Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]–blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he” (Amplified Version).
One of our pastors, Jim Lafoon, pointed out this verse last Sunday. He reiterated the point that UNLESS we capture a vision of God, we can’t possibly understand His purposes for us. And God DOES have a purpose for each of us!
Ephesians 2:10 declares, “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]” (Amplified Version).
In case you’ve never noticed, this verse points out that God had things prepared for us to do before we were born. (That makes my heart sad for each aborted child who had a calling, a purpose.)
Pastor Lafoon reminded us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). He listed Moses, Paul, and Gideon as examples of lives changed after receiving revelation of God’s purity and holiness!
Without the revelation of God’s awesomeness, holiness, purity, and perfection — how can we truly appreciate His love for us?
HE LOVES US! The Creator of all that we see — HE LOVES US. If we don’t spend time with Him or spend time reading His Word, how will we know Him? If we don’t know Him, then how will we truly understand His purposes for us? Pastor Lafoon brought up a great point: “PURPOSE ASIDE FROM PRESENCE WILL BURN YOU OUT!” Amen to that! I’ve seen it with my own eyes (and experienced it too).
Doesn’t God’s presence in our lives produce joy?
Acts 2:28: You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.
Psalm 21:6: Surely You have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.
Psalm 16:11: You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
If we want to know the reason we were born, WE MUST FOCUS ON THE LORD — His person.
I was just sharing with someone yesterday that God has never been surprised by our failures and our choices. He knew each time we would reject Him. Guess what? NOTHING surprised Him. Ha. And yet HE STILL chose to love us (to LOVE ME). I can’t wrap my mind around it.
So in closing, I pray we will invest quality time with Father God. I pray we will truly begin to understand His nature, His holiness, and His purity. Then we can really appreciate His great love for us. With that will come understanding in His purposes for us.
This being my main lifestyle change. Loving Him isn’t enough, He wants ALL of me..not just my love. He wants my obedience, my life, my time, my love, my all.
Thanks so much for encouraging me.
Deb
Great post and right on time :). I was reading my bible yesterday and was in proverbs and came acrossed this verse and when I saw your post it was just what the doctor ordered.
I shared your blog in my post today.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is exactly right on. I can’t tell you how often I tell myself that I need to get into the Word more… but you have laid it out in a way that has put such desire on my heart!
Thank you!
Many blessings-
Amanda
Beth, this was a beautiful and timely post for me. I’d like to share it with “J” if that’s okay with you.
Blessings to you this day.
Beautiful and true. I so want to know His full purpose for me. & I want to see Him finish the work that He has started in me.