You were formed for God’s family!
Eph. 1:5 (NLT) “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure.”
God wants a family, and He created you to be a part of it. The entire Bible is the story of God building a family who will love Him, honor Him, and reign with Him forever. When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family. The family of God includes all believers in the past, the present, and the future.
Our families on Earth are wonderful gifts from God, but they are temporary and fragile, often broken by divorce, distance, growing old, and inevitably, death. On the other hand, our spiritual family – our relationship to other believers – will continue throughout eternity.
Hebrews 2:11 (CEV) says, “Jesus and the people He makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why He isn’t ashamed to call them His brothers and sisters.”
Let that amazing truth sink in - once you accept Christ you are a part of God’s family, and because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you! Being included in God’s family is the highest honor and the greatest privilege you will ever receive. Nothing else comes close.
Whenever you feel unimportant, unloved, or insecure, STOP and remember to whom you belong.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
DAY 14 - WHEN GOD SEEMS DISTANT
God is real, no matter how you feel!
Job 19:25-27 (NLT) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the Earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”
It is easy to worship God when things are going great in your life – when He has provided food, friends, family, health, and happy situations. But circumstances are not always pleasant. How do you worship God then? What do you do when God seems a million miles away?
The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting Him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant.
How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent?
How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication?
How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they’re full of tears?
You do what Job did: Job 1:20-21 (NIV) “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”
Worship and remember what God has already done for you. Jesus gave up everything so you could have everything. He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise.
Job 19:25-27 (NLT) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the Earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”
It is easy to worship God when things are going great in your life – when He has provided food, friends, family, health, and happy situations. But circumstances are not always pleasant. How do you worship God then? What do you do when God seems a million miles away?
The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting Him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant.
How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent?
How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication?
How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they’re full of tears?
You do what Job did: Job 1:20-21 (NIV) “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”
Worship and remember what God has already done for you. Jesus gave up everything so you could have everything. He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise.
Friday, February 26, 2010
DAY 13 - WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD
God wants all of you!
Mark 12:30 (NIV) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
God doesn’t want a part of your life. God is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion, not little bits of your life.
A Samaritan woman once tried to debate Jesus on the best time, place, and style for worship. Jesus replied that these external issues are irrelevant. Where you worship is not as important as why you worship and how much of yourself you offer to God when you worship.
The kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:
- God is pleased when our worship is accurate.
- God is pleased when our worship is authentic.
- God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful.
- And God is pleased when our worship is practical.
When Jesus said, “Love God with all your strength,” He was saying that worship takes effort and energy. It’s not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will – a willing sacrifice. When you praise God even when you don’t feel like it, when you get out of bed to worship when you’re tired, or when you help others when you are worn out, you’re offering a sacrifice of worship to God. And that pleases God.
I needed that today. :)
Mark 12:30 (NIV) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
God doesn’t want a part of your life. God is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion, not little bits of your life.
A Samaritan woman once tried to debate Jesus on the best time, place, and style for worship. Jesus replied that these external issues are irrelevant. Where you worship is not as important as why you worship and how much of yourself you offer to God when you worship.
The kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:
- God is pleased when our worship is accurate.
- God is pleased when our worship is authentic.
- God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful.
- And God is pleased when our worship is practical.
When Jesus said, “Love God with all your strength,” He was saying that worship takes effort and energy. It’s not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will – a willing sacrifice. When you praise God even when you don’t feel like it, when you get out of bed to worship when you’re tired, or when you help others when you are worn out, you’re offering a sacrifice of worship to God. And that pleases God.
I needed that today. :)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
DAY 12 - DEVELOPING YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
We are as close to God as we choose to be!
James 4:8 (NLT) “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”
Like any friendship, we must work at developing our friendship with God. It won’t happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and energy.
The first building block of a deeper friendship with God is complete honesty about our faults and our feelings. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does insist on complete honesty. Every time we trust God’s wisdom and do whatever He says - even when we don’t understand it - we deepen our friendship with God.
We don’t normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship - that’s reserved for relationships with a parent or the boss or a superior officer - not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of intimacy with God. Jesus said (John 15:14), “… You are my friends, if you obey me.”
There is nothing – absolutely nothing – more important than developing a friendship with God. Paul told Timothy, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life – they don't know God.” 1 Timothy 6:21a (LB)
Have you been missing out on the most important thing in life? You can do something about it starting now. Remember, it’s your choice. You are as close to God as you choose to be.
James 4:8 (NLT) “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”
Like any friendship, we must work at developing our friendship with God. It won’t happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and energy.
The first building block of a deeper friendship with God is complete honesty about our faults and our feelings. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does insist on complete honesty. Every time we trust God’s wisdom and do whatever He says - even when we don’t understand it - we deepen our friendship with God.
We don’t normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship - that’s reserved for relationships with a parent or the boss or a superior officer - not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of intimacy with God. Jesus said (John 15:14), “… You are my friends, if you obey me.”
There is nothing – absolutely nothing – more important than developing a friendship with God. Paul told Timothy, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life – they don't know God.” 1 Timothy 6:21a (LB)
Have you been missing out on the most important thing in life? You can do something about it starting now. Remember, it’s your choice. You are as close to God as you choose to be.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
DAY 11 - BECOMING BEST FRIENDS WITH GOD
God wants to be your best friend!
John 15:12-14 (NLT) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you … and here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me.”
Your relationship to God has many different aspects: God is your Creator and Maker, Lord and Master, Judge, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and much more. But the most shocking truth is this: Almighty God yearns to be your Friend!
Friendship with God is possible only because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. The old hymn says, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” but actually, God invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity: our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said (John 15:15) "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
The word for friend in John 15:15 does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close, trusted relationship. The same word is used to refer to the best man at a wedding and a king’s inner circle of intimate, trusted friends. In royal courts, servants must keep their distance from the king, but the inner circle of trusted friends enjoys close contact, direct access, and confidential information. Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure.
John 15:12-14 (NLT) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you … and here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me.”
Your relationship to God has many different aspects: God is your Creator and Maker, Lord and Master, Judge, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and much more. But the most shocking truth is this: Almighty God yearns to be your Friend!
Friendship with God is possible only because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. The old hymn says, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” but actually, God invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity: our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said (John 15:15) "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
The word for friend in John 15:15 does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close, trusted relationship. The same word is used to refer to the best man at a wedding and a king’s inner circle of intimate, trusted friends. In royal courts, servants must keep their distance from the king, but the inner circle of trusted friends enjoys close contact, direct access, and confidential information. Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
DAY 10 - THE HEART OF WORSHIP
The heart of worship is surrender!
Romans 12:1 (NLT) “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?”
In today’s competitive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in – so we don’t hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.
As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God, fell in worship before Him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Victory comes through surrender.
Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of God. “So give yourselves completely to God.”
Romans 12:1 (NLT) “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?”
In today’s competitive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in – so we don’t hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.
As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God, fell in worship before Him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Victory comes through surrender.
Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of God. “So give yourselves completely to God.”
Monday, February 22, 2010
DAY 9 - WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE?
Is the smile of God the goal of your life?
Numbers 6:25 (NLT) “May the Lord smile on you …”
Since pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that. The Apostle Paul said (Eph 5:10), “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.”
Five acts of worship that make God smile:
- God smiles when we love Him supremely.
- God smiles when we trust Him completely.
- God smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly.
- God smiles when we praise and thank Him continually.
- And God smiles when we use our abilities.
You may feel that the only time God is pleased with you is when you’re doing “spiritual” activities – like reading the Bible, attending church, praying, or sharing your faith. Actually, God enjoys watching every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating. He doesn’t miss a single move you make.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT) tells us, “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it with the attitude of praise. Will you make pleasing God the goal of your life? There is nothing that God won’t do for the person totally absorbed with this goal.
Numbers 6:25 (NLT) “May the Lord smile on you …”
Since pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that. The Apostle Paul said (Eph 5:10), “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.”
Five acts of worship that make God smile:
- God smiles when we love Him supremely.
- God smiles when we trust Him completely.
- God smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly.
- God smiles when we praise and thank Him continually.
- And God smiles when we use our abilities.
You may feel that the only time God is pleased with you is when you’re doing “spiritual” activities – like reading the Bible, attending church, praying, or sharing your faith. Actually, God enjoys watching every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating. He doesn’t miss a single move you make.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT) tells us, “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it with the attitude of praise. Will you make pleasing God the goal of your life? There is nothing that God won’t do for the person totally absorbed with this goal.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
DAY 8 - PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
You were planned for God’s pleasure!
Revelation 4:11 (NLT) “You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave Him great pleasure. God did not need to create you, but He chose to create you for His own enjoyment. You exist for His benefit, His glory, His purpose, and His delight.
You are a child of God, and you bring pleasure to God like nothing else He has ever created. Bringing enjoyment to God - living for His pleasure - is the first purpose of your life. When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth.
Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted. Worship is not a part of your life - it is your life. Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity when you close them at night. David said (Psalm 34:1), “I will thank the Lord at all times. My mouth will always praise Him.”
Real worship is about falling in love with Jesus.
Revelation 4:11 (NLT) “You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave Him great pleasure. God did not need to create you, but He chose to create you for His own enjoyment. You exist for His benefit, His glory, His purpose, and His delight.
You are a child of God, and you bring pleasure to God like nothing else He has ever created. Bringing enjoyment to God - living for His pleasure - is the first purpose of your life. When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth.
Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted. Worship is not a part of your life - it is your life. Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity when you close them at night. David said (Psalm 34:1), “I will thank the Lord at all times. My mouth will always praise Him.”
Real worship is about falling in love with Jesus.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
DAY 7 – THE REASON FOR EVERYTHING
It is all for Him!
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NIV) “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for His glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing.
The glory of God is who God is. It is the essence of His nature, the weight of His importance, the radiance of His splendor, the demonstration of His power, and the atmosphere of His presence. God’s glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the Light of the world, illuminates God’s nature. Because of Jesus, we are no longer in the dark about what God is really like.
There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God’s five purposes for your life. We bring God glory by worshiping Him, loving other believers, becoming like Christ, serving others with our gifts, and by telling others about Him.
It’s time to settle this issue. Who are you going to live for – yourself or God? Right now, God is inviting you to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He made you for. Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ.
If you are not sure you have done this, all you need to do is receive and believe. The Bible promises, John 1:12 (NIV) “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Will you accept God’s offer?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NIV) “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for His glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing.
The glory of God is who God is. It is the essence of His nature, the weight of His importance, the radiance of His splendor, the demonstration of His power, and the atmosphere of His presence. God’s glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the Light of the world, illuminates God’s nature. Because of Jesus, we are no longer in the dark about what God is really like.
There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God’s five purposes for your life. We bring God glory by worshiping Him, loving other believers, becoming like Christ, serving others with our gifts, and by telling others about Him.
It’s time to settle this issue. Who are you going to live for – yourself or God? Right now, God is inviting you to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He made you for. Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ.
If you are not sure you have done this, all you need to do is receive and believe. The Bible promises, John 1:12 (NIV) “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Will you accept God’s offer?
Friday, February 19, 2010
DAY 6 - LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT
Life on Earth is a temporary assignment!
Psalm 39:4 (NLT) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on Earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.”
To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths:
- First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief.
- Second, Earth is only a temporary residence. You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached.
In order to keep us from becoming too attached to Earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life – longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.
In God’s eyes, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life, but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity.
When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won’t leave home – you’ll go home.
And you have family there waiting to see you!
Psalm 39:4 (NLT) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on Earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.”
To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths:
- First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief.
- Second, Earth is only a temporary residence. You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached.
In order to keep us from becoming too attached to Earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life – longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.
In God’s eyes, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life, but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity.
When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won’t leave home – you’ll go home.
And you have family there waiting to see you!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
DAY 5 - SEEING LIFE FROM GOD’S VIEW
The way you see your life shapes your life!
The way you view life is your life metaphor. It's your description of how life works and what you expect from it; it influences your life more than you realize and determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities. To fulfill the purposes God has for you, you will have to base your view on the Biblical metaphors of life. These are: Life is a test, and life is a trust.
LIFE IS A TEST - God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed, and all of life is a test. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that every day is important. God wants you to pass the tests of life, so He never allows the tests to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them.
LIFE IS A TRUST - We are to be stewards of whatever God gives us. God wants us to be managers not owners. All we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity: affirmation, promotion, and celebration.
Luke 16:10a (NLT) “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.”
The way you view life is your life metaphor. It's your description of how life works and what you expect from it; it influences your life more than you realize and determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities. To fulfill the purposes God has for you, you will have to base your view on the Biblical metaphors of life. These are: Life is a test, and life is a trust.
LIFE IS A TEST - God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed, and all of life is a test. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that every day is important. God wants you to pass the tests of life, so He never allows the tests to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them.
LIFE IS A TRUST - We are to be stewards of whatever God gives us. God wants us to be managers not owners. All we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity: affirmation, promotion, and celebration.
Luke 16:10a (NLT) “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.”
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
DAY 4 – MADE TO LAST FOREVER
This life is not all there is!
Ecc 3:11 tells us that “God has…planted eternity in the human heart.”
Life on Earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death – in eternity – than you will here. This life is preparation for the next.
You have an inborn instinct that longs for immortality. This is because God designed you, in His image, to live for eternity. Even though we know everyone eventually dies, death always seems unnatural and unfair. The reason we feel we should live forever is that God wired our brains with that desire!
Matthew Henry said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.”
Ecc 3:11 tells us that “God has…planted eternity in the human heart.”
Life on Earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death – in eternity – than you will here. This life is preparation for the next.
You have an inborn instinct that longs for immortality. This is because God designed you, in His image, to live for eternity. Even though we know everyone eventually dies, death always seems unnatural and unfair. The reason we feel we should live forever is that God wired our brains with that desire!
Matthew Henry said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
DAY 3 – WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE?
Everyone’s life is driven by something!
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (LB) says, “I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy.”
What is the driving force in your life?
Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason. There are five great benefits of living a purpose driven life.
Knowing your purpose:
- Gives meaning to your life
- Simplifies your life
- Focuses your life
- Motivates your life
- Prepares you for eternity
Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on Earth. Yet what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. Living to create an Earthly legacy is a shortsighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy. You weren’t put on Earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (LB) says, “I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy.”
What is the driving force in your life?
Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason. There are five great benefits of living a purpose driven life.
Knowing your purpose:
- Gives meaning to your life
- Simplifies your life
- Focuses your life
- Motivates your life
- Prepares you for eternity
Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on Earth. Yet what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. Living to create an Earthly legacy is a shortsighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy. You weren’t put on Earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.
Monday, February 15, 2010
DAY 2 - YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT
You are not an accident!
Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, He expected it. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything He creates.
Ephesians 1:4a (MSG)“Long before Hhe laid down Earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love.”
Why did God bother to go to all the trouble of creating a universe for us? Because He is a God of love! This kind of love is difficult to fathom, but it’s fundamentally reliable. You were created as a special object of God’s love! God made you so He could love you. This is a truth to build your life on!
Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, He expected it. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything He creates.
Ephesians 1:4a (MSG)“Long before Hhe laid down Earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love.”
Why did God bother to go to all the trouble of creating a universe for us? Because He is a God of love! This kind of love is difficult to fathom, but it’s fundamentally reliable. You were created as a special object of God’s love! God made you so He could love you. This is a truth to build your life on!
DAY 1 – IT ALL STARTS WITH GOD
It’s not about you!
Colossians 1:16 (Msg) “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, … everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”
Job 12:10 (TEV) says, “It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone’s life is in His power.”
You were made for God, not vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for His purposes, not using Him for your own purpose. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.
The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life’s purpose: Ask God.
Andrei Bitov, a Russian novelist, grew up under an atheistic Communist regime. But God got his attention one dreary day. He recalls, “In my 27th year, while riding the metro in Leningrad I was overcome with a despair so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: ‘Without God life makes no sense.’ Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro, and walked into God’s light.”
You may have felt in the dark about your purpose in life. Congratulations, you’re about to walk into the light!
Colossians 1:16 (Msg) “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, … everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”
Job 12:10 (TEV) says, “It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone’s life is in His power.”
You were made for God, not vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for His purposes, not using Him for your own purpose. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.
The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life’s purpose: Ask God.
Andrei Bitov, a Russian novelist, grew up under an atheistic Communist regime. But God got his attention one dreary day. He recalls, “In my 27th year, while riding the metro in Leningrad I was overcome with a despair so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: ‘Without God life makes no sense.’ Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro, and walked into God’s light.”
You may have felt in the dark about your purpose in life. Congratulations, you’re about to walk into the light!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE
We’ve all heard it said, “Life is too precious to waste.” But how do you do that? How do you prevent wasting your life?
Well, the Bible tells us how...
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT) says, “Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Notice what the Bible says: “Be careful how you live.” What is the opposite of careful? CARELESS. In essence the Scripture is telling us, “Don’t be careless with your life.” It is vitally important that you and I think LIFE through—that we know WHY we are alive. God wants you and me to “make the most of every opportunity.”
Did you know that the average American will live 25,500 days? How wise it is to take just 40 of those days in order to discover what God wants you to do with the rest of them!
The next 40 Days could be the most important 40 days of your life.
Well, the Bible tells us how...
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT) says, “Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Notice what the Bible says: “Be careful how you live.” What is the opposite of careful? CARELESS. In essence the Scripture is telling us, “Don’t be careless with your life.” It is vitally important that you and I think LIFE through—that we know WHY we are alive. God wants you and me to “make the most of every opportunity.”
Did you know that the average American will live 25,500 days? How wise it is to take just 40 of those days in order to discover what God wants you to do with the rest of them!
The next 40 Days could be the most important 40 days of your life.
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