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GOD CREATED YOU FOR PURPOSE
April 24, 2024We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15b-16
1. THE PROPER WORKING OF EACH PART. My daughter bought me a beautiful full-color illustrated anatomy textbook. The book shows the systems of the body, from the top of the head to the soles of the feet, and I enjoy reading it. I have also been watching stories of watchmakers who perform amazing engineering feats on the mechanisms of antiquated watches. I appreciate the artistry and discipline of these brilliant people who, with their magnifying glasses on, file, polish, and engrave tiny parts and place all different kinds of screws and springs in place, restoring the watches so they will be heirlooms for the next generations. This meticulous work reminds me of the intricate details found in the anatomy book, and then it makes me think about the body of Christ. Like the watchmakers, God gives such attention to detail in His care for each one of us as He lovingly repairs and restores each part.
But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
2. BE READY FOR GOD TO OPEN DOORS. Paul the Apostle realized that he had a door of opportunity opened to him while he was in a specific place (Ephesus) for a particular duration of time (until Pentecost). In the book of Revelation, God spoke to seven churches in different cities that also represent church groups like us with purposes in particular seasons. To the church in Philadelphia, He said: “He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name'” (Revelation 3:7b-8). The devil may try to hinder you, but God shuts doors no one can open and opens doors no one can shut, and He is a master of timing.
3. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOU. If you sense there is more for your life but are still scratching your head trying to find your place, keep seeking God. You can trust Him even when the momentum is gone, and there is no sensory reinforcement. In the book of Genesis, Joseph woke up from a dream with a sense of something he was called to, but all hell broke loose over his dream. The devil tried to stop him, depress him, distract him, and tempt him. But Joseph knew he had a purpose and did not back down. If your emotions start tending toward depressive thoughts or moodiness or apprehensions, or if you get tempted to be apathetic or stagnant, don’t quit. There is someone better than a watchmaker, and He is deeply inclined to care about the situations of your life, not only to the end of this earthly life but for eternity.
DAILY CONFESSION:
I was born for such a time as this. A wide door for effective service has opened to me, and even though there are many adversaries, like in Joseph’s life, God takes what was meant as evil against me to bring about His purpose. When God opens the door, no one can shut it. I can’t even fathom the wonderful things God has prepared for me who loves Him. (Esther 4:14; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Genesis 50:20; Revelation 3:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:9)
Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
pur·pose, noun
1. The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
2. A person’s sense of resolve or determination.
Copyright © 2024 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. “Cast, V.” American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Harper Collins Publishers, 2022 https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=cast&submit.x=0&submit.y=0. Accessed 10 April 2024.
