|
|
| “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Eccl. 3:1
What is the purpose? What is my purpose? Is there a purpose for everything? When I ask these questions, I am not referring to the things that happen. I am talking about the things that are.
Everything God created has a purpose. There are millions of life forms on the planet and all of them have a purpose for being here. When God created everything in the beginning, He declared that it was all “good.” Is everything that exists now still good? The logical answer is “no it is not.” What happened? Man sinned (as ruler of this planet) and nature was corrupted. What was in harmony before the fall became “enmity” afterwards.
You must believe you have a purpose. If you are here, you are here for a purpose. You are not an accident. You are part of God’s divine plan. No matter how unworthy you might think you are, you are part of God’s plan. You must believe that God loves you, and He has a divine plan for you. Never feel like you do not belong.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV |
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” I Cor. 4:16
Does it seem like most people are more concerned with the outward man than with the inward man? However, the “outward man” is the body that holds us as part of this temporary world. It is the part of us that makes us human. It is the “dust of the earth” from which we were created.
It is true that we are eternal beings that live forever, but we must learn to distinguish between the temporal and the eternal. Temporal refers to that which only affects one in this present world. Eternal refers to that which affects life after this life.
Paul tells us to look not at temporal things but at eternal things. Why? Temporal things change. They are not always in harmony with God’s will. There are earthly consequences for temporal choices. Eternal things never change. They are forever and they are always right.
Eternal things depend on and are measured by what we really believe. Temporal things depend on and are measured by what we do. The quality of our earthly life is determined by our actions. The quality of our eternal life is determined by what we believe. But remember, “faith without works is useless.” Eternal life comes only by what we believe, not our works; otherwise, salvation would be “by works.”
Works (good or bad) are a major factor in our temporal life. Our earthly life is the result of our choices here. Works can also be a reflection of what we really believe.
“The Lord will open to you His good treasure…to bless all the work of your hand…” Deut. 28:12
There is no question that God has promised to bless those who will trust in Him. But, it is plain throughout Scripture that God has expectations of us. We are admonished to do something that God can bless.
As the Scripture above says, God will open His treasure of bless the work of our hand. What is the condition? Do something with your hands. God blesses “something”—He doesn’t bless “nothing.”
James was not promoting a “faith” vs. “works” philosophy in his epistle. He was actually saying, “if you really believe something, you will do something about it.” Believing God to meet your financial needs without you giving is “faith without works.” You can’t believe for harvest from a garden if you don’t pay the price to sow the seed.
There is a principle of sowing in every area of our lives. It is true, “Whatever you sow is what you reap.”
“When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?” Jesus had a reason for everything He said and did. To ask this question must have been an indication of how He knew things would get before His return.
There is a spirit at work in the world. John calls it the Spirit of Antichrist. There is every indication in Scripture that Antichrist will temporally succeed in his mission of deceiving the unbelieving world. He will greatly succeed in turning the hearts of mankind away from Jesus and to other gods. If there is to be a continual increase in the popularity of Christianity much of prophetic Scripture must be wrong. Scripture says there will be a great falling away in the end times.
The power and truth of Christianity has not diminished through the ages. Its popularity among the nations is dwindling. Do not confuse popularity with power. Man is seeking to elevate and glorify himself in the place of God. God’s power to save has not weakened. He will still save to the uttermost, but man is continually seeking some other source of help. But, “those who believe in the Lord will not be put to shame.” When He returns we will win. If we die serving Him we will still win.
We live in a society that is filled with media outlets. All of them are trying to get our attention. We have radio, newspapers, television, satellite, cable, internet, DVDs, MP3s, cell phones thatt do everything, just to mention the most well known.
Everyone has a version of the “truth” of reality and an agenda they wish to foster. Pictures and voices flood our eyes and minds on a constant basis with anything and everything one can imagine.
Who has the real truth? Who really cares about the real truth? Who is just out for their own selfish gain? It is hard to decide who can be trusted and who can’t. Who’s informatin can I depend upon? Politically, socially, and morally, who has the right answers? Who is sending a true picture the way it should be seen?
Where does one find the “real truth”? God says it is found in His Word. If you are watching something I suggest you watch what God is doing. You can watch Jesus or you can watch the devil. Find out what Jesus is doing and not focus on what the devil is up to. Be careful where you focus your attention or you will end up deceived.
|
|
