-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
March 1, 2009
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/92/ -------------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
God Has a Plan for Us, by Tom Norvell
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in
Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to
be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be
adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his
pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he
has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the
riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and
understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will
according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be
put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment
-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one
head, even Christ.
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 1:3-12 NIV).
Four times in this passage there is a reference to God having a plan
for us: "he chose us," "he predestined us," "he purposed," and "we were
also chosen." Four times we are given His plan for us: "to be holy and
blameless in his sight," "to be adopted as his sons through Jesus
Christ," to make known "the mystery of his will," and "that we ...
might be for the praise of his glory."
He chose us. We were chosen. He has a plan for us.
We know what it means to be chosen. As children we were chosen to be on
a team, we were chosen to participate in a school play, or we were
chosen to be in the spelling bee. Later we were chosen to be someone's
boyfriend or girlfriend, we were chosen to be a speaker at graduation,
or we were chosen to be in a social club. Then, as adults we are chosen
to be a marriage companion, we were chosen to be a partner in business,
or chosen to lead an organization. All of those have their place, but
none of them compare to being chosen by God to bring Him glory and
praise.
Celebrate His plan!
He chose us because He has a plan for us. He did not choose us to sit
the bench. He did not choose us to stand in the wings. He did not
choose us so we could sit around and twiddle our thumbs wondering why
we were chosen. He chose us with a purpose, for a purpose, and with a
plan for us.
He chose us to make a difference in the world. He chose us to do good
works. He chose us to love people and share His love with them. He
chose us to serve people. He chose us to worship Him. He chose us to
live abundant lives. He chose us to demonstrate His mercy and
compassion to people who are hurting. He chose us to shine His light
into the darkness. He chose us to reveal the mystery of the cross. He
chose to receive His love. He chose us with a plan.
God has a plan for you. Did you know that? He wants you to live His
plan for you. Will you? Are you?
God created you. He has a plan for your life. Celebrate His plan!
Follow His plan. Enjoy His plan.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
---------
(c) 2009 Tom Norvell <tomnorvell@mac.com>. Used by permission. A
Norvell Note <http://www.anorvellnote.com> is a weekly email
message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
RELATED LINKS:
* Straight Lines with Crooked Sticks
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200610/20061030_crookedsticks.html
* God's Fingerprints
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200303/20030311_fingerprints.html
* An Oldtimer in His Service
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200510/20051020_oldtimer.html
* A Norvell Note
http://www.anorvellnote.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200903/20090301_planforus.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE END OF REASON: A RESPONSE TO THE NEW ATHEISTS, by Ravi Zacharias
Zacharias cuts to the core of the atheist problem and presents a case
for truth resolving itself in a presentation of God in the person of
Jesus Christ as the intelligence behind the universe, and the end (the
culmination, not the cessation) of reason.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?258
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/ \/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
