PURPOSE:  GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

                                                                                                                                                            By W. G. Guy

Romans 8:28-29 –  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
 
        If you have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, God knows all about you.  What is even more wonderful is that He has a plan and a purpose for you to fulfill. 

        The first step in that plan applies to everyone of His loved ones, and that is to be totally transformed into the image of His Son as one of His children.  This is so that you can be seen and recognized as one of His: to be His living witnesses in this corrupt world. 

Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

        However, there are additional plans and purposes that God has specifically for you.  What those plans and purposes are may not be known to you at present, but be sure that He will work it out in you.  Such will be experienced as we go through this life seeking Him to direct our paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

          Many times our paths will take us in places and situations that we don’t like and can cause us grief and suffering.

Romans 8:14-18 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

          Jesus told us that these things will occur.  He didn’t say that He will keep us from them, but that He will be with us through them and help us to overcome them.  This means that there will be experiences that we don’t like to have: trials, tribulations and various forms of suffering.  This is because as we live as His children we are at odds with the corruption of this worldly system.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:14-18 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

          As we live for Christ and reflect His character and nature in this wicked and corrupt world, the wicked will oppose and create all manner of affliction since they are unredeemed, the children of the devil.

          As a child of God through Christ we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of life reflecting Him.  This does not mean that all of us are called of God to be preachers or ministers of the gospel; such as a pastor, preacher, prophet or teacher.  These are specific gift ministries that the LORD appoints as He chooses. 

         However, we are all to be lights in this world of darkness; and you can shine right where you are.  You don’t have to preach in a church in order to witness for Jesus.  In fact most of us will never be allowed to preach or teach in a church.  This is because those who are allowed to preach are very much controlled by men and their denominational requirements.  It is through man-made organizations that only authorizes those who have their specific credentials to preach or minister.

        Jesus has called us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, but please recognize that the church is not the world: the world is right where you are now.  That is where you represent Jesus and where you are His witness.  Also understand that being His light to this world does not necessarily require you to preach, but to be seen.  The way you live your life is a light to those in your portion of the world: thus you want to live your life for Him and like Him.  Your prayer life is important for receiving His divine guidance and direction, especially in difficult situations.

Romans 8:26-27 –  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

          God cares so much about you that His Spirit intercedes for you in ways you do not know; again, especially in difficult situations where you cannot see any way out of it.

Romans 8:31-34 –  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

          The LORD’s love for you as one of His is greater than you can understand.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

          God’s purpose and plan for you may not be understood, and sometimes not even recognized; but as you remain faithful to Him He will bring it to pass.  No matter how significant or insignificant it may seem to you, it is important and significant to Him – and He will see it through.  It will turn to your blessing!

​Philippians 1:6 –  being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: