23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Mathew 2:23
Discpleship Class xxx
A very noteworthy and recurrent theme in the book of Mathew is this idea that all circumstances, people and decisions connected to the coming of the messiah acted consciously (and in some cases unconsciously) to bring about the fulfilment of GOD’s pre-declared mind as pertaining to Jesus’s birth->life->death. Which had been made known through centuries of prophetic declarations and written down for an eternal witness and example to us all.
All through His recorded life we see Jesus consciously walk-out the father’s will pertaining to His destiny and by making conscious choices to see that the revealed will of GOD set apart for Him was fulfilled to the exact letter and spirit of the word.
“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God“. Heb 10:7
7 Useful Points of Destiny Consideration
As a true follower of Christ, I must accept the following to be true concerning me also:-
- God has foreknown me even before I was ever born. Jer 1:5 . Psalm 139:13
- God specifically appointed the time, place and family to which I will be born and live. Acts 17:26
- God in keeping with His own glorious purpose, has fashioned out both a general purpose for my life and a specific individual purpose all neatly woven into the greater fabric of His own ultimate goal set out in Christ Jesus and His bride (the church). All of which is recorded in the volume of books pertaining to me. 2 Tim 1:9 . Psalm 40:7
- God even whilst fashioning me in the womb has ‘seeded’ me with all the necessary gifting’s that would be required to accomplish and fulfill this purpose. Jer 1:5 . Isa 49:5 . Gal 1:15 . Heb 13:20-21
- God makes Himself available to journey with me as a partner in the discovery and fulfilment of my assigned role in Christ.
I for my part, must rise to the occasion by earnestly seeking Him and seeking the fulfillment of His purpose in and through me. Isa 41:10 . Acts 17:27 . Isaiah 60:1 - God has also appointed other’s for different stages of my journey to aid me on my way. Matt 28:20 . Heb 1:14 .
- God will at the end of the age open the same books from which my life will be weighed to see what my reward shall be. Rev 20:12
To know GOD is to know destiny. For all things find their definition and purpose in God. Gen 1:1
To draw closer to GOD is to bear His burdens willingly. You grow to care about what He cares about as you become yoked to Him.
The conscious decisions Jesus continually made to walk in the declared purpose of the father for His life was not done grudgingly or fearfully or religiously. Rather He did all from total love of and dedication to GOD; that Yahweh’s name be glorified and that His kingdom upon the earth be wholly established. When we become consciously yielded and focused on GOD and His divine purpose, Even our unconscious mind (our soul) becomes programmed accordingly.
How can I be properly positioned for the fulfilment of destiny as Jesus was?
- I should love GOD with all of my heart, soul and strength. Luke 10:27
- I should live in the consciousness that life isn’t about me but about glorifying God. John 15:16
- I should eagerly seek to know what GOD’s will and intent for my life is.
- I should be very conscious of the time-dependent nature of God’s purpose in my life. John 9:4 Psalm 90:12
- I should humbly yield myself to the dealings of GOD for maturity and conformation. Hebrews 5:8
- I should accept that there is a price to pay & know there will be a need to ‘suffer certain things to be so’. Matt 3:15
- I should invest the bulk of my energies in fruit bearing & kingdom exalting pursuits. Col 1:10
- I should let God surround me with the right people and edifying relationships. Proverbs 13:20
Conclusion
Finally in rounding up, let us consider Romans 8:28
28 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
It is HIS purpose not your purpose!!!
This needs to be emphasized because there is a great end time deception sweeping through much of the church. It is the false doctrine that places the emphasis on us not GOD. The subtle narrative removes GOD from the center and puts man in His place. It is a doctrine so man-centric that it portrays GOD as existing to serve and cater to our every whims. Believers in these congregations have learned to fashion a God of their own imaginations. This is part of the manifestation of the anti-christ spirit. Jude 18 flags them as people/congregations driven by their ungodly desires…
It is noticeable in gatherings where:-
- ‘praise/worship’ is more about entertainment and showmanship than exalting God.
- the operations of the ‘prophetic gifting’s’ tend more to flesh than spirit. <read more>
- the word of the G.O is more hallowed than the written word of God.
- the bulk of prayer points are about ‘me, me, me’ and generally tend to flesh.
- stories are told and shows are put on and less and less of the gospel is preached.
- money and financial attainment are a central part of every theme of the church.
- It is less noticeable in gatherings where there are many religious-burdensome man made ‘laws’ but actually very much disguised and deadly. In these congregations men try to attain to righteousness in their strength and less by depending on the spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. You are the GOD who is deliberate and purpose-minded in everything that you do. All your actions emanate from and echo in eternity. Lord I acknowledge that life is no more than vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Yet i humbly ask that you graciously impregnate my heart and mind with the consciousness of divine purpose, and ignite in me the desire that Jesus walked in to see you glorified in the earth and to see thy kingdom come. I ask that you sanctify me anew for what is to come even as you help me recover from any where i may have missed the mark. All these things i ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Revealed Word. 