Finding Your Life Purpose.

            

 

What's Your Life Purpose?

 

While it's true some people seem to find their life purpose easier than others, it's also true that God really does have a plan for every single person, even if it takes a while to see what it is.

 

Most people think finding your life purpose means doing something you truly love. It's an area that just seems natural to you and things just seem to fall into place. But what if things aren't so clear for you? What if you're not sure what your gifts are? What if you haven't discovered any particular talent that makes you think it could be your true calling in life? Or what if you're working somewhere and you're good at it, but you just don't feel fulfilled? Is this all there is for you?

 

Don't panic. You're not alone. There are lots of people in the same boat. Take a look at the disciples. Now, there's a diverse group. Before Jesus came on the scene, they were fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, etc. They must have been good at what they were doing because they were feeding their families and making a living.

 

But then they met Jesus, and their true calling came into focus very quickly. What the disciples didn't know is that God wanted them to be happy—even more than they did. And following God's plan for their lives made them happy inside, where it really matters. What a concept, huh?

 

Do you suppose it could be true for you too? That God wants you to be truly happy and fulfilled even more than you do?

 

Your Next Step

 

The next step in finding your life purpose is right in the Book. All you have to do is read it. The Bible says Jesus told his disciples they were supposed to love one another as he loved them. And he wasn't kidding. Getting really good at this part of the process is like building the basement of your house.

 

You wouldn't dream of moving forward without a rock solid foundation. Discovering God's purpose for your life is exactly the same. The foundation of the process means getting really good at being a Christian. Yup, that means being nice to people even when you don't feel like it, forgiving people, and oh yes, loving the unlovable people in the world.

 

So, what does all that stuff have to do with what I'm supposed to be when I grow up? Everything. When you get good at being a Christian, you also get good at hearing from God. He's able to use you. He's able to work through you. And it's through that process that you'll discover your true purpose in life.

 

But What About Me and My Life?

 

So if you get really great at being a Christian, or at least you think you are, and you still haven't found that true purpose—then what?

 

Getting really good at being a Christian means you stop thinking about you all the time. Take the focus off you and look for ways to be a blessing to someone else.

 

There is no better way to receive help and direction in your own life than to focus on someone else. It seems completely opposite of what the world tells you. After all, if you're not looking out for yourself, then who will? Well—that would be God.

 

When you focus on someone else's business, God will focus on yours. It means planting seeds in great soil, and then simply waiting for God to bring a harvest into your life. And in the meantime ...

 

Step Out and Try It

 

Working with God to find your life purpose means working as a team. When you take a step, God takes a step.

Be willing to try some things that interest you. You will know very quickly if you've found the right thing for you. Doors will either open or slam shut. Either way, you'll know where you stand.

Be Patient. Wanting to know everything right this second is pretty common these days. Learning to trust that God will show you when He's ready—now that takes patience. God isn't going to show you every piece of the puzzle all at once. If he did, you'd get that "deer in the headlights" look, because you'd be so overwhelmed by it all. Not to mention you'd be overly tempted to come up with a back-up plan "just in case" things didn't work out.

Don't waste your time on things you know aren't from God. "Get rich quick" schemes never work. Finding a Christian husband or wife won't happen if you're focused on activities and events that don't involve Christians. And participating in things you know are wrong—well, you're simply prolonging your answers.

Don't let the people around you talk you into things. Just because it all sounds like a good idea from the world's view doesn't mean it's God's plan for you. Following God's leading sometimes means you have to say no to many well-meaning family members or friends. It comes down to the decision to follow, no matter where it leads.

Lastly, don't ever give up. You may not know your specific purpose today or tomorrow, but as long as you're really great at being a Christian, and your heart is open, you will eventually know that which you have been cut out for.

 

 

Written by:Karen Wolf of  

Christian-Books-for-Women.com  

Consider the Ways of the Ant

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Proverbs 6:6

Ants are great teachers (Pr 30:24-28). There are things you can learn from ants that will help you professionally more than your academic or technical education. Ants are diligent and prudent: diligent by working hard without coercion, and prudent by saving part of all production. These two basic necessities for success are generally neglected in modern societies, where pleasure is worshipped and deficit spending is encouraged.

What is a sluggard? A person who is slow, lazy, and does not like to work hard. He is a pain and risk to those that must rely on him (Pr 10:26). Diligent men, or those that work hard, will be successful (Pr 10:4;12:24; 14:23; 22:29; 28:19), but lazy men, who avoid hard work, are losers (Pr 6:10-11; 12:24; 19:15; 20:4,13;24:30-34). Are you a sluggard?

Sluggards are too arrogant to be taught (Pr 26:16), so Solomon mocked them with ants. If they were to watch ants for a few minutes, these haughty bums could learn success, for ants are much wiser than sluggards. A Harvard MBA is not as useful as what is taught in your yard everyday. But sluggards are too proud to learn from the small teacher.

Sluggards stay in bed, for they love sleep (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13; 24:30-34). They have energy to turn back and forth in bed, but barely enough energy to get food to their mouths (Pr 26:14-15). They want the good things of life like others, but they do not want to work for them (Pr 13:4; Ec 10:15). Lazily staying in bed is too comfortable and pleasant for them.

Think about ants. They have an excellent work ethic, unlike sluggards. If you get down in the grass and watch these little creatures, you quickly see wisdom and useful habits. Ants do not sleep beyond daybreak, and they do not take siestas, so do not worry about waking them in the morning or in the afternoon. They get up, get to work, and stay at work.

They are always moving, quickly and energetically. They work efficiently. They work tirelessly. They do not stand around, sit around, or drag through their work. They work fast. They do not pace themselves to spread work out: they go right at a project and work hard until it is finished (Eccl 9:10). They hustle! They will not quit until the job is done.

They do not need supervision (Pr 6:7), for they get to work and find something to do without help. They do not have to be ordered or threatened. They do not have to be reminded frequently of what is expected. What a difference from the sluggard, who must always be prodded to get anything done. Ants have a conscience from God to work hard.

When times are good, they work extra hard to store up for bad times (Pr 6:8); they do not take it easy because there is the appearance of plenty. They store surplus rather than eat it all. They deny themselves short-term pleasure for long-term prosperity. In their wisdom, they even bite off the ends of grain kernels to keep them from germinating in storage.

They do not have union rules or selfish habits keeping them from helping others. They eagerly try to outwork each other by focused and tireless efforts. If one is moving something too large for it alone, others will help him get it where it needs to be. They are committed to help their whole colony succeed. They are not selfish loners.

They do not choose the easiest way or get discouraged if the job cannot be quickly finished. When facing difficulties, they energetically try again and again until they are successful. They will go great distances from home in order to find their food. They will get into houses, cars, and just about anything in order to find what they need.

Dear reader, consider the ways of these little people. Are you like the ant in the way you attack your job every day? Are you like the ant in the way you discipline your spending to save some of all your income? Hard work will do much more than talking (Pr 14:23), dreaming (Pr 28:19), or sleeping (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13). Get busy! Financial prudence will do much more than spend (Pr 21:20) or waste (Pr 18:9) income. Put some in savings today!

Credit: letgodbetrue.com

Posted by Kachi

Even Portiphar, A Heathen Could See It

From the story of Joseph in Genesus 37

Don’t forget that Joseph’s master, Potiphar, was not a believer in God. He was an Egyptian who worshipped idols. Yet, when the manifested presence of the Lord shone gloriously through the work of Joseph’s hands, even this unbelieving heathen could see the tangible results of the Lord’s special anointing, power and blessing upon Joseph’s life. Potiphar marveled and could not but acknowledge that the Lord was with Joseph, and that “the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.”

Now, isn’t it interesting that Potiphar did not merely conclude that Joseph was a good worker? Instead, Potiphar could see that it was not Joseph’s skills, but rather, his God who was prospering all that Joseph set his hands to. Genesis 39:3 tells us that “the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.” This could not have been “spiritual discernment” on Potiphar’s part—he was not a believer and had no spiritual discernment when it came to the things of God. So this tells me that Potiphar must have witnessed tangible results that were really out of this world. He must have seen results that were so spectacular that he knew they were beyond that of an ordinary human being!

Perhaps Potiphar ordered Joseph to dig new wells for his household and every well that Joseph dug yielded water even in the midst of a drought. Perhaps the field that Joseph tended yielded crops that were shockingly bigger than the crops in the surrounding fields.

 Perhaps Potiphar saw how Joseph called upon his God when children in the house were suffering from some epidemic in the land, and they were all healed. Whatever the case was, Potiphar knew that the prosperous results he had witnessed were not a result of Joseph’s natural abilities. They had to be due to the fact that the Lord was with Joseph, and God made all he did to prosper in his hand. Isn’t that beautiful?

In the same way, I am believing for the Jesus-kind of results in your life. His glorious power working in your heart and through your hands that will cause everything you touch to prosper with the Jesus-kind of results, such that even your harshest critic will have to conclude that the Lord is with you and is prospering the work of your hands!

Beloved, stop looking at your outward circumstances or the position you are in. Whether your employer is a believer or not, Jesus can make ALL that you do prosper when you depend on His unmerited favor in your career! And believe me, when that begins to happen, your employer will sit up and notice that there is something special about you. You will stand out in a crowd! Remember that the same Lord who was with Joseph is with you today. His name is Jesus and because Jesus is with you, you can expect good success in everything that you

Excerpt from Joseph Prince Book " Unmerited Favour"

Posted by Kachi  

  

Moses Math Problem

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food.

According to the Quartermaster General of the Army, it is calculated that Moses would have needed 1500 tons of food each day to feed the Israelites. To bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each a mile long, would be required.

Besides that, you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit.

And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink, cook and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day...and a freight train with tank cars, 3 miles long, just to bring water!

And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea in one night.  Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. (Besides all of the people there were large droves of livestock.) So, there had to be a space in the Red Sea three miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. 

But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required; a total area of 750 square miles.  Think of it...this space just for nightly camping!

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God, and God took care of these things for him.

Now, do you still think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?

Written by Dave Smith

Posted by Kachi

Why should I become a Christian?

                        

Many people ask the question secretly why should I become a Christian?Is there anything wrong with my way of life? 

Humans especially the youth fear that Christianity is a rule that you have to abide to and it will cramp their lifestyle. 

Trust me God is more than that,God is love. God is everything you want in life.                                                      

Why you should definitely become a Christian are:                                                                   

God is love-It is self explanatory, God gave us his only Son to die for us (jh3:16)because he doesn't want to loose us.                                                             

God had a purpose for each and every one of us (jer29:11)for I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil,to give you a future and a hope.            

God wants to be our friend and free us from guilt-the greatest gift God has given us is forgiveness He knows we are not perfect,His arms are wide open for us.God has called us His friend,He is not bossy as some people see Him.He will help us walk through the valley and shadow of death and we will fear no evil(ps23)because He will forever be with us.God bless u all.                                                   

Written by Elochukwu.                                     Motivated by kachi.

The Redemptive Names of God in Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd (Jehovah-Raha) ; I shall not want (Jehovah-Jireh).
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (Jehovah-Shalom): he leadeth me beside the still waters (Jehovah-Raha).
3. He restoreth my soul (Jehovah-Rapha): he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Jehovah-Tsidkenu).
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Jehovah-Nissi) : for thou art with me (Jehovah Shammah) ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Jehovah Raha).
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Jehovah Nissi): thou anointest my head with oil (Jehovah-Rapha); my cup runneth over (Jehovah-Jireh).
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 The Seven Redemptive Names of God

Jehovah-Shalom – the Lord is our Peace

Jehovah-Raha – the Lord is my Shepherd

Jehovah-Jireh – the Lord will provide

Jehovah-Nissi – the Lord our Banner or Victor

Jehovah-Tsidkenu – the Lord our Righteousness

Jehovah-Rapha – the Lord that healeth

Jehovah-Shammah – the Lord with us or is present

(These names are cited from F.F. Bosworth’s “Christ The Healer” pp 90-91

and from notes of C.I. Scofield, DD, biblical scholar.) 

Strong’s Concordance defines Jehovah-Elohim as Lord Gods (plural, or multi-faceted)

 

NOTE FROM THOMAS: 
I heard a pastor (I don't remember who) teaching on the radio and I caught a few sentences talking about the "redemptive names" of Jehovah and how if we fail to recognize them, they lose their potency to us, much like when we are asked by the Lord to wake up and pray. If we choose to ignore the request, eventually He will stop asking.

 

I researched my study Bible and found a listing of the "Seven Redemptive Names of Jehovah." I began to remind the Lord of His promise in Jeremiah 33:3* and to call unto Him by each name.  I was so very blessed by His presence.

 

Over the next several weeks, He led me to understand that we teach our children the 23 Psalm in order that they might know Him by these characteristics (names). The important thing to keep in mind is that in each case, the name is not who He is, it is His very essence. (When we call upon Jehovah Rapha, we are not calling on the God who heals or upon the healing God. We are calling upon the one near whom nothing is less that complete. As we get near to Him we become whole and healed, with nothing missing and nothing broken.)

My understanding is that our Redeemer IS each of those seven beings (the word beings does not begin to describe His essence). These seven facets (or names) are apart from all those other names we call Him.

 

The one I have the easiest time understanding is Jehovah Rapha. It's like the oxygen-rich environment we put a burn victim in. Our presence in it heals.  We don't have to do anything, just be in it's midst.  Picture Jehovah Shammah...His Word says "I will never leave you or forsake you."

*Jer 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Written by Thomas Morris

Posted by Kachi

Psalm 23; More than Meets the Eye!

The 23rd Psalm---Explained 

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- That's Relationship! 

I shall not want ----- That's Supply! 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ---- That's Rest! 

He leadeth me beside the still waters ----- That's Refreshment! 

He restoreth my soul ----- That's Healing! 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ----- That's Guidance!

For His name sake ----- That's Purpose! 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ----- That's Testing! 

I will fear no evil ----- That's Protection! 

For Thou art with me ----- That's Faithfulness! 

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ----- That's Discipline! 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ----- That's Hope! 

Thou annointest my head with oil ----- That's Consecration! 

My cup runneth over ----- That's Abundance! 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ---- That's Blessing! 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ----- That's Security! 

Forever ----- That's Eternity! 

Credit: Gloria Welch

Posted by Kachi

Your Refiner and Purifier

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it, then I know its fully refined!.......'If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on this very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever he/she is going through will make him/her a better person in the end. Jesus loves you..

Credit: Anonymous

Inspiration: Holy Spirit

The Blood of Jesus is Your Receipt

I want us to imagine this, let's say we go into a shop like Shoprite,you buy a product and the Cashier issues you a receipt which you are to use to pick up the product from the store and leave the shop. Now the question is who can stop you from leaving the store with your product as long as you have a receipt showing paid in full?

No one! When you have a receipt showing full payment and some funny looking Security man comes to harass you about trying to leave the store with your paid in full product, what do you do? I and I believe most of us would be filled with righteous indignation. We would demand of that security man " How dare you?, Can't you see my receipt?, I'll sue you and this establishment to court!, Imagine the embarrassment! I will deal with you!. Long story short, we would not beg and plead with the Security man to let us go. Of course not! We would demand our full right as a paying customer, we would not let them get one over us! 

And so it is! Jesus died on the cross for all of us and stamped Paid in full on all our foreheads! The bible says He paid the price for our sins!

For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. (1 Peter 1:18-19 GNB

God paid a great price for you. So don't become slaves of anyone else. (1 Corinthians 7:23 CEVUK00)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)

So when the Devil tries to harass us and tell us that we can't get the answers to our prayers, that we can't get healed, that we can't get victory, that we don't have protection,that we are his to do with as he chooses. Let's stand with righteous indignation and show him our receipt. The Blood of Jesus is our receipt! It is our protection

Written by Kachi

 

Abandon: Competition and Jealousy

Competition can be healthy and unhealthy. We see it between people, in sports, and business. 

The book of Genesis offers an example of unhealthy competition between two brothers named Cain and Abel. Cain saw that God received his brother's offering while rejecting his. Genesis 4:3-5 says, “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." (NIV) Cain’s competitive anger destroyed his relationship with his brother which ultimately lead to him killing Abel.

How do we abandon unhealthy competition? We embrace healthy competition which comes when we see the true purpose of it. Our goal should be to encourage and push ourselves and others to be better instead of trying to win at all costs. As we can see with Cain and Abel, unhealthy competition often takes us places that we don’t want to go. We should encourage others to know, love, and be like Jesus every chance we get.

Jealousy takes root in our hearts for at least a couple of reasons. First, it is an extension of our desire to compete with others in an unhealthy way. (If I can’t have it, then they can’t either) Second, jealousy happens when we base our personal value on whether or not we win or lose.

We see that Cain killed Abel because, in Cain’s mind, Abel's sacrifice was better than his. Cain based his personal value on whether or not he could please God "more" than his brother. Unfortunately, Cain focused on being better than his brother instead of giving his personal best to God in faith.

How can we abandon jealousy? First, and most importantly, we base our value on God's love for us instead of whether or not we have the best clothes, vehicle, etc. Second, we can seek the interests of others first above our own. Paul says in Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NIV) This Christ-like attitude within us kills jealousy at its root.

Prayer: 
Our Father, show us our unique value. Help us to genuinely desire to pursue the needs of others. Help us to stay away from the destructive powers of jealousy. Please Help us to compete with honor. May the fruits of Your Spirit be evident in our lives as we seek to honor You in all that we do. May competition be something positive that builds up everyone involved May we honor You and others by serving others in Your name.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.