It is all for him!
“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.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV
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, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NIV)
Will you accept God’s offer? Don't wait another day. Receive Christ and live for the glory of God.
Then your true purpose will start coming into focus and your life will seem like it is just beginning!
Peace ><>
pc
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Day 6 - Life is a Temporary Assignment
Life on earth is a temporary assignment!
“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.” Psalm 39:4 (NLT)
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.
Peace ><>
pc
“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.” Psalm 39:4 (NLT)
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.
Peace ><>
pc
Thursday, May 04, 2006
National Day of Prayer (40 Days: Day 5)
Today is an important day in the life of our nation. It's not a holiday per se, but it is a day set aside to focus our attention as a nation on God. The theme this year is America, Honor God. It's a reminder that we have what we have because of God and that we as a nation must acknowledge that, not only through our prayers today (or only one day) but every day in our prayers and our actions. So today, commit to pray not only for today but every day for the Freedom Five, the centers of power in our nation: Government, Media, Education, Church, Family.
"Those who honor me, I will honor." 1 Samuel 2:30
Let's honor God in our prayers and lives today.
Peace ><>
pc
PS: Now for a thought on our 40 Days of Purpose
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. 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.
“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Peace ><>
pc
"Those who honor me, I will honor." 1 Samuel 2:30
Let's honor God in our prayers and lives today.
Peace ><>
pc
PS: Now for a thought on our 40 Days of Purpose
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. 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.
“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Peace ><>
pc
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Day 4 - Made to Last Forever
This life is not all there is!
“God has…planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
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.”
Peace ><>
pc
“God has…planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
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.”
Peace ><>
pc
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
DAY 3 – WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE?
I didn't forget you. I had my first Purpose Driven Life Group this morning at 6:00 a.m. Ten of us have chosen to gather on this unGodly hour to grow closer in our relationship with God. It was a good morning.
But that means I will not be able to post bright and early on Tuesdays unless I just can't sleep or unless I stay up late on Monday evening. (which may happen from time to time.) So don't give up on me. I sure haven't given up on you!
-------------------------------------------------
Everyone’s life is driven by something!
“I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy.” Ecclesiastes 4:4 (LB)
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.
- And knowing your purpose 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.
Peace ><>
pc
But that means I will not be able to post bright and early on Tuesdays unless I just can't sleep or unless I stay up late on Monday evening. (which may happen from time to time.) So don't give up on me. I sure haven't given up on you!
-------------------------------------------------
Everyone’s life is driven by something!
“I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy.” Ecclesiastes 4:4 (LB)
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.
- And knowing your purpose 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.
Peace ><>
pc
Monday, May 01, 2006
40 Days of Purpose
Becoming "attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works...As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work." (Colossians 1:9-10, The Message)
That's the goal over these 40 days, becoming so attuned to God, on the same frequency, in rhythm with God, that your work becomes crystal clear and you become excellent at it. It's about finding purpose in life, God's purpose for your existence, and your purpose for serving.
Today is day 2 in our campaign and will read chapter 2 of The Purpose Driven Life. In our Daily Readings at the right I have included a number at the left of the day to help us remember what chapter we're on. (It's not the date, but the chapter). So read along with us and discover God.
"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is the strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." (Colossians 1:12, The Message)
God has much in store for us on this journey, and it doesn't come at the end. Rather it comes on the journey. I hope to hear from you what God is doing in your lives during these 40 days. It's already happening, I've heard stories already and it's only day 2!
Hang in there. Read every day. Trust God more and more. And Pray like you've never prayed before. 40 Days changed so many people in the Scriptures (Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Caleb, Noah, Jesus, the Disciples). It will have the same effect on us.
Expect it. Embrace it.
It's God.
Peace ><>
pc
That's the goal over these 40 days, becoming so attuned to God, on the same frequency, in rhythm with God, that your work becomes crystal clear and you become excellent at it. It's about finding purpose in life, God's purpose for your existence, and your purpose for serving.
Today is day 2 in our campaign and will read chapter 2 of The Purpose Driven Life. In our Daily Readings at the right I have included a number at the left of the day to help us remember what chapter we're on. (It's not the date, but the chapter). So read along with us and discover God.
"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is the strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." (Colossians 1:12, The Message)
God has much in store for us on this journey, and it doesn't come at the end. Rather it comes on the journey. I hope to hear from you what God is doing in your lives during these 40 days. It's already happening, I've heard stories already and it's only day 2!
Hang in there. Read every day. Trust God more and more. And Pray like you've never prayed before. 40 Days changed so many people in the Scriptures (Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Caleb, Noah, Jesus, the Disciples). It will have the same effect on us.
Expect it. Embrace it.
It's God.
Peace ><>
pc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)