“The Lord has made everything for his own purpose.” This chapter is about God’s Glory in everything that exists around us. Everything was made for a purpose and everything but falling angels (demons) and us (people) works as He has planned it. We, with our sins, fail to His glory. Ours sins are signs of loving everything else more than God. It’s rebellion to His glory. Living for his Glory should be our greatest achievement in lifetime.
What does it mean to bring glory to God? We can bring God glory by worshiping him and making him present in our lives. Enjoying Him. Worship is far more than going to church, praising, singing and praying. “Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.
We bring God glory by loving each other. “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. Accept alls differences and flaws; help them in time of need.
We bring God glory by becoming like Christ. We were born to search for spiritual maturity. To grow up wiser and accept the purpose He has planned for you. We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts. The talents you have are no accidents. They were given to you to serve God’s purpose, to benefit others, just as others were given gifts to benefit you. The Bible says “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 others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory.”
We bring God glory by telling others about him. God wants us to share his love and purpose. When you find your path through him, he wants you to tell others, to help them find their own. Living to give God glory supposes a big change in life, in the way we see things, set our priorities and goals. It’s surely not an easy path, and you must want it to follow it. Here the alternative becomes clear. Will you be living to fulfill your life with your own goals, comfort and pleasure? Or will you live the rest of your life preparing for the everlasting. The Bible says “Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go,… you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.”
Hum… Tough choice to make and it’s normal to hesitate because there’s nothing easy in following God’s path. But to one who wants, God give the strength. The first thing to do is believe. Believe God loves you and made you for His purposes. Believe you were made to last forever. Believe that no matter what you have done, God wants to forgive you. Then, receive. Receive Jesus in your life as your Lord and Savior. Allow His Spirit to grant you the power to fulfill your life purpose.
These seven chapters were an introduction to our spiritual growth. I suggest we take a break to allow ourselves to think about all we read about so far. This will help us determine if whether or not we’re ready to make our first steps for spiritual growth.
Myself, I’ll go over my notes this week and post new comments. Don’t hesitate to contact me kaiafe08@gmail.com if you need more references, or just want to write comments. I have the references for all citations that were made here, so feel free to ask if you want to go deeper in your searches.
I wish you all a good day and hope you’re enjoying this as much as I do.
1) Point to ponder: It’s all for Him
2) Verse to remember: “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power; and everything is for his Glory.” Romans 11:36
3) Question to consider: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God’s glory?
jueves, 26 de junio de 2008
Purpose Driven Life - Day SIX
“Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I’m here for but a moment more.”
Life is brief, and sometimes extremely brief… Life is a temporary residence of your spirit. So why bother getting attached to material things on earth. We’re not here for long… 100 years max? What is that compared to the Eternity we are promised.
I want to think most of us have understood that we were just to spend a tiny moment on earth, in these bodies… So, there is not much to say in this chapter. Though, I will quote an example that I found really interesting to describe our assignment on earth. “Imagine if you were asked by your country to be an ambassador to an enemy nation. You would probably have to learn a new language and adapt to some customs and cultural differences in order to be polite and to accomplish your mission. As an ambassador you would not be able to isolate yourself from the enemy. To fulfill your mission, you would have to have contact and relate to them.But suppose you became so comfortable with this foreign country that you fell in live with it, preferring it to your homeland. Your loyalty and commitment would change. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting like the enemy. You’d be a traitor.
The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better. So, don’t get too attached. If you’re not completely happy here, don’t worry because you’re not supposed to be! If your prayers seem unanswered, don’t worry, your real life hasn’t even started yet! And God’s goal for your life is greater than material prosperity or popular success.
1) Point to ponder: This world is not my home
2) Verse to remember: “So 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
3) Question to consider: How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?
Life is brief, and sometimes extremely brief… Life is a temporary residence of your spirit. So why bother getting attached to material things on earth. We’re not here for long… 100 years max? What is that compared to the Eternity we are promised.
I want to think most of us have understood that we were just to spend a tiny moment on earth, in these bodies… So, there is not much to say in this chapter. Though, I will quote an example that I found really interesting to describe our assignment on earth. “Imagine if you were asked by your country to be an ambassador to an enemy nation. You would probably have to learn a new language and adapt to some customs and cultural differences in order to be polite and to accomplish your mission. As an ambassador you would not be able to isolate yourself from the enemy. To fulfill your mission, you would have to have contact and relate to them.But suppose you became so comfortable with this foreign country that you fell in live with it, preferring it to your homeland. Your loyalty and commitment would change. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting like the enemy. You’d be a traitor.
The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better. So, don’t get too attached. If you’re not completely happy here, don’t worry because you’re not supposed to be! If your prayers seem unanswered, don’t worry, your real life hasn’t even started yet! And God’s goal for your life is greater than material prosperity or popular success.
1) Point to ponder: This world is not my home
2) Verse to remember: “So 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
3) Question to consider: How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?
Purpose Driven Life - Day FIVE
If you were asked how you picture your life, what would be the first image to flash in your head? That image is your life metaphor. It’s the perspective from which you view your life, consciously or not. It’s your deion of how life works and what you expect from it!
As I read this chapter, I couldn’t help tears dropping off my eyes. The first image to come in my mind had been a theater!!! Does that mean that I’m always acting up, hiding my true self behind a bunch of foolishness? Does my entourage know how i really feel in all matters, or am i always hiding? Does that mean, I don’t expect people around me to be real, truthful… trustful? I cried because I know it’s true. I know that I haven’t been a quart of who I can be yet. I cried because I still don’t know how to get to my whole self expression. I cried because I don’t expect anything from people… I can appreciate and be thankful… but I don’t expect people to do so and so, to be this and that… I just don’t want to expect NADA from this world, from people… it hurts too much to expect and to be disappointed… to expect and to loose... My expectations are not from this world. I don't think it can get better, only getting worse and uglier. I just wish i can work it down here to deserve to see my baby girl, upthere... lol... i wish!
Your unspoken life metaphor influences you more than you know. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationship to others, your goals, your priorities. But… There always seems a but... huh!But be careful of metaphors that have nothing to do with God’s purpose for you. The standards of this world are not those of Eternity. God has three views of life: Life is a test, Life is a trust, Life is a temporary assignment.
Life is a test. This is the part that literally sucked all my energy out! I have a girl friend in Florida thinking that it’s really not a good thing for me reading that book ;) But, as I told her… MAYBE all this things happened for me to pull myself together. Whoever said the hard way is often the best way must be somewhere up there, in Heaven. Life is a test. We are always being tested. Our responses to people, problems, success, failures, conflicts, illness, disappointment… everything matter, everything is a test. You’ll be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, senseless tragedies… Everything is a test; nothing is insignificant in your life. Some tests seem overwhelming, while others you don’t even notice. But always remember “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”… Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plan to reward you in eternity…
Life on earth is a trust. The more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be. Everything we are, everything we have is a gift from God. This earth we’re living in is a gift… this life we’re living is a gift… The Bible says “The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD; the earth and all who live on it are his.” Don’t be naïve and think you own something for real… Other than your actions and their implications, what do you have? What will you bring with you in the next life? Even your body is a temporary habitat for your spirit. You don’t own anything. So do the best with what you have been leased! We were put in charge among all beings to take care of his creations on earth. “Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.” What we seem to fail to understand, people, is that money is both a test and a trust from God. He uses money to teach us to trust Him, and for many of us money is the greatest test of all. The way we use our money determines the quality of our spiritual life. “Jesus said : From everyone who has been given much, muchi will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
1) Point to ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
2) Verse to remember: “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a
3) Question to consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me.”
As I read this chapter, I couldn’t help tears dropping off my eyes. The first image to come in my mind had been a theater!!! Does that mean that I’m always acting up, hiding my true self behind a bunch of foolishness? Does my entourage know how i really feel in all matters, or am i always hiding? Does that mean, I don’t expect people around me to be real, truthful… trustful? I cried because I know it’s true. I know that I haven’t been a quart of who I can be yet. I cried because I still don’t know how to get to my whole self expression. I cried because I don’t expect anything from people… I can appreciate and be thankful… but I don’t expect people to do so and so, to be this and that… I just don’t want to expect NADA from this world, from people… it hurts too much to expect and to be disappointed… to expect and to loose... My expectations are not from this world. I don't think it can get better, only getting worse and uglier. I just wish i can work it down here to deserve to see my baby girl, upthere... lol... i wish!
Your unspoken life metaphor influences you more than you know. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationship to others, your goals, your priorities. But… There always seems a but... huh!But be careful of metaphors that have nothing to do with God’s purpose for you. The standards of this world are not those of Eternity. God has three views of life: Life is a test, Life is a trust, Life is a temporary assignment.
Life is a test. This is the part that literally sucked all my energy out! I have a girl friend in Florida thinking that it’s really not a good thing for me reading that book ;) But, as I told her… MAYBE all this things happened for me to pull myself together. Whoever said the hard way is often the best way must be somewhere up there, in Heaven. Life is a test. We are always being tested. Our responses to people, problems, success, failures, conflicts, illness, disappointment… everything matter, everything is a test. You’ll be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, senseless tragedies… Everything is a test; nothing is insignificant in your life. Some tests seem overwhelming, while others you don’t even notice. But always remember “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”… Every time you pass a test, God notices and makes plan to reward you in eternity…
Life on earth is a trust. The more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be. Everything we are, everything we have is a gift from God. This earth we’re living in is a gift… this life we’re living is a gift… The Bible says “The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD; the earth and all who live on it are his.” Don’t be naïve and think you own something for real… Other than your actions and their implications, what do you have? What will you bring with you in the next life? Even your body is a temporary habitat for your spirit. You don’t own anything. So do the best with what you have been leased! We were put in charge among all beings to take care of his creations on earth. “Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.” What we seem to fail to understand, people, is that money is both a test and a trust from God. He uses money to teach us to trust Him, and for many of us money is the greatest test of all. The way we use our money determines the quality of our spiritual life. “Jesus said : From everyone who has been given much, muchi will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
1) Point to ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
2) Verse to remember: “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a
3) Question to consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me.”
Purpose Driven Life - Day FOUR
Resume of what we’ve already talked about
It’s not about you!
You’re not an accident!
What drives your life?
Today, I’ll resume both chapters 4 and 5, so you can keep up with me. From your emails, I understand some of you need more times to ponder the subjects. It’s ok, since I won’t delete the entries. So take your time. Take the time you need to ponder, think, think twice or as many time you wish.
This life is just a drop in God’s plan for eternity. When expressing strong and genuine feelings, we seem to naturally refer to eternity …“I’ll love you forever”… Why? God has planted eternity in the human heart. From our essence, we know that we belong to this Eternity God always refers to. We are made to last FOREVER. But what you should remember is that your relationship to God on earth will determine to him in eternity. This life is a preparation for the next. We don’t know what the next one is about exactly. The Bible promises are things beyond our imagination.
To be sincere, this chapter seemed a little blurry to me, since I don’t have a clue of what exactly happens after death. But I do believe that all you do in you life comes back to you somehow, sometimes, any time. So just remember that this life is preparation for whatever is next. And play your card well, so you finally get the Heaven you naturally aspired to.
Tasks for this chapter
1) Point to ponder: There is more than just here and now
2) Verse to remember: “This world is fading away, along with everything in craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” 1 John 2:17
3) Question to consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?
Purpose Driven Life -Day THREE
So far, we had two points to think about...
1- It’s not about us. Our personal fulfillment has nothing to see with our purposes in life. It was more like what’s God purpose through us.
2- We are not accident of nature. We’ve been planned by God and for God. We are exactly were he wants us to be. And our struggles are no joy to him, but just a way to make us stronger.
The third chapter was “What drives your life”As the author says, “Everyone’s life is driven by something”. In this matter, the Bible says “I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy” Ecclesiastes 4:4. What drives your life, is what you allow to take control over your feelings, over your whole self.
Many people are driven by guilt. They allow their past to ruin their future. Let it go, get over it, past is history. You can’t change your past, but you can prepare your future.
Many people are driven by resentment and anger. They hold on to hurts and never let go of them. And you know what? Resentment drives you nuts and miserable while the person you resent might have completely forgotten about the incident! “To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.”
Many people are driven by fear. They hide behind fears that can be results of a traumatic experience or just genetic predisposition. They miss opportunities because their too afraid to venture out!Many people are driven by materialism. They always want more than what they have. Your true value isn’t about how wealthy you are, it’s about how you dealt to accomplish what God had created you to. More money won’t make you happier if it keeps you away from your true purpose.
Many people are driven by the need of approval. They do everything for a reason, and to be pointed out the crowd. They want to please everyone, and guys, this isn’t possible! You can’t possibly please everyone, and stick to your purpose. At some point, you will certainly find people who are not going in the same direction your are, or should be going.It’s important to figure out what drives our life. What controls our lives?
A life without purpose has no sense, no meaning. Getting up in the morning seems a chore. Everything seems meaningless, senseless. Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life. It motivates you to know where you are going, and why you are fighting. And it simplifies so much your life. You only HAVE to do what serves your purpose. Knowing your purpose keeps you focus! If you want your life to have an impact, you have to focus on what’s really important to you facing your purpose in life. And finally, finding your purpose will prepare you for the eternity.
As we stand before God in the ultimate judgment, two questions will be asked
1) “What did you do with my son, Jesus Christ?” This is about how you accepted Him in your life, trusted and loved Him.
2) “What did you do with what I gave you?” What did you do with your life, your gifts, all the 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?”
The first question determines where you will go for eternity... Heaven or hell... Light or Darkness... The second will determine what you will do, once there. What will your relation with God will be as a continuity of what it had been on earth.
This is what this book is about: getting you ready to answer these two questions when the time comes.
Tasks for today
1) Point to ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
2) Verse to remember: “You, LORD, give perfect peace in those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3
3) Question to consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?And I’m adding this one “What do you think is YOUR driving force in life NOW?
Purpose Driven Life - Day TWO
Yesterday, i discovered that my purpose in life had absolutely nothing to see with my personal fulfillment, today the second chapter was "You are not an accident"Yes my friends, each one of us, wanted or not by our parents, is part of God's intricate plans. He planned us long before we were born. And our parents did not have a word to say about it, not even one sexy move!!! lol...
We were born because HE wanted us to be... And we'll die as HE had planned from day one.There is not much to say today but life is no haphazard, God is no Haphazard! A birth is not a mistake, NEVER! A birth is no luck, nor fate, nor chance, nor coincidence. You are alive because God wants you to be! And you will die when the time HE has set for your purpose is over.Whatever the circumstances of your birth, however hard things might be for you, hang on and lookout for the light, because you are not an accident and you were born for a reason. You were born to serve God purpose.
Here's a poem by Russel Kelfer that sums it up
You are who you are for a reason
You're part of an intricate plan
You're a precious and perfect unique design
Called God's special woman or man
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!
In other terms, i'll simply say what we all already know, or should... Everything happens for a reason, all anger, deception, sadness aside... Everything happens for a reason.
Your tasks for this chapter:
1) Point to ponder "I'm not an accident"
2) Verse to remember "I am your creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2
3) Question to consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am i struggling to accept?
Purpose Driven Life - Day ONE
Ok guys, i'm reading this book about finding why one is really on earth for. In my case the question will therefore be "Why on earth am i here for" It's a 40 days journey, one chapter a day, so you can take the time to really think and search for your answers... As they suggest one to find people to discuss it, i thought i just might share it with you and try to make the best out of my journey. Nat, sa se bagay pa'w yo menm! You don't have the book, but i'll try to quote the most possible so you can follow the best possible.
So here i am, first day, wondering what the hell is this Rick Warren (the author) going to tell me that i haven't read in all the new age self help books outhere! Well, from the first line i was simply shocked!!! When searching for your purpose, the first place you would tend to look would be yourself. No? Well, this is what the first chapter is about, friends.
I was all puzzled reading the following: "The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fullfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions..."Typically, we all seem to begin at the wrong starting point "Ourselves". What we want to do, what we wanna be, what we should do, our dreams, our ambitions, our future. But as it turns out to be, "focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose" because the Bible says "Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life"This is a whole new way to look at things. But let's face it, it could be true. There are things that we have absolutely no control over. There are things that money can't buy or give you. There are things that just happen and you're not allowed anything else but to bow and accept. There are things that we won't ever be able to explain. Life for itself!!! The human body is such a complexe creation, there will always be things to discover about it, about it's functioning. So who would know best if not the Creator. He has the manual! So isn't it to Him we should turn to when something is wrong? This is not an easy journey, i know. And i'm trying to stay as neutral as possible because i respect each one of you faith and beliefs. This book is certainly about God. About faith... About trust... From this first chapter, i was to learn, that finding the purpose of my life is not about knowing who i am and what i'm dreaming of. It's not about fullfilling my dreams and ambitions. It's not even about finding my peace of mind, or being happy. Finding my purpose in life is not even my task as i see it. It's more of the trust i should put on God and let Him accomplish whatever purpose he had set for me, from the start.As i came to this conclusion, i coudn't keep on wondering what had been my baby's purpose in her so short life. Maybe it had been to bring where i am actually... searching for the light... dealing a new deck of cards, and trying to find answers. "You were made by God and for God- and until you understand that, life will never make sense."
I'll leave you with three tasks:
1) Point to ponder "It's not about me"
2) Verse to remember " Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him" Colossians 1:16b
3) Question to consider: In spite of all the advertising around me (about you!!!), how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?I'll be sincere with you, i don't know where i'm heading with this book, but why not... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So if you want to be part of it, i'll be glad to discuss it with you. You can write me back either on HI5 or my personal email kaiafe08@gmail.com
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