*** Note: Before I get into the Word, I would like to thank those who donated to our Haiti Hurricane Relief fund. RIPMinistries has taken in over $6,300 so far, towards the goal of $50,000. If you have already donated, “Thank you”. If you have not, I ask you to prayerfully consider sowing a seed. 100% of your donations will go to those most in need! You can give a secure donation online by visiting: http://ripministries.org/missions/haiti-relief
Note: When making the donation, please select the “Haiti Hurricane Relief Fund“.
Or you can mail your donations to:
Rick and Isabella Pina Ministries
4196 Merchant Plaza, Suite 531
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Note: Please indicate “Haiti Hurricane Relief Fund” in the memo section of the check.
RIPMinistries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Now let’s get into the Word.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with an emphasis on “Focusing on God’s Finished Work”. When we began our focus on “God’s Finished Work” a couple of weeks ago, we took a look at the lives of Abraham, David, Joseph, Gideon, Peter and Paul. I told you that I would teach you by both precept and example. Since I gave you the examples, now it’s time for the principles and precepts.
Last week I shared five scriptures that we would start with. But I did not break them down. Today we will start our ‘deeper looks’ with Jeremiah 1:5. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer 1:5 KJV).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God’s knowledge of you did not begin when you were born. God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.”
a) You did not start as a thought in the mind of your parents. You started as a thought in the mind of God.
b) God did not have to wait until your parents named you to know you by name.
c) Before you ever took one breath God was able to see your entire life mapped out before Him.
d) God knows your thoughts before you think them, your decisions before you make them and your actions before you take them. He used all this information to map out His plan for your life; a plan comprised both of God’s sovereignty and His dedication to your right to make your own decisions.
2. God chose you and set you apart for His purpose before you were born. God said to Jeremiah, “Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.”
a) Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) defines the word sanctify as: To separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use. God sanctified Jeremiah before he was born. This means God set Jeremiah apart for His specific use before he ever took one breath. What is true for Jeremiah is also true for you.
b) Jesus said the following to His disciples: “You did not choose me. I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16). What was true for Jesus and His disciples is also true between you and your heavenly Father. You can probably remember the day you openly chose God, but the truth is, He chose you before the world began.
3. God made specific plans for you before you were born. God said to Jeremiah, “I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
a) Not only did God reveal to Jeremiah that he was set apart before he was born, the Lord told him what he was specifically set apart to do.
b) God told Jeremiah he was ordained to be a prophet before he was born. God was that specific with Jeremiah and He can be that specific with you.
I have much more to say about this, but I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I consider my ways. I take self-inventory. I slow down long enough to pray, to seek Your face, and to listen for correction, instruction, inspiration and encouragement. I know You made plans for me before the world began. I have done many things on my own. I made countless decisions that did not line up with Your plans. But those days are over. I refocus, recalibrate and rededicate my life to You. I live everyday by faith, my faith taps into Your grace and I start living as the person I was born to be. Living this way, You and I will change this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
