“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV
Life truly is an amazing blessing. The whole process of being born is something that I continually marvel over because of how many parts of the process must come together as one.
And once again, I was witness to this process as my son was born last Tuesday. When I first gazed at him I asked all the questions a father probably asks: What is he going to become in this world? How is he going to get along with his sister? Who is he going to be more like, me or Beth? I was overjoyed with emotion… what a blessing!!
Yet there is something more to what anyone of us can see; something more to ‘the cover of any book’ if I may use that analogy. And this question eventually came up during my fist gaze of him as well: What is God’s will for his life?
When you consider the complexity of life and all the choices that a lifetime pres
ents each one of us, how amazing life really is because of this verse in Ephesians. This verse says that everything will work out according to conformity with the will of our heavenly Father and how everything falls within His ultimate purpose.This is very comforting to know that God has everything under control and how He continues to use each one of us according to His plan. It gives me much strength and peace to know that God is there for all of us.
But it is not that simple to understand at times because of all the pain and suffering which exist in the world and maybe even during trials and tribulations in each one of our lives. The Apostle Paul made a clear reference to such pain and suffering when he spoke about the thorn in his flesh, what he called a ‘messenger of Satan’ (2 Corinthians 12:7).
This leads me to saying what I believe Satan really is in our lives—a distracter from the life God really desires us to live. For Satan knows that if he gets us preoccupied with pain and suffering, the visible result of our lives becomes more the focus then God’s ultimate purpose does. Our eyes are taken away from the cross and are placed squarely on the “cover of the book”, not within the pages which have been written.
Paul uses an interesting Greek word for “works” here in Ephesians 1:11. The word used for “works” here is ‘energeo’ which when it is literally translated it means “energy,” “energetic,” and “to energize”. This means that God has literally energized everyone to work according to His plans and immediately operate as He had planned. Not simply ready to function, but already functioning.
The Apostle Paul speaks about this beginning in the book of Philippians when he wrote:
“…that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6b NIV
I believe that from the very beginning of each one of our lives, God has energized each one of us with the power necessary for spiritual completion. We therefore are ready to carry out God’s will in our lives if we surrender our life to Him. But unfortunately all of us, especially me, have fallen prey to ‘the distraction’ and have given into focusing more on the visible result of things, not Him.
My prayer is that all of us may begin to refocus and know that God desires to use us for His glory; that we may see past the thorn in our lives, the distraction of any pain and suffering, and see God’s ultimate purpose.
My son was born last Tuesday and at that very moment he was energized with the power necessary for spiritual completion. May he find that power. May I be a good father and lead him to finding that power. And may all of us better understand how to find that power which was inborn within us…
God bless each one of you and may you see His will in your life, the life of this group, and the within the life of the Church…
Prayer requests
Bill – pray for God’s spirit to bless all of the kid’s in the Royal Family kid’s camp and to support the counselors
Kevin – pray for rest and peace for a friend
Steve S – pray that he can sometimes find the words to communicate what he is wants to communicate
Ramon – pray that Tina can have some healing in her health troubles and can change her diet and exercise routine
Greg – pray for that his wife Lonnie will be protected during her trip to Chicago and back
Tim – pray for reformation in the church and in our hearts
Vince – pray that he can find a decent job, pray for Pastor Grant’s wife to be healed, pray for strength and peace for Dave
Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord
David – pray that he may find a more intimate relationship with the Lord
Kelcy – pray for continued blessing and the blessing of his upcoming vacation time
Mark – pray that I can be more focused on Him, pray that I can continue to be a support to my wife, pray the Lord will bless Matteo has he continues to grow into our family, pray for our finances this coming few months
***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message
Continued prayer needs
Ernie – pray for his wife who is having some pancreas problems and needs healing, pray for Al, Tim W, and Tim N as they all recover from heart surgeries
Paul – pray that he will be able to find some work
Brett S – pray for all men within Northshore which need healing
Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently
Gary – pray for sister-in-law who has serious infection in organs, pray for wife Terry who may have to have surgery here in the near future to take care of a serious health issue
Monte – praise God for a new job that he has been blessed with
Keith – pray that their youngest daughter will be able to do well in college, pray that Nate will be able to find a job
Vince – pray that his wife may do well in an upcoming job interview, pray that she may become encouraged by some recent blessings, pray for Vince and her that they may hear the Lord
Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in his Bible reading, pray that all pain will be removed someday from his body
Bret – pray for rest, pray for a the right relationship with a girl he recently met
Larry – pray for financial security as he works on building a new house near Arlington
Jeff – pray for more quality time with children and family
Gary Cercone – pray that daughter Jennifer and grandson will receive continued blessings from the Lord
Joe – pray that his condo may sell and that he may finally be settled here in Mukilteo
Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life
Future Meetings
Wednesday, June 18th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church. (I will most likely be leading the group again unless something comes up with the family)
Wednesday, June 25th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Wednesday, July 2nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church
Memory Verse
“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 KJV
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