Based on “Past, Future, Today” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/3-4/09,
Message #MB380; Daily Devotional #3 - “God’s Purpose in 2009”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Even if we don’t admit it, we all make New Year’s resolutions and set goals for ourselves. We get excited about future plans. By nature we are planners, anticipating the next thing to come. If you don’t believe me, just think about this coming weekend. I am sure you have something planned. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21) Each one of us has plans and goals set before us that we want to accomplish, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. So what is the Lord’s purpose for us, specifically?
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I thought about this during the service this weekend. What is God’s purpose for me in 2009? I have many goals for myself, but is this what God wants for me? Do my desires match His will for my life and the purpose He has set before me this year? I don’t know what God’s specific plans and purposes are for you this year, and I still need some time seeking God’s will for my life in 2009. But I do know God’s plan for each person He created – to know Him intimately, personally, and to live with Him forever. God has placed eternity on each of our hearts, a desire to live forever. Why? Because that is His purpose for each one of us: that none may perish apart from Him, but have everlasting life with Him. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) Each of us who have accepted Christ into our lives received the Holy Spirit, a guarantee or deposit of what is to come. And what is to come? Home! Heaven! We may plan for the weekend, not realizing that we may be home before the weekend even comes. There are many family, friends, co-workers, and those we meet in our day to day plans that don’t have that certainty. They plan for the earthly, missing the eternal. I wonder if I were to look at God’s plan book for 2009 whose names would appear on the salvation list. If I were to look at the list, how would my attitude and actions change towards that person? Would I be more willing and open to share, knowing that today may truly be their day of salvation? Would I live in excitement and anticipation of the day when they turn their lives over to God? I am sure each one of us have been praying, maybe for weeks or even years, over a loved one for their day of salvation to come. I want to encourage you to keep praying. Pray with excitement, anticipation, and rejoicing knowing that this may be the year when their eternal house is built with a deposit of the Spirit for what is to come.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): So what is God’s purpose in 2009? I believe it is as simple as this beloved Scripture: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) It has been the purpose and goal of God since the beginning of the world. We may have our ‘to do’ list of goals and plans for this coming year, but we mustn’t forget God’s ultimate goal. Take time to pray for one person that comes to mind. Pray that today would be their day of salvation. Also, take time to pray specifically that your desires for this year would match His will for your life and the purpose He has set before you for 2009.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Hebrews 3:7-8; Hebrews 10:25
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.