live with purpose

Sunday our church had an appreciation day for First Responders. I shared a message about living with purpose. The following is part of that message:

There is more to this life than just getting by. Few people choose to live with great purpose, yet most of you have made some pretty clear choices. Don’t live just for yourself. Live to help and serve others.

Philippians 2:3-5 NASB

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

The thought of being selfish might not live in your character. I pray it doesn’t. And I also pray that our look and action match the purpose God has put in our hearts. There is more to this life than being served.

Galatians 5:13 NASB

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

We have freedom to live how we choose. Like so many others we have chosen to serve. Jesus chose the same, and He speaks to us about being a person who lives with great purpose and as a servant to others.

The problem for many people is that they do not understand why they are alive. All the things people deal with typically distract from what really matters in life. So, how do we find our purpose? Serve. You will find deep and real purpose as you begin to serve others.

There is more to focus on that our trouble. In fact we have a Savior to focus on who has a plan for each and every one of us.

Mark 6:34 NASB

When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Press on because people really do need shepherds. Maybe you are one of those. Do what you’re made to do. Live with purpose.

The main issue is some have stolen from us what God gave us. Maybe we even gave it away.

Mark 11:17 NIV

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

His desire and creation for us is not robbery but life and making a difference! Take a new look at yourself, and then look at God. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. He created you with purpose.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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