Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Whenever we read through the Old testament, you can read the story of Joseph, beginning around Genesis 37. Joseph was a good man but he was hated by his own relatives so much that they threw him down a hole and sold him into slavery. They caused him to suffer because of their own bitterness. But Joseph was a man that was used for God’s purpose. God took the wrong thing that others did unto him, and used it to elevate him into high places in Egypt. Sometimes we can’t always understand why we have to deal with the evil things that others do to us, but you can know that if you are walking according to God’s will, and obey Him from the heart, good things are going to result because of it.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
When we are called according to God’s purpose, it means to dedicate ourselves to His use rather than our own. It is to live our lives for Him, rather than ourselves. Rather than doing what you might want to do, you do what He wants you to do instead. This is what it means to be converted, which is a complete change from what you once were into what God wants you to become. This will only happen through humble submission to His teachings, as He transforms us from sinners into Saints.
Romans 12 ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Each of us have grown up in this world, and I think it would be fair to say that ever since we were children we all had different goals of what we were going to do with our lives. How many of you can remember running around the house riding a broomstick handle and pretending that you were a famous equestrian? Perhaps you and your brother used to make a spaceship out of cardboard boxes and pretend that you were astronauts. Moses was being raised to be a Pharaoh in Egypt, but when he believed in God, the Lord took Him in a completely different direction. Through perfect meekness, he completely submitted himself to God’s purpose rather than his own, and he led God’s people out of bondage.
Hebrews 11 ²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; ²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; ²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. ²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
God’s purpose is found throughout the teachings of scripture, and when we give ourselves wholeheartedly to them, the transformation process can begin. In order for this change to take place, it first requires a humble heart, as we rid ourselves of the old person we once were, to become a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 6 ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
To undergo this spiritual conversion we must be born again through obedience to the teachings of scripture.
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
We are born into this world through the womb of a mother, but in order to obtain eternal life, we must be reborn through the Spirit of God.
John 3 ¹ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The only way that we can enter into the kingdom of heaven is by becoming children all over again, being reschooled, re-educated and retooled upon the forge of God’s will.
Matthew 18 ¹ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ² And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, ³ And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
There is nothing that is hidden from God, and He knows those who are serving Him from the heart. I guarantee that when you humbly submit to His purpose, good things are going to happen.
“………blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28
God had a purpose for the Apostle Paul, and when he submitted to it, God blessed him.
Acts 26 ¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. ¹⁶ But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; ¹⁷ Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, ¹⁸ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
When you choose to obey God’s Word and walk according to His will, the love of the Heavenly Father shines down upon you, and we become a benefactor of both His blessings, and His divine protections.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Just as the Lord delivered Joseph, He delivered the Apostle Paul, along with all those who humble themselves according to His will.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18
Obedience and faithfulness is rewarded by God. He will punish the wicked right up to the day of judgment, but will defend and deliver those who walk according to….
…. His Purpose
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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