16 Mar HAPPY NEW YEAR! (ARE YOU ADDING ANOTHER YEAR TO YOUR LIFE, OR LIFE TO ANOTHER YEAR?): PART 2
God has a specific and special plan for your life and it is about time you discovered it and fulfill it!
Let’s look at our key verses for this series from Ephesians 5:15-17: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Last week we began to break this verse down a little bit. Notice the word “walk.” This is the Greek word “peripateo.” It is a Greek compound word that comes from “peri” which means “around” (we get our English word periscope from it) and “pateo” which means “path.” Put those words together and it means “to beat a path around” or to be preoccupied with something.
We also looked at the word “circumspectly” which is the Greek word “akribos” meaning “diligently, exactly or straight.” The Greek word translated “fools” is “asophos” which means “one who has no wisdom.” Paul by the Holy Spirit, is referring to unbelievers without Christ.
In verse 16, you find the word “redeeming” which is the Greek word “exagarazo” which means “to buy back, ransom or rescue from loss.”
The Greek word translated “time” is “Kairos.” Last week we shared that there are two Greek words for time: one is “chronos” where we get our English word “chronology” from. This word describes normal time as we know it. However the word “Kairos” is a divine opportunity orchestrated by God.
Then we shared that the word translated “days” means “ages or time period” and is referring to the culture we now live in.
If you will allow me a little liberty, these verses could be paraphrased to mean this:
“See then that you are preoccupied with walking diligently in a straight line. Not like unwise unbelievers that don’t know Jesus, but as wise (people who see life from God’s perspective). Buying back all the Divine opportunities that you possibly can because this culture is evil. Because of that, don’t be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is!”
In these powerful verses it is clear that God wants you (yes, you!) to clearly understand His plan for your life in 2021 and beyond!
Let’s discover how with…
Three Plan Principles:
- Acknowledge that God has a plan for your life (Jer. 29:11).
The first thing you must do is acknowledge that God truly has a plan for your life!
Please allow me to share with you “Three Acknowledge Axioms”:
1.) God has a wonderful plan for your life…not a wonderful life for YOUR plan!
The Bible tells us, “There are many plans in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand” (Prov. 19:21). If His plan and purpose prevails, then shouldn’t we find out what it is?
2.) Destiny is not to be decided. Destiny is to be discovered.
I watch too many Christians simply decide that they want to do this or that with their lives. So in essence they say, “This is what I’m deciding to do, God…now come along and bless me!” However, if you will take the time to discover what He wants you to do, then you will automatically walk in His blessings!
3.) What you were created for is connected to who you were created by.
Since He is the Creator and we are the creation, it only makes sense to consult the Creator!
Join us next week as we continue our series…