREE ATTITUDINAL POSITIONS

• Left – Imitation and immoral majority• Right – Ignorance and insecurity• Center – Influence

– “Salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)– “Light of the world” (Matthew 5:14)– Witnesses (Acts 1:8; 22:15; I Peter 2:9 and 10)

• Early Church outreach – “Turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)– “Saints in Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22)

• Questions: – Are you influenced, or do you influence?– Who best governs? (Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-3)

EXPRESSIONS OF MINISTRY• Pastoral – caring for parishioners and churches• Evangelist – public • Media – communicating the Gospel via the air

waves and publishing • Education – teaching, research and writing• Literature – colporteur• Marriage and Family – counseling, therapy and

education programs (retreats and seminars)• Medical – health education and treatment • Administrative – servant leadership and

management• Chaplaincy – to Adventist and public institutions

or organizations; affirmed as a valid expression by the denomination in recent years

CHAPLAINCY OPPORTUNITIES• Denominational

– Campus– Hospital

• Commercial– Businesses and Corporations– Contracted services (airports)

• Public– Professional (paid)

• Legislatures • Military (Active Duty and Reserve Components)• Hospitals for Veterans • Police • Prison

– Volunteer (possible stipends)• Campus • Disaster response • Fire (local)• Police • Jails• Para-military organizations

CHAPLAINCY QUALIFICATIONS• Government standards

– Age – Citizenship – Education

• Campus • Corrections (varies from system to system)• Healthcare (C.P.E.)• Military

– Endorsement by a recognized faith group (see below for Adventist criteria)– Experience (two years pastoral experience)– Physically healthy– Security, loyalty and patriotism (no arrests or drug use)– Oath of allegiance - voluntary willingness to serve and sacrifice

• Endorsement criteria– Application and evidence of calling– Recognized (credentialed) ministry experience– Affirmation by committees– Availability and openings– Trusted and loyal denominational ambassador / representative– Commitment to service beyond position, pay or benefits

COMPARISON

TRADITIONAL PASTOR• Called by conference• Credentialed by a

conference• Paid by a conference• Primarily pastoral to

parishes in district• Evangelistic emphasis• Some administrative

positions• Occasionally teaching• Inside denomination,

church focused

CHAPLAINCY• Pastoral experience vital• Credentialed by Church

conference• Professional training • Endorsed by denomination• Meets institutional

qualifications• Hired and paid by

institution; can also be voluntary (unpaid)

• Usually secular environment

• Specialized ministry– “Bridge” between groups– Primarily relational

PUBLIC SERVICE

• Civilian service– Public school teaching – Civil service at various levels – variety of agencies– Political (appointed and elected positions)– Disaster response– Volunteer

• Uniformed services– Fire and rescue– Law enforcement at all government levels

• National Police • Drug Enforcement Agencies• Immigration and Naturalization Service• Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service and Park Rangers • Prison, probation and parole

– Military (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy)• Active duty• Reserve Components

• Public Health

QUALIFICATIONS

• Age• Education• Pastoral experience• Ecclesiastical endorsement• Citizenship (military)• Clean record – no arrests or drug use• Commitment to service, not position• Patriotism – loyalty • Creativity and flexibility • Sense of adventure• Desire to leave things better than you found

them

PROS and CONS

• Satisfaction– Part of something big;

belonging– Contributing to society– Recognition– Opportunity to witness in

circles normally closed• Job security• Schools and Training• Holidays and leave• Pay and benefits• Medical coverage• Travel, live overseas• Retirement benefits

• Public service demands personal sacrifice

• Public scrutiny; less personal privacy

• Possible downsizing• Lower pay than some jobs

in private sector• Work governed by law• Uniformed services

– Discipline (physical fitness)– Duty 24/7 – Danger and hazards– Separation from family– Travel and work in “exotic

places” out of country

YOUR RESPONSE

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