The Plan for Your Life (Part 1 of 3)
October 28, 2020
Everyone created has a God-ordained plan for her or his life. Everyone! That is why we spend our lives trying to find meaning or purpose. This is what drives people to do great feats. We know deep inside we have a purpose. We crave it! But, are you doing what God designed you perfectly to do? Do you know what God wants you to do? Are you doing it?
The next obvious question is how do I know what God wants me to do? I happen to be one of those people that believes God is talking to us all the time. We just may not recognize it as God. You have to train yourself to recognize God’s voice. The first step in this process is to read the Bible. God’s will and purpose is in the Bible and we have to know what God is like, what He values, and what He prioritizes, before we can discern what He specifically designed each of us to do.
Most of us know the basic things God wants us to do. Love your neighbor. Forgive! Resist the devil (meaning resist pornography, excess, drinking, drugs, foul language, etc.). These are assignments that God has set ALL of us to do. If you know what God wants for your life in general, you can model your life choices and actions to assure that outcome. Here are a few things I know from the Bible that God wants for me:
Long Life
Psalm 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.
Psalm 92: 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
Proverbs 3:2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
Prosperity
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Family and Friends
Psalm 127: 3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
If I am going to have a long life, I have to take some action. I must stop smoking and drinking and maintain a healthy weight! If I am going to be prosperous, I better develop and stick to a household budget, contribute to a savings account, and get serious about paying off my debts. If I am going to have family and friends around me, I better figure out how to forgive and how to be a kind and encouraging person. If I am going to be able to sustain these efforts consistently, I must be generous with my time and money and spend intentional time with God in church and in quiet study of the Bible.
All these things are supported by the Scriptures. I guarantee that these things will improve your life. As you grow closer to God through following this general guidance, something really exciting happens. God will start giving you special assignments. Assignments that are just for you and are a total blessing to your life. In Part 2, I will talk a little about these special assignments and next how to know God’s overarching purpose for your life.
