Concept:
One of the big reasons that the enemy attacks us so
vigorously is to abort the purpose that the Lord has for our lives. The Lord
states in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has a great plan for our lives and He is
committed to see that plan manifest in our lives. Psalms 138:8 re-enforces this
by stating that the Lord will fulfill His purpose for my life. II Timothy 1:9
reminds us that our purpose comes right out of the heart of God and was given
so the Lord’s plan for the world could unfold during my lifetime. Is it any
wonder why the devil works so hard to talk us out of God’s plan for our lives?

Isaiah 46:10 explains a concept, that Ephesians 1:3
alludes to and Philippians 4:7 reinforces. Isaiah 46:10 shows that God has a
place for my life to end up and predetermined tasks that He wants me to
accomplish. He then starts my life at the right spot, so I will make it to my
end right on time. Since He is the beginning and the end, He is able to start
and finish my life. Scripture is constantly encouraging us as we see people
called into God’s purpose and then God performing His purpose through them. It
was God’s purpose for the great Goliath to fall so a young man named David was
selected and equipped by taking care of a lion and a bear. David was then
brought across the path of Goliath the day he was to fall and through the power
of the Spirit, David was used to take Goliath down and set Israel free.

We see Paul, who did not walk in the predestined steps
until late in his life acknowledging in Galatians 1:15 that his life was marked
out by God. He made many mistakes but these errors did not erase God’s call on
Paul’s life. That should give us confidence and hope that we also can walk in
the fullness that the Lord has for us. My steps do have an order and they will
bring me into the highway of holiness where the Lord has my good works
arranged.

Judges 6:15 reminds us that sometimes my present
situation does not reflect the ability necessary to accomplish what my vision
would require. It is during those times, I must remember that it is the Lord
who is going to work through me to accomplish His goals. Exodus 3:2, 3
encourages us, as we see the tenacity of the Lord to get the one called to be
the deliverer of Israel into the right path. Moses could not accept God’s
promise because of his failure and present condition. He assumed he had fallen
too far to be useful to the Lord. God went to great lengths to speak into Moses
the necessary confidence and ability to accomplish His purposes and grace
through His chosen instrument. It has always been a source of strength and
encouragement for me to watch God use imperfect people to work a perfect plan.
That means that you and I can be arranged by the Master Potter to be an
instrument to be used in His hands to carry life to a dying world.

Definition of Terms:
1. Purpose: Prothesis (Greek) A setting forth, proposed,
show bread (in the temple) as exposed before God, to place before, exhibit.
2. Purpose: Estah (Hebrew) Advice, advancement, counsel,
guide, take advice.
3. Predestination: Proorizo. To limit in advance,
predetermine, determine before, ordain, to mark out, decree, specify, limit and
ordain.
4. Plan: Machashebeth. Intensions, advice, curious work,
imagination, invented, thought.

Scripture Application:

 

1. Exodus 9:16

2. Psalm 57:2

3. Psalm 138:8

4. Proverb 19:21

5. Isaiah 14:24,27

6. Isaiah 46:10

7. Isaiah 48:14

8. Isaiah 55:11

9. Luke 7:30

10. Acts 2:23

11. Acts 5:38-42

12. Acts 13:22

13. Acts 13:36

14. Romans 8:28

15. Romans 9:11

16. Romans 9:17

17. II Corinthians 5:5

18. Ephesians 1:11

19. Ephesians 3:11

20. II Thessalonians 
1:11

21. I Timothy 2:7

22. II Timothy 1:9

23. II Timothy 3:10

24. Revelation 17:17

25. Acts 17:26

26. Acts 17:31

27. Hebrews 4:7

28. I Chronicles 28:19

29. Isaiah 5:19

30. Amos 3:7

31. Micah 4:12

32. Psalm 111:9

33. Psalm 139:13-18

34. Genesis 15:1-3

35. Genesis 18:9-15

36. Genesis 22:1,2

37. Genesis 37:5-11

38. Genesis 50:19-21

39. Exodus 2:1-10

40. Exodus 2:11-14

41. Exodus 3:1-12

42. Exodus 12:6-13

43. Exodus 31:1-6

44. Exodus 35:30-35

45. Deuteronomy 31:1-8

46. Judges 6:1-16

47. Judges 11:1-11

48. Judges 13:8-25

49. I Samuel 3:1-12

50. I Samuel 10:1,6

51. Romans 9:10-13

52. I Samuel 16:7

53. Acts 17:22

54. I Kings 1:28-30

55. Isaiah 6:8-11

56. Isaiah 8:18

57. Isaiah 29:16

58. Isaiah 43:18,19

59. Isaiah 45:1-4

60. Isaiah 49:1-6

61. Jeremiah 1:1-12

62. Jeremiah 10:23

63. Jeremiah 18:1-4

64. Jeremiah 29:10-14

65. Ezekiel 2:6-8

66. Dan 2:19-23

67. Daniel 2:44-47

68. Daniel 4:28-37

69. Amos 4:13

70. Amos 7:12-16

71. Jonah 1:1,2

72. Habakkuk 2:1-3

73. Haggai 2:20-23

74. Matthew 2:1-6

75. Luke 1:26-28

76. Luke 2:25-32

77. Luke 2:36-38

78. Luke 6:12,13

79. Acts 6:5-7

80. Acts 8:4-8

81. Acts 9:1-19

82. Acts 13:1-5

83. Acts 16:1-5

84. Acts 17:26

85. Acts 18:1-4

86. Acts 20:28

87. Acts 28:1-10

88. Romans 1:1

89. Romans 8:29,30

90. Romans 8:37-39

91. Romans 9:10-18

92. Romans 11:2-7,13-16

93. I Corinthians 1:1-3

94. I Timothy 1:18,19

95. II Timothy 1:9

96. Ephesians 2:10

97. Philippians 1:3-6

98. Hebrews 11:8-10

99. Hebrews 11:21

100. James 1:5

101. I Peter 2:9,10

Summary:

I think the best way to sum up what we have been talking
about is to look at two scriptures. The first is found in Ephesians 2:10. Paul
states, that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. It is exciting to
know that we are made by Him. The word workmanship shows us that we are created
by a loving Father, who made us out of the best: Himself. The Lord also
patterned our life, so we could work in good works that He has prearranged for
me to be a part of. I get to be His hand extended so His work can be
accomplished.
The second scripture is II Timothy 1:9. There are five
words or phrases that I want to call to your attention. The first word is
“saved”. Saved means to deliver. He has taken me from a kingdom where the devil
and darkness rule to a kingdom where the Lord and light rule. The reason this
shows the great love of God is because he wants me full of light and able to
reflect His light to others. We are the reflection of His glory.
The second word is “called”. The word means a call by
name to bear His name. Involved in the call in a vocation with a destination.
He calls us by name because we are carrying His glory. We are able to carry
this glory only because we have His nature (we are saved) and His talents and
gifts that the Lord has given us. All of us have been called but the working
out of the call is going to be unique for each of us. We all fit into the body
of Christ but in different places.
The third word or phrase is “a holy life”. This phrase
has its roots in the destiny of God. It is an invitation that has fullness
within it. The implication is that I will enter into a deeper walk of holiness
as I enter into my calling.
The fourth word or phrase is “our purpose”. The word used
is the same word for showbread or also called the bread of His presence. This
bread was used in the tabernacle and in the temple. All the showbread did was
lay there as a symbol. That is exactly what our purpose is all about. We lie in
the presence of God and are available to remind people about Jesus. The bread
was fresh every day and, of course, we want that kind of work in our lives. The
showbread was also consumed at the end of the day by the priest. I want my life
to be consumed by my High Priest.
The last word or phrase is “beginning of time”. This
shows that my purpose was in the heart of God before the world, as we know it
began. My actions did not cause God to select me or reject me. He had me chosen
and my purpose laid out before I got here. My destiny is all about Jesus and
His pleasure and purpose. He wants to use me and has a place and a time to do
that. Isn’t it encouraging knowing that the Lord had me in mind at the very
beginning? Take courage and receive hope and proceed forward with confidence
that your purpose will manifest right on time.

I Corinthians 15:10 sums this all up, as Paul explains
that He is, what he is because of the grace of God. We will be what He purposed
if we just allow His grace to change us into His image.

Action Point:
Write down what you think your destiny is and begin to
thank the Lord that He is working in you so He can work through you.