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I want to choose a career that pleases God. What should I do?

What guidelines can you give a young believer in selecting a career?

The Cretan’s poet described them as "lazy gluttons" (JND, "slow bellies," AV) in Titus 1:12." TARGET="_blank">Titus 1:12. Christian teaching directed them to "maintain good works for necessary uses" (3:14) Weymouth Translates this, "to set a good example in following honest occupations for the supply of their necessities." Paul wanted the Thessalonian believers "to work with your own hands.., that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing" (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12)." TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12). Money is not the first consideration. These passages suggest some leading questions in deciding on a career.

1. Will this help my testimony?
2. Is this consistent with Christian ethics?
3. Is it honorable work (not a means to hastily acquired wealth, Proverbs 23:5)" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 23:5)?
4. Does this career serve a necessary purpose for others?
5. Will it enable me to be financially responsible?

These questions filter through the many options and point to a broad field of choices.

The possibilities further narrow with more personal concerns.

1. Is this career a suitable use of my God-given abilities?
2. Will this allow me time for the most important priorities in my life (spiritual priorities, first)?
3. Will it limit my consistent participation in assembly life?
4. Will this enable me to win souls?
5. Do I know enough about this career to choose wisely?
6. Is this a reasonable fit with my personality?

The paramount concern is to know and do the will of God. All of these considerations are helpful only in the degree to which the believer undergirds his entire life with the sincere desire, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:6).

D. Oliver

What principles does a Christian violate by voting in a state referendum?

What principles does a Christian violate by voting in a state referendum on issues like allowing gambling casinos or legalizing abortion?

Voting, in and of itself, is neutral. If voting involves the believer in the political system, this seems to violate the principle of separation (Ephesians 5:11;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14-18). As our Lord Jesus, we are not "of the world" (John 17:16)." TARGET="_blank">John 17:16). He refused to be drawn into politics (Matthew 22:17-21)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:17-21). By our lives, we are to be salt, exerting a preserving influence on the world (Matthew 5:13)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:13). By our prayers, we are to effect good in government (1 Timothy 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:2). It is an admission of failure to have to use the voting booth to do what neither our lives nor prayers are doing.

On the other hand, a referendum, as stated by the question, may not involve entanglement in the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:4). Suppose a politician, for example, took a poll of neighborhood opinion and stopped at a Christian’s door. Responding would hardly violate the principles mentioned above. The same can be said of voting in a referendum.

D. Oliver

Should consideration always make room for the ministry of visiting brothers?

Should consideration always make room for the ministry of visiting brothers?

No. If a man doesn’t occasionally give profitable ministry in his home assembly, his distance from home will not transform him or his ministry. Being a visitor doesn’t give a man the right to minister. On the other hand, Christian courtesy would rarely fail to consider a visitor. The principle in 1 Corinthians 14:32" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:32 seems to indicate this. The Spirit of God would not cause a man to act without considering others.

Visiting another assembly, especially a smaller company, is more than a convenience for breaking bread, however. It is an opportunity to give the believers some spiritual help with warm and uplifting ministry. They are likely tired of hearing themselves and will greatly appreciate the lift.

D. Oliver

How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

David longed for a just King to reign in the fear of God. That would be as "a morning without clouds" (2Sa 23:4)." TARGET="_blank">2Sa 23:4). The word "as" introduces figurative language, but this does describe the weather patterns of the Millennium, which may be more pleasant than any weather since creation.

The weather during that reign will contribute to a fruitful ecological system. In Psalm 72" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 72 (as both the KJV and JND translate it), places that rarely produce a harvest will wave with abundance of grain (v 16). While the results of sin will be rolled back from creation, they will not be eliminated. The curse of sin will not touch the heavenly city, but the nations will still need "healing" during the Millennium (Rev 22:2, 3)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 22:2, 3). The complete removal of every trace of sin awaits the Day of God (2Pe 3:11-13)," TARGET="_blank">2Pe 3:11-13), the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1-5)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 21:1-5). We know that some regions of the earth will lack needed rain (Zech 14:16-19)." TARGET="_blank">Zech 14:16-19). This will be the direct result of disobedience to the King.

This leads to the conclusion that the weather during the Millennium will be controlled by the Lord in such a way that fruitfulness will abound and, where appropriate, sin will be directly and immediately punished by means of the weather. Justice will not only control the governmental systems, but the ecological system as well. Except where human depravity will express itself, conditions in that day will be "right."

D. Oliver

Does a difference in age matter between husband and wife?

Does a difference in age matter for believers considering marriage?

"The husband is the head of the wife" (Ephesians 5:23)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:23) and is therefore responsible to provide leadership in this relationship. The wife, while submitting to this leadership which God has established, is her husband’s "helpmate" (Genesis 2:18," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2:18, JND) or "counterpart" (YLT). She is not subservient, for a wife and husband are equal partners, "heirs together of the grace of life" (1 Peter 3:7)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:7).

If the woman is several years older, her greater emotional maturity and wisdom, developed through the experiences of life, make it more difficult for the man to lead. If the man is considerably older, his leadership may become controlling, inconsistent with the relationship of a husband and his "counterpart." Admittedly, the initial difference in maturity is not always as great as the difference in age, especially when the younger person is over 40.

When a relationship begins to develop between a couple whose ages differ considerably, they should give special attention to the way in which leadership develops between them. If the difference in age causes them to assume roles outside the boundaries God has designed (the man as leader, the woman as counterpart), the couple is wise to quickly discontinue their relationship. Violating God’s design produces a troubled relationship.

It’s fair to consider that later a sizeable age difference may cause the younger spouse premature aging, bereavement, and loneliness.

D. Oliver

Does God grant the believer the desires of his heart?

Does God grant the believer the desires of his heart?

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4)" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 37:4) promises this. The promise, though, has a condition, "Delight thyself also in the Lord."

Faith is the result of the work of God in our souls. After all, why is faith being tried (James 1:3)" TARGET="_blank">James 1:3)? God is strengthening our faith. Therefore, when we ask for the desires of our heart, if that request results from what we have learned about God through His Word and through the trials He allows for our learning, He grants it. If our requests come from our own desires for comfort, self-fulfillment, pride, or whatever, they are not of God, not of faith, and not promised an answer.

Sometimes our God waits for us to rearrange our priorities. For example, a man might view marriage as a way to help him avoid inconveniences and overcome weaknesses. Through experience with God, he learns that the eternal value of a wife is to enable him to fulfill God's will, to learn more of God's ways, and to become more like Christ. When that adjustment of priorities takes place, he is actually looking for a different woman than he was at first. Now he is thinking in keeping with God's will. Now the desire of his heart is God's desire.

D. Oliver

Will believers and unbelievers die in the Millennial reign?

Will believers and unbelievers die in the Millennial reign?

All who enter the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus will be believers (Matthew 13:41-42)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13:41-42). The provisions of the New (Jeremiah 31:31)" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 31:31) or Everlasting (32:40) Covenant with Israel will produce in those believers a new heart and inward submission to God’s moral law (Jeremiah 31:33)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 31:33). God promises, "I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes" (Ezekiel 36:27)." TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 36:27). In an environment where the devil is inactive (Revelation 20:2,3)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:2,3) and the world encourages and supports this inward bent of the believers, the effect will be remarkable. This does not mean these believers will not sin, for they will still have the flesh within as we do in this age. Nonetheless, they will obey from their hearts the glorious King.

In contrast, a person born during the Millennium will be "born of the flesh" (John 3:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 3:6) and, unless converted, will obey only externally. He may cover his rebellion for 100 years, but, when the rebellion of his heart flares into action, "the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed" (Isaiah 65:20)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 65:20).

Justice will be perfect during this time (Isaiah 11:2-5)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11:2-5) and the punishment will fit the crime. Those who refuse to acknowledge their indebtedness to the Lord for their harvest will suffer drought on their next planting (Zechariah 14:16-19)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 14:16-19). Therefore, the Lord will not punish every sin with death. The degree of sin which He punishes with death would appear to be blatant acts of rebellion, likely including a rival worship to that of the living God.

Unbelievers are capable of such rebellion during this period; in fact, a great multitude will rebel when Satan is freed at the close of the thousand years (Rev 20:7-9)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 20:7-9). The blessings of the New Covenant will most likely preserve believers from such rebellion ("I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: . . . and lay no famine upon you" Eze 36:29," TARGET="_blank">Eze 36:29, see also Romans 11:26, 27)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 11:26, 27).

Apparently, therefore, the judgment of death will fall on unbelievers, but not believers during the Millennium.

D. Oliver

free Sunday school crafts

Free Sunday school crafts

at Gospel Hall dot org include the following pages:

Click here for the main index of printable Sunday School crafts or the folloing links:

- 3d printable objects such as the Tabernacle model craft for a single Sunday school class session. This craft can be done in about one hour with the help of a team of students working cooperatively. Other printable sunday school crafts in this section include the Egypt to Canaan wilderness journey map, woman at the well 3d model, and a craft for the 12 disciples in a boat during the storm.

- Sunday school worksheet puzzles include Crossword, wordfind, fill in the blank, and coloring pages.

Key words - Sunday School Crafts for kids, paper models, puzzles, games, children bible crafts.

How often should I say "Father" when praying?

In public prayer should we address God repeatedly and without purpose?

If a young believer falls into this habit, encourage him to keep on praying in public - and in private. Praying aloud with his family or "in his closet" may help him, but it would be better to say nothing than to make him hesitate to pray publicly. The Lord may receive more from the stammering of a spiritual child than from the eloquence of a sage.

On occasion, private, deeply burdened prayer may be a faint reflection of the Lords prayer in Gethsemane. Combining Matthew, Mark, and Lukes records indicates the Lord may have addressed His Father in 3 different ways in His brief prayers. Such praying is different from the repetition in question.

Often a more mature believer is unaware that he is addressing God repeatedly. Is this actually taking "the Name of the Lord... in vain" (Exodus 20:7)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 20:7), a serious offense? In conversation, would we normally address someone repeatedly and purposelessly? This raises searching questions; do we really know God? Are we actually conscious that we are speaking to Him? "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."

As evident in Pauls recorded prayers, spiritual intelligence guided him to address God in various ways (for example, Eph 1:17; 3:14)." TARGET="_blank">Eph 1:17; 3:14). What a habit to cultivate.

D. Oliver

Are people in heaven married?

Does the Lord teach that believers will not become married in heaven or that the marriage relationship will not exist in heaven?

In answer to the Sadducees’ question about the woman who had seven husbands (Matthew 22:23-32)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:23-32), the Lord discloses that those who have resurrection bodies will not marry or be given in marriage. If this only means that couples will not become married while they are in resurrection bodies, but will retain the status of marriage they had at death (or the Rapture), it hardly answers the question. When each of the seven husbands died, he was married to that one woman. Which of them claims her as wife in the next life? This is the original question and, in that case, the Lord didn’t answer it.

The teaching cannot simply mean that death severs the relationship; therefore none were married at death and so they will not be married at the time of the resurrection. What about the Rapture? Are the only people who remain married in heaven the living couples who go to heaven at the Rapture?

Perhaps a better understanding of the Lord’s teaching is that the unmarried state of angels in heaven is the state of resurrected believers - whether on earth or in heaven. Marriage is an earthly, temporary, but wonderful institution. Its design is to better enable our understanding of the glorious and eternal relationship between Christ and the Church. In heaven our only thought there will be to please Him, our eternal Bridegroom (compare 1 Corinthians 7:34)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:34).

D. Oliver