“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:29-31.

I was reminded of two very important facts this week that I’d like to share with you. The first was that “If the enemy can’t steal your salvation he’ll settle for your destiny.” Most people who attend church are either in need of salvation or have a real destiny in Christ Jesus. Many Christians are content to merely survive life and shy away from expectations of great and glorious lives. We may also know of people who have walked through the doors of a church building with a desire to meet with the living God, only to find themselves distracted by thoughts of what others might think, pride, self-loathing, or feeling just not good enough. They may leave with every intention of setting things straight and getting themselves in a better state in which to meet God. How often I feel like screaming out “You can’t get yourself right to come to God, first meet with God and He will make things right.” The second fact is from this wonderful passage of scripture in Romans 8, Paul reminds us of the powerful truths, that we are ‘Predestined—Called—Justified and Glorified.’ We need to be aware that this is not just a promise for the future, or as someone once said, “Pie in the sky, when you die, in the great by and by.” No, this is spoken in the past tense, it’s already done! We are in the centre of God’s will and plan now and have been from eternity past, and ever will be for eternity future. What a great inheritance and promise that we are not forgotten or alone because He fore-knew us. We are not without hope because He predestined us to be conformed to Christ’s image. We are not without purpose because He has called us. We do not need to listen to those who accuse or condemn us because we have been justified through Christ who loves us. We don’t have to build ourselves up or seek the praise of men, because He has glorified us! You may not feel too glorified today, you may be going through tough times, but God’s prom-ises are not dependent on our feelings. Someone may have given you a hard time this week and all you see is hardship and suffering, or perhaps you are the victim of injustice or harsh treatment. I would encourage you not to lower the bar of expectation and blessing. Instead, know that Christ understands what you’re going through and this too may bring about glory. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:16-17. Satan tried to steal Christ’s destiny but he was always going to fail, don’t allow your destiny to be stolen. Put aside those feelings that could easily take over, and instead take hold of God’s promise that you ARE Justified and Glorified, make your decisions based on that. So justified and glorious one, all that remains is to remember that God is for you and that being the case, who can be against you? Be Blessed, Nigel

Labels: Called, Chosen, predestined

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. Romans 1:1-2

What is your mission in life? What is your purpose? If we know what are purpose is, it makes achieving it much more of a possibility. Here Paul declares his mission, and he goes on to live the rest of his life achieving and fulfilling it. Many people today are not content with life and fill that emptiness with many other pursuits and lifestyle. Sport, shopping etc, but when we know what it is that we are alive for, our lives become consumed with the passion of achieving it. How much more is this true in the work and service of God. If like Paul we are chosen to do something then doing it becomes the most fulfilling and exciting part of our short lives.
We are not all asked to be Apostle Paul’s, in fact Paul and his mission was unique for the foundation of the church and that generation. However there are lessons we can learn from him found in these verses and aspects that should be part of all of the mission that our life is made for.
Paul was sent out, called to do a task, therefore an action is required, and equally so is obedience. If Paul had stayed in Antioch where he was living and ignored the call of God to go, where would the church be today?
By going he achieved the greatest step of faith. Often the biggest step can be the first one. He was the answer to the cry of many hundreds of years before him. God had promised his people years before that the good news that Paul would bring would be given and here is the evidence.
But he had to be sent and he had to do it God’s way, it had to be God’s message, it wasn't Paul’s idea of good news, it was good news from God. It says THIS good news, there has been and will continue to be good news from time to time received by many around the world, but not this news. This news is life changing and available to everyone. This news is the news that should constantly be on our lips no matter what our calling in life is. The Good News is the message of the cross and the person of the Lord Jesus. Like Paul we are encouraged to “go” and preach this gospel (Matthew 28)
How we do it, is a specific thing to us or the church. Paul was sent to preach to the Gentiles across Europe. He was chosen for this task, your chosen task may be in preaching, teaching, helping, encouraging, resourcing and many other ways, but together we are all part of this great plan of God. There are many people in our lives and living on our estate that are waiting to here, see or feel this good news reach into their vicinity, it is up to us to make sure they get an opportunity to receive it. If we had a cure for one of today’s great needs, we would tell the world

Labels: Calling, Chosen, Purpose, Sent