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.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

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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