Personal Reflection On The Purpose Of God

I have taken some time to reflect on the impact God has had on my life to date.  I am amazed on how He continually wants to develop a Christ-like perspective and attitude in me so that I can have a positive impact on my family, friends, Church family, co-workers and those who I meet for the first time. As I reflect on this past year, I am grateful for all He has done in my personal life, family life, job and the opportunities in ministry that I have been given. I also realized that no matter how difficult my circumstances had become over this past year, God always put those difficult experiences in their proper perspective. I know God is always working through all circumstances to serve His greater purpose in this world. Whether it is for me personally, or through me, or through or in someone else, God's greatest work can always be found in changed lives, changed perspective, and changed attitudes toward what real life is all about. Certainly, when we come to the end of another year and think about what's ahead, it is refreshing to know that starting tomorrow we can live more abundantly with the right perspective on what really matters. What matters most is our relationship with God and with those who we come in contact with everyday which includes, family, friends, co-workers, and even those who we are not inclined to love. When it comes to God's plan, we can always be assured of the greater purpose behind everything He is doing. Even though I may not totally understand what God is up to, I am convinced everything that He is doing is for His greater purpose and for our greater good.

And for this reason I embrace this promise from God:

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I realize that even when I suffer, feel beat up, messed up, and let down by others, God is still is weaving an incredible tapestry that brings Him Glory, Honor and Praise. It also means that God is up to something in my life that is better that I can even imagine. God allows circumstances, even painful ones in order to continue a spiritual growth process that is necessary for anyone who wants to follow Jesus. When I remember that I have been given the great privilege to serve God and to be a part of His plan, it is easier to endure some degree of difficulty and pain. The pain I experience results from a variety of reasons including my own sin and bad decisions. The pain also comes from a transformation of my mind and heart which has changed from a secular to biblical worldview. The biblical worldview is the most offensive and persecuted approach to life cause many people hate the idea of Jesus being the only way to God/Heaven  and that God would have a say in what they do and how they live. So, those who embrace a biblical worldview are ridiculed and hated for their willingness to put their lives under God's control instead of embracing the mores of the PC culture. It also means that I must personally make painful changes in the way I live and see the world. Once I make those changes I still feel the pain of dying to self although it feels more like growing pains than real loss. 

So with all this in mind I will trust God even though the world tempts me to live mostly to the fulfillment of myself. 

One thing to remember is that God is always in control. And with that fact, this year, I will lean quite heavily on Him, especially in the areas of relationships, ministry and personal spiritual growth. I will also pray that no matter how much I want to have an easy comfortable life, that God will not allow me to become complacent so I resort to just mere existence instead of living in His abundance. 

Here is the reality of life for me:

Since I am human with a sin nature I am pretty sure that I will always be a work in progress and won’t be able achieve any of my God given goals perfectly. What I can expect from myself is to acknowledge that I need God’s help and direction for all that He has called me to do. I also need God’s help to remind me each day that life is not about me and that my greater purpose in life is to love Him and others while fulfilling His desire that I become more like Jesus in character. 

In closing, I really love God's Word. These passages below speak volumes about God’s desire to give me direction, wisdom, good character, solid faith, joy, peace and strength. When I need help to live a life that honors God, who better than to lean on than Jesus for all the wisdom, direction. strength and love needed to be a good and faithful servant.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Mark 10:27 NIV

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Romans 5:1-5 NLT

Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

James 1:2-5 NIV

Trials and Temptations

 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. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

  

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Prayers for this coming year:

I'm praying that this in this new year that I will be continually be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit's presence, wisdom, direction, counsel and peace.  I pray for a deeper sense of what Christ-like love is about and how I can extend it to others all the while loving and honoring God in the process. I pray that I would see all circumstances and difficulties through God's eyes and with an eternal perspective that sheds light on His good plan for His people and those He has planned to become part of His extended family. I Pray that the Holy Spirit will provide physical and spiritual protection for my family and my Church community.  I pray that those spiritually broken and physically suffering will reach out to God for healing, peace and real hope. I pray that those who are not in a saving relationship with God will receive His free gift of eternal life. I pray that I will always put love for God and love for others ahead of all other things. And finally, I pray that I will be grateful for my new life in Christ no matter what happens. You see, without Christ filling us with His goodness and Spirit we will never be satisfied nor fully grateful. We will always be looking to other things that have no spiritual or eternal value to fill us up. That is why being content with God's work in us and through us is so important to living with abundance. It is not about the stuff or status we attain in life, it is about the blessing that comes from a life set apart to God that really matters in light of eternity. Why live for just fleeting moments in time when we can relish in an eternity of real blessing and real hope? New life is just waiting to be embraced right now, and my hope and prayer is that we all will desire what God has to offer. 

Have a blessed and awesome New Year!

Just Sayin………..Dave