One of the signs of a growing faith is the realization that we were created with a purpose that is greater than ourselves.
As Ephesians 2:10 teaches, we were created first in the flesh and second in the faith so that we might accomplish good works for the Kingdom of God.
It is that second stage of creation — actually regeneration — that is so vital to understand if we are to be permeated with power from on high.
When we’re doing what God wants with our lives, He promises to supply us with power and wisdom in order to keep the momentum going.
Listen to this passage from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible:
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11).
When Paul heard these words from the Lord Jesus Christ appearing in angelic form, Paul learned that no scheme of Satan would get in the way of God’s ultimate purpose for Paul — to preach the Gospel in the heart of the world’s most powerful earthly kingdom.
Paul had suffered all sorts of hard times because of his faith but he didn’t give up on God.
Why? Because Paul knew that God was sovereign and that He had a plan for Paul and that faith on his part would lead to blessing for the Kingdom and for Paul.
It’s because of the divine promise that Paul could endure through years of imprisonment, through near starvation on a ship, through shipwrecks and other sufferings.
Paul reasoned that if he “must also testify in Rome,” then that meant that he was going to survive whatever attack Satan threw at him.
Listen, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Let’s each pray more fervently to discern the will of God regarding His specific purposes for our lives. There’s no doubt that such purposes exist because God created us for a purpose.
We just have to learn more from God’s Word and listen more to God’s voice in order to know what God wants us to do.
Perhaps it is to testify to certain relatives of God’s way being the ONLY way for them to overcome destructive patterns of behavior.
Perhaps it is to testify within our congregation about the importance of establishing God’s Word as the final authority over doctrine rather than ego-tainted opinions.
Perhaps it is to testify at a workplace as to the importance of honesty in all business dealings as a long-term company survival strategy, despite the short-term success of unethical competitors that WILL be discovered sooner or later.
These types of comments might lead to hassles from people, but they are holy and pleasing to the Father before whom all will stand.
Take courage, my friend. You have a vital purpose that will be fulfilled if your voice of faith does not grow silent.
As always, I love you
Martin
