How to Know God’s Will for Your Life

When I was a senior in college, I thought I had it all figured out. I was the starting quarterback, I was popular, and I had a chance of making an NFL team. In the weeks before graduating, I was partying and drinking. I became aware that I was lost and didn’t know God’s will yet. I didn’t even know how to know God’s will for your life. But God did. 

5 Steps: How to Know God’s Will for Your Life

1. Surrender to God’s Plan

All my life, I had been focused on my own success because I thought it determined my worth. If I made it into the league, then I would be successful. But I heard God telling me He had a better plan for my life. In an effort to grow spiritually, I surrendered and made a commitment to follow His direction.

 

2. Deepen Your Relationship with God As Your Father

After you hear God’s call and surrender to Him, you have to know Him before you can learn how to know God’s will for your life. Many have to unlearn the things people tell them about God that are clouding their understanding of Him. Like any true friendship, you have to spend time with them to truly know who they are. And once you get to know God, you understand that this is your purpose, ultimately, and all the ambitions you dreamed up don’t have any effect on who you are as God’s son. Realizing this makes it possible to learn how to know God’s will for your life. 

 

3. Listen to God’s Direction

As you begin to know God and Jesus as your father, you are able to hear His voice. Give yourself time every day to ask God what His will is for your life. Sometimes, it will come to you clearly. Other times, it will come from wise and pertinent advice from a friend. Stay open and vigilant to receive God’s call for your life.

 

4. Use Your God-Given Strengths and Talents For Him

Don’t be surprised if the calling that God has laid out for your life doesn’t match others. He doesn’t call everyone to be pastors or missionaries. Usually, God finds a way to use your strengths for His will. Think about what you’re good at and look for how you can apply it to serve others, serve a need in your community or furthering the Kingdom of God.

 

5. Trust in God and His timing

Do you ever feel like you are just banging your head against the wall, waiting for a breakthrough on how to know God’s will for your life? Remember His assurances for you. In Jeremiah 29:11, he says, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I also recommend keeping a journal. Sometimes, you’ll realize that God has been showing you His will for your life in ways that you hadn’t understood until looking back. 

Seek God

I’ve found that having deep friends and a tight group of guys who all follow Jesus and are committed to getting close to Him together is so important in learning how to know God’s will for your life. I’ve received countless insights that helped me know where my strengths fit in God’s plan while helping others do the same.

 

Download the Playbook For Level 5 Friendship to invite 2-3 friends into deeper friendship and seek God’s Will for each of your lives.

 

by

Why Men Need Friendship With Jesus

,

The Bible tells us the many ways God relates to us. Some emphasize God as a Creator, others as a protector or a heavenly Father. God also wants to be your friend. Men need friendship with Jesus in order to become the men, fathers and husbands He created them to be.

 

First, I want to paint to paint a picture of a friend. It might seem a little silly, but the Merriam-Webster definition feels a little flat to me. It calls a friend “a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.”

 

Sure, that might be some “friends,” but it doesn’t get to the heart of what I’m talking about, or what God wants. I’m talking about a true friend. Someone you can be yourself around, someone who’s always there for you, someone who you share everything with as you go through life together. 

 

3 Reasons Why You Need Friendship with Jesus

1. God desires friendship with you.

How much does God want a friendship with you? He did the unthinkable to make it happen. He sent his son Jesus to earth as a man who sacrificed His life to restore humanity’s personal relationship with God—no longer needing a sacrifice or priest to speak on our behalf. We please God when we do what He desires and pursue a friendship with Jesus. 

 

2. Friendship with Jesus creates accountability.

A great friend will help you raise your standard of manhood by telling when you’re out of line and supporting you to become a better person. It’s the same for friends of Jesus. In John 15:4, Jesus tells his disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” To be a true friend of Jesus, we have to raise our game and follow the example He set—and apologize when we don’t meet it. When we do, Jesus is there to forgive, instruct and support. Think of Peter. Even after he forsook Jesus three times, he was reconciled with Him and was “the rock” Jesus built the church on. 

 

3. Friendship with Jesus adds SO much to our lives.

It’s impossible to overstate its effects. Jesus is the perfect friend, providing love, comfort, assurances and encouragement. He treats us like a friend by teaching and showing us things about spiritual life. In John 15:15, He says, “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” When you are friends with Jesus, your earthly ambitions fall away. You’ll start to feel secure and at peace, while Jesus shows you how to use your talents and abilities to further His Kingdom. 

 

How to Build Friendship With Jesus

  • Spend time with Jesus one-on-one. Just like the best friendships, you need to have time with together to build a personal, intimate friendship. Set aside time every day to speak and, importantly, listen to Jesus.
  • Study His Word. Read the Bible so you know what Jesus expects of us, so you can obey Him. 
  • Spend time with Jesus with your friends. Invite Jesus to spend time with you and your close friends. Let Him bring you closer than ever before as you follow His perfect example. Not sure how to start? Download the Playbook For Level 5 Friendship.

 

by

Will God Forgive Me? Finding Peace with His Forgiveness

Sometimes we really mess up and feel bad for what we’ve done. Wondering if God will forgive you can weigh heavily on one’s heart. It’s an important question, and its answer has a huge impact on every individual’s life on earth and the more important, eternal one.

 

What is Guilt?

We all fall short of God’s perfect example and act selfishly. If it’s particularly hurtful to others or ourselves, we feel guilt about what we’ve done. And sometimes, that guilt turns to shame. We feel bad about ourselves, even dirty or unlovable. 

 

Will God Forgive Me? Shame Tells Us No

Shame is one of the devil’s big weapons. It’s the language and the feelings he uses when he tries to convince you that you are bad and always will be bad. He wants you to think that you are worthless, unforgivable and beyond changing. 

 

People who experience shame about themselves, rather than just remorse over their actions, are more likely to fall into the sinful behavior again. Psychology reinforces the negative effects of shame, too. According to a recent study, when guilt turns into shame, people are more likely to experience depression and anxiety disorders.

 

Shame makes us hide ourselves. And, in this darkness, we’re more likely to relapse. But forgiveness brings us into the light, where we’re accountable for what we’ve done and can receive the help we need to change. One of the reasons I wrote RECEIVE was because I believe manhood is a quest to receive your identity and live from it rather than for it. When you receive what God says about your identity, and yes, his forgiveness, you’re able to find your purpose, to become secure in who you are as a man/husband/dad/leader. You can live in a responsible way that makes a positive impact and live for God rather than yourself or others.

 

Forgive is Available and Free!

The first thing to do is acknowledge your wrongdoings. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When you pray to God, confess and ask for forgiveness, He will purify your soul. 

 

His Forgiveness is More Powerful Than Any Sin

God’s forgiveness is a huge reassurance for us as believers. Just like humans, human forgiveness is not perfect. We often let previous “forgiven” wrongdoings fester and tear down our relationships over time. 

 

You might ask, “Will God forgive me but think differently of me?” But God gives you a clean slate and nothing could change his unconditional love. He takes away your sins forever. As Psalms 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

 

Do you want to bless your friends and let God deepen your relationships? Get my free gift and download my Playbook for Level 5 Friendship. 

 

Why God’s Forgiveness is Important in Your Life

God doesn’t just forgive us. He sent down his son, Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for our sins. By believing in Him, God grants you salvation. What does that mean? That means we get to spend the rest of eternity with a perfect God even though we are imperfect. It means that a perfectly just God is also merciful. It means that God forgives you and wants to have a relationship with you, no matter what you have done. 

 

Huddle Up

It can be really helpful to have a close friend or two to help you through these feelings of guilt. Overcome your fear of being judged or falling short. If they are true friends, they will share their own shortcomings with you to lighten your burden and help you from falling into shame. They will keep you accountable and help you receive the transformative power of God’s forgiveness in your life. 

 

What does this kind of Huddle look like? Download the Playbook for Level 5 Friendship.

by

How to Bless Others

,

We live in a self-centered, me-focused culture. Men especially are told to get the most out of life, make their money go further, and use their networks to get a better job. The fact that you’re looking for how to bless others shows that you realize it’s all about giving.

 

Why should we learn how to bless others?

Ephesians 1:3 tells followers of Jesus that God has “blessed us in heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” And because we’ve been blessed so generously by God, we have a lot to give others. As 2nd Corinthians 9:11 says, we are “enriched in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion.”

 

Matthew 10:8 puts these ideas together into one simple, powerful command: “Freely you have received; freely give.” 

 

What is a Blessing?

I have described receiving God’s blessing before. His blessings are any kindness, mercy or good thing that comes from God. To bless others is to extend those good things from God. 

 

But even if you want to bless others, you might not know how to go about it—especially as a man. A lot of us have been taught to bottle our feelings up and not show any weaknesses. It can be harder to see a need in other guys and bless them with the kindness they need. That’s why it’s so important for men to open up and find intentional friendship. Ask God every day and stay on the lookout for opportunities to bless others.  

 

Biblical Ideas About Blessings

  1. Bear spiritual fruit: In John 15:5, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to describe how believers cannot do anything unless they “remain in him.” By relying on God and keeping him at the center of our focus, God will use us to produce good things. Referencing this scripture, Paul summarizes the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The moral? Focus on God and watch him transform your relationships with others.
  2. God’s standard of loving others: In our world, people have a whole lot of justifications for why they treat others badly (“they started it” or “they deserved it,” sound familiar?). But Jesus tells us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This essential piece of advice can guide as we navigate conflict with friends, family and strangers. Denying your natural inclination to be selfish or respond harshly and choosing graciousness and love can be a big blessing in difficult situations—when it matters most, you could say. But Jesus calls us to an even higher standard when He gives us His new commandment, “Love others, as I have loved you.” That means why must study His perfect example, and try our best to carry it out for others.
  3. Take care of those in need. Whether it’s friends or family or a stranger, God expects us to treat those in need as if they were Jesus Himself. As Matthew 25:36-40 explains, He will tell the righteous, “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’… Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” 

 

10 Ways to Bless Others

  1. Be intentional about spending time with someone. 
  2. Volunteer your time, attention and effort by serving the needy or the homeless community.
  3. Ask God to put someone on your heart and pray for that person. 
  4. Give a friend or loved one a ride to the airport. 
  5. Be encouraging with your words—tell someone that you are proud of them. 
  6. Serve someone their favorite meal. 
  7. Bring a hot drink on a cold day (or a cold drink on a hot day). 
  8. Ask someone about their day and really listen to their answer. Alleviate any burdens by sharing your own struggles or offering words of encouragement. 
  9. Pay close attention to what someone likes—then surprise them by getting it for them without them asking. 
  10. Go with someone to a doctor’s appointment (or any event) that they’re nervous about for support. 

 

Do you want to bless your friends and let God deepen your relationships? Get my free gift and download my Playbook for Level 5 Friendship. 

by

Why Won’t God Bless Me Financially? What the Bible Says

,

You wouldn’t be the first person to wonder why God hasn’t sent lump sums of financial blessings. When we ask for something, it’s easy to be confused when we don’t receive it because we know God loves us more than we could possibly understand. A blessing is any kindness, mercy, or good thing that comes from God. Sometimes, they are things we ask for, sometimes they are things we realize we need after we receive them.

 

So, Why Won’t God Bless You Financially?

First, it’s important to dispel some of the myths surrounding financial blessings. One verse that’s often used to promote the “prosperity gospel” (the idea that God wants to bless you financially if you do the right things) is Malachi 3:10, which says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” 

 

This might sound like a deal: If you tithe, God will bless you financially. But this verse refers to God’s promise to the people of Israel and their trust in God and investment in the communal good. As BibleRef explains, “Ancient agriculture was particularly vulnerable to insects and other natural dangers, so the pledge made over verses 10 and 11 seems to relate specifically to keeping such harms at bay.” 

 

A similar qualification can be made for Proverbs 3:9-10, which says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.” 

 

As a proverb, this is a general piece of wisdom from Solomon, not a guarantee from God. The truth of the matter is that God requires us to give freely of our wealth, which can be rewarded. But it’s not always in the matter or timeline we expect. More importantly, God sees our hearts. If we’re tithing just because we expect a return, how is that giving freely? 

 

Examine Your Desires

As always, God cares about our hearts. He wants us to clearly see Him and put Him at the center of our lives. For any of those expecting God to make him or her rich, remember what Jesus said to the rich man. “I’ll say it again, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.” 

 

It’s important to remember who Jesus is talking to — a rich man who wants to follow Him. But Jesus can tell that he cares about earthly treasures more than spiritual ones, and therefore requires him to sell all he has and give it to the poor. He fails Jesus’ test and goes home sadly. 

 

Moral of the story? Don’t let your desire for financial gain get in the way of your eternal salvation. 

 

But what about if you’re asking, “Why won’t God bless me financially?” because you’re fearful and want financial stability? Jesus has something for that, too. In Matthew 6:31-33, He says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

 

Even in the face of not knowing what we will eat, Jesus asks us to focus on what truly matters— His kingdom. And He promises us that God will take care of us. 

 

Practical Advice to Understand Financial Blessings

  1. Learn to pray. Write down everything you are grateful for. You might just realize that God is blessing you, even financially, in ways you had not noticed. 
  2. Receive your purpose. Your role in God’s Kingdom is much more meaningful than money could ever be. Reflect on your story and what God asks for you. Then ask God to help you carry it out.
  3. Bless others. John 15:5 promises us that if we receive God’s blessings every day, we will bear His fruit—that is, enjoy improved relationships and become a blessing to others.

 

You may refrain that internal question from “Why won’t God bless me financially” to “How can God use me to bless others?”

by