Proverbs 11:28
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Or put another way: A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
Matthew Henry said:
A true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those who take root in the world wither; those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.
Being in Christ gives you purpose. Purpose to live a life that God wants you to live. Without God, there is no purpose.
Sure, you can be living for material things and that can give some people a sense of determination, a sense of satisfaction, some sense of purpose. But is it a lasting satisfaction, a lasting sense of purpose?
“If I can get this, or if I can buy that then I have achieved my goal.” Whoop tee doo… Where’s the purpose for God?
Everyone is driven by something. Things like guilt, resentment, anger, fear, materialism or the need for approval…. What’s missing here? God.
These same forces, and others, can drive your life, but they all end in the same dead end; unused potential, unnecessary stress, and an unfulfilled life.
Isaiah 49:4
4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
So, the Bible tells us without God you have no purpose.
Psalm 33:11
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.
God’s plan for you and His purpose for you stands forever.
We can become frustrated with our lives when we see what appears to be no purpose to life at all.
“What’s the point?” “Is this all there is?”
I’m sure we’ve all been there…. I know I have. It wasn’t until I found Jesus that I found purpose.
That is why we must turn to God for our answers, for our purpose. He is completely trustworthy; His intentions never change. There is a promise that good and perfect gifts come to us from God who never changes.
Let Him counsel you!
Ephesians 4:7
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Christ has given each of us special abilities—whatever he wants us to have, He gives out of His rich storehouse of gifts. These gifts will help in fulfilling your purpose.
One person who had purpose for his life was George Whitefield….
How many are familiar with “The Great Awakening” that occurred in the 1730’s and 1740’s?
It was an evangelical revival that swept Protestant Europe and British America, especially the American colonies, in the 1730s and 1740s, leaving a permanent impact on American Protestantism and the future of our nation.
George Whitefield was one of the great leaders of that revival. He would spend 40 to 50 hours a week in the pulpit. It is estimated that he preached 18,000 times and was heard by and estimated 10 million people. According to historical documents, about 80 percent of all American’s heard him preach at least once. He died at the age of 56 doing what he loved best; preaching …. This is a person that new his purpose in life.
Rick Warren, preacher, and author of “A Purpose Driven Life” said:
Knowing your purpose gives your life meaning, simplicity, focus and motivation. It also prepares you for eternity.
Living with a purpose is the only way to really live. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get distracted and forget what’s most important. To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and review it regularly.
What is a life purpose statement?
Think about any successful business. What do they have? A “Mission Statement.” The “Mission Statement” tells the employees and the public what they stand for. It tells what they do and what they want to accomplish. Create your “Mission Statement” using God’s own “Mission Statement” for us. (You have a copy of the following)
1 – It is a statement summarizing God’s purpose in your life.
Our purpose is to please God, not people ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:4
2 – It’s a statement that points the direction of your life.
Know where you are headed and you’ll stay on solid ground ~ Proverbs 4:26
3 – It’s a statement that defines success for you…understand what really matters:
The Lord wants you to understand what really matters ~ Philippians 1:10
4 – A statement that clarifies your roles.
You will have different roles at different stages of your life but, the purpose remains the same.
5 – A statement that reflects the unique ways God made you to serve Him.
God, has it all planned out for us.
This is God’s Mission Statement for us.
1 – Worship: You were planned for God’s pleasure – Ecclesiastes 12:13:
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
2 – Fellowship: You were formed for a family – James 1:18
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
3 – Discipleship: You were created to become like Christ. – Romans 8:29
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
4 – Ministry: You were shaped for serving God. – Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them
5 – Evangelism: You were made for a mission. – Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Here’s a list of 5 questions you need to ask yourself before you prepare your Mission Statement or Life Purpose Statement:
1 – Worship: What will be the center of my life?
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
2 – Fellowship: What will be the community of my life?
Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This applies to you single guys too. Love all who you encounter, “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
3 – Discipleship: What will be the character of my life?
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
4 – Ministry: What will be the contribution of my life?
2 Corinthians 9:12
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
John 15:16
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
5 – Evangelism (or Mission): What will be the communication of my life?
Joshua 24:15
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Key to that verse is but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Philippians 1:27
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
The more you mature in your faith, the more you will love the Body of Christ and want to sacrifice for it, just as Jesus did.
In addition to writing a detailed “life purpose statement,” it is also helpful to have a shorter statement or slogan that summarizes the five purposes of your life in a way that is memorable and inspires you.
Look at your summary every day when you’re in The Word of God…make it part of your daily devotions…
Proverbs 22:18 says: For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Meaning: It will be good to keep these things in mind so that you are ready to repeat them.
God wants to use you. Will you serve God’s purpose in your generation?
Like Esther, God created you, “for such a time as this…”
2 Corinthians 10:13
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Our goal is to measure up to God’s plan for us. Serve the purpose God created you for.
When fulfilling your purposes seems tough, don’t give in to discouragement.
Remember your reward will last forever!
So, we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.
These hard times are nothing compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration God has prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.
But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
We’re all encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and His plans for us are good and full of hope.
As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill His mission, we can have boundless hope.
This does not mean we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.
The Lord searches the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Run straight to that goal with purpose in every step!
Imagine standing before the throne of God presenting our lives in deep gratitude and praise to Christ. Together we will say:
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Jesus said: “Now you know the things I’ve taught you, you will be blessed if you do them” ~ John 13:7
LIFE FROM A CHAPLAIN'S POINT OF VIEW 