Before we were yet born, God knew everything about us. Every decision, every mistake, every victory-- every detail about us. He created man with free will knowing how we would abuse it! He gave us all a choice in everything; a choice to love Him or reject Him. Even though He provided that choice, He knew who would choose Him and who would not. Before we were ever even created. And He predestined some to serve Him. If you are a Christian, it is no accident or stroke of luck. You were chosen long ago to fulfill a specific purpose on this earth; He picked you.
Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:4-6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (NIV)
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (ESV)
It is hard for us as humans to fathom, but He chose some and not others. We are not all "children of God." Those that do not choose to make Jesus Christ their savior and to serve Him, are children of this world. They live at Satan's mercy, unfortunately. But while we are on this earth, it is our goal to get as many people saved as we can! The Lord wants everyone to be saved. However, He knows who will commit and who will not. But we do not have that knowledge, so we should always be working to help everyone around us see Jesus.
John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. (NLT)
John 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (NIV)
When God picked us to do His work, He equipped us with everything we needed to be successful in whatever He asks of us. His Holy Spirit speaks to us and teaches us as we go. There is no "training" required for hearing Him and doing what He asks. As long as we are in a relationship with Him, it should come straight from the source; we should recognize His voice and leading when we actually know Him. Nothing in this world can hold us back from our callings. The Lord told Jeremiah that his age did not change the effectiveness of God's words and that he should confidently say whatever He was told and let God take care of the rest. We should do the same.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:4-6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (NIV)
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (ESV)
It is hard for us as humans to fathom, but He chose some and not others. We are not all "children of God." Those that do not choose to make Jesus Christ their savior and to serve Him, are children of this world. They live at Satan's mercy, unfortunately. But while we are on this earth, it is our goal to get as many people saved as we can! The Lord wants everyone to be saved. However, He knows who will commit and who will not. But we do not have that knowledge, so we should always be working to help everyone around us see Jesus.
John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. (NLT)
John 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (NIV)
When God picked us to do His work, He equipped us with everything we needed to be successful in whatever He asks of us. His Holy Spirit speaks to us and teaches us as we go. There is no "training" required for hearing Him and doing what He asks. As long as we are in a relationship with Him, it should come straight from the source; we should recognize His voice and leading when we actually know Him. Nothing in this world can hold us back from our callings. The Lord told Jeremiah that his age did not change the effectiveness of God's words and that he should confidently say whatever He was told and let God take care of the rest. We should do the same.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him. (ESV)
Jeremiah 1:4-8 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. (NIV)
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. (NIV)
Being chosen by God to do His work on this earth is the highest honor we could ever receive. And with that wonderful gift of being chosen, comes great responsibility. When we are doing the will of Christ on earth, we will be persecuted. But it is an even greater honor to suffer like Christ did while on earth. The simple truth is that just because we act in obedience to His word and all that He requires of us personally, it doesn't mean that things will come easy. It doesn't mean that because you handle a situation the way He tells you to, you will get the result you are hoping for.
Sometimes, we carry the truth in love and do everything He asks of us and are still rejected. It is a harsh reality. But it is something to be celebrated! That we are being used to fulfill His purposes. We may not understand what the purpose is at the time (or ever), but what a privilege it is just knowing we are doing what He asks of us. Those are the true chosen people of God.
1 Peter 2:21 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (ESV)
1 Peter 3:17-18 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (ESV)
We need to remember today that Jesus takes this calling on our lives very seriously. He chose us and designed us to specifically fulfill His purposes for our life. Remember what an honor that is! Sometimes it is difficult, but what a privilege that He chose you to go through it because you were created to do so! That has to make you more confident through hardship! As long as you are doing what He asks and leaning on His strength and not your own, you will overcome. There is a wealth of scripture talking about how He will protect those who He has chosen. He knows the plans He has for us. And they are great. Step into the great and honorable calling He has placed on your life today. Be the true "privileged Child" of God you were designed to be!
1 Peter 3:17-18 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (ESV)
We need to remember today that Jesus takes this calling on our lives very seriously. He chose us and designed us to specifically fulfill His purposes for our life. Remember what an honor that is! Sometimes it is difficult, but what a privilege that He chose you to go through it because you were created to do so! That has to make you more confident through hardship! As long as you are doing what He asks and leaning on His strength and not your own, you will overcome. There is a wealth of scripture talking about how He will protect those who He has chosen. He knows the plans He has for us. And they are great. Step into the great and honorable calling He has placed on your life today. Be the true "privileged Child" of God you were designed to be!
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (NIV)
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (NLT)
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
Psalms 37:28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. (NIV)
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (NLT)
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
Psalms 37:28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. (NIV)
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)
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