Live with Intention

“Christ was chosen before the world was made, but He was shown to the world in these last times for your sake.   Through Christ you believe in God, who raised Christ from the dead and gave Him glory.  So, your faith and your hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:20-21 NCV

Jesus came to earth with intention, a long time coming with purpose.  There was a plan one that would fill the chasm between us and our Heavenly Father.  Last Sunday I heard an amazing message from Pastor Ken Squires at Bethel Life Center in Wichita, Kansas.  Pastor Ken described the void between us and God as a chasm, that emptiness created in the garden that drove us to hide from God, have doubt or feel rejected.  Through time you and I, my sweet sisters, have been trying to build a bridge across that chasm to reach our God. Every time we fail, yes I said that EVERY TIME WE FAIL…

There is only one way to cross the chasm and that is when we recognize and embrace that Jesus’ blood has filled that chasm to overflowing.  Ephesians 2:13 NASB says “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  You see my sisters through His blood the chasm is filled and the opportunity for an intimate relationship with our Father is restored.  We can never build a bridge strong enough because our salvation does NOT come in “doing” because Jesus has already done, accomplished what was needed for us to be close to God, so that we no longer hide, or live with guilt or fear.  Now because of His blood you and I can walk with confidence, peace, and joy despite our circumstances.

Hebrews 13:12 tells us that “Jesus also suffered…in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.” Crossing the chasm through the blood of Jesus is to be in a new relationship with God.  The blood of Christ offers forgiveness of sin, eternal life but also sanctification meaning to purify, make sacred, holy,  to be set apart for God’s special use and purpose.

So now, how can you and I live with intention? The Word tells us, “Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrew 2:18 AMPebrew

The Bible is a precious instruction manual inspired by God written by God’s chosen, “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB Through it we are able to obtain a true relationship with God one which we all are desperately seeking.  True peace comes at Jesus’ feet, when we invest our time learning to see yourselves and those around us through His eyes, making daily decisions based on what God says and not the world.  A good friend said, “We cannot have the mind set of obeying God until we get what we want…We MUST obey (live God’s way) until God gets what He wants!”

Living with intention is to live seeking after God’s purpose for your life.  We must acknowledge that He is the Creator, and we are His created.   It is a lifestyle, we must but aside our selfish nature; think of others, as Jesus did. God has given us the ability to live as written in Galatians 5:22-23 NASB  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  This is not always easy, but don’t be discouraged because God has given us help…” Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God.” I Corinthians 2:12 AMP

Blessings, Sister Laurie