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In His Service!

Morris Hull

Home Life Ministries, England

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Related Hymns and Choruses

• I Am Resolved (Palmer Hartsough, 1844-1932)
• Where He Leads Me (E.W. Blandy, 19th Century)
• O Jesus, I Have Promised (John E. Bode, 1816-1874)
• I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Attributed to an Indian prince)
• All for Jesus (Mary D. James, 19^th century)
• I Surrender All (Judson W. Van de Venter, 1855-1939)

Bible Verses Related to Determination

For a more complete study, we suggest you use the Online Bible which you can download free of charge from our web site at www.hlm.org/html/files.htm.

NOTE: The black colored text indicates the number attributed to the Greek or Hebrew word in Strong's Concordance as well as a transliteration of the word and its pronunciation. The blue text shows all of the ways that the original word is translated in the Authorised Version. The number beside each of the various words indicates the number of times it is translated in that way; and the number at the end indicates the total number of times the original word appears in the Bible. The red text gives a more technical definition of the original word. In each case, the first time the original word is used is listed first. For the sake of space, not all occurrences of the original word is given but enough to show the various ways in which the word is used.

03335 ruy yatsar yaw-tsar’

probably identical with 03334 (through the squeezing into shape), ([compare 03331]); TWOT-898; v

AV-form 26, potter 17, fashion 5, maker 4, frame 3, make 3, former 2, earthen 1, purposed 1; 62

1) to form, fashion, frame

1a) (Qal) to form, fashion

1a1) of human activity

1a2) of divine activity

1a2a) of creation

1a2a1) of original creation

1a2a2) of individuals at conception

1a2a3) of Israel as a people

1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)

1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created

1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained

1d) (Hophal) to be formed

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed <03335> man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. {of the dust…: Heb. dust of the ground}

2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed <03335> it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. {long…: or, how I have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps?}

1 Chronicles 4:23 These were the potters <03335>, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.

Psalms 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s <03335> vessel.

Psalms 33:15 He fashioneth <03335> their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Psalms 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned <03335>, when as yet there was none of them. {all…: Heb. all of them} {which…: or, what days they should be fashioned}

Isaiah 41:25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter <03335> treadeth clay.

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed <03335> thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 43:21 This people have I formed <03335> for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

Isaiah 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed <03335> thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:10 Who hath formed <03335> a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

Isaiah 44:12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth <03335> it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. {with the tongs: or, with an axe}

Isaiah 44:21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed <03335> thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker <03335>! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth <03335> it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Isaiah 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed <03335> it, I will also do it. {that…: Heb. of my counsel}

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed <03335> against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed <03335> thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. {ordained: Heb. gave}

Jeremiah 19:1 Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter’s <03335> earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

Amos 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth <03335> the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name. {wind: or, spirit}

Amos 7:1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed <03335> grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings. {grasshoppers: or, green worms}

Habakkuk 2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker <03335> thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker <03335> of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? {maker of…: Heb. fashioner of his fashion}

Zechariah 11:13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter <03335>: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter <03335> in the house of the LORD.

Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth <03335> the spirit of man within him.

0559 rma ‘amar aw-mar’

a primitive root; TWOT-118; v

AV-said 4874, speak 179, answer 99, command 30, tell 29, call 7, promised 6, misc. 84; 5308

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one’s heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Genesis 1:3 And God said <0559>, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:6 And God said <0559>, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. {firmament: Heb. expansion}

Genesis 1:9 And God said <0559>, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Genesis 1:11 And God said <0559>, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. {grass: Heb. tender grass}

Genesis 1:14 And God said <0559>, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: {the day…: Heb. between the day and between the night}

Genesis 1:20 And God said <0559>, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. {moving: or, creeping} {life: Heb. soul} {fowl…: Heb. let fowl fly} {open…: Heb. face of the firmament of heaven}

2 Chronicles 2:1 And Solomon determined <0559> to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

02161 Mmz zamam zaw-mam’

a primitive root; TWOT-556; v

AV-thought 5, devise 3, consider 1, purpose 1, imagine 1, plot 1; 13

1) to have a thought, devise, plan, consider, purpose

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to consider, fix thought upon

1a2) to purpose, devise

1a3) to plot (of evil intent)

Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined <02161> to do.

Deuteronomy 19:19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought <02161> to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

Psalms 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed <02161> that my mouth shall not transgress.

Psalms 31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised <02161> to take away my life.

Psalms 37:12 The wicked plotteth <02161> against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. {plotteth: or, practiseth}

Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil <02161>, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Proverbs 31:16 She considereth <02161> a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. {buyeth: Heb. taketh}

Jeremiah 4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed <02161> it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

Jeremiah 51:12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised <02161> and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon. {ambushes: Heb. liers in wait}

Lamentations 2:17 The LORD hath done that which he had devised <02161>; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

Zechariah 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought <02161> to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. {take…: or, overtake}

Zechariah 8:14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought <02161> to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:

Zechariah 8:15 So again have I thought <02161> in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

07760 Mws suwm soom or Mys siym seem

a primitive root; TWOT-2243; v

AV-put 155, make 123, set 119, lay 64, appoint 19, give 11, set up 10, consider 8, turn 5, brought 4, ordain 3, place 3, take 3, shew 2, regard 2, mark 2, disposed 2, care 2, misc 48; 585

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix

1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give

1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign

1c) (Hophal) to be set

Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put <07760> the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set <07760> a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set <07760> in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed <07760> in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

 

2919 krinw krino kree’-no

perhaps a primitive word; TDNT-3:921,469; v

AV-judge 88, determine 7, condemn 5, go to law 2, call in question 2, esteem 2, misc 8; 114

1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose

2) to approve, esteem, to prefer

3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion

4) to determine, resolve, decree

5) to judge

5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong

5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one’s case may be examined and judgment passed upon it

5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure

5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others

6) to rule, govern

6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment

7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants

7a) to dispute

7b) in a forensic sense

7b1) to go to law, have suit at law

Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue <2919> thee at the law <2919>, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

Matthew 7:1 Judge <2919> not, that ye be <2919> not judged <2919>.

Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge <2919>, ye shall be judged <2919>: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging <2919> the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 6:37 Judge <2919> not, and ye shall <2919> not be judged <2919>: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast <2919> rightly judged <2919>.

Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined <2919> to let him go.

Acts 20:16 For Paul had determined <2919> to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

 

3724 orizw horizo hor-id’-zo

from 3725; TDNT-5:452,728; v

AV-determine 2, ordain 2, as it was determined + 2596 + 3588 1, declare 1, limit 1, determine 1; 8

1) to define

1a) to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing) 1b to determine, appoint

1b1) that which has been determined, acc. to appointment, decree

1b2) to ordain, determine, appoint

Luke 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined <3724>: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate <3724> counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained <3724> of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined <3724> to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined <3724> the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained <3724>; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. {hath given…: or, offered faith}

Romans 1:4 And declared <3724> to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: {declared: Gr. determined}

Hebrews 4:7 Again, he limiteth <3724> a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 

5021 tassw tasso tas’-so

a prolonged form of a primary verb (which latter appears only in certain tenses); TDNT-8:27,1156; v

AV-appoint 3, ordain 2, set 1, determine 1, addict 1; 8

1) to put in order, to station

1a) to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint

1a1) to assign (appoint) a thing to one

1b) to appoint, ordain, order

1b1) to appoint on one’s own responsibility or authority

1b2) to appoint mutually, i.e. agree upon

For Synonyms see entry 5844

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed <5021> them.

Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set <5021> under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. {one: Gr. this man}

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained <5021> to eternal life believed.

Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined <5021> that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed <5021> for thee to do.

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed <5021> him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained <5021> of God. {ordained: or, ordered}

1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted <5021> themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

 

1011 bouleuw bouleuo bool-yoo’-o

from 1012; ; v

AV-consult 2, be minded 2, purpose 2, determine 1, take counsel 1; 8

1) to deliberate with one’s self, consider

2) to take counsel, resolve

Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth <1011> whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted <1011> that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Acts 5:33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel <1011> to slay them.

Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined <1011> to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded <1011>, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

2 Corinthians 1:17 When I <1011> therefore was <1011> thus minded <1011>, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose <1011>, do I purpose <1011> according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

Bible Stories

• The story of Daniel who determined (purposed) to do right (Daniel 1:8)
• The story of the good shepherd who did not give up until the lost sheep was found (Luke 15:4)
• The story of Nehemiah who despite discouragement from others, determined to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

Character Definitions

• Learning to give whatever energy is necessary to complete a project. Learning how to reduce a seemingly impossible task to achievable goals (IBLP - Character Clues Game)
• Looking at insurmountable obstacles as opportunities to cry out for God's supernatural intervention (The Power for True Success)
• Purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time regardless of the opposition (Character First!)

How to Demonstrate Determination

at Home

• Finishing projects that you have started and left undone.
• Pursuing excellence in the appearance and harmony of the home, while avoiding the trap of perfectionism.
• Refusing to let the latest trends dictate how the family functions.
• Young people focusing on their parents' vision for the family without allowing the opinions of others to disillusion them.

at Work/School

• Seeking counsel from authorities regarding important decisions.
• Setting daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals.
• Purposing beforehand what your response will be toward temptation.

at Church

• Purposing to be an energy-giver at church and not an energy-taker.
• Resolving a grievance or problem as soon as possible.

The "I Wills" of Determination

• "I WILL set goals."
• "I WILL make sure my goals are right."
• "I WILL ignore distractions."
• "I WILL not be discouraged by others."
• "I WILL face problems head-on."

-Character First! Education Series 4

Overcome Discouragement By Recognising The Benefits of Adversity

There are many benefits of adversity and trials. Often when we begin to experience pressure or problems — especially in our marriage — our natural reaction is "How can I get out of this?" We look for an easy way out and completely miss the spiritual lessons and benefits God wants us to learn. Our first response to adversity should not be to try and remove it, but to ask the Lord to show us His purpose in allowing it. Adversity can do one of two things: If we respond to it correctly, it can be one of the greatest motivations for spiritual growth; if  we respond to it with humanistic reasoning and try to get out from under it, it can be one of the deadliest means of discouragement. 

There are many benefits that God wants us to learn through suffering, but we will only experience them as we go through suffering and as we respond to it correctly.

1. Suffering is God's way of getting our attention

Although I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour when I was just a child, my teenage years were years of rebellion. During this time, the people I respected the most and looked up to were successful businessmen. Because I had believed Satan's lies, I made one serious mistake after another. Shortly after leaving school I started my own little business. I had all kinds of plans and goals for my life but none of them included the Lord. I was a Christian but I was living for nobody but myself.

Then on 7th March, 1979, I was driving along a little windy twisty road in county Down, Northern Ireland; and the next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital operating theatre. I later learned that I had been involved in a head-on collision with a truck. When they found me, my heart had already stopped beating, and it took them almost an hour to cut me out of the car. I had a fractured skull, broken leg and ribs. A week later I had a blood clot in my lung, and the doctors told my parents that they didn't think I was going to survive one particular night.

As I lay in that hospital bed for almost a month, God brought a verse to my mind: Matthew 25:21  "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I realised that I had come within an inch of eternity twice within a period of  a week. If I had died, I would have gone to be with the Lord because I had accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour; but I also knew with equal certainty that those were words that Jesus Christ could never have said to me - because I had done absolutely nothing for Him.

As a result of that accident, I lost my business; and at the time, I thought it was the worst possible thing that could ever have happened to me. But now, as I look back on it, I say, "Thank God for it!" - because God used that car accident to get my attention. He used that car accident to cause me to take my eyes of the temporal things of this world and to focus them upon eternal, spiritual realities. This was a major turning point in my Christian life.

Many of us are too busy with our own plans and goals that we have little or no time for God's. But when trials come, we are suddenly faced with problems and pressures too big for us to handle. God uses suffering as a motivation to take our eyes off temporal things so that we can clearly see eternal realities.

2. Suffering is a signal to re-evaluate our priorities

Having the wrong priorities will have devastating consequences, not only upon our lives, but also upon the lives of those we love the most. The rebellion of an eldest son of a pastor that I know, caused him to re-evaluate his priorities and spend more time with his younger children.

If we are experiencing adversity, it may be that the Lord is directing us to re-evaluate our priorities.

3. Suffering is God's way of demonstrating the sufficiency of Christ

A KGB agent put a gun to the head of a Romanian pastor and told him to renounce Christ or he would be shot. The pastor told him that he would never deny his Saviour and that death only meant that he would be ushered into the presence of Christ. The KGB agent pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. The agent had used an empty gun because he wanted to see the reality of this man's faith. When he saw that the pastor's faith was genuine, he asked how he too could become a Christian.

If we follow our own human reasoning and try to get out from under the pressure of adversity and trials, the world will never understand that Jesus Christ is sufficient for any situation. When Christians divorce and churches split because of our selfishness and pride, we damage God's name and reputation.

Recognising the spiritual benefits of adversity can help us to see God's purposes more clearly.

Personal Evaluation

·        Do you determine to follow Christ, no matter what the cost?

·        Do you have Biblical commitments that will direct your decisions in life?

·        Do you commit to reach a goal and overcome any obstacles you encounter along the way?

·        Do you have a motivating purpose in life?

·        Do you persevere on tasks that are more difficult than what you expected?

·        Do you allow problems or failures to keep you from trying again?

The Power for True Success