This is a lesson that I heard on Turning Point Ministries. If you would like to listen to this lesson for yourself, you can find it on Living Your Life on Purpose. Today, many people are confused as to what their purpose is in life. What does God have in store for me? Why am I here? Dr. Jeremiah went through four different people from the Bible that were examples of "living on purpose". We will cover one person a day.
Daniel
Daniel shows the power of purpose in his life. He shows this very early in the story where the king takes Daniel captive to change his belief system to the pagan beliefs of the times. So the king called Daniel to partake in a feast with him. The custom was to offer the wine to their pagan gods. In this way, Daniel would have to acknowledge the king's gods.
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the King's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."
Daniel 1:8
"That moment set him up for the rest of his life" (Dr. David Jeremiah). He put God first and because of that, he became "Daniel the Dearly Beloved". He set himself apart because he refused to change his heart and he lived "on purpose for God".
The lesson that we learn from Daniel is that we have to prepare our hearts for God.
The next example that we will study is Ezra. Thank you all for studying with me today and may God bless you.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
What is God's Will for the New Year
As we go into 2014, we must think about God's will for us in the coming year. Today, we will go over Psalm 143:8 – 10. This lesson is from a message given by Pastor Kevin Schmidt. If you would like to listen to the message, please go to Grace Baptist Church The sermons are under the media tab. The following message is dated 1/5/14.
Our text reads:
vs. 8 Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause need to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
vs. 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter
vs.10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
We must ask ourselves, "What is Your will for me in the coming year, God?" When we get up in the morning, vs. 8 comes into play. We ask God to help us hear His lovingkindness. This is the day that the Lord has made and nothing will tear us apart from Him.
vs. 10 asks God to teach us to do His will. God knows what challenges we have, and because He is a personal God, He has something for each of us to do. This is His will, and we must ask what it is for us.
After we get our answer through studying the Word of God and prayer, we need to "[do]the will of God from the heart" (Eph 6:6).
In Matthew 6 we find the Lord's prayer which states "Your kingdom come. Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10).
So again we ask God, "What is Your will for me?" We need to focus on, not just the future, but on today, right this minute. We also need to ask ourselves,"In what decision is God going to be honored and glorified?" Remember: we exist only for Him.
So in closing, let us pray, "God, I want to know Your will, so that I can do Your purpose for me. Help me to have a teachable heart."
Thank you for joining me today. Make God bless you and yours.
Our text reads:
vs. 8 Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause need to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
vs. 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter
vs.10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
We must ask ourselves, "What is Your will for me in the coming year, God?" When we get up in the morning, vs. 8 comes into play. We ask God to help us hear His lovingkindness. This is the day that the Lord has made and nothing will tear us apart from Him.
vs. 10 asks God to teach us to do His will. God knows what challenges we have, and because He is a personal God, He has something for each of us to do. This is His will, and we must ask what it is for us.
After we get our answer through studying the Word of God and prayer, we need to "[do]the will of God from the heart" (Eph 6:6).
In Matthew 6 we find the Lord's prayer which states "Your kingdom come. Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10).
So again we ask God, "What is Your will for me?" We need to focus on, not just the future, but on today, right this minute. We also need to ask ourselves,"In what decision is God going to be honored and glorified?" Remember: we exist only for Him.
So in closing, let us pray, "God, I want to know Your will, so that I can do Your purpose for me. Help me to have a teachable heart."
Thank you for joining me today. Make God bless you and yours.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Holy New Year
I have been sitting here pondering 2013 as it is on its way out, and as 2014 is coming with all its surprises and opportunities. I have to stop and thank God for the last year of my life with the Lord in my heart. He has giving me so many blessings, too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say that all of my needs were met, but beyond that, He gave me His love. I am not worthy, but He gives it anyway. And even though I have had trials in the past, or maybe because of them, I have gotten stronger and stronger in the Lord with each passing day. As James puts it,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).
I am also thankful that with every year, every day and every moment that I have God in my life, I also have His grace, understanding, mercy, counsel, and friendship, and above all else, at the risk of repeating myself, I have His love.
Thank you for joining me on this blessed first day of the new year. I hope that you will count your many blessings, and never lose sight of the Lord, for He is right beside you always!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).
I am also thankful that with every year, every day and every moment that I have God in my life, I also have His grace, understanding, mercy, counsel, and friendship, and above all else, at the risk of repeating myself, I have His love.
Thank you for joining me on this blessed first day of the new year. I hope that you will count your many blessings, and never lose sight of the Lord, for He is right beside you always!
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