Destiny: June 10, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JUNE 10, 2013.

DESTINY

DEFINITION:

That which is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; the predetermined usually inevitable or irresistible course of events.

SCRIPTURE:

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5

Beloved, now we are children of God. I John 3:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

Many people are asking the questions: What is my destiny? Who am I? Why am I here? How did I get to where I am? Where am I going?

Some years ago we heard the story of a young child who had been told how God created Adam from the dust of the earth and that after death we return to dust. Not long after being told this story the child excitedly called for his mother to come to his room because there was some dust under his bed and he could not tell if this person was coming or going.

People are continually coming into this world and continually going. It is the destiny of all of us. We are born; we live out our life span; and then we die. We all have questions concerning our destiny. These are all crucial questions and need to be answered.

Are you perplexed by these same questions? We want you to know that at an earlier time in our lives we faced these questions. The good news is that the Bible, God's Word, had answers for us and He has the same for you.

God created each one of us and He created us for a purpose and with a destiny. Long before He created the world, God, because of His love for us, planned that our destiny was to be adopted as one of His children through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)

In I John 3, the writer, John, calls those who are believers "children of God." The first question that may come to your mind is, "How do I become a child of God?" The scripture tells us in John 1:12 that we become His children by receiving Jesus as our Savior. To receive Jesus as our Savior is not complicated. We must first acknowledge that we are sinners. There is a penalty we must pay. But the good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins by dying on the cross. We must admit we are a sinner, ask Him to forgive us of our sins and receive Him as our Savior. At an early age we had that question answered in our lives when we accepted Jesus as our Savior.

Now, you may ask the question, that if we are a child of God, where are we going. In John 14:1-6 we are told in the words of Jesus Himself that one day He will receive us into a home that He is now preparing for us in heaven.

The story is told about a philosopher named Arthur Schopenhauer who lived in the 1800's in Berlin Germany, and day after day he walked through the museum constantly asking himself questions about his origin and destiny. He continued to look for answers in the museum but never could find an answer for any of his questions.

One day a park keeper walked up to him after daily seeing him dressed shabbily, looking depressed and lost. He asked the philosopher, who are you? Where are you going? With a pained expression the philosopher responded by saying, "I do not know. I wish somebody would help me." Philosophy has never been able to answer those questions.

Our maker is not only the author of science and history but He writes the story of every member of Adam's family since the beginning of time. This includes the philosopher, you and me.

We have no control over our coming into this world. Where and when we are born is in God's hands. However, we are in control of where we are going. God has given us a free will. We choose our final destiny. The choice is heaven or hell. If we choose to spend eternity in heaven, all we have to do is accept Jesus as the Savior that paid the penalty for our sins. The philosopher was searching but no one helped him find his way to saving grace through Jesus Christ.

When you know Jesus, you know who you are and where you are going. Do not continue to search in the wrong places. Today is the day to determine your destiny.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

PRAYER:

My prayer today is that You may open my ears that I may hear Your voice of truth. Thank You for the assurance that I have that as a child of God I know my sins are forgiven and that You are preparing a home for me in heaven. Help my words and actions today to show others the hope that I have because I know that I am a child of God.