Does My Life Matter? (Part 3) 5 P’s – God in Your Life
5 P’s – God and Your Life
Answer #1: Yes, because God did not need us—He wanted us!
It matters to God, so it matters! No matter what someone else tells you, your life matters, first and foremost, to the One Who created you. How do I know? Glad you asked. On Day Six, you and I were on the mind of God. Gen 1: 26-27
Answer #2: Yes. You are uniquely created. God only made one of you. Fingerprints of God! Inscribed on the palm of His hand and our “walls” are ever before Him! Too often, you listen to what other people say about you and try to frame who you are from their eyes. Stop listening to the lies! Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1: 4-5b; Isaiah 49: 14-16
Answer #3: God never gave up on you and me! Despite our sin and rebellion against Him, God chose NOT to completely destroy mankind and start over. He made a way to redeem, reconcile, and restore us into a perfect relationship with Him, fulfilling many OT prophecies.
- God Incarnate – Jesus the Christ– only God could satisfy Himself to restore perfection.
- Virgin birth. Had to be so that Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit not man.
- Perfect life. That was required from the Old Testament forward that God would only accept the blood of a first-born perfect animal. In that case perfect meant unblemished.
- Blood Sacrifice. Crucifixion was the means of death in Roman times. That fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies. Only blood brought forgiveness of sins.
- Victory over death. Appeared to over 400 witnesses.
- Took His rightful place again as the Second Person of the Trinity.
- Sent the Holy Spirit as promised to convict, comfort, guide, and empower
Answer #4: The 5 Ps
Let us close this series of answers to one of man’s most important questions with five words that should encourage your hearts and motivate you to get started or re-start.
♦ Purpose. God created you with a purpose in mind…actually multiple purposes.
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- “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12: 13
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;” Jeremiah 1: 4-5b
- “But the Lord said to (Annanias), “Go, for (Saul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” Acts 9: 15
From Chariots of Fire (1981 movie) – Eric Liddell was an Olympic runner from Britain who won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was a man who had a deep commitment to the Lord and had future plans of being a missionary. In the meantime, he knew God had given him a special gift to run, and he often said, “I feel God’s pleasure when I run.”
God takes pleasure in seeing His creation used for His glory.
♦ Plans. God does not create us with purpose without having plans for our lives.
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you…,’” Jeremiah 29: 11-14a
Context: God allowed Judah to be taken captive by the Babylonians. He sent a letter to them from Jeremiah to encourage them. He still had plans for them after they returned (70 years) despite their disobedience and defiance. God did not give up on them.
“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
♦ Provision – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 19
God provides even from the strangest places. “And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.” Nehemiah 2: 8
Key Point: Needs not WANTS. God’s plans. His will. Our obedience. His provision.
♦ Place (of work and ministry)
“I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage…and you shall know that I am the LORD your God…‘I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD. From Exodus 6: 6-8
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9: 10
“…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10: 31
Key Point: When God gives us an assignment that includes the place. And He can change it as He wills. You can change it within His will.
♦ Power. How in the world can we keep His commandments and live like Jesus?
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1: 3
It is obvious to all of us we are powerless to live in such a fallen world—much less in obedience to Christ’s commands. That discourages many, so they give up and quit. God never intended for us to go it alone. But to fully receive and appropriate His power, we must surrender ours. Stop wrestling with God and yield to Him.
For those who have struggled to believe your life matters and Christ died for you/your sins, I hope now you understand how much your life matters to God. He wants you. You are unique among all humans, and He has a plan for your life.
But Jesus is the only open door and way to be restored to God in perfection so that you can realize all He has for you. I pray you repent and believe-receive Him today, and He is your Savior forever. Only then will you be able to experience the joy of His love grace and mercy—and favor in this life as you work through those 5 P’s for your joy and fulfillment and His glory.
Yes indeed Your Life Matters!
For Christ’s Sake,
