Created with a Purpose

Do you ever feel that you don’t know what plan God has for you? Remember, God created you. He is alive and nothing is too difficult for Him. His love is bigger than any problem you may face. John 1:3-4 says,

“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made, that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

One of the two who heard John the Baptist speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He said to His brother Simon, “We have found Jesus.” He then brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus said, “You are Simon, the Son of John, you shall be called Cephas which means Peter.” Was Andrew jealous? Did he wonder why Jesus didn’t give him a new name? What did Peter have that Andrew did not?

Remember, John 1:3 says of Jesus, all things were made through Him including Peter and Andrew. God created each of them for their own unique purpose. Maybe Andrew’s purpose was to bring other people to Jesus just as he brought his brother Peter. The Bible is the living, truthful word of God. So, John 1:3 must apply to us as well. Jesus made each of us. He knows what is inside of us and has a purpose for each of us. We are important to Him.

Do you have a sense of God’s unique purpose for you? In basketball players may try to force making a play when nothing is there instead of letting the game’s opportunities open up naturally. Likewise, instead of forcing your plan, let God open up opportunities to you by listening to Him. Seek God in prayer so He can prepare you to be more effective in following His will. Pray this today…

“God, you lovingly created me for a purpose. I dedicate myself to you and I am excited to see what you have in store for me. Amen.”

Wise as a Serpent, Innocent as a Dove

A Christian ought to be twice the snake as anyone in the world. They should be more intentional, clever, shrewd, canny, and wise. Our Savior has told us to be snakes, but not snakes in the ways of this world. We are to have snake-like skills with dove-like intentions. Reflect on the words of Jesus from Matthew 10:16 (ESV),

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

You see, as Christians, we do not lie in wait to devour our enemies.  We possess no intention to harm. We have emptied ourselves of all venom, and what remains is the love of God. It is a love that manifests in gentleness, kindness, and humility. It is the innocence of a dove.

But we also must be crafty and astute because we are called to carry the light of God to dark and dangerous places. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing and true enemies to the purposes and plans of God. Jesus experienced real animosity and persecution, and as His followers, we are not exempt. That is why we must be wise. Martin Luther King Jr. put it this way,

We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind and tender heart.

Take heart. The wisdom of God will always thwart the wisdom of this world and the love of God is stronger than the power of hate. Now don’t you forget that you are called to be a snake today. But take note and let all your cunning possess the innocence of a dove as you strive towards these joyous ends:

1. To Glorify God
2. To Love Thy Neighbor
3. To Proclaim Gospel of Jesus Christ

A Loose Cable

A young missionary, Herbert Jackson, was given a car to help him in his work. The car was a major asset, but it had one difficulty—it would not start without a push or a jump-start. Jackson devised a system to cope with the car’s inability to start. When he was ready to leave his home, he went to a nearby school and asked permission to bring some of the children out of class to help him push-start his car.

Throughout the day, he was careful to always park on a hill or to leave his engine running when he stopped for short visits. For two years the young missionary used what he believed was an ingenious method to enable him to use the car.

When poor health forced the Jackson family to leave the field, a new missionary arrived to lead the mission. When Jackson explained to the new missionary his methods for starting the car, the young man opened the hood and began inspecting. “Why, Dr. Jackson,” he interrupted, “I believe the only trouble is the loose cable.” He gave the cable a twist, pushed the switch, and the engine roared to life.

For two years, Dr. Jackson had used his own devices and endured needless trouble. The power to start the car was there all the time—it only needed to be connected.

Are your spiritual connections loose? Are you striving and straining in your own strength? When was the last time you lifted the hood and examined your heart? The power of God is always available to us as Christians. We just need to be connected. Connected to the cross of Christ. Staying in step with the Spirit. Serving and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Soaking in the Word of God. Jesus reminds us in John 15:5 (ESV),

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

We shouldn’t just live “for” Jesus we need to live “from” Jesus. Abide with your Lord and Savior today and make sure those connections are strong.

A Thread of Glory

"Just let a thread of your robe of glory pass me by." I remember well praying these words as I knelt on the thin brown carpet covering the concrete floor of my dorm as the Lord provided one my most intimate encounters with Him.

My words feel empty in trying to describe how I felt His presence come into the room. All I knew to do in that moment was keep my head bowed and "to say praises as He came". I felt warmness in my face and my heart bursting with thankfulness. I had no secrets from Him, and I felt no shame towards Him. As His more intimate presence left the room I just knew "to say praises as He departs".

There is no doubt His presence is always with us but there are times we experience His intimate presence. We can sit in a room with people enjoying each other’s presence and some bonding occurs. However, if we really want to bond with someone, we do it one on one and with a focus on that person.

Having had these intimate experiences with God, I still can struggle to make time for those divine appointments with Him, but I have never regretted doing so. I encourage you to seek an intimate time with our Father today by soaking in the words of His Son,

"The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one." -John 17:22-23