1) What will be the center of my life? This is the question of worship. Who are you going to live for? What are you going to build your life around.
I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts.
Ephesians 3:17
2) What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
3) What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ?
This service you perform not only meets the need of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12
4) What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers.
Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
5) What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the "one another" commands with other Christians?
One day God will review your answers to these life questions. Did you put Jesus at the center of your life? Did you develop his character? Did you devote your life to serving others? Did you communicate his message and fulfill his mission? Did you love and participate in his family? These are the only issues that will count.
Showing posts with label Purpose Driven Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purpose Driven Life. Show all posts
Friday, 13 February 2009
Your Life's Message
Your Life Message has four parts to it:
1) Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
2) Your life lessons: the most important lessons God has taught you
3) Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
4) The Good News: the message of salvation.
Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
A warning give by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than...jewelry made of the finest gold.
Proverbs 25:12
A man's heart determines his speech.
Matthew 12:34
The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself--that it begins and ends with faith.
Romans 1:17
As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the Good News. And as long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out.
What are your willing to do so that the people you know will go to heaven? Invite them to church? Share your story? Take them a meal? Pray for them every day until they are saved? Your mission field is all around you. Don't miss the opportunities God is giving you.
Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Will anyone in heaven be able to say to you, "I want to thank you. I'm here because you cared enough to share the Good News with me"? Imagine the joy of greeting people in heaven whom you helped get there. The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life. Only people are going to last forever.
1) Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
2) Your life lessons: the most important lessons God has taught you
3) Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
4) The Good News: the message of salvation.
Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
A warning give by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than...jewelry made of the finest gold.
Proverbs 25:12
A man's heart determines his speech.
Matthew 12:34
The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself--that it begins and ends with faith.
Romans 1:17
As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the Good News. And as long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out.
What are your willing to do so that the people you know will go to heaven? Invite them to church? Share your story? Take them a meal? Pray for them every day until they are saved? Your mission field is all around you. Don't miss the opportunities God is giving you.
Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Will anyone in heaven be able to say to you, "I want to thank you. I'm here because you cared enough to share the Good News with me"? Imagine the joy of greeting people in heaven whom you helped get there. The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life. Only people are going to last forever.
Purpose #5 - Made For A Mission
Your ministry is your service to believers and your mission is your service to unbelievers. Our mission is both a shared responsibility with other believers and a specific assignments that is ours alone.
Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.
2 Corinthians 5:18
We have been sent to speak for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Why is your mission important? Your mission:
1) Is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth. You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them. God will hold us responsible for the unbelievers in our lives.
You must warn them so they may live. If you don't speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.
Ezekiel 3:18
2) Is a wonderful privilege. We get to work with God and represent him. Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in his family, given us his Spirit and then made us his agents in the world. Telling other about Jesus is the greatest thing we can do for them.
God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him.
2 Corinthians 5:18
3) Has eternal significance. It will impact people for eternity so it is your most important job. The consequences of your mission will last forever.
All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.
John 9:4
4) Gives your life meaning. If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you. There are people on this planet whom only you will be able to reach.
My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned my by the Lord Jesus---the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Acts 20:24
To fulfill your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God's agenda for your life. You can't just "tack it on" to all the other things you'd like to do with your life. You must say, like Jesus, "Father,...I want your will, not mine." You yield your rights, expectations, dreams, plans and ambitions to him. You stop praying selfish prayers like "God bless what I want to do." Instead you pray, "God help me to do what you're blessing!" You hand God a blank sheet with your name signed at the bottom and tell him to fill in the details.
Give yourselves completely to God--every part of you...to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.
Romans 6:13
Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.
2 Corinthians 5:18
We have been sent to speak for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Why is your mission important? Your mission:
1) Is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth. You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them. God will hold us responsible for the unbelievers in our lives.
You must warn them so they may live. If you don't speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.
Ezekiel 3:18
2) Is a wonderful privilege. We get to work with God and represent him. Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in his family, given us his Spirit and then made us his agents in the world. Telling other about Jesus is the greatest thing we can do for them.
God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him.
2 Corinthians 5:18
3) Has eternal significance. It will impact people for eternity so it is your most important job. The consequences of your mission will last forever.
All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.
John 9:4
4) Gives your life meaning. If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you. There are people on this planet whom only you will be able to reach.
My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned my by the Lord Jesus---the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Acts 20:24
To fulfill your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God's agenda for your life. You can't just "tack it on" to all the other things you'd like to do with your life. You must say, like Jesus, "Father,...I want your will, not mine." You yield your rights, expectations, dreams, plans and ambitions to him. You stop praying selfish prayers like "God bless what I want to do." Instead you pray, "God help me to do what you're blessing!" You hand God a blank sheet with your name signed at the bottom and tell him to fill in the details.
Give yourselves completely to God--every part of you...to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.
Romans 6:13
God's Power in Your Weakness
Everyone has weaknesses...what is important is what we do with them. We seem to think that God only wants to use our strengths so we deny, defend, excuse, hide and resent our weaknesses. The truth is that he wants to use these for his glory too. God allowed our weaknesses in our lives so that he can demonstrate his power through us.
A weakness is any limitation that you inherited and have no power to change. It may be a physical (handicap, chronic illness, low energy, disability), emotional (hurtful memory, personality quirk), talent or intellectual limitation.
We need to admit our weaknesses and learn to be content with them. They cause us to depend on God, they keep us humble, they encourage fellowship between believers and they increase our capacity for compassion and sympathy for the weaknesses of others.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.
2 Corinthians 12:7
We need to express our faith by saying "God, I believe you love me and know what's best for me." God specializes in turning our weaknesses into strengths.
A weakness is any limitation that you inherited and have no power to change. It may be a physical (handicap, chronic illness, low energy, disability), emotional (hurtful memory, personality quirk), talent or intellectual limitation.
We need to admit our weaknesses and learn to be content with them. They cause us to depend on God, they keep us humble, they encourage fellowship between believers and they increase our capacity for compassion and sympathy for the weaknesses of others.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.
2 Corinthians 12:7
We need to express our faith by saying "God, I believe you love me and know what's best for me." God specializes in turning our weaknesses into strengths.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Acting and Thinking Like A Servant
How do we act like a servant?
Real servants make themselves available to serve and do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? Or are your so busy that you can't jump up and serve when called.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4
Real servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:28
Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They do their best with what they have been given.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Real servants do everything with their whole heart. Jesus specialized in menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers...nothing was beneath him. We need to be willing to do anything that is needed.
If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
Galatians 6:3
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. We seem to have forgotten the importance of commitment...we need to finish our tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, keep our promises and complete our commitments.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
Real servants don't promote or call attention to themselves.
When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
God is more interested in why we do things that what we do. We need to make sure our attitude is that our a servant and this requires a change in our attitudes.
Servants think more about the needs around them than their own needs. Thinking like a servant is difficult because it challenges the basic problem of our lives: I am, by nature, selfish. I think most about me. That's why humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over again.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. We need to remember that God owns it all...everything! It is impossible for us to serve two masters. This goes for both our time and our money. When we realize everything we have is his then we can truly serve him.
Servants think about their work and not about what others are doing. They don't compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries.
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26
Servants base their identity in Christ. We don't need to prove our worth. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord and are grateful for his grace.
The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
John 12:26
He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.
Hebrews 6:10
Real servants make themselves available to serve and do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? Or are your so busy that you can't jump up and serve when called.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4
Real servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:28
Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They do their best with what they have been given.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Real servants do everything with their whole heart. Jesus specialized in menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers...nothing was beneath him. We need to be willing to do anything that is needed.
If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
Galatians 6:3
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. We seem to have forgotten the importance of commitment...we need to finish our tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, keep our promises and complete our commitments.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
Real servants don't promote or call attention to themselves.
When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
God is more interested in why we do things that what we do. We need to make sure our attitude is that our a servant and this requires a change in our attitudes.
Servants think more about the needs around them than their own needs. Thinking like a servant is difficult because it challenges the basic problem of our lives: I am, by nature, selfish. I think most about me. That's why humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over again.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. We need to remember that God owns it all...everything! It is impossible for us to serve two masters. This goes for both our time and our money. When we realize everything we have is his then we can truly serve him.
Servants think about their work and not about what others are doing. They don't compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries.
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26
Servants base their identity in Christ. We don't need to prove our worth. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord and are grateful for his grace.
The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
John 12:26
He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.
Hebrews 6:10
Purpose #4 - Shaped For Serving God
We were created, saved, called and commanded to serve God. And we need to serve joyfully and with gratitude for what he's done for us. Anytime we use the abilities God gave us we are serving him.
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Temptation
Why do we face temptation? God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful.
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
How We Grow...
How can we grow spiritually? Well, we have to want to, decide to, make the effort to, and persist in growing. We then need to abide in his word and accept it as the authority in our life and let his word be our guide over all else. We need to listen to his word and let it change our way of thinking and then we need to apply it's principles.
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
Monday, 12 January 2009
Purpose #3 - Created To Become Like Christ
From the beginning God intended for us to be like his son, Jesus. God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. When we wonder why things are happening to us or why we are having a difficult time we need to remember that life is supposed to be difficult. It's what helps us grow and build character and become more like our Father.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
A Place to Belong
We all need to have a place to belong, a church family, a care group, a bible study. Somewhere where we can be committed to a group of fellow believers. This allows us to:
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Purpose #2 - Formed For God's Family
The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love others as you love yourself.'
Galatians 5:14
Jesus tells us that our love for each other - not our doctrinal beliefs - is our greatest witness to the world. He said, "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35) God wants us to be together with other believers since we can not learn to love in isolation.
Love needs to be our highest priority.
Let love be your greatest aim.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Relationships need to be a priority because life without love is worthless, love will last forever and we will be evaluated on how we loved on this earth. The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. How will you explain those times when projects of things were more important to you than people? Who do you need to start spending more time with? What do you need to cut out of your schedule to make that possible? What sacrifices do you need to make?
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.
Galatians 6:10
Use every chance you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:16
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:27
Galatians 5:14
Jesus tells us that our love for each other - not our doctrinal beliefs - is our greatest witness to the world. He said, "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35) God wants us to be together with other believers since we can not learn to love in isolation.
Love needs to be our highest priority.
Let love be your greatest aim.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Relationships need to be a priority because life without love is worthless, love will last forever and we will be evaluated on how we loved on this earth. The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. How will you explain those times when projects of things were more important to you than people? Who do you need to start spending more time with? What do you need to cut out of your schedule to make that possible? What sacrifices do you need to make?
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.
Galatians 6:10
Use every chance you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:16
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:27
Saturday, 1 November 2008
When God Seems Distant
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.
God promises repeatedly that he will never leave us or forsake us. But he did not promise that we will always feel his presence. Sometimes he may even hid his face from us.
Sometimes it is sin that disconnects us from God but more often it is a test of faith. Will we continue to love, trust, obey, and worship God, even when we have not sense of his presence?
We need to tell God exactly how we feel. He loves us no matter what we tell him. We need to focus on who God is: He is good, he loves me , he is with me, he knows what I am going through, he cares, and he has a good plan for my life. We need to trust him to keep his promises and we need to remember what God has already done for us. Even if he never did another thing for us he would still deserve our praise. God's Son died for us!!! And this is our biggest reason to worship.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.
God promises repeatedly that he will never leave us or forsake us. But he did not promise that we will always feel his presence. Sometimes he may even hid his face from us.
Sometimes it is sin that disconnects us from God but more often it is a test of faith. Will we continue to love, trust, obey, and worship God, even when we have not sense of his presence?
We need to tell God exactly how we feel. He loves us no matter what we tell him. We need to focus on who God is: He is good, he loves me , he is with me, he knows what I am going through, he cares, and he has a good plan for my life. We need to trust him to keep his promises and we need to remember what God has already done for us. Even if he never did another thing for us he would still deserve our praise. God's Son died for us!!! And this is our biggest reason to worship.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.
Worship That Pleases God
God wants all of us. All our heart, soul, mind and strength. We please God when our worship is accurate, authentic, thoughtful and practical. We have to make sure our worship is based in the truth of Scripture not our opinions of God. We have to mean what we say and engage our minds. We need to worship God with thanksgiving, praise, humility, repentance, offerings of money, prayer, serving others, and sharing with those in need.
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 are offering a sacrifice of worship to God. That pleases God.
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
I'll bring You more than a song,
because the song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
than the way things appear.
You're looking into my heart.
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 are offering a sacrifice of worship to God. That pleases God.
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
I'll bring You more than a song,
because the song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
than the way things appear.
You're looking into my heart.
The Heart of Worship
Once we know that worshipping God is our #1 purpose we need to figure out how to do that. What's at the heart? Surrender.
Surrendering means that we trust him fully. Fear will keep us from knowing him better and pride keeps us from accepting our limitations and realizing that we aren't God. One of the most difficult areas to surrender is finances.
When we fully surrender our lives to God we will experience peace, freedom and God's power in our lives.
So how do we surrender? It's not a just one time event of accepting Christ and choosing to follow him. It is a moment-by moment, lifelong choice. When we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice it is easy to get up and walk off the altar. We need to make surrender a daily habit.
Luke 9:23
If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me.
God deeply desires that we know him intimately.
Jeremiah 9:24
If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me...These are the things that please me.
To develop this friendship we need to choose to be honest with God (anger, frustration, happiness, sorrow), choose to obey God in faith, choose to value what God values, and desire friendship with God more than anything else. We are as close to God as we choose to be.
Jeremiah 29:13
When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.
God wants to be included in EVERY activity, conversation, problem and thought. We need to take time to spend alone with God but that is only a small part of our waking hours. This may mean putting things in our lives to remind us throughout the day so that we train ourselves to remember God.
We also need to reading his word and thinking about his word throughout the day. It is impossible to be God's friend if we don't know what he says.
Job 23:12
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Psalm 77:12
They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.
Prayer lets you speak to God; meditation lets God speak to you. Both are essential to becoming a friend of God.
Surrendering means that we trust him fully. Fear will keep us from knowing him better and pride keeps us from accepting our limitations and realizing that we aren't God. One of the most difficult areas to surrender is finances.
When we fully surrender our lives to God we will experience peace, freedom and God's power in our lives.
So how do we surrender? It's not a just one time event of accepting Christ and choosing to follow him. It is a moment-by moment, lifelong choice. When we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice it is easy to get up and walk off the altar. We need to make surrender a daily habit.
Luke 9:23
If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me.
God deeply desires that we know him intimately.
Jeremiah 9:24
If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me...These are the things that please me.
To develop this friendship we need to choose to be honest with God (anger, frustration, happiness, sorrow), choose to obey God in faith, choose to value what God values, and desire friendship with God more than anything else. We are as close to God as we choose to be.
Jeremiah 29:13
When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.
God wants to be included in EVERY activity, conversation, problem and thought. We need to take time to spend alone with God but that is only a small part of our waking hours. This may mean putting things in our lives to remind us throughout the day so that we train ourselves to remember God.
We also need to reading his word and thinking about his word throughout the day. It is impossible to be God's friend if we don't know what he says.
Job 23:12
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Psalm 77:12
They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.
Prayer lets you speak to God; meditation lets God speak to you. Both are essential to becoming a friend of God.
Purpose #1 - Planned for God's Pleasure
Revelation 4:11
You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.
We were created to bring enjoyment to God and to live for his pleasure. By worshipping him we bring him pleasure.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord is pleased only with those who worship him and trust his love.
Anything we do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship, it's a lifestyle. Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. We can accomplish this by doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by having continual conversation with Him. We seem to think that worship is just about music but how could those who are non musical ever worship? I think it's easy to get caught up in how worshipping the Lord makes us feel (for me it's especially in music) but it's not about me and how I feel! It's not for my benefit it for God's!! How many times haven't I walked away from church and said "I didn't get anything out of church/worship today." When we realize that it's for God's benefit not ours we should never be able to say this.
Colossi ans 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Romans 12:1
Take your everyday, ordinary life---your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life---and place it before God as an offering.
So the smile of God becomes the goal in our life. More than anything I want to meet Jesus one day and see a big smile on his face as he tells me how much pleasure I brought him. God smiles when we love him over anything else, when we trust him completely, when we obey him wholeheartedly, when we praise and thank him continually, and when we use the abilities he's given us.
Hosea 6:6
I don't want your sacrifices---I want your love; I don't want your offerings---I want you to know me.
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Psalm 119:33
Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. (spoken by David)
Psalm 69:30-31
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord. (spoken by David)
Psalm 37:23
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.
The fact that every thing I do, except sin can be done for God's pleasure if it's done with an attitude of praise has been a very freeing experience. When we realize this we can use every task, every conversation, every moment to please God. It's about continually living our lives like He is right beside us. It's not spending time with Him for 1 hour a day, it's walking with Him all day. I often have felt guilty for not spending time with God each day but I am when I include Him and talk to Him constantly throughout the day.
Our focus has to change from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life?" to How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?"
You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.
We were created to bring enjoyment to God and to live for his pleasure. By worshipping him we bring him pleasure.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord is pleased only with those who worship him and trust his love.
Anything we do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship, it's a lifestyle. Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. We can accomplish this by doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by having continual conversation with Him. We seem to think that worship is just about music but how could those who are non musical ever worship? I think it's easy to get caught up in how worshipping the Lord makes us feel (for me it's especially in music) but it's not about me and how I feel! It's not for my benefit it for God's!! How many times haven't I walked away from church and said "I didn't get anything out of church/worship today." When we realize that it's for God's benefit not ours we should never be able to say this.
Colossi ans 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Romans 12:1
Take your everyday, ordinary life---your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life---and place it before God as an offering.
So the smile of God becomes the goal in our life. More than anything I want to meet Jesus one day and see a big smile on his face as he tells me how much pleasure I brought him. God smiles when we love him over anything else, when we trust him completely, when we obey him wholeheartedly, when we praise and thank him continually, and when we use the abilities he's given us.
Hosea 6:6
I don't want your sacrifices---I want your love; I don't want your offerings---I want you to know me.
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Psalm 119:33
Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. (spoken by David)
Psalm 69:30-31
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord. (spoken by David)
Psalm 37:23
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.
The fact that every thing I do, except sin can be done for God's pleasure if it's done with an attitude of praise has been a very freeing experience. When we realize this we can use every task, every conversation, every moment to please God. It's about continually living our lives like He is right beside us. It's not spending time with Him for 1 hour a day, it's walking with Him all day. I often have felt guilty for not spending time with God each day but I am when I include Him and talk to Him constantly throughout the day.
Our focus has to change from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life?" to How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?"
Thursday, 9 October 2008
The Reason for Everything
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
What Drives Your Life?
What Drives Your Life? Guilt, resentment, anger, fear, materialism, the need for approval...all these lead to are a dead end: unused potential, unnecessary stress, and an unfulfilled life. We all need a purpose.
Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life...Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
I know what I am planning for you...I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
Ephesians 3:20
God...is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of---infinitely beyond our highest prayer, desires, thoughts, or hopes.
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life...Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren't. If you can't get it all done, it means you're trying to do more than God intended for you to do. We can all use a lesson in living a simpler lifestyle...especially in today's world.
Isaiah 26:3
You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.
Knowing your purpose focuses your life...It concentrates your effort and energy on what's important. You become effective by being selective. We need to focus.
Ephesians 5:17
Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
Paul encourages us...
Philippians 3:13
"I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."
Philippians 3:15
"Let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us."
Knowing your purpose motivates your life...purpose always produces passion.
Knowing your purpose prepares your for eternity...what ultimately matters most will not be what others way about your life but what God says. You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.
Romans 14:10b
Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God...Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God.
Fortunately, God wants us to pass this test, so he has given us the questions in advance. First, "What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?" God won't ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?
John 14:6
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me."
Second, "What did you do with what I gave you?" What did you do with your life---all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources God gave you? Did you spend them on yourself, or did you use them for the purposes God made you for?
What challenges...how will I answer these one day? Will I be prepared?
Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life...Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
I know what I am planning for you...I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
Ephesians 3:20
God...is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of---infinitely beyond our highest prayer, desires, thoughts, or hopes.
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life...Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren't. If you can't get it all done, it means you're trying to do more than God intended for you to do. We can all use a lesson in living a simpler lifestyle...especially in today's world.
Isaiah 26:3
You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.
Knowing your purpose focuses your life...It concentrates your effort and energy on what's important. You become effective by being selective. We need to focus.
Ephesians 5:17
Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
Paul encourages us...
Philippians 3:13
"I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."
Philippians 3:15
"Let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us."
Knowing your purpose motivates your life...purpose always produces passion.
Knowing your purpose prepares your for eternity...what ultimately matters most will not be what others way about your life but what God says. You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.
Romans 14:10b
Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God...Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God.
Fortunately, God wants us to pass this test, so he has given us the questions in advance. First, "What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?" God won't ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?
John 14:6
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me."
Second, "What did you do with what I gave you?" What did you do with your life---all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources God gave you? Did you spend them on yourself, or did you use them for the purposes God made you for?
What challenges...how will I answer these one day? Will I be prepared?
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