| Pastor's
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by Buzz Dahlen Recently, thinking about life and my purpose for living, I was reminded of something that I said over and over as a young student in Catholic school. We were asked, “Why did God make you?” We were told to say, “God made me because He loved me.” Seemed like a good enough answer for an elementary aged person. But now I am grown up and I have days when I ask, “God, why did you make me?” Not so much wondering why I was made but why am I here. God’s word gives us the answer. Lets take a look… Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 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 to be adopted as his sons 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. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. Ephesians 1:3-10 God made us; He created us, to be holy and blameless in his sight. He created us to be his sons and daughters. Before He created the world, He had a plan for you and me. Paul goes on to write about God’s plan; In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:11-14 God has a plan for our lives and we are included in that plan when we give our lives to Christ. When you accept Jesus Christ into your life as your lord and savior you are entering into God’s plan for you. What is His plan? It is most likely more than this, but I have four things to suggest. 1. It is God’s plan for us to glorify Him. Our lives are meant to be a living testimony of glory to God. 2. It is God’s plan for us to grow. Each day we grow a little more mature in our faith. As we face trials and challenges, we grow. It’s all a part of His plan. 3. It is God’s plan for us to give. It is amazing how much we receive from God and how little we actually give. God wants us to give as if there was no tomorrow. 4. It is God’s plan for us to get. God puts people and things in our lives so that He can bless us. Many people are too proud to receive and so they don’t get it. Glorify, grow, give and get all good things that God has planned for our lives if we will only accept His plan. Have you accepted God’s plan for you? Do you even realize that God has a plan for your life? He does and it is spectacular. Look at this: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 Are you trying to find God’s plan for your life? Do you wonder when He “made” you? I think the answer is very clear. The only question that remains is, “are you going to take advantage of His plan for your life?” If you do, you won’t be disappointed… |
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