“For such a time as this” Stepping into your purpose and destiny

For Such a Time as This

We connect this phrase most strongly with Esther “Who knows that you have come to such a position for such a time as this”. The truth is that we each have a “such a time as this” that has been planned ahead of us. God has planned “good works” for us to do and they are our “Such a time as this”.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Biblical destiny is not a matter of our lot or our fate. It is God’s purpose for us

Psalm 73:24
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Stepping into this moment does not come out of the blue. It does not just appear.  It comes from seeking God and his counsel. People who are an “Overnight Success” have usually spent years of hard work and preparation to walk into that moment. Think of the musicians and the artists who came to fame after years of hard work. These moments in time, the thing we were born for, does not necessarily get dropped into our laps. It comes as the result of a journey. This journey has several parts and several phases. Even people who have a sense of destiny and purpose over their life do not just walk into it.

So what are some of the steps on this journey? Whichever person you look at there are some key points.

1. Preparation
This is something that takes many shapes and forms. Sometimes this phase is a difficult one and actually has many obstacles or hardships that need to be overcome. For Esther it was being raised by a cousin and then removed from family and taken into a Harem that was totally a culture shock and totally different to anything she had known or experienced, (Esther 2). For Moses it was being brought up in a royal family in luxury and then living in the wilderness tending sheep (something no Egyptian wanted to do) until he was 80, (Exodus 2,3).

For Joshua it was spending time with Moses, walking in the wilderness with faithless people when he was full of faith and experiencing the battles along the way. (Exodus and Numbers 13). For Paul it was being a Pharisee and learning the laws of God and then living in obscurity for some time with people being afraid of him and suspecting him. (Acts 9, 13 Gal 1). For Jesus it was spending the early part of his life in obscurity, probably as a carpenter. (Luke 2). Joseph was sold as a slave and then ended up in prison wrongfully accused by a sly woman. Genesis 37 onwards

God has a preparation time for each of us. In many ways, even when we are walking in destiny and purpose we find ourselves being prepared for the next step, the next phase of the journey. If you’re feeling like you’re not quite walking in your purpose – that’s ok. God has you in his preparation phase.

What to do in the preparation phase? Continue to seek God and his Kingdom purpose. When making decisions, be sure they are good ones, based on God’s Word, good advice etc. Do what is in your hand to do. It may not be your dream job, but it could well be the one that leads to your dream job.

Ecc 9:10
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

If you are feeling stuck – think about what is causing that feeling. What is God trying to show you or teach you? Remember – we are told not to despise the day of small beginnings. Even the biggest dreams and projects start with small beginnings. This phase is a learning and growing phase – a phase where we discover our strengths and our challenges. It is a phase where God can use where you are for his purpose even when you can’t see it.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

You may not be there yet, but you will be. This stage of the journey prepares us and teaches us. It is a phase of personal growth and revelation of God.

2. Service - Often in relative obscurity
Learning to serve with the right heart and attitude is a crucial part of stepping into purpose and destiny. Serving where you are, in whatever situation you are in, develops skills and talents. Most of all it helps us develop the right heart and the right attitude. “Service with a smile” is a bit corny, but how we serve is actually more important than where we serve.

Colossians 3:23
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Joseph is one of the best examples of this in the Bible. He served with skill and with the right attitude even when he was sold into slavery. He served with everything he had. It was not his purpose and destiny to be a slave in Potiphar’s house far removed from his family, but he served well wherever he was.

Genesis 39:2-9
The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

He went to prison because he was wrongly accused. Serving time in prison was not his destiny.

Genesis 39:19-23
Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And theLord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Even in prison Joesph served faithfully and with integrity.

What does this mean for us? Service requires faithfulness, integrity and the right attitude. Bad attitudes do not help people move into their purpose and destiny. Bad attitudes are the things that will ruin purpose and destiny. In fact it could be said that serving with a bad or indifferent attitude is not actually serving with faithfulness and integrity. It’s just turning up and going through the motions.

If we are to step into destiny, then our attitude becomes a key indicator for us. I believe one reason Joseph finally came to the notice of Pharaoh was because of his attitude. Pharaoh was not aware of it, but the gaoler was!! If Joseph had complained all the time, I expect he would have stayed in prison for a long time.

Philippians 2:14,15
Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people

We know Joseph had the right attitude because when he was released, he served Pharaoh with the same integrity he had served the gaoler and when his brothers came to him, He knew that God meant it for good. He could see how preparation and service were part of his destiny.

What’s your attitude like? Maybe we are not moving forward and stepping into our “such a time as this" because of our unwillingness to serve with the right attitude. Our attitude is how we think about life. An attitude is basically a way of thinking about things, about life and situations that we develop in our minds and in our thought life. Attitudes become patterns of behaviour that are expressed through the way we approach the things we do in life, our demeanour, the words we say and the way we behave.

What you think about a situation will become obvious. If we are to step into our “such a time as this” moment, then we must start working on our thought life and the area of attitudes.

Ephesians 4:23
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

Mordecai told Esther that just because she was in the royal house didn’t mean she would escape. In some ways he is addressing the “I’m ok” attitude – "this doesn’t concern me" and the “Do I really care” attitude.This means being thankful for what we have and where we are instead of complaining about what we don’t have or where we’re not. Our attitudes are crucial to our purpose and our destiny.

How are you serving? (Not where, or for whom, or which department!!)
How? What is your attitude? Are you serving faithfully and with integrity?

3. Recognising the time and taking the risk
Eventually there comes a time to step into the purpose. This involves recognising the time and taking a risk. This is our opportunity, our destiny.

Matthew 10:18
You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.

Mordecai was prepared to take a risk when he stood up to Haman. Esther was prepared to take a risk when she approached the king.

Esther 4:10-17
Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold sceptre. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” 12 So Hathach[a] gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Paul was prepared to do so when he set out to preach the gospel – he was prepared to risk his life, to risk prison, no matter the cost, Acts 16:16-40. Paul tells us in his letters to make the most of every opportunity, and he knew how to embrace the opportunities God gave him, often at great personal cost.

Ephesians 5:16
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Colossians 4:5
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Joseph had to recognise the time even when it was later than he expected. He had to take the risk of telling Pharaoh what the dream meant. He was given the opportunity to do so because he was faithful in service to the kingdom.

Stepping into destiny always means taking a risk. This does not mean it is not God ordained or God given, but there is always risk involved. There is always the risk that it won’t turn out as we expect. Esther had to face risking her life to save her people. Paul risked his life time and time again. God has a plan and a purpose for us. He has a destiny for us and taking a risk to fulfil his purpose and destiny is part of the deal.

What risks are you prepared to take?

Will you allow God to take you on a journey through preparation and service to step into your destiny?

Stepping into your “Such a time” Part 2

Introduction
Last week we looked at some of the people in the Bible who made an impact by taking hold of their “Such a time”. We are all destined to have a “such a time as this” moment. Last week we looked at:
Preparation – sometimes this is longer than we might expect, but it will never be without purpose.
Serving – finding whatever is in your hand to do to serve somewhere in church or community
Risk – knowing the season and being prepared to take a risk to step out and into what God has for us.

Our destiny is not something that falls to our lot. It is not an act of fate. Our destiny is foreordained by God. We walk in our destiny when we choose to engage with what God has planned for us. The choice is ours. Will we engage with God’s plan and purpose for our lives or will we choose our own way and miss what God has planned?

1.God’s ways are not our ways
Our destiny is God ordained and God directed, and doesn’t necessarily go how we planned. God never said that stepping into our plan and purpose would be easy. He says we will have trouble. Stuff will happen. Just because stuff happens does not mean our destiny is lost or unattainable. The stuff that happens becomes part of your purpose.

One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that God does not always do things the way we expect or even want. But he does have our best interest and our purpose at his heart. We don’t always understand the way God works, but understanding this actually enables us to take hold of what God has planned.

When we can put our own plans aside and truly trust God for his purpose for our lives we embark on an amazing journey. We don’t know what Joseph and Esther thought about the things they didn’t understand. We see what they went through and we can learn from them.

What can we say? To walk into our “such a time” requires us to trust God, even when it seems all is falling apart.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

We want to trust our own understanding. We want answers, to understand, but God says: trust me in everything, don’t rely on what you understand.

Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

We know this, and we quote it. But if we are to walk into our purpose, God’s plan for us, then we need to really live it. I love these verses because they remind me that God thinks differently to me. His thoughts – devices, plans and purposes are different to ours. God’s purpose for us is not always what we want or expect, but it is always better than anything we could think of.

Isaiah 26:4
4 Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Trust in God, in his solid character and his strength. He is totally trustworthy.

What areas of life do we struggle to trust God? Decide today that even when we don’t see it, we can trust God for his good plan and purpose.

2. Make each day count
This means placing value on each day, so that we live a life that is different to others. This does not mean cramming every day solid with stuff. It does mean being deliberate in choosing how we use each day and what we choose to do.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

Romans 12:11
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

We are not meant to be idle, just waiting for stuff to happen. When we are active and involved, opportunities will come our way. These opportunities propel us into our “Such a time” if we make the most of them and make the most of every day. If we are to step into our “Such a time” then its important to create a lifestyle and habits that propel us forward and don’t hold us back.

Ephesians 5:15-17
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

We are to live wisely. Developing Godly habits is wise. Last year we talked about renewing the mind and right thinking. This was all about developing the right habits around the way we think. It is true with any habit. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to live wisely in this world, to be careful how we live and in what we do (develop good habits) and to make the most of every opportunity.

Making the most of every day that we are given is done by creating good habits and living by them. Our habits determine our future and will stop us from walking in destiny and purpose or will help us to take hold of it. I like the following thought. It is all about consistently using each day well.

Bob Gass Devotional – Tues 18 Feb
A dream becomes a reality as a result of your actions and your actions are controlled mostly by your habits. Life is nothing more than the sum total of many successful years; a successful year is nothing more than the sum total of many successful weeks; a successful week is nothing more than the sum total of many successful days. That’s why practising successful habits, day in and day out, is the most certain way to win over the long term.

Joseph developed habits of working that led to success in whatever he did; habits of trusting God; habits of ethical behaviour. Habits that developed character and built integrity.

Steve Covey in "The 7 habits of Highly Effective people" writes about several habits that help us to win in life. They are worth looking at and require us to take a good hard look at how we live; how our habits affect us and others; and what we can do to change. Good habits do not mean life has to be boring. In fact good habits means that life can be exciting and amazing, and we can actually maximise the opportunities.

What is important to you?

What habits do you have that hold you back? What habits would you like to have/will help you move forward into God’s good plan and purpose.

What will you do today to start working on and beginning to change habits that are detrimental to you, and replace them with habits that are helpful to you?

3. Focus on what you have
One of the main reasons we don’t take hold of and engage with our “Such a time” is because we focus on the wrong things. It’s easy to focus on what we don’t have, but this saps our energy and causes us to strive after the wrong things. It puts our energy into the negative basket and it just drains our strength.

Focussing on the right things enables us to use our energy to propel us forward, focussing on what we have and being thankful for what we have. Being thankful for what we have opens us up to the abundant life that we have in God and his abundant blessings for us. The Bible talks a lot about being thankful. This is because when we are thankful, we stop focussing on the negative and we get our thoughts into the right place. When our thoughts are in the right place we can maximise what we have to the glory of God. Jesus says don't worry about what you don't have. Focus on kingdom purpose and what you do have, because God knows and will give you all you need.

Matthew 6:25-33
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

What is Jesus saying? People who don’t understand his purpose will always be seeking in the wrong direction and expending unnecessary energy. When our thoughts are dominated by lack; when our thinking is cluttered by wrong things, we are not free to pursue God’s purpose. Worry is expending energy on a perceived lack, rather than looking at what we actually have.

Our “Such a time” is not about having these things. God says he will provide them.  We can stop thinking about what we don’t have and place our focus in the right place – God’s Kingdom. “Seek first the Kingdom” is an attitude that expends energy in the right direction propelling us into our future and into our destiny.

When we focus on what we have, we are able to use what we have to maximise our potential. Sometimes we are so busy thinking about what we don’t have that we forget what we do have. When we focus on what we do have, we can become creative in the way we use it and maximise what God has given us.

Some quotes about thankfulness:
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have you will never have enough - Oprah Winfrey

Ingratitude to God does not rely only on our refusal to give the verbal thanksgiving due to him, but also resides in our inability to appreciate his gifts and potentials in us by leaving them untapped - Israel Ayivor

Sometimes we focus so much on what we don’t have that we fail to see, appreciate and use what we do have - Jeff Dixon

When we focus on what we don’t have we miss what we do have and the potential that lies therein. When we focus on what we do have – we release that potential. This is what enables us to take hold of opportunities, to engage with what God is doing and to step into our “Such a time”.

What are we focussing on?

Conclusion
Engage with God’s purpose and destiny for your life by:
Trusting him completely – even when its seems different to our plan or difficult
Making every day count – by developing habits that release potential and maximise opportunity
Focussing on what we do have - expending energy in the right direction, releasing the potential therein.

“For such a time as this” Stepping into your purpose and destiny

We connect this phrase most strongly with Esther “Who knows that you have come to such a position for such a time as this” The truth is though that we each have a “such a time as this” that has been planned ahead of us. God has planned “good works” for us to do and they are our “Such a time as this”.

Ephesians 2:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

pur·pose
 
noun
1. The reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. An intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3. Determination; resoluteness.
4. The subject in hand; the point at issue.
5. Practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

des·ti·ny
  
noun
1. something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.
2. the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
3. the power or agency that determines the course of events.
4. ( initial capital letter ) this power personified or represented as a goddess.
5. the Destinies, the Fates.

Biblical destiny is not a matter of our lot or our fate. It is God’s purpose for us

Psalm 73:24
New Living Translation (NLT)
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Stepping into this moment does not come out of the blue. It does not just appear. It comes from seeking God and his counsel
People who are an “Overnight Success” have usually spent years of hard work and preparation to walk into that moment. Think of the musicians and the artists who came to fame after years of hard work.

These moments in time, the thing we were born for, does not necessarily get dropped into our laps. It comes as the result of a journey. This journey has several parts and several phases. Even people who have a sense of destiny and purpose over their life do not just walk into it.

So what are some of the steps on this journey?

Whatever person you look at there are some key points.

1.Preparation
This is something that takes many shapes and forms. Sometimes this phase is a difficult one and actually has many obstacles or hardships that need to be overcome

For Esther it was being raised by a cousin and then removed from family and taken into a Harem that was totally a culture shock and totally different to anything she had known or experienced   - Esther 2

For Moses it was being brought up in a royal family in luxury and then living in the wilderness tending sheep (something no Egyptian wanted to do) until he was 80  - Exodus 2,3

For Joshua it was spending time with Moses, walking in the wilderness with faithless people when he was full of faith –Exodus and Numbers 13

For Paul it was being a Pharisee and learning the laws of God and then living in obscurity for some time with people being afraid of him and suspecting him. Acts 9, 13 Gal 1

For Jesus it was spending the early part of his life in obscurity, probably as a carpenter. Luke 2

Joseph was sold as a slave and then ended up in prison wrongfully accused by a sly woman. Genesis 37 onwards

God has a preparation time for each of us.

In many ways, even when we are walking in destiny and purpose we find ourselves being prepared for the next step, the next phase.

If you’re feeling like you’re not quite walking in your purpose – that’s ok. God has you in his preparation phase.

What to do in the preparation phase. We continue to seek God and his Kingdom purpose. When making decisions, be sure they are good ones, based on God’s Word, and good advice.

Do what is in your hand to do. It may not be your dream job, but it could well be the one that leads to your dream job.

Ecc 9:10
New living Translation (NLT)

Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

If you are feeling stuck, think about what is causing that feeling. Remember, we are told not to despise the day of small beginnings. Even the biggest dreams and projects start with small beginnings.

This phase is a learning and growing phase – a phase where we discover our strengths and our challenges. It is a phase where God can use where we are for his purpose even when we can’t see it. God is working in all things for the good of those that are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28
New Living Translation

And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

You may not be there yet, but you will be

2. Service
Often in relative obscurity.

Learning to serve with the right heart and attitude is a crucial part of stepping into purpose and destiny. Serving where you are in whatever situation you are in, develops skills and talents. Most of all it helps us develop the right heart and the right attitude. “Service with a smile” is a bit corny but how we serve is actually more important than where we serve

Colossians 3:23
New Living Translation (NLT)
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Joseph is one of the best examples of this in the Bible. He served with skill and with the right attitude even when he was sold into slavery. He served with everything he had. It was not his purpose and destiny to be a slave in Potiphar’s house far removed from his family.

Genesis 39:2-9
The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

He went to prison because he was wrongly accused. Serving time in prison was not his destiny.

Genesis 39:19-23
Joseph Put in Prison
Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And theLord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Even in prison he served faithfully and with integrity. What does this mean for us? Service requires faithfulness, integrity and the right attitude. Bad attitudes do not help people move into their purpose and destiny. Bad attitudes will actually derail our purpose and destiny.

In fact it could be said that serving with a bad or indifferent attitude is not actually serving with faithfulness and integrity. It’s just turning up and going through the motions. If we are to step into destiny, then our attitude becomes a key indicator for us.

I believe one reason Joseph finally came to the notice of Pharaoh was because of his attitude. Pharaoh was not aware of it, but the gaoler was!! If Joseph had complained all the time, I expect he would have stayed in prison for a long time.

Philippians 2:14,15

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people

We know Joseph had the right attitude because when he was released, he served Pharaoh with the same integrity he had served the gaoler and when his brothers came to him, he did not seek revenge. He knew that God meant it for good. He could see the preparation and the service being part of his destiny.

What’s your attitude like? Maybe we are not moving forward and stepping into our “such a time as this" because of our unwillingness to serve with the right attitude.

Our attitude is how we think about life. It is basically a way of thinking about things, about life and situations that we develop in our minds and in our thought life. Attitudes become patterns of behaviour that are expressed through the way we approach the things we do in life, our demeanour, the words we say and the way we behave.

What you think about a situation will become obvious. If we are to step into our “such a time as this” moment then we must start working on our thought life and the area of attitudes.

Ephesians 4:23
New Living Translation (NLT)
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

Mordecai told Esther that just because she was in the royal house didn’t mean she would escape. In some ways he is addressing the “I’m ok” attitude – this doesn’t concern me and the “Do I really care” attitude.This means being thankful for what we have and where we are instead of complaining about what we don’t have or where we’re not. Our attitudes are crucial to our purpose and our destiny.

How are you serving? (Not where, or for whom, or which department!!)

How? What is your attitude? Are you serving faithfully and with integrity?

3.Recognising the time and taking the risk

Eventually there comes a time to “Step into the purpose”. This involves recognising the time and taking a risk.

Matthew 10:18
New Living Translation (NLT)
You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.

Mordecai was prepared to take a risk when he stood up to Haman. Esther was prepared to take a risk when she approached the king.

Esther 4:10-17
Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold sceptre. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Paul was prepared to do so when he set out to preach the gospel. He was prepared to risk his life, to risk prison etc. no matter the cost.  Acts 16:16-40 In fact Paul says, make the most of every opportunity.

Ephesians 5:16
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Colossians 4:5
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Joseph had to recognise the time even though it was later than he expected. He had to take the risk of telling Pharaoh what the dream meant. He was given the opportunity to do so because he was faithful in service to the gaoler and before  Pharaoh.

Stepping into destiny always means taking a risk. This does not mean it is not God ordained or God given, but there is always risk involved. There is always the risk that it won’t turn out as we expect. Esther had to face risking her life to save her people. Joshua crossed a swollen River. David faced Goliath. All opportunities that involved risk.

God has a plan and a purpose for us. He has a destiny for us and taking a risk to fulfil his purpose and destiny is part of the deal.

What risks are you prepared to take?

Vision Message WOW 2014

Introduction
There are great opportunities for us this year to build on the success of last year and to continue to grow in community and in faith. It requires all of us together to build something significant for the kingdom. God gives us the mandate to go and make disciples and it requires all of us together.

God wants to bless us, he wants to bless Citylife Women and he will build his church.

1 Timothy 2:4
God wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth

1 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God's desire is twofold - that people would be saved and that they be discipled and disciple others.

WOW is totally about these two things.

Ensuring each woman is loved and discipled to fulfil God's plan for her life.

Citylife Women
A community of women who are:
Confident in God
Passionate about his Kingdom
Committed to his cause

We value:
Our cultural and generational diversity
We value our community
We value friendship with one another.

We endeavour to live out our values as part of a wider community by:
Caring for each other by
Intentionally building our relationships and friendships
Respecting and honouring others.

We place value on others by treating them with love and respect, helping them to come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

WOW - Women on Wednesday
Creating a place where women can:
Connect with God through worship
Learn to live the Christian life through lifestyle application of the word
Connect in a meaningful way with other women
Bring along their friends
Develop leadership potential

We do this by focussing on some key things.

1. Belonging
Create a place where people feel they can belong regardless of where they are on the journey towards faith. It is not about a doctrine, or practices. These have a place, but most importantly its about belonging.

What we believe is important and we will not dilute what we believe, but we will share it with love and grace. How we present the truth will vary over time and place, but it will still be truth.

We rely on the word of God as our source of truth and in the belief that:
God loves everyone
He sent Jesus as saviour
Jesus is the way to salvation
Heaven and hell both exist and the only way to salvation is through the atoning work of Christ.

But as people are on the journey towards this understanding and towards faith, we want women to know that there is a place that they belong.

We are a community of women, doing life together, growing, and becoming who God calls us to be.

What is a community?
Community is common ownership and participation.

In other words a sense of belonging, inclusion and involvement.
We want to create a place of love and acceptance of people regardless of where they are up to. This does not mean we won't be challenged to change and to grow, but it does mean we are creating a community of women who are willing to accept people wherever they are at and to walk the journey of life towards faith and Discipleship with them.

Jesus accepted people; he loved them and gave the call to follow him. He is our example.

John 8:1-11. The woman caught in adultery. Jesus did not condemn her, he accepted her as she was, and extended grace and cared about her enough to say - "Go and sin no more". No condemnation, just acceptance, love and a challenge.

How can we create a place where people feel they belong?

By loving them, and not judging them, welcoming them, by including them in our circle of friends, and by caring.

By keeping a positive attitude when we are here and by not criticising others!!

Making sure that whatever we do, we do it with excellence because we want them to experience something that tells them that no matter their background, no matter what has gone before, they are important and they are valued.

What is community?
It is ownership.
As we take a healthy ownership of what God is doing amongst us we will see amazing things.

A healthy community:
Cares about each other
Challenges ideas and challenges “the norms”.
A healthy community remains healthy by:
Accepting everyone, judging no-one and by an over-riding love.
By embracing the new, embracing people and by putting others first.

A community remains healthy by being intentional about what it does.
For us this means by being intentional in our relationships, by honouring one another and by loving one another. We want to develop a culture of honouring people.

We do this by:
Developing and maintaining a positive attitude towards others
Honouring others by contributing in a positive way to our community.

Q. What can I do to personally honour those around me?
Q. How can I contribute in a positive way to our community?

Because:
As we relate to one another, as we relate to our friends, our family our work colleagues; as we “Be a friend”, as we show God’s love to people by the way we love each other, people will come. As we tell friends about God, they will already see his love and they will come.

2. Focus on them
A mindset shift - that this is about others and not about us. This is about unsaved people. The focus of what we do is those who do not already know Christ. We exist to reach unsaved people and share God's love with them.

Of course the question that arises is "what about me and my needs?"

Two things here!
In Jesus, every real need we have has been met. We need to learn to live it out.

Col 3
In Him, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

This also highlights the importance of friends and life group. The key thing is that in Christ we have everything and those without Christ have nothing.

Go Make Disciples
GO - this is going into the world and sharing the love of Jesus with the people in our circle of influence.

MAKE DISCIPLES - looking after people, helping them in their walk with God, getting involved in life group and reaching out to others.

Q. What are we personally doing to go - to embrace the opportunity we have all around us?

God wants all to be saved. God wants those who are saved to be discipled and to disciple others. This is not about personality, this is about loving others. The bible says that we are to be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have and to make the most of every opportunity, and to always act graciously.

Col 4:6
Your Speech should always be gracious…

Keeping our speech gracious may sometimes be hard. This is a challenge we can take on. Not just gracious when we want to be or when things are going our way, but always. Making an effort to keep our speech right.

In reaching out to others, we show the love of God as much through actions as words.

Be a friend
We all have people that we know through life - at work, our families etc.
We can care about people and be a friend.

Tell a friend
As we develop relationships with people, we will find opportunities to share the hope that we have.

We do not need to force it, we just get to know them and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is his job to convict people, and draw them towards salvation.

We lift up the name of Jesus in our actions and in our words, by living in relationship with him, and in sharing God's love for others.

Bring a friend
We all have the opportunity to bring people with us.
We can invite others to come with us on the journey. (I'm talking the unsaved, unchurched here and not about pinching other Christians from elsewhere).

Praying
One of the most effective things as we launch into this year is to simply take time to pray for other people to come to know Jesus.
God wants all to be saved. Our main focus is them, and not us.

Q. Who will I pray for?
Q. How can I be a friend to someone?

3. Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb 11:6

Let’s not be fatalistic about what happens. Let's believe that God wants to bless us, to build his church. Let’s transform our thinking. Maybe we need to lose the "I tried that and it didn't work" and replace it with an optimism that is grounded in faith in a mighty God who is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to his power at work in us". Eph 3:20

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1

We can be certain that God wants people to come to salvation. We can be certain that God wants people in relationship with him, and in relationship with others.

Q. How can I begin to exercise my faith?

Conclusion
God wants us to be a community of believers who are part of a broader community of women seeking to grow in the journey of life and encouraging others to come on the journey with us.

Q. Will you be a part of it?

A short thought

The Words I speak are spirit and life. These are the Words of Jesus to his disciples in John 6:63

Jesus speaks life into our spirits. He says that only the Holy Spirit can give eternal life, (and it comes from belief in Jesus as Saviour.)

We are totally reliant on the Spirit of God for true life and true meaning. As we read the words of Jesus and the Word of God, the Spirit speaks to us and brings life to us. Sometimes the message is difficult; there are things that challenge us and things we need to change to become more like Christ. But as we take hold of his Word; as we meditate on it and allow it to become part of us; as we apply it to our lives; with God's help, we can do it.

Lets make this year one that sees us apply his word to our lives, move closer to God and closer to the person he has created us to be.

What's in the Box

What's in the box for you this Christmas. What gifts will you unwrap?

Last time we looked at God's great gifts of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life. It is in Christ that we receive these amazing gifts from God. Gifts that come as a result of God's incredible love

This week I  grace and peace. These gifts like the last are in many ways intangible, yet we know when we have them and when we need them.

Like the previous gifts we looked at these gifts are available for the asking. They are the two powerful gifts of Gods grace and unmerited favour and his peace that is like no other.

1. Grace
God's grace is made manifest toward us through the person ofJesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of God's grace.

Without Jesus, without his sacrifice, we would not be able to have a relationship with God and we would still be under the law and judged by the law. We would still be in darkness, without the light of God.

Eph 2:8
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Our salvation comes through God's amazing gift of grace towards us. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We are wholly and totally dependent on God's wonderful grace, displayed to us in Jesus.

The apostle John totally understood the difference between law - trying to do it ourselves, and grace.

John 1:17
For the Law was given by Moses but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus

The KJV says "grace and truth came through Jesus Christ".
This represents the Greek a little better. The great gift of God in Christ is truth and grace. This shows God's unfailing love towards us.

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has been revealed bring salvation for all people.

Grace - Charis - something that affords joy and pleasure; governed by divine grace. Not something we earn, but something bestowed on us, from the love, mercy and gracious kindness of God.

This is what John understood. In Jesus we are governed by divine grace. This is favour from God. It is the same word used to describe Mary in Luke 1:30 - "fear not for you have found favour with God".

And Jesus in Luke 2:40- "the grace of God was upon him".

So grace is divine favour bestowed on people by God. This grace is available to both Jew and gentile. Paul says that both the Jew and the gentile is saved by God's unmerited favour. It does not matter what background we have, where we have come from or who we are. God's grace is available to everyone.

We cannot earn God's grace.

Romans 11:5
It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace - his undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by works. For in that case God's grace would not be what it really is- free and undeserved.

Sometimes we can take God's amazing gift of grace for granted or worse, forget that it is by grace we are saved, and we revert to trying to gain God's favour by works.

The Galatians had certainly fallen in to the trap of forgetting that it was by grace and not by works. Paul speaks to them about God's grace to him, and his grace is also the same for us.

Gal 1:15
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvellous grace.

Even before we existed, God's grace was there for us,outworked in our lives through our calling by God, chosen for his purpose. So he says to the Galatians, don't take God's grace for granted, don't use it as a reason to sin, or forget about his grace and fall into empty works.

Gal 2:21
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

But the law does not make us right with God, only the grace of God through Christ can make us right with him.

Eph 1:7
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he has purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

God is so rich in kindness. God's grace is free, and it is ongoing. We have relationship with God; we can come boldly to God and receive grace whenever we need it.

Heb 4:16
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us when we need it.

God's grace was not just a one off that is given, but is constantly available to us whenever we need it.

James 4:6
He gives us grace to stand against evil desires.

What do you need God's grace for today? Come boldly into his presence and receive it, without strings attached. It is freely available.

God's grace is also to be extended to others. Paul knew that because he had received God's amazing and incredible grace, he had a responsibility to share that grace with others.

Eph 3:2
God gave me the special responsibility of extending grace to you gentiles.

Eph 3:7
By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this good news.

Paul's responsibility was to the gentiles, but we too have a responsibility to tell others of God's amazing grace available to them.

Romans 6:14
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirement of the law. Instead you live under the freedom of God's grace.

God's grace brings freedom from the law, freedom from the power of sin, and freedom to follow God. Continue to live in God's grace.

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

As we grow in understanding of who God is, we understand his grace more and more, and live by it. What will you do to continue to live in grace and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?

2. Peace
God's peace is also a gift to us.

Col 3:15
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body we are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

God's peace is not the same as worldly peace. It is not an absence of conflict in the sense that we would know it. It is an inner peace that cannot be explained in earthly terms.

God's peace is one that our finite minds find difficult to grasp, because it is a peace that passes understanding. Jesus said that the peace he gives us is not as the world gives it.

John 14:27
I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give so don't be troubled or afraid.

God's peace is different to anything we can otherwise know. In fact God's peace is so different, that it is available regardless of our circumstances.

Isaiah 9:6 says that Jesus is the everlasting Father and prince of peace. Jesus is our peace.

He brings us peace with God, and peace between Jew and gentile, Eph 2:14, but he also brings peace to our hearts and our minds.

John 16:33
I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.

This world is full of trials and sorrows, and stuff that challenges us, but in Jesus we can have peace, because he is our peace.

It is in Him, that we have peace. And this peace exists even in times of trial and sorrow. The level of the peace we have is probably indicative of the relationship we have with God.

The word for peace is Eirene and is the way that leads to peace, a place of tranquility. In the Christian context it means: "The state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."

In other words, it is a peace that comes to us from God that means we are afraid of nothing, and exists no matter what the circustances are. We have access to God's peace for the asking. Will we avail ourselves of it or continue to fret and worry?

Like all God's good gifts, peace is available if we ask for it. But will we receive it and apply it? That is the real question.

Phil 4:6-8
Don't worry, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can undertand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ.

There is a message in itself here. But here are some practical things we can do to help us receive God's peace which is freely available. It is his gift.

Will we actively receive it or leave it wrapped in the package and look at it as something unattainable when it is actually well within our reach and available to us? This would be like having a gift card that we never use.

This passage helps us in practical application.

Simply:
Stop worrying - each time you catch yourself worrying, stop it, be deliberate, don't continue worrying.

You don't add to your life by worrying, you subtract from it. God says simply stop it.

Secondly - now that you have been deliberate - pray.

At this stage, this is seeking God in prayer, seeking him for his sake, talking to him and listenning to him. Then - having engaged with God in prayer, tell him what it is that you need, and thank him, for what he has already done.

This is an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude, for what has already been done, and expecting in faith that God will answer your prayers as you tell him what you need. (He might answer differently to what you want or expect.)

It is when we have done these things that we will experience God's grace. Its like having to unwrap a package. Its always there and available, you just have to take the paper off.

It takes faith to trust God, but his peace is available to those who trust him.

Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Those who trust, who open up the package will receive. What will you choose?

2 Thes 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.

This is God's desire for us and his gift to us.

Conclusion
Grace and peace is made freely available to us.

Make a decision to receive these gifts today, and to extend grace and peace to others as we grow together in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What's in the Box

What's in the box?
What will you unwrap this Christmas?

As we look at the weeks running up to Christmas, lets take a look at what is in God's gift box to us. God has given us many good gifts.

Matt 7:11
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him.

James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in heaven.

God gives good gifts to his children. Not because he has to but because he loves us and wants to. The greatest gift he has given us is his son. We receive the greatest gift from a loving heavenly father who wants the best for his children and wants to be in relationship with his children.

God sent Jesus as the greatest gift on earth for us. He was prophesied in Isaiah, in Micah and elsewhere.

Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end.

God sent his son. The great verse John 3:16 is fullof meaning. Its easy to sprout it without pondering the real and deep meaning of it. God loved each and every one of us so much. More than we can imagine.

John 3:16,17
For God loved the world so much that he have his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him.

It's all about the amazing gift that God gave to us through Jesus. God wants relationship with us, because he loves us and was prepared to allow his beloved and only Son to die for us. Jesus instigated communion so we would remember God's amazing love and Jesus' sacrifice for us.

Luke 22:19
This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembramce of me

Titus 3:4-7
But when our God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out his Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

There are many gifts that God gives us. Salvation, grace, mercy, righteousness, hope, faith, love, peace, his Spirit and all the amazing and wonderful spiritual gifts. We will only look at a few over the next few weeks.

God gives us these gifts. What will our response be? Will will we receive it or not?

1. Salvation
The greatest gift is Jesus and through him we receive the gift of salvation.The gift of salvation comes as a result of belief and faith calling on the name of the Lord.

2 Thes 2:13
As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience God's salvation - a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

Salvation comes from a belief in the truth, the good news of Jesus.

Heb 5:9
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.

1 Peter 1:9
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls

Romans 10:9-13
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in y8ur heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth, that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, Anyone who believes in him will never be disgraced. Jew and gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls upon tye name of the Lord will be saved."

THE GIFT OF SALVATION IS AVAILABLE - ALL WE NEED TO DO IS ASK AND BELIEVE

God has given us this great gift. He wants all to have his great gift of salvation. He has made a way for salvation for all people.

1 Tim 2:1-6
I urge you first of all to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and on Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Jesus Christ. He gave his life to purchase fredom for everyone.

God's gift is available. Take hold of all that it means, including his health and wholeness for our physical bodies, our soul, our mind and spirit.

2. Forgiveness
The second gift today is forgiveness.

When we come to God is faith and believe we receive salvation and the forgiveness of sin. It is the sin that separates us from God, and his free gift of salvation, comes with a free gift of forgiveness.

Romans 5:15
There is a great difference between Adams sin and God's gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many, throigh this other man Jesus Christ.

God's gift of forgiveness to us, undoes the sin that Adam brought into the world. God forgives the sin and we receive the wonderful grace of forgiveness, and freedom.

Eph 1:7,8
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased pur freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave us our sins. He has showered his kindness on us along with all wisdom and understanding.

Forgiveness is powerful because it brings us freedom from sin, freedom from the past and freedom to pursue what God has called us to do. The gift is not selective. The gift of forgiveness is for all.

Luke 24:47b
There is forgiveness of sins for all

Col 1:13,14
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Paul clearly wanted the Colossians to understand this.

Col 2:13
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of charges that was against us and took it away, by nailing it to the cross.

The gift of forgiveness was given freely to us through the blood of Christ. As a result, our sins are gone, the record of them is totally under the blood of Jesus and God remembers them no more! There is also ongoing forgiveness. It is available to us whenever we confess our sins and repent.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We just have to ask.

Psalm 86:5
O Lord, you ate so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

We serve a God who is ready, willing and able to forgive. Will we take hold of the forgiveness on offer to us as his gift? Will we take hold of the freedom that forgiveness brings?

All we do is confess, repent and ask. (And be willing to forgive others)

Remember Matt 6:14
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you.

This is us choosing forgiveness for others as a response to God's amazing forgiveness available to us and for us.

God has the gift of forgiveness ready to give us whenever we have need. He does not hold it back. All he requires is an honest, repentant heart, that will trust in him and take hold of what he so freely gives.

3. Eternal life
The last one for today is eternal life.

As a response to Jesus' gift of salvation through faith and belief, and forgiveness through repentance, we receive eternal life. This is God's free gift.

Because the power of sin has been broken through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have salvation, forgiveness and eternal life. Before salvation, we live in darkness and in death. Sin leads to death, but God's great gift to us is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Roman 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we stay in relationship with God, we not only have eternal life when we pass from this life; but we live in eternallife right now. Eternal life starts the moment we receive Jesus.

1 John 2:25
And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised.

Romans 5:21
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul understood that God's love for us, made manifest in Christ, would bring a new kind of life. A life that was lived in the eternal, and no longer in the temporal.

1 Peter 5:10a
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus.

Eternal life is God's free gift through Jesus, to be experienced by all who believe and all who call on Jesus for salvation. This eternal life starts whenever we take hold of God's free gift of salvation through repentance. It is a reward, a free gift. It is ours right now, not in some future day, but now.

How will we live differently knowing eternal life is ours now?

Conclusion
How does all this affect us?

We can ask ourselves - what will I do with God's gifts for me?

Knowing that we have these amazing gifts, how will I respond?

God's love is made manifest in Christ. We receive his gift of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life, when we receive Christ as our saviour, believing in him, and putting our hope, our faith and our trust in him.