by Dan Jones<\/p>\n
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As you listen to Kinship Christian Radio, you will no doubt hear of Christians doing things.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether it’s news of Bibles being distributed in China on Mission Network News, or News Director Jay Rudolph telling us about a music festival at a Christian ranch, or even a Vacation Bible School announcement on Community Calendar, there are Christians doing good works all around us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And that’s a very good thing.<\/span><\/p>\n Now, I’m certainly not one to argue\u00a0against being\u00a0saved by grace alone and not by works. God gets the glory here and there is no bragging allowed on our part.(Ephesians 2:8-9) But the very next verse says:<\/span><\/p>\n For we are God\u2019s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n We were designed with a purpose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And, when that verse says “prepared in advance” I get the distinct impression “in advance” doesn’t mean 30 seconds ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No, if God is omniscient –and I certainly believe He is, it seems to me He would have made those plans for what He would have us do from the moment He spoke the universe into being!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That’s an amazing thought.<\/span><\/p>\n Without getting too heavily into a predestination theme, Ephesians 1:4 says that He chose us in love before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before the foundation of the world…<\/span><\/p>\n And then, there’s Colossians 1: 15-16 (NIV)<\/span><\/p>\n The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.\u00a0For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n So, we have been created through Jesus and for<\/em> Jesus!<\/span><\/p>\n And Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 5:16:<\/span><\/p>\n In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<\/em> (NIV)<\/span><\/p>\n Amen!<\/span><\/p>\n We are created for His glory! We are His handiwork, His masterpiece, and He has a purpose for each and every one of us.<\/span><\/p>\n What a difference that makes as we speak and act and talk about our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we share this planet. How much more important it seems to lift up, support, and encourage each of you when I know that God has a plan not just for me, but for you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We are indeed saved by grace alone, but it’s such a glorious salvation, such an amazing act of love on the part of an omniscient, omnipotent, all-loving God, how could I restrain myself from proclaiming that glory to all who would listen? How could I not shine with the joy, with the peace that passes all understanding knowing that there is indeed a grand and glorious plan taking place so amazing and wonderful it’s beyond my ability to understand or describe in all its fullness?<\/span><\/p>\n Now, whether those good works He has created in advance for me to do involve proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a million souls or posting on a tiny blog in a corner of the Internet, or washing a sink of dirty dishes, is He worthy of any less glory in any case?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Is He any less capable of using whatever He would have me do to save a million souls, or casting the mountain of unbelief into the sea that stands in the way of that one soul no one ever thought would be saved?<\/span><\/p>\n Today’s Praise<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n For from him and through him and for him are all things.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> by Dan Jones As you listen to Kinship Christian Radio, you will no doubt hear of Christians doing things. 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\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NIV)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"