Tag Archive for 'Purpose'

Setting our Hearts on God

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Daniel Vander Klok
on November 23, 2011
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1 Chron 22:19

19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord  God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord  and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord .” NKJV

-         Setting your heart is a choice. We are told to set our heart to seek the Lord. David commanded Solomon to set his heart. The downfall of Solomon’s son is told to us in 2 Chron 12:14. He did evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek the Lord. He never set it in the wrong direction. It seems to find that all on its own. Have we set the direction of hearts on purpose or are we just ridding the tide and seeing where it takes us?

A Servant of Christ Jesus

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Daniel Vander Klok
on March 28, 2011
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Rom 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus (A), called to be an apostle, set apart (B) for the gospel of God, ESV

A)  Paul calls himself a servant of Christ. In fact, the NKJV translates it bondservant, the ESV renders the Greek as bondservant too. Paul frequently refers to himself and others who follow Christ as servants of Christ. Gal 1:10; Col 4:12; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; Rev 1:1. These verses use the Greek word 1401 doulos = 1.  One who gives himself up wholly to another’s will. 2. Those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men: used of the apostles. 3. Devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interest. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Somehow we have found a way to skew Christianity into being about God serving us. Yes, Jesus said He came to serve not to be served, but in that He was our example. Jesus laid down His life for us and now it’s our turn to lay down our lives, our interest, and be completely devoted to His. This is how Christians use to identify themselves: Paul, James, Peter, Jude, and John all called themselves servants of Christ. Sure it is easy to call yourself a Christian in America, but can you accurately describe yourself as a servant of Christ, as someone who lays down their will to do God’s will instead? God, help me to be a servant for life!

B) Paul declares he was called and set apart. God has a plan for you. He made you with a purpose (Jer 1:5). What purpose are you living for? Are you living to please God or to please yourself? God, help me to remember the purpose you have for me. I don’t want to live for myself. I don’t want a selfish existence. I want to see your will done in every area of my life and in the world that I live in. God use me to do your will.

We have a role to play.

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Daniel Vander Klok
on January 18, 2011
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Ezek 37:6-10

6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”‘”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”‘” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. NKJV

-         We have a role to play. Check out how important of a role Ezekiel had. His job was simply to repeat God’s word. He just needed to tell the bones and the breath what God had said. When he did, God’s word accomplished its purpose. (Isa 55:11)

-         The Miracle happened not when God had the thought, but when Ezekiel was obedient to God and did his part. Are there things waiting for you to be obedient? Have you done what God asked? Are His words coming out of your mouth?

-         We need to make sure that God gets the credit for what He does in verse 6.

Give God Control

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Daniel Vander Klok
on January 13, 2011
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Mic 6:6-8

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ESV

-         Matt 15:8; God isn’t looking for religious sacrifice, He is looking for obedience. The sacrifice He is looking for is about surrender, the very act is surrendering what was yours to God. It’s putting your trust in Him, declaring Him to be in control. When we try to take control by doing things are own way it isn’t fulfilling its purpose. It is no longer surrender, but an attempt to be in control and has become empty.

-         David recognized this in Ps 51:16-17

God formed you in the womb.

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Daniel Vander Klok
on December 5, 2010
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Jer 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

-         Over and over again we see that God’s plan for us was written before we were born. We or I often don’t feel like we have what it takes, but God knew what He was making and He had the plan in mind from before He made you. My weaknesses aren’t a surprise to God. No excuse we can come up with is really valid to present to your designer and creator. Any place we are inadequate He is aware of and expects us to rely on His strength instead of our own 2 Cor 12:9.

-         Ex 4:2; 2 Chron 29:11; Prov 24:12; Gal 1:15; Isa 49:1,5; Luke 1:15; Rom 1:1; Eph 2:10;

Be the thankful Axe

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Daniel Vander Klok
on October 20, 2010
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Isa 10:15

15 Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! ESV

-  This is the best way of describing man’s accomplishments. We are tools in your hand. God use me as you please and help me to remember it is you who swings me for whatever purpose you have. Don’t let me be proud because of what you have done.  Prov 16:18;

Don’t Quit! Phil 1:6

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Daniel Vander Klok
on April 13, 2009
in Verse of the Day
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As sat reading today I was amazed at the things Paul wrote and the way he wrote them. While praying that God would give me a love for his people like that and that he would use me, God began to show me things. Things I am not ready for, things that made me feel in adequate for what God has called me to. I didn’t question God out loud but in my head the questions were there. As soon as I did Phil 1:6 seemed to stand out of the page. Along with two words from Phil 1:27 .

Phil 1:6

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ESV

- I am not ready for all God has for me yet, but he was showing me he isn’t finished with me yet. He will finish what he started. Two words that had been highlighted from a pervious reading from vs 27 were standing out telling me to STAND FAST. It brought up Eph 6:13-14 in my head. Which tells us to take up the whole armor of God so we can stand, and then when we have done all to stand, Stand Therefore. It just seems to give no room for quitting. Though things might not seem like all they are meant to be yet, God isn’t finished with me yet. If I keep standing God will keep working in me making me more and more like him. Will you keep standing? God has a plan for you. He is faithful to complete in you the work that he started. Whatever dream God has given you don’t let go. Keep standing keep seeking God and watching him do a work in your life as he continues to make you more and more like Him.