He Knows the Plans He Has For Us (pt.3 conclusion)

In Part 1 of this series it was established that God in fact does have a unique and determined purpose for our lives.

Part 2 deals with the, sometimes difficult, process it takes to position us in a place where we are able to successfully fulfill those plans and purposes.

In the conclusion of this series I would like to look at our first example in scripture of dream fulfillment and how that gets walked out. It begins in Genesis Chapter one Where God has a vision and a purpose for seemingly purposeless places and things. His execution of these plans was very deliberate and intentional as it should be with us.

^{Revelation 4:11} “ You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

"Will" in this passage is the greek word. theléma meaning:

what one wishes or determines shall be done, to choose, to have in mind, intend, determine, purpose, the carrying out of that purpose into act, follows deliberation and inclination, includes the idea of delight and pleasure.

The above verse tells us, according to this definition, God as our example enacted His purpose and plan for creation by the deliberate carrying out and acting upon His intentions and what was done brought Him delight and pleasure as will the walking out of our divine will of our Father in Heaven.

From the following definition we might ask ourselves these questions that may help us narrow down what that plan might be:

• What do we wish for in the sense of life mission?
• What stirs in us a determination?
• What causes and interests involving spiritual passions do we deliberate about?
• Are there causes that roll around in our hearts?
• What are we inclined to do?
• What spiritual accomplishment would bring delight and pleasure from a spiritual perspective?

In part 1 we looked at the Hebrew word picture for a dream as in the "plans" He has for us. In this study I would like to look at another Hebrew word for dream or vision that has to do with visualizing the plan.

We looked at this verse in the first lesson:

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision the people perish...

Without focus our lives can become fragmented and disjointed.

“Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time,” ~ unknown author

The Hebrew word for vision in the verses mentioned above is:

chazah; a sight (mentally), i.e. A dream, revelation, or oracle -- vision.

A dream is established through being able to visualize it. We can't act on something we can't see happening.

The Hebrew word picture of "chazah" confirms this concept.

Chet

Chet is a picture of a fence and speaks of boundaries and protecting what is on the inside. A vision is something that God has placed within us and protected until it is safe and ready for fulfillment.

Isn't great to know that there is a purpose already in us just waiting to be revealed as we submit ourselves in humility before him?

II Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began

Zayin

Zayin is a picture of a tool with the idea of cutting or inscribing.

The Hebrew word for remember begins with zayin. We can think of remembering something as being inscribed in our minds.

There is also another interesting word in Hebrew beginning with the letter Zayin that has do with vision. It is zereach and it is used in psalm 112 and would translate something like this. " He scatters rays of light in the darkness" The revelation of our dreams is like His rays of light being scattered in the darkness of the purposeless life on this planet without God and the hope of eternity, revealing the inscribed plans and purposes that have been there all along.

Vav

Vav is a picture of nail and means to connect and establish. The dream and plan is established as we focus our attention through our memory by visualizing the plan God has placed within us.

Noon

Noon is a picture of a fish and pictures the concept of perpetual or eternal life. The dream is established when it becomes connected to the eternal plan and its intended purpose of passing on the goodness of God and the eternal life that we have been so freely given.

"Freely you have recieved freely give" Matthew 10:8

Once we discover what the purpose or plan it is important that we remain focused on the mission God has given us. The business of life and sometimes desires for other things can be quite distracting. Our lives are so incredibly busy today, and a lot of times lacking in a clearly defined biblical purpose? which is why it is essential for us to do as God commanded the prophet to do.

“ Write (inscribe the vision)

And make it plain on tablets,

That he may run who reads it.

(Habakkuk 2:2, New King James Version)

This has helped me immensely to stay focused and not be discouraged. I wonder sometimes if Joseph had to remind himself of the dream frequently with each opposition he faced

Most importantly stay focused on the person of that goal and dream.

Hebrews 12:...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

A quote from Rick Renner's Sparkling Gems from the Greek:

"The main goal of all believers should be to find God's plan for their lives and then to go after it with all their might and strength...The primary emphasis of reward (in the ancient games) was not material wealth, but on the distinguishable honor bestowed on the winners. These people were only able to achieve victory in the Olympic games by being disciplined, balanced, and committed to excellence;... our task is to find the divine plan for our lives: to get in shape so we can start running our race...You have to remove all distractions and commit yourself to a life of discipline, balance, and devotion."

What enabled Paul to press ahead when he was being assaulted so viciously? How could he maintain such a victorious attitude? How is it that he never surrendered to weariness, exhaustion, or the devil's attacks?...That he would one day hear Jesus say to him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (1)

^{Psalm 40:5} Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works

Which You have done;

And Your thoughts (plans -machshav) toward us

Cannot be recounted to You in order;

If I would declare and speak of them,

They are more than can be numbered.

In closing I would like share some scriptures to pray in seeking the Lord for His plans and purposes. His Word describes the needs of our heart in better ways than we can think of ourselves sometimes. I love these scriptures because they really do hit the target concerning our search for Him and the plans He has for us.

Ephesians 1

I pray to you the God of My Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that you may give to me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, and the eyes of my understanding would beenlightened; that I may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward me

Colossians 1

I ask that I may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I may walk worthy of You Lord, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You... and I prayer that my love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that I may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ

Hebrews 13

May the God of peace who brought up My Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make me complete in every good work to do His will, working in me what is well pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever..

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ...

Philippians 2:13

for it is You who works in me both to will and to do for Your good pleasure.

Psalm 143

Cause me to hear Your mercy (covenant love) in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD (YHWH), from my enemies; In You I take shelter. 10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God (Elohim); Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

(1) Sparkling Gems from the greek by Rick Renner Teach all Nations publishing copyright 2003