Legacy of Purpose

Legacy of Purpose

2 Peter 1: ¹² And so I will always remind you of these matters, even though you already know them and are firmly grounded in the truth you have received. ¹³ I think it only right for me to stir up your memory of these matters as long as I am still alive. ¹⁴ I know that I shall soon put off this mortal body, as our Lord Jesus Christ plainly told me. ¹⁵ I will do my best, then, to provide a way for you to remember these matters at all times after my death.

 

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“What would you do differently if you knew you were going to die in the next two weeks?” was the poignant question posed to us at the Promise Keeper’s conference. I really hadn’t thought of that, but after pondering I realized I would love more, spread the Gospel more and praise more. The next statement was the game changer. “Then why don’t you start doing this right now.”

 

• I wanted conditions to be perfect for me to do what I should have been doing all along.
• I felt bad that I could not blame anyone but myself for not doing the things I should have been doing.
• I realized then, that I need to make a change in my life that would actively include GOD’s love spread to my family, friends and strangers.

 

Peter got some startling news directly from JESUS. After leaving the ministry, Peter went back to fishing. JESUS appeared to the disciples in a miraculous encounter. HE told Peter about his death after reinstating him in the ministry. Peter, from then on, spoke boldly about JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• People are important, BUT GOD is most important.
• Being busy doing life is okay, but following GOD is the ultimate.
• Working hard to stay alive and healthy is not bad, but showing people the way to believe in GOD is the pinnacle of existence.

 

Selfish people redefine what is important. I mean, when people ask the question “What would you like to be known by?” they may answer by saying “Money” or “Fame” or “Acquiescing to selfish needs of greedy people.” They may not come out directly and say those things, but it may be at the heart of the matter. GOD wants something different.

 

Each and every day, GOD wants HIS people to remember JESUS. HIS death and resurrection is the most important event that ever happened to mankind. All GOD wants us to do is to love one another so people would turn their eyes to HIM. I gladly leave a legacy of spreading JESUS as the most important gift I could give my family, friends and strangers.

 

Challenge

• What do you think is the writer’s definition of being “firmly grounded in the truth?”
• Have you examined your life’s purpose to see if it includes what GOD wants you to do?
• Will you live your life with GOD’s purpose from this day forth so you can be used to being many people to HIM from now on?

 

True Identity

True Identity

Ephesians 3: ¹⁴ For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 

 

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As I was walking down the hall someone shouted a negative label at me. My youthful response was to get a large friend and threaten a fight. The label was not who I was so it enraged me.

 

• I reacted to a false label.
• I wasted time and energy over something that was not true.
• I was not ready to take the high road so I stooped down to fight.

 

Paul uncovers something interesting. He says each person has a “true name” which implies the family name I have is false. HE was revealed that GOD provides purpose through a name.

 

My Observations

• My true identity will be revealed to me when I am with the FATHER.
• I will one day understand my true purpose in union with CHRIST.
• Knowing I have a true name gives me hope.

 

People want to be GOD so we label each other in ways to make others feel inferior. BUT GOD is supreme and is the only one who holds the true label of HIS creation. HE made each person carefully and with a special purpose. Unfortunately, there is an adversary who lies and confuses people to seek a worldly identity.

 

People are separated and lied to so JESUS becomes a problem rather than the only solution. Political thieves try to hijack the name of JESUS but fail miserably because GOD knows HIS true flock. I am glad GOD holds my identity and has adopted me into HIS glorious family.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer appeal to identity when entering into prayer?
• Have you ever been called a false label or possibly mislabeled yourself?
• Will you stop seeking validation from the world and know you are loved fully by GOD who holds your true purpose and identity in CHRIST who is our Savior today?

Made Special

Made Special

Ephesians 3: ⁷ I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. ⁸ I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, ⁹ and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect.

 

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Doing an assessment of my skills, looks and accomplishments when I was insecure made me feel like I was not going to get anywhere soon. I saw people reach heights and overcome hurdles, yet I felt I had done nothing and was headed nowhere.

 

• I felt like I was insignificant.
• I compared myself to other people and felt bad about what I had done.
• I thought I was not special and had no gifts or talents.

 

Saul was zealous about GOD. He persecuted those who were not following the rules to the letter. He was given permission to have people killed. GOD called Saul to preach about the love of JESUS, and renamed him Paul, who wrote this letter. He stopped persecuting the church, lost his worldly title, became insignificant to humans and became special to GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD sees me when humans do not.
• GOD made me special to reach those HE wants me to reach.
• GOD wants me to see that being HIS servant is a privilege.

 

Standing firm on the belief of JESUS can make anyone feel insignificant. I mean, the world praises celebrities, politicians, rich and powerful people. It sometimes seems like those who follow JESUS are the opposite of famous people. BUT GOD sees different.

 

When one person believes in JESUS there is incredible rejoicing in heaven! To the world, this seems insignificant, but to GOD, this means everything. HE stores up treasures in heaven for those who use their special gift to make people see HIS secret plan put into effect. I gladly use my gifts and talents to serve GOD by the working of HIS power.

 

Challenge

• Can you hear the maturity of the writer?
• Why do you think he calls it a privilege to take the Good News to the Gentiles?
• If you feel less than special, will you stop looking at yourself and look at GOD’s incredible power and simply point one person to the infinite riches of CHRIST today?

 

Answer the Call

 

Answer the Call

Romans 8: ²⁸ We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. ²⁹ Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. ³⁰ And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them.

 

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Avoiding the phone became a normal occurrence. I let the answering machine screen the calls because I did not have any money and could not see getting any money in the near future. Yes, I said answering machine. I would hear the creditors asking for money I did not have. The call would only make me feel worse.

 

• Many times I avoided calls because I was afraid of the caller.
• Many times I avoided calls because I thought I could not do what the caller was asking.
• Many times I avoided calls because I knew I would have to confess that I owed something, but could not repay.

 

Paul says something that can be a little hard to understand. He talks about GOD choosing people. The sinful question that tries to negate GOD choosing people is “Why?” Paul does not explain “why”, rather he encourages those who have been chosen by GOD to know the calling has purpose. This purpose brings the good of GOD, so HIS calling is one that gives power.

 

• GOD has called me for HIS purpose.
• GOD has chosen me to become like JESUS.
• GOD has put me right with HIMSELF so I can do HIS will.

 

Answering GOD’s call is strange. I mean, HE seems to call at the wrong time, in the wrong way. Just like a creditor calling when I have no money, GOD seems to call when I am not ready or have nothing to give. BUT HIS call needs to be answered.

 

GOD wants me to be powerless so I can truly point to HIS power. HE gives me purpose and shares HIS glory with me. The purpose is to share the love of JESUS with as many as GOD has given me. I accept GOD’s calling on my life.

 

• Is GOD trying to speak to you but you are too busy or worried with life?
• Does your bills or desires make you not want to hear GOD’s calling?
• Will you let go of the control you have on your life and allow GOD to give you purpose that is meaningful today?

Hope Priority

 

Hope Priority

Acts 28: ¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. ¹⁹ The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

 

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“Want to go hang out?” were code words from a neighbor that meant let’s get drunk and possibly have sex with a stranger. I said “No thanks” this time. He asked again the next week a little more persistently. I said “I’m trying to get my life together with GOD this time.”

 

• There were times when I used pleasure as my hope.
• There were times when I used money as my hope.
• There were times when I used power as my hope.

 

Paul called the local church leaders together and explained his plight. He wanted to appeal rationally to this group in hopes that they would believe in JESUS. He placed his hope in GOD over being free.

 

• GOD wants me to place my hope in HIM.
• GOD wants me to make HIM my priority.
• GOD wants me to choose hope in HIM over anything else.

 

When GOD says “I will reward you” I can place my hope in this. I mean, I have to have total trust that GOD will do just as HE says. HE also says things I do not want to do like “Love those who hate you.”

 

When I place my hope in GOD, I can say “No” to things that will not please HIM. The things that please GOD become my priority. I am honored to place my hope in GOD.

 

• What is your priority?
• Are you focused on controlling all your situations?
• Will you live your life with the purpose of GOD so you will use hope in JESUS to make your decisions?

Important Assignment

 

Important Assignment

Acts 21: ⁶ “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

 

⁸ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

 

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ⁹ My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

 

¹⁰ “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

 

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ ¹¹ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

 

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When I heard “Do your assignments and bring them back tomorrow” I knew my night of relaxation was gone. Assignment meant homework and this on was long and hard. Why did I have to get a teacher who piled on the homework?

 

There were plenty of times when I did not want an assignment.

There were plenty of times when I wanted to just sit and do nothing.

There were plenty of times when I wanted others to do their assignments and mine too.

 

Paul continued to explain to the angry mob, how he came to do what he was doing. During his recollection, He asked two important questions. “Who are you, LORD?” and “What shall I do, LORD?” JESUS answered by telling Paul he had some assignments to do. Paul gladly wanted the assignments because the alternative was to be blinded by GOD, knowing it was his sins that caused it.

 

GOD wants me to get to know who HE is.

GOD wants me to ask HIM “What do you want me to do, LORD?”

GOD wants me to be open to what ever assignment HE has for me.

 

Being part of GOD’s plan is an honor. I mean HE doesn’t need me to do anything for HIM. HE is all powerful, all seeing and all knowing. No one can beat HIM and HE can handle any situation that arises. YET GOD wants me to be part of HIS plan.

 

HE assigns special tasks to me to reach HIS lost sheep. This means reaching humans who reject being part of HIS family and trying to convince them to stop this rejection and turn back to JESUS. HE is the master and I am the student.  I gladly learn of HIM so I can find rest to my soul.

 

What is your purpose in life?

Do you spend an enormous amount of time on human matters and little time on the kingdom?

Will you accept GOD’s important assignment HE has for you today to reach those only you can reach for HIM?

Party Mind

Luke 12: ¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

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Thursday was my “Friday” when it cam to this particular job. When I got off work I was finally free from the shackles and I could do what “I” wanted to do. I made a few calls and said “The party starts at 12:34 AM. I’m barbequing! Bring your own bottle!”

• “Living life” once meant what type of vacation could I go on.
• “Living life” once meant how many people could I cram into my party.
• “Living life” once meant spending valuable time showing people “my” stuff so “I” could be admired.

JESUS used the parable of the wealthy man to illustrate the fact that human pride mixed with greed is blinding. Instead of sharing the wealth that obviously came from GOD, the man had plans to keep his wealth to himself and then party. JESUS used this to moment to discuss true treasure.

• GOD wants me to invest some of my time thinking of others rather than only thinking of myself.
• GOD wants me to reduce my “party, vacation” mindset to increase helping my neighbor.
• GOD wants me to see the needs of those around me so I can share my time, wealth and belief in JESUS.

Purpose was lacking in the wealthy man in the parable and sometimes it is lacking in me. When I seek “my” pleasure, I can blame others for not allowing me to have “my” way. Either with lack of money or lack of time, I can grouse over not having the ability to vacation or party or buy something new.

BUT GOD wants me to grow up. HE does not mind me having friends over nor does HE mind me being wealthy. HE does mind when my entire purpose is to only enjoy life, passing up opportunities to help others. Constantly seeking to enjoy life will only bear fruit that is temporary. GOD’s fruit lasts forever. I want GOD’s fruit.

• Are you constantly seeking to buy new stuff?
• Do you think by having more stuff or better vacations, your life would be better?
• Can you change your mindset and see the value of serving people the way GOD wants you to so you can store up treasure in heaven today?