DAY 40 MAN OF SORROWS (video)

------------------------

The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose

CHAPTER 40 - LIVING WITH PURPOSE

Living on purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing. 

Most people struggle with three basic issues in life. The first is identity: "Who am I?" The second is importance: "Do I matter?" The third is impact: "What is my place in life?" The answers to all three questions are found in God's five purposes for you. (See Day 39 post)

It's easy to drift away from what matters most and slowly get off course. To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly. 

WHAT IS A LIFE PURPOSE STATEMENT? 

• It's a statement that summarized God's purposes for your life 
• It's a statement that points the direction of your life
• It's a statement that defines "success" for you 
• It's a statement that clarifies your roles
• It's a statement that expresses your shape

LIFE'S FIVE GREATEST QUESTIONS

1. What will be the center of my life?

2. What will be the character of my life?

3. What will be the contribution of my life? 

4. What will be the communication of my life? 

5. What will be the community of my life? 

Point to Ponder: Living with purpose is the only way to really live

Verse to Remember: "For David...served the purpose of God in his own generation." Acts 13:36 (NASB)

Question to Consider: When will I take the time to write down my answers to life's five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper? 

Day 39 - Surely this man was the Son of God!

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”  – Mark 15:37-39 (NIV)

How could an act of weakness, such as a man dying on a cross, cause this kind of response in an elite Roman soldier? In the Jewish temple there was a place called the Holy of holies. A heavy curtain covered the entrance; separated unholy man from a holy God. When that curtain was ripped in two the separation between God and man was gone. Suddenly the centurion saw what he couldn’t see before: Jesus was not an ordinary man, but God’s very act of reconciliation. Can you see that? Or do you still see just a man on a cross?
 (Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor Grace Church NY)

--------------------------------

The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose


CHAPTER 39 - BALANCING YOUR LIFE


Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone.

Your life is a pentathlon of five purposes, which you must keep in balance. These purposes were practiced by the first Christians in Acts 2, explained by Paul in Ephesians 4, and modeled by Jesus in John 17, but they are summarized in the Great Commandment  and the Great Commission of Jesus. These two statements sum up what this book is all about -- God's five purposes for your life:

1. "Love God with all your heart": You were planned for God's pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship


2. "Love your neighbor as yourself": You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry


3. "Go and make disciples": You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God's message through evangelism.

4. "baptize them into...": You were formed for God's family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.

5. "teach them to do all things...": You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship

Point to Ponder: Blessed are the balanced


Verse to Remember: "Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not now the meaning of life but as those who do." Ephesians 5:15 (Ph)


Question to Consider: Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God's five purpose for my life?

Day 35 - let go and let God

Easter week. Time to let go of everything and let God in. God is ready to do what you cannot do yourself. All you need to do is let him in. Will you?
-----------------------------

The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose


CHAPTER 35 - GOD'S POWER IN YOUR WEAKNESS


God loves to use weak people.
Everyone has weaknesses. Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them. This prevents God from using them the way he desires.

We think that God only wants to use our strengths, but he also wants to use our weaknesses for his glory. 

• Admit your weaknesses
• Be content with your weaknesses 
• Honestly share your weaknesses
• Glory in your weaknesses 

Point to Ponder: God works best when I admit my weakness

Verse to Remember: "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others? 

Day 33 - The Young Man and the Keys

--------------------
The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose


CHAPTER 33 - HOW REAL SERVANTS ACT 


We serve God by serving others.

The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.

Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. 


How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, "You can tell what they are by what the do." 


Real servants make themselves available to serve


Real servants pay attention to needs


Real servants do their best with what they have


Real servants do every task with equal dedication


Real servants are faithful to their ministry


Real servants maintain a low profile


--------------------


Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.


Verse to Remember: "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42 (NLT)

Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

Day 27: We Are All Theologians

Why Theology Matters from anberlin_fan on GodTube.

God wants us to study Him.  Not only by reading our Bibles and studying the scriptures, but by observing His work in the world around us and living out the purpose he has put you on this earth for.  Life isn't just going thru the motions.  It's asking the questions and figuring out WHY and HOW.  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11  There is just something about believing and claiming this promise for your life that really helps to propel you for seeking out and living your life of purpose!

-------------------------

The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose


CHAPTER 27 - DEFEATING TEMPTATION


There is always a way out.

You may sometimes feel that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear, but that's a lie from Satan. God has promised never to all more on you than he puts within you to handle it. He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome. However, you must do your part too by practicing four biblical keys to defeating temptation.

1. Refocus your attention on something else
2. Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
3. Resist the Devil
4. Realize your vulnerability




Point to Ponder: There is always a way out


Verse to Remember: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give into it." 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT)


Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

Inspiration: I Will Praise You

As God guides you through these 40 days, remember to thank him daily. This is a great song that will get you inspired for the week to come! 

Take time today and recap last week and plan for this one. Did you stick to your goals? Were you slacking somewhere possibly in your diet or exercise routine? Map out your days this week to make sure you are successful! No excuses!

God Bless!