2018-04-08
John 15:16 NLT
The word “ordained” comes from the word ordered. God ordered and designed you specifically. He chose your life’s direction. He preserved you when you thought you wouldn’t make it. He pushed you when you thought you had run out of steam. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble…the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT). He wants you to win. “No weapon turned against you will succeed…These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17 NLT). That means the attacks being directed against you won’t succeed! But being chosen by God doesn’t mean you can just go and do your own thing. Paul says, “Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 NLT). When you’re chosen and appointed you have assurance of your position in Christ, even when your condition isn’t up to par. It’s also why God permits tests and temptations. He knows what it takes to keep you dependent on Him, and help you develop a strong root system. The first thing God told man was “be fruitful” (Genesis 1:28). He wants you to be productive and successful in every aspect of your life. Jesus said, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom [to enjoy the advantages of kingdom living]” (Luke 12:32 AMPC). Once that concept gets down into your spirit, it will change your life!
Soul food: Gal 5:22; Isa 61; Heb 12:2; Isa 35:3-10
2018-04-07
Luke 15:18 ESV
Once you grasp the fact that God has “chosen and appointed” you to accomplish certain things, many of your unanswered questions will begin to make sense. Like why you see things differently from others, or feel compelled to move on while they’re happy to stay where they are. Paul said, “Long before we first heard of Christ…he…had designs on us for glorious living” (Ephesians 1:11 TM). You’ve been handpicked and designed for the job! Why? Because God has certain things He wants to do through you. It’s the reason you’ve made it this far. It’s why you keep bouncing back each time Satan tries to destroy you. Here are two reasons you need to grasp this truth: (1) If you think God chose you because you’re a great prayer-warrior, or read your Bible for hours on end, or you’re of sterling character, the minute you let up or fail the Devil will pounce and tell you you’re no longer accepted by God. (2) Knowing your status before God enables you to say, “Even though I struggle and stumble and sometimes don’t have it all together, I can go to God at any time because He chose me.” That’s powerful! It’s information the Devil doesn’t want you to have because it will change your thinking, your outlook, and your confidence level. Even though he crashed and burned and ended up smelling like the pigs he fed, the Prodigal Son could say, “I will arise and go to my father.” Rejoice, God is still your “Father” even though you’ve messed up. Repent, return, recommit – you’re “chosen and appointed.”
Soul food: Jer 31-32; Mark 1:29-34; Ps 72:12-20; Prov 9:7-9
2018-04-06
Galatians 4:5 TM
The word “appointed” means God has scheduled certain things to take place in your life at certain seasons. Sometimes people have to make lifestyle adjustments to accommodate an unexpected pregnancy – but nobody adopts a child by accident. Think: Knowing in advance about all your weaknesses, God chose you anyway. “You are now fully adopted as his own…an heir, with complete access” (vv. 5-7 TM). You never have to wonder whether it’s okay to approach your heavenly Father because He’s always ready to welcome you. Your seat is reserved at the table. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV). That means obstacles and opposition can’t rob you of God’s blessing. Being “chosen and appointed” is like having a platinum credit card: You get preferential treatment! But that doesn’t give you license to live however you please. Some of us are like the little boy who prayed, “Lord, make me a good boy. But if You can’t, don’t worry – I’m having a great time the way I am!” No, “the Lord disciplines those he loves, and…accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:6 NIV). And God’s correction isn’t rejection, it’s proof of His love! You’re not chosen and appointed based on your race, virtues, gifts, talents, looks, and intelligence. God chose you because He loves you and has a special plan for your life. And the best part is, He’s going to strengthen and equip you to fulfill it. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
Soul food: Jer 28-30; Mark 1:16-28; Ps 72:1-11; Prov 9:1-6
2018-04-05
John 15:16 NKJV
Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” How you begin a relationship is important. All parties need to feel secure in order for it to go well. For example, when you’re invited to somebody’s home for dinner, it’s reasonable to expect that they’ll fulfill certain social obligations. You shouldn’t have to wonder if you’re welcome, or if there’ll be enough food to go around, or if there’s a place at the table for you. Those are things you might be concerned about if you stopped by uninvited. Likewise, knowing you’ve been “chosen and appointed” by God gives you confidence. It means you’re accepted; you don’t have to campaign to get elected. If you think walking to a church altar to commit your life to Christ means you chose God, think again! God chose you for two reasons: to bless you, and to make you a blessing to others (See Genesis 12:2). But in the beginning not all His blessings may be things you rejoice about. The Bible speaks of blessings “you won’t have room enough to receive” (See Malachi 3:10). Sometimes God’s blessings are so overwhelming that when He starts pouring them out you think, “I’m not sure I can handle this.” And you’d be right – if you had been the one who initiated the relationship! But you didn’t choose God, He chose you. And whomever He calls, He equips. All you need to do is be open and responsive. “Give yourselves completely…tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes” (Romans 6:13 TLB).
Soul food: Jer 25-27; Mark 1:9-15; Ps 31; Prov 8:34-36
2018-04-04
Isaiah 6:8 NIV
Isaiah writes, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I, send me!’ He said, ‘Go…!'” (vv. 8-9 NIV). In the preceding Scriptures Isaiah was making all sorts of excuses and telling God why he wasn’t qualified to do the job. But in God’s kingdom, calling trumps credentials every time! And the litmus test isn’t experience or expertise, it’s availability and teachability. If you are willing to go when God gives you the green light, He will take you to inaccessible places and do impossible things. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Esther, Moses, Samuel, David, and Isaiah all have one thing in common. They all said, “Here am I.” Isn’t it ironic that we spend so much time and energy trying to figure out how to get to where God wants us to go, when all we have to do is simply say, “Here am I”? It’s God’s job to get us to where He wants us to go; our job is to make ourselves available. Like a doctor on call or a police officer on duty or a firefighter on shift, it’s our readiness to respond that God is looking for. Sometimes it’s a simple prompting to go out of our way and love our next-door neighbor. Sometimes it’s a calling to move halfway around the world. But it always starts with the little three-word prayer of availability: “Here am I.” That’s what Moses said at the burning bush. That’s what Caleb said when he finally set foot in the Promised Land. And that’s what God wants you to say today.
Soul food: Jer 22-24; Mark 1:1-8; Ps 6; Prov 8:32-33
2018-04-03
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
The Bible says God “created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” These are devastating times. A billion people are hungry, millions are trafficked in slavery, and pandemic diseases are gouging entire nations. Each year nearly two million children are exploited in the global sex trade. In the few minutes it took you to read today’s devotional, almost ninety children died of preventable diseases. More than half of all Africans don’t have access to modern health facilities. As a result, ten million die each year from diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and measles. And many of those deaths could be prevented by one injection. You ask, “What can I do about it?” God answers prayer, so you can pray for those who are suffering. You can give, whether it’s a lot or a little. And you can volunteer. You’re surrounded by great causes in need of people. And here’s why you should get involved: Your life is racing by, and if you aren’t careful, one day you’ll look up and your one shot at life will have passed you by. Some people don’t concern themselves with such thoughts. They grind through their days without lifting their eyes to look. They live and die and never ask why. If you want your life to matter, live it in such a way that the world will be glad you did. You were created and redeemed to “do the good things he planned for [you] long ago.” And when you stand before God, He will ask you how well you carried out your assignment, and reward you accordingly.
Soul food: Jer 18-21; Matt 28:16-20; Ps 69:19-36; Prov 8:30-31
