WALK IN GOD’S PURPOSE

WALK IN GOD’S PURPOSE

FOCUS WORD:  DESTINY DEFINED

FOCUS VERSE:  Jeremiah 29: 11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

DECLARATION:  God’s plan for me is clear and good; I walk in His purpose with confidence and peace.

Destiny begins in the mind of God:  God knows the plans He has for us - for our lives, future, destiny, etc.  At that time the Israelites were exiled to Babylon and their circumstances looked confusing, but God had perfect plans for them.  The people were captives in a foreign land with no hope for a future, but God has predestined everything.  He has laid out plans for us; He knows them well.  

Isaiah 46: 10 - Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
Acts 17: 26 - And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.

From this we learn that it is God who has appointed times and boundaries.  God has set apart a time slot in history for each one of us.

Ephesians 2: 10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Biblical destiny is not blind fate.  It is God’s purposeful intention for our lives lived out through faith and obedience.  God has a plan and He chips off and adds according to them and if we are available we will reach that pattern or plan.  God sees the finished purpose while we are still experiencing individual pieces.  Eg:- cloth-cutting in a tailoring shop.  In the beginning when a length of cloth is cut into pieces, the shapes may not make sense.  But once the pieces are aligned and tailoring is done, a beautiful outfit is created.  

Your present location is not your final destination:  The children of Israel were disobedient and rebellious and hence exiled to a pagan land.  But here too, God says that He will not leave them or forsake them, but that He will bring them back to their land according to His promise.  

Genesis 28: 15 - Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land.  For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Psalm 138: 8 - The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, Oh Lord, endures forever.

Never define your destiny by your present circumstances.  A difficult chapter does not signal an ending; these are only suspenseful moments.  You may be through a tunnel in your life at present - illness, financial problem, joblessness, etc., but wait patiently for the destination.  We have a responsibility to provide light and hope to those passing through the valley of Baca (darkness).  If we desire mercy we should be merciful to others.  Where you are passing through should not define where God is taking you.

Destiny is discovered through seeking God:  Clearly in our focus verse God speaks to Jeremiah to instruct the people that it is when they set their hearts to seek Jehovah wholly that they will find Him.  Destiny is not discovered by chasing opportunities alone.  It is discovered by seeking God.  

Proverbs 16: 3 - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans wil be established.
Romans 12: 2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We are taught to submit to God, seek His will and pattern for our lives.  We need to be transformed accordingly.  Only a renewed mind will be able to understand and discern the perfect will of God.

Psalm 143: 10 - Teach Me to do Your will, fro You are my God!  Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Destiny must be walked out daily:  God’s plans do not make our choices irrelevant.  In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, God tells the people to build houses, plant gardens, raise families, seek the welfare of the society, etc.  The Israelites in exile were asked to do all these while in Babylon itself.  They were given a future promise but at the same time had to fulfill certain present obligations

Jeremiah 29: 5 - Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.
Colossians 1: 10 - So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Hebrews 10: 35 and 36 - Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Perseverance is necessary to reach your destiny.


GOD BLESS YOU ALL!