Sunday 27th April 2008

There are some things that are essential if you are serious about finding your destiny in God. God created man in his own image and God doesn't make any junk.   In your very being are the seeds of greatness.
I love Psalm 37.  It is full of instruction for life.  In verse 3 we are exhorted to "Trust in the Lord and do good" the results being, "so shall you dwell in the land and be fed". Verse 5 exhorts us to "Commit our way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass".  But it is verse 4 that I feel holds so much wisdom and character.  I see it like a cloud hovering over us as the children of God, waiting to burst upon us with such gusto when one realizes just some of the truths that are tied up in it. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart".  
It is important as we look at some points that we keep in mind the sequence of this verse.  The 'delighting in' God comes first.  Then out of that, come the actual desires that are Godly and not fleshly, having been implanted in your very heart because you delight in Him.  

1.  You must believe that God has a plan and destiny for you.  In Jeremiah 29:11 God spoke to this man and said "I have plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future" (Destiny).  You've got to know that God loves you and has a plan for you.  If you don't you will remain aimless and ineffective in the Kingdom of God.

2.  You must believe that it's what inside you and not outside that controls your destiny.  It has been said that your future is in your heart.  Matthew 12:34b "…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". What's in your heart will evidentially come out of your mouth.

3.  You must put priorities in your life.  Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all

 these things shall be added unto you". I bet we all have heard this verse maybe 100's of times and still it hasn't sunk in.

4.  You must strive for excellence. 1 Corinthians 14:12.  Be the best you that you can be.
Maybe next week you would allow me to illustrate these 4 points by looking at a character tucked away in the Old Testament.  His whole life is summed up in 2 chapters, Judges 6-8.  His name is Gideon.

Love you loads...

Philip (Senior Pastor)