GOD’S PLANS (part-2)

TOT – That One Thing (GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU)

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:14)

MEDITATION:
Satan would love to get us distracted and get us off the course
which God desires for us. He strives to make any number of
‘other things’ more attractive to us than following God. He
thrives in discouraging us from following God’s plan for our
lives. Does God have plans for each person? Yes, He does!
    “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
      before you were born, I set you apart…”
      (Jeremiah 1:5a)

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
    “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
      you hope and a future…”
      (Jeremiah 29:11)

God has something planned for each of us to do, and we should
never substitute anything that may seem good (or attractive) as a
replacement for God’s best. We need to find out what God wants
us to do, and pursue it diligently while refusing to be distracted
by Satan’s attempts to dissuade us.

We need to say as the apostle Paul said,
    “This one thing I do!”
    (Philippians 3:13)

We need to know what God wants us to do and do it with all
our strength for His glory and not for ours! He saved us so
we can be with Him one day, but He also saved us to serve
Him until that day. We might feel unworthy to serve the Lord,
but He views us differently. God created us and He knows the
capabilities He has given us.

Satan will try to blind us into thinking that whatever God wants
us to do is work so we will be distracted from experiencing the
blessings we receive when we are serving the Lord. Not only our
personal blessings, but also blessings others will experience when
we are obediently serving the Lord.

Isn’t that what we all desire – to be blessed and see others blessed
through our obedience of doing what God has planned for us?

ACTION:
Take a few minutes and think about a mission statement
for your ‘life in Christ’, focusing on “that one thing” (TOT)
that God has called you to do. Then, remind yourself to
stay focused on that calling from God for your life.

We should ask ourselves these questions:
    – Do I know God’s plan for my life (created before my birth)?
    – Do I know the spiritual gift
       God gave me when I received His salvation?
    – If someone asked me what God has planned for me,
       and what spiritual gift did He give me, what would I say?
    – If I know the spiritual gift I have been given,
       how am I using it to glorify God and point others to His Son, Jesus?
    – How is Satan affecting my life and God’s plan for me?
    – Am I confident that the Holy Spirit
       will help me accomplish what God has planned for me?
    – Do I want to express my gratefulness to God for giving
       me salvation, by allowing Him to work through me as
       part of His earthly ministry?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your free gift of salvation
for those who believe. Open my eyes to the plans You have
for my life. Reveal to me the spiritual gift You have given me.
Remind me of how You have provided the Holy Spirit to assist
me with accomplishing Your will for my life. Teach me how to
reject Satan’s attempts to tempt me to sin and to discourage me
from being the person You planned for me to be. Create in me
a desire and an enthusiasm for serving You. I pray that I will
become a contributor to Your overall plans for mankind, and
not just a consumer of Your blessing of saving me from the
doom for those who choose to reject Your gift of salvation.”

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