Title A purpose-driven life (30) God...
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Purpose driven life (30)
We were created in our present form to serve God.
Text: This people I have formed for myself, that they may sing my praises (Isaiah 43:21).
We were created as we are to serve God. Just as all creatures on earth fulfill their roles based on the shape created when some animals jump, fly, or dig a tunnel, God wants us to serve God with a unique work that only us can do. You have made us who we are. The Bible calls us a “beautiful synthesis,” which means we are a mixture of many elements.
The five unique God-given elements (spiritual gifts, heart, power, character, and experience) enable each of us to fulfill the ministry that has been given to us. Today we are going to look at two things.
1. Use your spiritual gifts
1) Spiritual gifts are called gifts because they are special abilities that are given only to those who believe in the service of God, not because we choose to have them or obtain them through effort. (Ephesians 4:7) To each of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
2) God gives each of us various gifts so that we can help and depend on each other. If I do not use my gifts, others will be disadvantaged, and if others do not use my gifts, I will be disadvantaged. Therefore, the Bible commands us to discover, develop, and use spiritual gifts for the good of the Church and of all. (Isaiah 43:21) This people I have formed for myself, that they may sing my praises.
3) Two issues related to gifts
① Comparing one's gifts to those of others.
This happens when we are not satisfied with the gifts God has given us and we are jealous or resentful of God using others.
② Expecting everyone to have the same gifts as you.
Or, while working hard with one's own gifts, resentment and complaints may arise when I expect others to do my work in the same way and to have the same zeal that I have. But the Bible says, "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, but there are varieties of offices, but the same Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:4-5).
4) Sometimes spiritual gifts are overemphasized and other elements of us (heart, character, experience) are neglected. It should be noted that spiritual gifts represent only a part of God's will for ministry, not all.
2. Listen to your heart
1) The mind represents the source of all our motives what we love and cherish most and determines what we say, feel and do.
2) We all have different palms, different retina shapes, and different voices, so our hearts beat differently. The surprising thing is that none of the billions of people that have ever existed have had the same heartbeat.
Likewise, God has given us a unique 'emotional heartbeat' that makes our hearts pound when we think of topics, events, and circumstances we care about and love. There are areas that we instinctively like and vice versa, and that can be a clue to the ministry we serve.
3) If the word heart is expressed differently, it is passion.
God wants us to serve with passion, not with a sense of duty. There are very few examples of success when working without enjoyment or passion. If we listen to the inner voice of our innate interest and passion in the nature of our hearts, we can find out what kind of work God wants us to do.
4) How can we know if we are serving God with all our heart?
① The first clear sign is zeal.
When we do what we love, we don't need to be motivated or monitored by others, and we can do it with excitement without being rewarded or applauded.
② The second characteristic is efficiency.
When you do what you love, you do well, because your passion is the pursuit of perfection. If you look at someone who has succeeded in any field, you will find that success is achieved through passion, not as a result of a sense of duty or pursuit of profit.
Conclusion: We should not be content with a life of wealth, but we should live with the goal of 'a better life' every day. Think about what you like, what kind of heart God has given you, and do what you love to do for the glory of God. A life that glorifies God is a life that is free from self-obsession and is captivated by the thoughts of God, concentrating on prayer and worship for comfort and evangelism and service from the side. May the rest of your life be like that. I want you to live a life of not living for yourself, but "for the glory of God" and "for the benefit of your neighbor.
DAY 30 / About the purpose of my life
Points to Ponder: I was created to be who I am to serve God.
Memorable Words: And there are different works, but the same God, who works all things in everyone (1 Corinthians 12:6).
Questions that leave life:
1. In serving others, what are you passionate about and what you love to do?
2. Have you ever taken the time to discover your spiritual gifts? What spiritual gifts do I have?
“God did not create unnecessary garbage… Ethel Waters