Find God’s Purpose and you’ll experience a life full of peace, contentment and joy. But how? Here are some thoughts to guide you.
You’ll Find God’s Purpose Revealed Through Scripture
People often approach the search for God’s purpose like it’s mystical. Revealed through dreams, visions and signs. Yes. The Bible is full of stories where God used these methods to reveal His purpose. And He still uses them today. But they are the exception and not the rule.
Because more commonly, God’s purpose is practical and ordinary.
And interwoven throughout scripture. In its commands and teachings on how to treat others, demonstrate Godly character and follow Jesus Christ.
One act, following another in a life that honors God according to His purpose.
It’s less about discovering God’s grand scheme for your life and more about faithful discipleship. Like what does it actually look like in practical terms to love your neighbor? And as you respond to what God reveals in scripture, you will become more sensitive to the mysterious urgings of His Spirit.
You’ll Find God’s Purpose By Joining Where He Is Already At Work
The late Henry Blackaby said this in his Experiencing God discipleship curriculum. Although he specifically referenced the will of God, I think its simple, yet profound advice applies here too. God is still active in the world. And visible to those who want to serve Him.
So pay attention to where He is obviously working. In Gospel driven organizations like The Christian Appalachian Project,Samaritan’s Purse and Mercy Ships. In local ministries in your community. Even within your church. And join the effort in some capacity.
I had a seminary professor who offered this advice. Find what you do best that can influence the most people for the Kingdom of God…and do it. Brilliant! And so simple. Is there a skill, talent or ability you can use for God’s glory? It doesn’t matter if someone else is better at it than you. The point is…it’s what YOU do best.
Find it and do it. And you’ll experience an even greater blessing by doing something you enjoy.
You’ll Find God’s Purpose Through An Eternal Perspective
Most of God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. Because God is eternal. And so is His purpose for you and this universe.
Therefore, a search for purpose must be viewed from an eternal perspective. By faith. Keeping in mind that God’s ultimate purpose includes all humanity and the entire cosmos.
So if your perspective considers only yourself and life on earth, you should think much bigger. Or the purpose you find will be limited at best. And at worst, completely miss the many blessings and opportunities God has planned for you.
Does God have a special purpose for you? Perhaps. On the other hand, He may simply expect you to respond faithfully to what is revealed in His word.
In humble satisfaction that it is more than enough.
Satan’s temptation of Jesus demonstrates a spiritual reality. Satan actively tempts all humanity. But can the devil make you do it? Here are some things to know about Satan, his temptation strategy and how you can respond.
Satan’s Temptation Of Jesus Reveals Satan Is Not Your Friend
The Greek word for Satan means adversary. A fitting description of Satan’s relationship with humanity. He wants to drag you down. To destroy you and your relationship with God.
That’s what happened to Adam and Eve. Satan tempted them to eat the one fruit in the Garden that was off limits. They did and the act of disobedience severed their relationship with God.
Satan won that round. And had us all right where he wanted. Eternally doomed. But God sent his Son, Jesus to die as a perfect sacrifice. To atone for sin.
Which is why Satan tempted Jesus. Because if Jesus sinned, he wouldn’t qualify as a perfect sacrifice. However, Jesus won that round. And successfully completed his mission. Therefore, we can restore our relation with God through Jesus Christ.
Think Satan’s going to let that happen without a fight? Not on your life! Which is exactly what’s at stake.
Satan’s Temptation Of Jesus Reveals Satan Attacks Your Greatest Weakness
Satan tempted Jesus right after his month long, spiritual retreat in the wilderness.
He was physically and spiritually exhausted. Hadn’t eaten in 40 days. And Satan goes straight for where Jesus is most vulnerable. His hunger.
“Hey, Jesus. You’re God. Turn those rocks into loaves of bread and dig in. For you, should be a piece of cake.”
The point is, Satan doesn’t fight fair. He aims for your weakest moment. Most feeble condition. Greatest vulnerability.
Struggle with temper control? He’ll assure you it’s righteous anger. Success oriented? He’ll pat you on the back for your strong work ethic and drive you to work long hours for the sake of your family…so you’re never actually there for your family.
He gives you reasons to justify, rationalize, excuse. And of course, blame someone else. Because it’s never your fault.
He’s sneaky. Subtle. Deceptive. With a winsome charm that leads you from the goodness of God, straight through the gates of hell. As you dance along the way and thank him for it.
Satan’s Temptation Of Jesus Reveals That Scripture Is Your Best Defense
I once heard a preacher say Satan has an IQ of around 20,000. Pure speculation, of course. But he made a good point. Satan is super smart. And very powerful. Although not all powerful. Or all knowing. And can’t be everywhere at once.
But even Jesus didn’t try to outwit Satan on his own. Rather, he quoted scripture his entire defense.
A strategy we should also follow. Why? Because God’s word does not return empty. But keep in mind, Satan knows scripture too. And cleverly twists it to support his point.
So study the Bible diligently. And commit it memory. Because the best way to recognize a lie is to know the truth.
Scripture Reveals That Satan Ultimately Loses
Satan’s fate is already determined. But until then, he roams the earth freely. Sewing seeds of dissension. Causing chaos. Wrecking havoc. And currently doing a great job of it. As humanity turns on itself…oblivious to the real enemy.
But Satan can’t actually make us do anything. We must willingly give in to temptation. And when we do, become partners in furthering his cause. For which, we also, will one day give account.
However, the good news is the victory Jesus achieved, still stands. And it can be our victory.
It’s where those who follow Jesus find hope. And demonstrate a life of faith, knowing better days are ahead.
Christianity lets you renew. And that’s unlike every other religion. Because we all need a second chance. A do over. A reboot.
Why?
Because we all mess up. What the Bible calls sin. Everyone that is, except Jesus. Scripture says he was perfect, and because of him, we can get a pass.
And that’s something else Christianity offers that no other religion does. Grace.
So you will never completely overcome sin. But you can stop it from completely overcoming you. Here are three ways Christianity lets you renew.
Christianity Lets You Renew Your Life
When talking with a religious leader of his day, Jesus told him something that sounded odd. He must be born again.
What did Jesus mean by this? Even the religious leader was confused. Did he mean a physical birth?
Jesus explained that he meant a spiritual rebirth through faith in him. By admitting sin. Asking for and accepting his forgiveness. And when you do, you are spiritually reborn in Christ.
Well, it doesn’t mean you are suddenly perfect. That you never sin again. Or the earthly consequence of sin goes away. But it does mean that in God’s eyes, the slate is wiped clean. And His Spirit takes residence in your life to give you a fresh start and guide you in a new life.
Christianity Lets You Renew Your Mind
We seldom commit sinful acts completely on impulse. Most of the time, we think about them before we actually do them.
Satan knows this.
Which is why he plants thoughts and images in your mind. So you can entertain them. Replay them. Let them flourish and grow so when the actual opportunity presents itself, going from the thought to the action is a smooth transition.
Of course. Many thoughts are sin themselves. No action is necessary. Which is why the mind is such a fertile ground for sin. Because you and I can actually commit all kinds of sin in our minds—without physically doing anything. But all sin has the same effect. To separate us from God.
And that is why the Bible encourages us to take our thoughts captive. To proactively direct our thoughts on things that please God. To understand that while we are subject to sin, and will still sin, it does not have to rule us. And by renewing our minds, it won’t.
And the best way to renew your mind is to bathe it in scripture. By focusing your thoughts on God’s Word.
Christianity Lets You Renew Your Heart
No one messed up worse than David. He was a hero when he defeated Goliath. But later he seduced another man’s wife and got her pregnant. Then had her husband killed to cover it up. A royal mess up. But when confronted, he confessed to God, repented of his sin, and cried out in despair, “Create in me a clean heart O God.”
And God did. Because of His grace and mercy. And He offers the same forgiveness to you and me.
Sin is rooted deeply in our human nature and in our world. So we will never be completely free of it in this life. But it doesn’t have to rule us. God’s mercy is unlimited. So even though I fail today, tomorrow offers a fresh start.
Therefore, I am always filled with hope. And that renews me too.
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
What does an Easter Pivot have in common with March Madness Road to the Final Four? Both present unexpected surprises. And both involve changes in direction. In the case of Easter, however, those pivots have eternal significance. Here are four pivots that explain the Easter Story.
The First Easter Pivot Is When Mankind Broke The Relationship With God
Some people claim God is an Almighty, ill-tempered Being. Like a petty child, looking to zap us all with thunderbolts. And you can build a sour image of God if you collect enough Old Testament passages taken out of context. Although, you have to completely ignore all the ones that speak of God’s love and care for His creation.
But here’s the point. Early on in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were good with God. The Garden of Eden was an environmentally friendly place to live. Adam, Eve and God hung out together. Only one restriction. Don’t eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. Which they did. In disobedience to God.
It did not change God or his heart for mankind. He was and is the same. But it did change the relationship. Because now, sin messed it up. And rather than walk with God, they pivoted and walked away from God. And today, walking away from God is our natural tendency.
The Second Easter Pivot Is When God Sent His Son To Mend The Relationship
If God was the ill-tempered Being people claim, He would have walked away too. But He didn’t. He didn’t shrug and let us all die in our sin. Or completely wiped us out and start over. Instead, God pivoted and sent His son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice. Because only a perfect sacrifice payed the penalty for sin. And only Jesus qualified as perfect.
Jesus was a game changer. He amazed everyone with his miracles. Taught with a level of spiritual insight and wisdom unlike anyone before or since. And created a global following that has flourished for 2,000 years.
The Third Easter Pivot Is When Jesus Was Resurrected
Jesus willingly died the horrible death of Roman crucifixion. Not a humanly rational decision by most standards. But humanly possible.
The resurrection, however, is something only God can do. You know, the Almighty Being that some accuse of being petty and ill-tempered?
The resurrection was an Easter pivot away from certain death. It gives you and me an opportunity to renew a relationship with God.
The Fourth Pivot Is Up To You And Me
Although my natural tendency is to reject God, I can choose instead, an Easter pivot. To change directions. And move towards God in a new relationship. God forgives my sin. But I have to ask for it. And receive the gift Jesus sacrificed himself to give me. But I must choose to follow him.
And when I do, it puts me on a new road. With a final outcome full of joy and hope. And represents the Easter Story.
The big idea behind a Biblical worldview. Okay, actually, the Bible presents many big ideas. But here are three foundational to the Christian faith.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview. Authority of scripture.
The Bible teaches that God is perfect, all powerful, all knowing and everywhere at once. Concepts that are impossible for my mind to grasp. But the big idea I can grasp is that God is the ultimate authority.
Furthermore, the Bible insists the scriptures are His authoritative word. His absolute truth. That’s why Christ-followers read, study and quote the Bible. It provides practical guidance and insightful instructions to follow.
Not because God is a control freak. But because scripture tells us how to live in community and get along with one another.
So we submit first to God’s ultimate authority and then to civil government that is granted authority by God. And we can resist civil authority only when it abuses its power and violates God’s ultimate authority.
And since God’s word is absolute truth, we can’t just arbitrarily reject the parts we don’t like. Toss out what doesn’t fit into our personal worldview. Because God’s word, like God is unchanging.
But here’s the problem. Modern society and its ideas do change. And are now changing rapidly. That’s why the Biblical worldview and modern culture worldview are clashing. And the sound is growing louder.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview Includes Sanctity
Sanctity begins with a sense of reverence. First, reverence for a Holy God. The creator and sustainer of life.
God ascribes value to every human life. From within the womb to the end of life.
And because He does, we should too. Value it. Protect it. And work to promote human flourishing around the world.
But sanctity extends beyond the physical world to the spiritual form of holiness.
For many, holiness conjures up images of self-righteous people preaching hellfire and brimstone.
But the idea behind holiness is to be set apart. Not pretentious perfection. As if Christ-followers are morally superior. Rather, it’s understanding that in striving to imitate Jesus, your life should resemble his. Not perfectly, but in a recognizable form.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview Includes Discipleship
In simple terms, a disciple is a follower. Someone who accepts the teaching of a spiritual leader and commits to following them.
Biblical discipleship is a proactive walk of faith. It recognizes that Christ-followers are transformed by the Spirit of Christ. But it is an ongoing process of spiritual development. One where no one arrives in this life. But complete the journey when we meet him in person.
In a Biblical worldview, Jesus Christ is the leader we follow. Who expects his followers to obey his teachings.
Discipleship is a voluntary commitment. And yet it is demanding. Unyielding in its standards. And one that Jesus warned, would have a cost. Doesn’t sound all that inviting does it?
And yet it is a source of earthly joy, purpose, meaning and hope towards an eternal life. And that’s actually pretty cool sounding.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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