The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. God made it all for his glory. In the entire universe, only two of God's creations fail to bring glory to him: fallen angels (demons) and us (people). All sin, at its root, is failing to give God glory. It is loving anything else more than God.
So how can we bring glory to God? We glorify God by fulfilling our purpose here on earth.
John 17:4
I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do. (stated by Jesus)
We bring glory to God through these five purposes:
1) Worshiping Him - God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty.
2) Loving Other Believers - We need to belong and learn to love as God does.
Romans 15:7
Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.
3) Becoming Like Christ
2 Corinthians 3:18
As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
4) Serving Other With Our Gifts
1 Peter 4:10-11
God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you...Are you called to help other? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory.
5) Telling Other About Him -
2 Corinthians 4:15
As God's grace brings more and more people to Christ,...God will receive more and more glory.
We can't do these things without checking our priorities, schedules, relationships and more. It may mean choosing a difficult path.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Life Is a Temporary Assignment
This is God's third view of our lives. Our life here on earth is very short when compared with eternity and yet we seem to be living more for today than for the unending life we will someday spend with Jesus. Why? What draws us to the temporal when the eternal will last so much longer. We were made for so much more and even though we will have happy times here on earth this is nothing compared to what God has planned for us.
2 Corinthians 4:18
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Seeing Life from God's View
God's Views
1) Life on earth is a TEST - All of life is a test, God is constantly watching how we respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointments and even the weather! Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love or to depend on God. And ALL have eternal implications.
Thankfully God wants us to pass this test...
1 Corinthians 10:13
God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
James 1:12
Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
2) Life on earth is a Trust - God is the owner of everything and everyone on earth. We just get to enjoy it for awhile. He has entrusted us to care and mange our time on earth, our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships and resources. If we are faithful God promises 3 rewards in eternity: Affirmation ("Good Job!"), Promotion and Celebration.
1 Corinthians 4:7
What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I AM PUTTING YOU IN CHARGE."
Matthew 25.21
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness.
1) Life on earth is a TEST - All of life is a test, God is constantly watching how we respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointments and even the weather! Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love or to depend on God. And ALL have eternal implications.
Thankfully God wants us to pass this test...
1 Corinthians 10:13
God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
James 1:12
Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
2) Life on earth is a Trust - God is the owner of everything and everyone on earth. We just get to enjoy it for awhile. He has entrusted us to care and mange our time on earth, our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships and resources. If we are faithful God promises 3 rewards in eternity: Affirmation ("Good Job!"), Promotion and Celebration.
1 Corinthians 4:7
What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I AM PUTTING YOU IN CHARGE."
Matthew 25.21
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness.
Made to Last Forever
Life offers us many choices but when we look at eternity there are only 2: heaven or hell. How we live our lives here will determine how and where we spend eternity. If this isn't incentive then what gives? We are here today to prepare for eternity.
Paul says in Philippians 3:7, "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done."
The other thing that amazes me is that everything we do here on earth has eternal consequences. I find this hard to swallow since the bible talks about EVERY act of our lives not just the obvious wrongs we do...EVERYTHING!
I guess there is something to be said for living each day like it is our last.
Paul says in Philippians 3:7, "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done."
The other thing that amazes me is that everything we do here on earth has eternal consequences. I find this hard to swallow since the bible talks about EVERY act of our lives not just the obvious wrongs we do...EVERYTHING!
I guess there is something to be said for living each day like it is our last.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
What to Believe?
I've been a little frustrated lately with knowing what I can "sink-my-teeth-into" believe. With so many different ideas and suggestions flying around, I find it hard to figure out what is the Truth. Anyway, I think I've come to a conclusion today...
I think we know in our hearts what is right...that's not to say that we can't believe something and then years later come to a different conclusion. It's just to say that our heart knows what we can handle and when I say our heart, I mean that we hear God's Truths through how we feel about something that we have studied and thought about...If we are seeking the Truth we will find it in some form.
Now with this conclusion we have to be careful that we are seeking the answers and not just listening to what someone has said. That we are studying what God has to say to us in the Bible. Others may direct some of our thoughts but if we take the time to think about it we may be able to say that we agree completely or in part with whatever it is we are learning about.
We are all at different levels spiritually and we may not be able to understand, comprehend or handle ideas the way the next person can. God knows this and I believe only allows us to go as far as each of us is able to individually.
Got to think on this more....any suggestions?
I think we know in our hearts what is right...that's not to say that we can't believe something and then years later come to a different conclusion. It's just to say that our heart knows what we can handle and when I say our heart, I mean that we hear God's Truths through how we feel about something that we have studied and thought about...If we are seeking the Truth we will find it in some form.
Now with this conclusion we have to be careful that we are seeking the answers and not just listening to what someone has said. That we are studying what God has to say to us in the Bible. Others may direct some of our thoughts but if we take the time to think about it we may be able to say that we agree completely or in part with whatever it is we are learning about.
We are all at different levels spiritually and we may not be able to understand, comprehend or handle ideas the way the next person can. God knows this and I believe only allows us to go as far as each of us is able to individually.
Got to think on this more....any suggestions?
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