Jeremiah 29:11 (Purpose)
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).
For those who wonder if God has a purpose for his/her life, there are no greater words of encouragement in the midst of anxiety and confusion than Jeremiah 29:11.
This beautiful promise helps us remember God is sovereign and in complete control even when we cannot see the horizon. That is why it is critical we trust in the Lord for wisdom and discernment rather than rely on our limited understanding to guide future decisions.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5–8).
The question, “What is my purpose in life?” weighs heavy on the hearts of most people. It is a common question for those within the church as well as those who reject God altogether, which is interesting if you think about it. Why would someone who has no interest in God or eternity care about his/her purpose in life?
It many ways it comes down to significance. What value do we bring to this world? What role do we play in the lives of those around us? We were certainly created for a reason. How then do we discover our life’s purpose?
A helpful place to start is at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes. After exhausting every possible pleasure of this world and searching for contentment in the things of this world, Solomon determined that life without God was meaningless.
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).
Solomon had riches beyond compare. He tested every theory under the sun only to find himself feeling more lonely, isolated, and empty. Why? Because nothing the world could offer compares to intimately knowing our creator, hence Solomon’s extreme frustration and depression over being continually discontent.
What then is our key takeaway? Simply stated, our purpose is simply to live our lives in such a moral, honest, trustworthy, and righteous way that we glorify God by our actions. Those who do not know Christ should be able to look at our behavior and immediately notice there is something different about us. The question is whether our behavior is more counter-cultural or secular.
At the end of the day, our goal should be to reflect the love of Christ to others who are hurting and broken. Is is an opportunity to meet needs and share the Gospel of hope and salvation, for the riches that await in heaven one day far outweigh anything this world has to offer.
Therefore, why waste another day contemplating our purpose? All we must do is look around and we will see our life’s purpose staring right back at us through those God has strategically placed in our path.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 28, 2009 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Marriage can be an incredible journey of faith, full of joy and infinite blessings. But for many of us, our marriages feel like a never-ending desert—dry and barren with little resources to live off of. Coupled with scorching heat during the day and bone-chilling cold at night, the desert is actually an ironic metaphor for the emotional and psychological extremes we long to escape from.
When we hear the words, “ABSENT FATHER,” we typically focus our attention on broken homes and fathers who literally have abandoned their kids. But what if a father is physically present in the home yet disengaged from his wife and children—emotionally, psychologically and spiritually? Would that not also constitute as being an ABSENT FATHER?
Some may argue that vaccinations and testing are necessary to not only protect oneself, but protect the safety of others. However, if I do not believe these vaccinations are safe or morally manufactured, is it unloving to refrain from participating? If testing is inaccurate or creates a false positive, who am I truly hurting by missing work and quarantining myself for no reason other than fear?
The problem is cheating promises an oasis of happiness but does absolutely nothing to quench a man’s thirst. Regrettably, many of us bear the scars of decisions which prove this to be true, yet many more will continue to justify their sinful actions in hopes of finding contentment in anything apart from God.
The entire family benefits when men take their responsibility seriously and welcome the Lord’s accountability to become more Godly husbands and fathers. Therefore, if you want to transform your family and inevitably meet your wife’s greatest NEED, prioritize SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP and her WANTS and DESIRES will likely be met in the process.
You can’t lead your family spiritually if you’re not living according to God’s Word personally, and you’ll never meet your wife’s emotional needs if you’re not humbled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit at work in your heart. Success begins and ends with surrender to God’s will, obedience to God’s Word, and submission to God’s authority in your heart, first and foremost, so you can minister to your wife.
[TRUTH HURTS!] WHY ARE MEN GREAT ‘TIL THEY GOTTA BE GREAT?
Men, listen up. If you ever wondered what women may be thinking, now you know! Today, countless women are becoming increasingly frustrated and disappointed with their husbands, fiancés and boyfriends, and it’s not surprising why. Because if we stop for a second, look in the mirror, and honestly own our mistakes, we’d likely agree their complaints are justified. The problem is we think more highly of ourselves than we ought and set the personal morality bar far too low, rather than disciplining and determining our minds to achieve greatness.
Perhaps the greatest sacrifice we make on a daily basis is our time. Whether you are graced with resources, gifts or talents, time supersedes them all because it is something every human has in their possession. You can waste your time or use it wisely. The choice is yours.
Spiritual warfare is real. Anyone who has ever felt the pull of temptation can attest to it, yet how often are we fully aware of all that is going on around us in the spiritual realm? Can we see it? Hear it? Feel it? Taste it?
Expectations. Entitlement. These are words that should invoke great fear and trembling within the heart of a Christian. The concepts are pervasive throughout our culture yet in the church we are universally susceptible to failure in these areas. The simple truth, though, is that while God does NOT need us, we DO need him and are thus indebted to Christ for the honor and privilege of serving Him.
When we embrace the truth that we go no place by accident, we understand that seasons of life are inevitable, but the beauty of the Gospel gives clarity and direction to how we embrace each season.
What is the difference between faith and trust? Why does it matter? What wisdom are we to gain from knowing the difference? Simply stated, faith is believing while trust solidifies belief over time. Faith begins the process while trust grows and strengthens in response to faith.
You are never too young to be used by God. That was the instruction the apostle Paul gave to his #1 gun, Timothy, as he was charged to lead the church in Ephesus, and that is the reminder we all need regarding how we minister and how we allow others to minister to us.
There is something deep within the human psyche that demands justice be served when wrongs are committed. When we have been hurt, insulted, violated, mocked, injured, falsely accused, persecuted, etc., we typically turn inward and focus on the impact suffering has upon us, first and foremost.
Words are important. Words convey a message. Words reveal what we believe. In many cases, words have incredible power when used to tear down or build up others. Our ability to receive salvation is made possible through spoken words.
Love of self simply results in a slow and agonizing death that leaves one numb over time to the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit. Left untreated, this wilderness attitude can drive us further into self-righteousness and inevitably, spiritual death.
Imagine the possibilities that would flourish in our lives if we chose to filter our minds through the spiritual colander of humility, washing away all unrighteousness and iniquity that enslaves us and leaving behind only the God honoring qualities that produce the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).
People come together, strange as neighbors, our blood is one—children of generations, of every nation, of kingdom come. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Hold your head up high. Don’t fear no evil. Fix your eyes upon this one truth: God is madly in love with you. Take courage. Hold on. Be strong. Remember where our help comes from.
There’s a grace when the heart is under fire; another way when the walls are closing in. And when I look at the space between where I used to be and this reckoning, I know I will never be alone. There was another in the fire standing next to me. There was another in the waters holding back the seas. And should I ever need reminding of how I’ve been set free, there is a cross that bears the burden where another died for me. There is another in the fire.
I’ve been strong and I’ve been broken within a moment. I’ve been faithful and I’ve been reckless at every bend. I’ve held everything together and watched it shatter. I’ve stood tall and I have crumbled in the same breath. I have wrestled and I have trembled toward surrender. Chased my heart adrift and drifted home again. Plundered blessing till I’ve been desperate to find redemption, and every time I turn around, Lord, You’re still there.
Precious blood has left me forgiven, pure like the whitest of snow, powerful to make sin and shame retreat. This covenant is making me whole. So I will rise and lift my head, for by His mercy my life was spared. The highest Name has set me free, because of Jesus my heart is clean. Purify my heart in Your presence. Teach me to discover the joy of holiness that forms as You draw me close. In You, what was lost is restored.
Take this fainted heart. Take these tainted hands. Wash me in your love. Come like grace again. Take this mountain weight. Take these ocean tears. Hold me through the trial. Come like hope again.
Opportunities will undoubtedly arise in our marriages to flee when conflict abounds and temptations to justify sin seem rational. But to those who persevere in the face of danger, infinite blessing awaits. The question is whether we will embrace the lot we have been given or turn away from the refiner's fire that purifies our hearts and allows us to love our spouses as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up unto death for His bride.
In our present culture, love is the overwhelming alternative to God's character that most people cling to when it comes to eternity. No one wants to accept that God would ever sentence anyone to never-ending torment in hell because that it seems unloving. However, the Bible is clear that God is just and will judge mankind when we pass from this earth according to the decisions we make, especially as it relates to our relationship (or lack thereof) with Him.