What’s your purpose?

Some people get up, clean up, eat breakfast and go through the motions of another day. Other people, the kind of people who make a difference, wake up on purpose…with a purpose.

Watching the Apostle Paul in action helps us see a man on purpose, no matter the situation. We know he was all about spreading the Good News. However, he was also fully engaged in helping the people who’d met Jesus to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Paul wanted to see people thrive.

Who can you encourage today to grow and experience the joy of their faith??

“Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.” (Philippians 1:25 NLT)

Do you have a good question…or two?

I do believe the RIGHT questions can truly help us. This past weekend I gave two questions to help you clarify the priorities of your life. I want to give them to you again so you can spend your time with them.

1. Will this bring honor to Christ?

2. Will this bring others to Christ?

Keep those questions in your heart as you go through the day. Keep asking them at the brink of every moment, situation, opportunity. You never know how God could use you today if you’ll just keep these two questions on the forefront of your mind.

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” (Philippians 1:20 NLT)

Can God use EVERYTHING?

God is very open about His agenda/mission. He is inviting people into His Family, into relationship with Him. He wants everyone to repent and turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9).

And here’s even more good news…He can use everything that happens in our lives to help us share Jesus with others. EVERYTHING?? Well, that’s how the Apostle Paul saw it. He’d been arrested, in jail, shipwrecked, beaten, bit by a poisonous snake, and so much more. However, he was able to see God’s ability to work through those situations to bring about HIS GOOD (Romans 8:28).

Let God not only use everything…but let Him use YOU to spread His Good News!

“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.” (Philippians 1:12 NLT)

Wouldn’t you love this?

What if you knew someone was praying for you every day…praying for your RIGHT NOW? How would you feel knowing someone cared enough about you to lift you up to God on a regular basis?

I’m sure we all love hearing that someone is praying for us, but let’s turn it around. Who are you praying for? And…how do we pray for them? What do we pray about?

The following verses give us a great model of how to pray for those we care about. Take some time today and pray through these things for someone you know and love. Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors… Who comes to mind? Now pray…

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT)

Have you given up on God?

There are all kinds of reasons why we might give up on God: We didn’t get our prayer answered the way we wanted. Life is more difficult than we thought. Life is not fair and it feels like God hasn’t kept up His end of the bargain, or something like that.

One thing I know for sure…are you ready???

God has NEVER given up on you! In fact, He’s still loving you, molding you, working in you and rooting for you! Seriously!!

As we work through Philippians, I love how we’re reminded of this truth right out of the gate. So let me say it one more time…just in case it’s hard for you to hear, or believe.

GOD HAS NEVER GIVEN UP ON YOU!

“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” (Philippians 1:6 MSG)