Predetermined
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NIV
Predetermined: Established or decided in advance.
I love how our God can drop a word into your soul and light you up! My husband and I were taking a walk after I had just finished praying, and the Holy Spirit dropped the word "predetermined" into my spirit. I spoke the word aloud to my husband and asked, “Did you hear that? God has predetermined our time to be here on earth.” I always knew this was true, but He lit my heart in a new and profound way.
He then said, “You all only have a certain amount of time to be here. I decided when you would come, and I have decided when you will depart. I have given you an assignment with a manual (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit to help you navigate this earth. Too many of my people are focused on what they can obtain and how they will enjoy this life instead of the purpose I have sent them here to accomplish.”
As these words came into my mind, I was blown away. I could see how easily we get distracted with all kinds of things because of the messages from the world. Scripture says that Jesus came so that we may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows] (John 10:10). But that is not our purpose. Those blessings come automatically when we are walking out our assignment.
Our Assignment:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
We can be deceived into thinking that we have plenty of time on this earth because we eat healthy and take care of ourselves—as we should. But that is far from the truth. Scripture tells us that God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that his time was up. However, when Hezekiah prayed, God gave him fifteen more years:
"Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life.’" —2 Kings 20:1-5 (ESV)
Although God has decided when we would enter and leave this earth, He has given us free will to choose what we will do while we are here. We were sent with our spirit and soul placed in a body to do the will of God. When we leave this earth, this body and everything we have obtained will remain here because we will not need them where we are going. It is crucial to understand that what we do while on this earth will determine how we live in the next season of our existence.
Key Points:
Your time on earth is limited; every new day brings you closer to your departure.
How you choose to live on this earth will determine how you live after you depart.
You have been given free will; choose life and obey Christ.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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