Thursday, May 05, 2011

We Are Predestined Instruments

Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there]. And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem; Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name. But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel; For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake. Acts 9:10-16

Each and every one of us, just as Paul, was chosen by our Father, before the foundation of this world, to be used to serve the Kingdom, Ephesians 1:4. Our Father knows what He is doing. He had a plan and a purpose before He ever created this world and you and I are a glorious part of it.

I know that for a lot of people that the idea of predestination is hard to grasp. But the scriptures just plainly teach us that we are. I suggest that when our Father leads you to deal with a person who is struggling with predestination that you begin with simple Truths that most of us agree on. The Truth that our Father knows the beginning and the end. That He is our Gardener, that Jesus is our Shepherd, that God is the Potter and we are the clay. When you put these Truths in the context of predestination it makes it very clear that we are and when this is realized life gets a whole lot easier and glorious.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It doesn't make it easier when you look around and see the poverty you live in and then know GOD is the one who predestined you to it. After decades it just makes one bitter.

Brad said...

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:30

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Corinthians 10:13

I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. John 15:11

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Matthew 5:3

Faith comes for us by hearing the Truth that sets us free and the above scriptures are the Truth. Please pray for Anonymous that our Father brings all of His Truth into their life.