Hope with Grace – Part Twelve
God is so purposeful. From the opening of Genesis to the end of Revelation, we are given the account of our God who is always positively active.
He dynamically creates the Universe including earthly and heavenly bodies, seasons and times, animals and people.
He provides an idyllic location first for Adam, then for Eve and their children.
Noah and his family are selected to be the survivors of a great judgment of sin.
Abraham is purposefully chosen to be the father of Israel.
Moses and later Joshua are singled out to lead the people of God.
David is anointed to be the King that God chooses despite everyone’s expectation that Jonathan should inherit the crown from his father, Saul.
Many prophets are raised up and given the messages of God to proclaim to the people.
The predicted arrival of Christ occurs in exactly the way God intended; the crucifixion and resurrection are all part of the great purposeful master plan also.
The Holy Spirit is sent to witness to the truth of Christ; and the people of God are commanded to be engaged in the transformation of creation destined for an eternity in the presence of God.
I’d say all these things are pretty purposeful!!
Jesus’ time on earth was purposeful also. He ministered to many but He actively chose to involve Himself intensively in the lives of His disciples.
He purposefully chose to engage with selected people. I think we’re meant to reflect that purposeful engagement with as many people as we are able but also to engage closely with a few specific people. Our schools have responsibility to disciple young people in our communities.
Three suggestions:
Purposeful Prayer: Think of at least three people in your school community and pray this prayer specifically for them: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope…” Romans 15:13
Purposeful Story Telling: Think about one person you have known, who has been transformed by the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ. Tell someone else the story of this person during the week.
Tell a group of people something of your own story this week; some time where you grew in your depth of relationship with Christ, maybe through hardship or some other experience.
Purposeful Engagement: Decide to engage more deeply with one young person this week; it might be a student in one of your classes; it may be someone at your church… but purposefully decide to encourage someone in conversation.
It is our desire to see each young person loving Jesus Christ, in obedience to His Word, and responding, through the Spirit, in Christ-like character. Hope arising from Grace.
Seeking to honour God in our purposeful actions together.
Blessings,
Brian
Psalm 33:11 ‘the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.’