God's Plan for You... His Initiative

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
 Ephesians 2:10    

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
 John 15:16.

One of the most important facets of the grace of God is the initiative of God. God takes the initiative, not only with regard to salvation, but to everything in our lives. He does not sit back and wait for us to find Him; He takes the initiative to seek us. It is wonderful to realize that God initiated a relationship with us from start to finish because of His love for us.

Ordain is to be invested with authority, fixed by an order, appointed by a high order. Paul said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25. To live and walk in the Spirit, with understanding, means we are sowing in the Spirit, reaping abundance, because we are walking in God’s will. What God said to Jeremiah, He also says to us. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. Sanctified means we are designed by God to be able to be and to do what He prescribed (I Corinthians 1:2).  When we accept Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit enters our life to make this possible (Acts 2:38). By Him in us, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Jeremiah was not to say he wasn’t able to speak, but he was to say whatever the Lord commanded, and not to be afraid of their faces (Jeremiah 1:6-8). God said, “…Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” (vs. 9). When we are living and walking in the Holy Spirit, we can confidently speak God’s Word with boldness.

The people of the early church were filled with the Holy Spirit, they spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). Boldness is an attitude of strong confidence in God. It is the willingness to speak the truth and perform a task without fear of the consequences. Synonyms of boldness: 1. Innovative, open to new ways and ideas, confident appearance, alert. 2. Initiative, willing to get things done on your own, take responsibility, highly motivated. 3. Ability to accept God’s Word without question. 4. Be instant in prayer.

 God’s Initiative for You

1. God chose you to come to earth as a human baby, through human parents, starting out as a tiny seed (Ephesians 1:4).

2. God named you (Isaiah 43:1). Our name was impressed upon our parents by the Holy Spirit. The meaning of your name fits you; you become what you are called. Sandra means creative one, helper of life. My wife of 56 years of marriage, Sandi, has always been creative. She desires to help people, animals and plants. Ask the Lord what your name means.

3. God called you to be saved (II Timothy 1:9). Our Creator had us in mind before He created this world. Saved means moving to heaven when we die, giving us great power to live while on earth.

4. God said, through Paul, to Titus, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” Titus 3:8. What is a faithful saying? The kindness and love of God that appeared not by our works, but by His mercy. We are now an heir of eternal life. We have the renewing of the Holy Spirit, who was shed upon us, justified by His grace; He is the initiative in us. We can stop trying to meet our needs, preventing tension and worry. God is dedicated to meeting our needs.

I wait upon the Lord and He renews my strength. My perception shifts to abundance. I run and I am not weary. I walk and do not faint (Isaiah 40:31). Because of Jesus Christ, I have total provision and continuous supply. Amen.

Pastor Jimm