"Entering Into God's Eternal Purpose For Your Life"

Let me recommend a book that will help you to understand God's will for your life. It is called, Experiencing God written by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King. If you are serious about living in the center of God's will for your life, which is the safest place you can be, especially in these the last days, this book will be of great help you.

In our study of entering into God's purpose for your life it is important to get a few things settled at the outset. First, God is always at work around us. In other words God has always had a plan in every age of history. With Abraham, it was to have a nation and a people that belonged solely to God in whom He could express His love and glory. God's plan was bigger than Abraham, but He was included in that plan to see it fulfilled. When we see Moses, we see God's plan at work again. This time it was to deliver these same people of God out of bondage from Egypt. Moses was included in God's plan to accomplish this. Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, we see God's plan move along in history. Involved in this was, of course, the many people God used to fulfill each aspect of His plan.

Let us also know that wrapped in all the Love of God is Jesus, God's Son. Here, the great plan of redemption is offered for the sin of the whole world. Let me take you to some scripture to help you see what God has done, what He is doing, and what He is about to do. Psalm 33:10-12 tells us, "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for His inheritance." Proverbs 19:21 tells us "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose which prevails." Isaiah the prophet speaks of God's plan in this way, Isaiah 46:10, "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Do you see? God has a plan and a purpose to fulfill in every age of history. Will we let Him draw us into that plan for our day?

Second, if we don't understand what He is doing in our generation, there is the likelihood we will carry on church activity making our own plans and trying to get God to join us.

Third, to every sincere Christian let me say this, if you are not sure what God is doing and about to do, let us return to a love relationship with God. Let us love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. If we are not here with God, we can not go any further nor can we know what He is doing or about to do. "Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these other things will be added unto us." Matthew 6:33.

So here we are at a decision place! Do we want to live in our own ways, our own plans, or will we trust God for His plans, and do we know they are the better plans? Many will be left behind at this point. They will continue to struggle, their material possessions, which should in the world's eyes make them happy, won't. Now to those who have said, "God, I want to know your plans for my life. I want your best. I surrender my life to you. I seek you first. I love you most. I will serve you with all my heart." God will take the initiative to bring you into His plans.

Phillipians 2:12-18 helps us to move into God's plans for the age we live in. You have been born for such a time as this. Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." First, Phillipians 2: 12-18 tells us, God created us with a desire and divine motivation to do His will. He will move us out of a self-centered life into a God-centered life. Self-centered living is described as 1) life focused on self, 2) pride in self and self's accomplished, 3) self confidence, 4) depending on self and self's own abilities, 5) affirming self, 6) seeking to be acceptable to the world and it's ways, 7) looking at circumstances from a human perspective, and 8) selfish and ordinary living. God will bring everyone willing, seeking Him first, in love with Him, into a God-centered living. God-centered living is discribed as, 1) a daily way of life, 2) confidence in God, 3) depending on God and his ability and provision, 4) life focused on God and his activity, 5) humbleness before God, 6) denying self, 7) seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 8) seeking God's perspective in every circumstance, and 9) holy and godly living.

The result of God-centered living brings God's plan for your life into focus and allows you to move where He is moving. Here is safety, peace in the midst of tribulation, or one might say in the midst of the "Great Tribulation." In Philippians 2:14-15- you won't have to go around murmuring and complaining. Why? Because you are letting God's plan be fulfilled in you. So why complain anymore? You are now confident in God; your trust is in Him. You now depend on His ability and provision, and your deepest desire is to be drawn into His activity, to be a part of what He is doing. Philippians 2:15-16- although you live in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation, (a self-centered world) you can shine like the stars of the universe. Why? Because you have humbled yourself, and now His glory can be seen in you. He is first in your life, He is best in your life, and now you follow Him daily. In other words you can now make a difference in your world. Philippians 2:17-18- there is now a rejoicing together in what God has done. You now see the circumstances of life and history from God's perspective. You are now able to say with all your heart, "I KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called to His purpose." I have made the decision to return to my first love, I am now in constant fellowship with Jesus. We pray together, I learn from His Word everyday, and I seek to put Him first and walk with Him daily. He is my Shepherd, and I shall not want.

In the coming days, we will more than ever need to be in a very close relationship with Jesus for He will walk with us in the storms that lie ahead. If you have not been serious in your commitment to Christ, I urge you now not to wait any longer, but return to God and enter into His unfolding Eternal Plans.

Bro. Ken