Life's Purpose

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.”
Luke 6:21

I talk to so many people today who think that the ultimate purpose of life is to simply enjoy happiness. But happiness should never be the major goal of your life because real happiness can only be a byproduct of your real purpose, which must be something greater than yourself.

Whatever it is that motivates your life must be something big enough to make living worthwhile. For many people, their greatest problem is not that they live vile lives, but that they live vain lives. They don’t have a great purpose, a great scheme, or a great dream.

So what is the prime purpose for which God made you? Your purpose is to bring glory to God. God has a plan for everything that happens to you. And that plan is for you to be used as an instrument of his glory.

Are you willing to let God be God even when you don’t understand what’s going on? Are you willing to trust God that he knows what he’s doing when the hard times of life hit? It’s in your dependence upon him that he is most glorified in your life. So in the good times and the bad, trust fully that he’s doing something great with you and then you’ll experience real happiness.

Scripture

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:3-4.

Highway of Holiness

The Highway of holiness, it is told
Is great and mighty, yet a less traveled road.
Those who frequent this special sod
Are the ransomed, not fools who reject Holy God.
Those evil minded never find the way
It’s for those who follow God and obey.
The dangerous and ferocious beasts who once thronged
Are gone and the redeemed sing a joyful song.
Crowned with everlasting joy
Their sorrow and mourning has been deployed.
And the land that was once deplete from fresh springs
Will once again bloom with all living things .
The Lord will display His splendor and glory
Oh praise our dear God, what a glorious story!

~Gail Harlin~
Dec. 2010
Inspired by God Is. Chpt.35

Mother's Day

We must today as mother's plant the seed of righteousness,
If our children win the battle. And the promised land possess.
Let example be our precept Let our conscience be our guide.
May our prayers go through to Glory, Him victorious by our side.

Poem by Beulah May Kelley (Judy Norton's Grandmother)
"Grandmother wrote many beautiful poems...She was a gifted wonderful woman. Who raised six wonderful daughters and two sons."

Quote

"Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which he imparts to us. " - Sadhu Sundar Singh

Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday. I hope you take time to join with your community to pray for the 5 pillars of power: government, military, media, business, education and the church. For more information or to find your local event go to: http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

While you pray for our nation, also take a moment to pray for yourself. “But isn’t that selfish?” you may wonder. Not if your motive is that God be glorified through your life.

Here are some suggestions on how to pray for yourself for the glory of God:

Guard my heart. Make and keep it pure.

Protect me from the schemes and attacks of the Evil One.

Fill me with Your love. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Make me compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others around me.

Fill me with Your Spirit. May I be emptied of myself and filled with Jesus.

Anoint my life and ministry with supernatural power.

Clothe me in humility. May I be poor in spirit. May I esteem all others as better than myself. May I not seek to impress others, but only to please You.

Make me a servant. Help me to serve You with gladness; to render each act of service as unto Christ; to joyously accept even “menial” or “unfulfilling” responsibilities.

Guard my tongue. May I speak only words that are true, words that help and heal, words that are wise and kind.

Give me wisdom and discernment. Help me to see all of life from Your point of view. May my life be ruled by the wisdom of Your Word.

Give me a grateful spirit. Help me to give thanks in everything. Help me to acknowledge and express the benefits and blessings that I have received from You and others. Protect me from a discontented heart and a murmuring tongue.

Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. May my life show the world how great You are. May I be willing to step out in faith when I cannot see the outcome, and may my life not be explainable in human terms.

Teach me the fear of the Lord.

The Sovereign Lord Is Passing By

After hearing Mike's sermon today which was really good, it reminded me of a sermon he did a few years ago, with a parallel passage. This is the poem that was born of it.

The Sovereign Lord Is Passing By

He hears the blind man’s humble cry.
“Son of David”, have mercy on me
Won’t you stop and hear my plea?”
What do you want me to do for you?”
Please come close, I pray please do.
“My sight, dear Lord, may I see your face?
Please lavish on me a bit of your grace!”
“Indeed your faith has made you well
Go spread the news, go and tell!”
Then others joined in the victory song
Praising God and following along.
He came to set the captives free,
Bringing salvation and true liberty.
To break the bonds of heaviness
And call them trees of righteousness.
Exchanging ashes for beautiful clothes
Garments of praise instead of woes,
Unbinding the weary and those who weep
Rebuilding and planting a treasure to keep.

Inspired by Pastor Mike Simmons sermon
Luke 18:35-43, Is. 61: 1-3

~G. Harlin~
Jan. 22, 2006