“3Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, 4just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love” Ephesians 1:3-4 AMP

Did you ever wonder if you were really on the right track with your life? One of the tactics of Satan is make you think that you have missed it and that it is over with your work for God. Nothing could be further from the truth! First remember that Satan is a Lier! If he is telling you that you have missed it, the opposite must be the truth! The apostle Paul reminds that once we are members of the family of God, we are guaranteed to be given divine direction and leading. Rember the Apostle’s words later in this chapter?

“In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. 14The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.”

Ephesians 1:13-14 AMP

It is the promise of the Holy Spirit in us that confirms that God is at work in our lives ordering His plan and perfection of our walk! Do you se the word “guarantee?” It means to have an assurance of what was to come! Do you think for one minute that God didn’t know where you would be or what circumstance you would be facing at this moment in your life? That is a silly thought yet many of us fall victim to its trap! The Lord spoke some great words of encouragement to the prophet Jerimiah.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 AMP

Our opening verse tells us that God has selected us from the foundation of the world “…so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love.” The word Holy isn’t a state brought about by the lack of sinning. Holiness is to be set apart for a special purpose. Now, when we are set apart for God, our bent toward sin is decreasing and our action and lives begin to show a differ path. I love the amplified translation here using the word “purpose driven.” God has called us to a specific purpose in this life. It isn’t to do great things for Him. It isn’t to give all that we have to the poor. It isn’t even to go to the ends of the earth sharing His word. While all of these may be things that God will ask of you, here is the essence of His desire for our lives;

““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37And Jesus replied to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’”

Matthew 22:36-39 AMP

As we enter into the Love-relationship of our Father, we are transformed into the image of His son so that those who see us give glory and honor to Him! It is from that place the works of God through us. Jesus warned the church at Ephesus of this very fact.

“‘I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; 3and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. 4But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. 5So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place–unless you repent.”

Revelation 2:2-5 AMP

It is all about our relationship first, then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace! Take time today to meet with the One who gave it all to be with you! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken