Day 40 - Living With Purpose

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. 

PROVERBS 19:21 (NIV)

For David served.... the purpose of God in his own generation.

ACTS 13:36 (NASB)

"Living on a purpose is the only way to really live.  Everything else is just existing.  Most people struggle with three basic issues in life.  The first is identity: 'Who am I?'  The second is importance: 'Do I matter?'  The third is impact: 'What is my place in life?'  The answers to all three questions are found in God's five purses for you." p312

"Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it.  As we come to the end of our fourty-day journey together, now that you know God's purposes for your life, you will be blessed if you do them!" p312

"...you will have to stop doing some other things.  There are many 'good' things you can do with your life, but God's purposes are the five essentials you must do.  Unfortunately, it's easy to get distracted and forget what is most important.  It's easy to drift away from what matters most and slowly get off course.  To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly.

- It's a statement that summarises God's purpose for your life.

- It's a statement that points the direction of your life.

- It's a statement that defines the direction of your life.

- It's a statement that defines 'success' for you.

- It's a statement that expresses your shape.

Here are five questions you should consider as you prepare your statement:

- What will be the centre of my life?

- What will be the character of my life?

- What will be the contribution of my life?

- What will be the communication of my life?

- What will be the community of my life?" p311-6

"How do you know when God is at the centre of your life?  When God's at the centre, you worship.  When he's not, you worry." p314

Point to Ponder:

Living with purpose is the only way to really live.

Verse to Remember: 

"For David... served the purpose of God in his own generation." ACTS 13:36 (NASB)

Questions to Consider: 

When will I take the time to write down my answers to life's five great questions?  When will I put my purpose on paper?

Day 39 - Balancing Your Life

Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do.

EPHESIANS 5:15 (Ph)

Don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance.

2 PETER 3:17 (CEV)

"Your life is [like] a pentathlon of five purposes, which you must keep in balance.

1. 'Love God with all your heart':You were planned for God's pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.

2. 'Love your neighbour as yourself': You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry.

3. 'Go and make disciples': You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God's message through evangelism.

4. 'baptise them into...': You were formed for God's family, so your purpose is to identify with His church through fellowship.

5. 'Teach them to do all things...': You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow maturity through discipleship." p306

"...you can keep our life balanced and on track by joining a small group for accountability, by regularly evaluating your spiritual health, by recording your progress in a personal journal, and by passing on what you learn to others.  These are four important activities for purpose-driven living." p306

James said, 'Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning.'  Knowledge increases responsibility.  But passing along the purpose of life is more than an obligation; it's one of life's greatest privileges.  Imagine how different the world would be if everyone knew their purpose.  Paul said. 'if you teach these things to other followers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus.'" p310

Point to Ponder:

Blessed are the balanced.

Verse to Remember: 

"Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do." EPHESIANS 5:15 (Ph)

Questions to Consider: 

Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God's five purposes for my life?

Day 38 - Becoming A World-Class Christian

Jesus said to His followers "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone. MARK 16:15 (NCV)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.

 PSALM 67:2 (LB)

"You will either be a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian.  Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfilment.  They are saved but self-centred....  Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness....They want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for his purposes.

In contrast, world-class Christians know they were saved to serve and made for a mission...  Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they're making a difference.  They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them in fresh ways." p298

"...Jesus told His followers to 'go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone'...  It has never been easier in history to fulfil [that] commission to go to the whole world.  The great barriers are no longer distance, cost or transportation.  The only barrier is the way we think.  To be a world-class Christian you must make some mental shifts.  Your perspective and attitudes must change." p298-9

"Shift from local thinking to global thinking.  God is a global God and cared about the entire world...  The first way to start thinking globally is to begin praying for specific countries.  World-class christians pray for the world.  Get a globe or map and pray for nations by name.  The Bible says, "If you ask me, I will give you the nations; all the people on earth will be yours."p300

 Map of Haiti

Haiti Aftermath 

Pray for the people of Haiti and other places in the world with problems.

"Shift from 'here and now' thinking to eternal thinking...  So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity.  Don't trade your life for temporary things." p302

"You've probably heard the expression 'You can't take it with you' - but the Bible says 'You can send it on ahead by investing in people who are going there!'  The Bible says, 'By doing this they only will be storing up real treasures for themselves in Heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity!  And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well." p303

Point to Ponder:

The Great Commission is my commission.

Verse to remember:

"Send us around the world with the News of Your saving power and Your eternal plan for all mankind." PSALM 67:2 (LB)

Question to Consider: 

What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short mission experience in the next year?

Day 37 - Sharing Your Life Message

Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.

1 JOHN 5:10a (GWT)

Your lives are echoing the Master's Word ...The news of your faith in God is out.  We don't even have to say anything anymore - You're the message! 

1 THESSALONIANS 1:8 (Msg)

"When you became a believer, you also became God's messenger.  God wants to speak to the world through you...  You may feel you don't have anything to share, but that's the Devil trying to keep you silent." p289

"Your testimony is the story of how Christ has made a difference in your life...  [Jesus] wants you to share your [life] story with others...  There is no other story like yours, so only you can share it.  If you don't share it, it will be lost forever." p290

Kunta Kinte passed on his story to his descendants , which has lasted over 200 years. 

"Personal stories are easier to relate to than principles and people love to hear them.  They capture our attention, and we remember them longer.  Unbelievers would probably lose interest if you start quoting theologians, but they have a natural curiosity about experiences they've never had." p290

"Many people who won't accept the authority of the Bible will listen to a humble, personal story." p291

Point to Ponder:

God wants to say something to the world through me.

Verse to Remember:

"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 3:15b-16 (TEV)

Question to Consider: 

As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share it with? 

Day 36 - Made for A Mission

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. 

JOHN 17:18 (Msg)

The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me.

ACTS 20:24 (NCV)

"God wants you to have both a ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world.  Your ministry is your service to believers, and your mission is your service to unbelievers." p281

"You may have been unaware that God holds you responsible for the unbelievers around you.  The Bible says, '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.' You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them." p283

"...no matter how contended or successful people appear to be, without Christ they are hopelessly lost and headed for eternal separation from God." p284

"Your mission has eternal significance.  It will impact the eternal destiny of other people, so it's more important than any job, achievement, or goal you will reach during your life on earth.  The consequences of your mission will last forever; the consequences of your job will not.  Nothing else you do will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God.  

This is why we must be urgent about our mission.  Jesus said, 'All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.'" p284

"...only the kingdom of God is going to last.  Everything else will eventually vanish.  This is why we must live purpose-driven-lives - lives committed to worship, fellowship, spiritual growth, ministry and fulfilling our mission on earth." p285

"To fulfil your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God's agenda for 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 prayers like 'God bless what I want to do.'  Instead you pray, 'God help me to do what you're blessing!'" p286

Point to Ponder: 

I was made for a mission.

Verse to Remember:

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." MATTHEW 28:19-20 (NOV)

Question to Consider:

What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish?  What keeps me from telling others the Good News?

Purpose #5 - You Were Made For A Mission

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

PROVERBS 11:30 (NIV)

Day 35 - God's Power In Your Weakness

We are weak ...yet by God's power we will live with Him to serve you.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:4 (NIV)

I am with you; that is all you need.  My power shows up best in weak people.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9a (LB)

"...God loves to use imperfect, ordinary people to do extraordinary things in spite of their weakness." p273

"When you think of the limitations in your life, you may be tempted to conclude, 'God could never use me.'  But God is never limited by our limitations.  In fact, He enjoys putting His great power into ordinary containers." p273

"Admit your weaknesses.  Own up to your imperfections.  Stop pretending to have it all together, and be honest about yourself.  Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses." p274

"God often attaches a major weakness to a major strength to keep our egos in check.  A limitation can act as a governor to keep us from going too fast and running ahead of God." p274

"God specialise in turning weakness into strengths.  He wants to take your greatest weakness and transform it." p276

"When satan points out your weakness, agree with him and fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who 'understands every weakness of ours,' and for the Holy Spirit, who 'helps us in our weakness.'" p277

Point to Ponder: 

God works best when I admit my weakness.

Verse to Remember: 

"My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9a (NIV)

Question to Consider: 

Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses?  What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?