Tag: Purpose

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Keystone of purpose.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the Psalms, there is a lot of reference and reflection on the daily activities during those ancient days. So, in these songs, that means there is quite a bit of time spent on conflicts in relationships, or over land and even buildings. There are numerous references to war. Also, family and relationship dynamics all in a “kingdom” motif. And if human struggles weren’t enough, there was also the pressure to gain and keep land, as well as build forts, castles, temples, along with walls and intricate systems to protect cities.

At first, I thought about how difficult it must have been to get, keep and maintain both relationships and structures back then. Then I realized, we do similar today. There are still massive relationship struggles, some are power based, some just dealing with position, or betrayal. And, we may not all be dictators, leaders, presidents or monarchs, but we all have a place in society, all have some sense of responsibility and desire to move upward in power, position or even purpose. So, although we don’t currently speak in terms of war, subterfuge or kingdom maintenance, we all still struggle with human relationships and our plot of dirt, owned, rented or leased.

When Nathan is chastising King David and restoring him after repentance, David writes this Psalm bemoaning the difficulty in leading even after conquering all those who sought to take his kingdom, and capturing Jerusalem itself. In all this, David prophetically speaks of this special stone that goes in the foundation and becomes the most important structural piece of the entire building. The cornerstone. It wasn’t just a ceremonial brouhaha, like the picturesque shovel-shot when construction begins. No, it was the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. It was both physically and metaphorically important to get it right.

Here David, somewhat referring to himself as the rags-to-riches, shepherd to sovereign story, sets the unusual significance of the moment. No one expected a field boy to become the critical component for the nation’s success! But this phrase, “stone that the builders rejected” became the prophetic picture of Christ. The normal, if not below average guy from Nazareth, who would become the anchor, THE cornerstone. The reference by which all human beings since the beginning of time would be placed in this world determined by Jesus.

Our lives, our future is not determined by accident, nor by our whim or choice. Our purpose is not discovered, nor achieved by just throwing a stone into a building, wherever we feel like it may fit. Our stone, our life, our mark is made in direct positioning to Christ and where God determines where we should be placed. Our absolute joy and purpose is only found, can only be found, in position to where Christ is, as the keystone of all humanity.

Prayer

Dad,
I may not completely understand the architectural necessity and meaning of the cornerstone, but I do understand my place according to who Christ is! I have found not just who I belong to, but also where I belong in this life and the Kingdom of God. I have been placed for a purpose! I gladly serve at your good pleasure. Lead me, use me wherever you see fit. I am thankful to submit to all that you have for me. Amen.

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Handmade by God.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Several verses start with the powerful words, “God said…”

God said (’ĕ·lō·hîm way·yō·mer, amar: to utter, say).

God spoke:

  • And light existed out of nothing.
  • And a divide separated sea from sky. And the water (qavah: wait) or collected.
  • And vegetation, fruit and trees (min: kind, species) according to their own kind.
  • And in the (raqia: expanse) let (maor: a luminary) light appear, one smaller one to govern the night, and a larger one to govern the day.
  • And living creatures (chay: age, ne·p̄eš: living being) in the waters and the sky. Even great sea creatures (tannin: serpent, dragon, sea monster), all according to their kind (lə·mî·nê·hem).
  • And every sort of animal (chay, ne·p̄eš – living being) beast (wə·ḥay·ṯōw), creeping things (wā·re·meś), cattle (bə·hê·māh) all according to their kind (lə·mî·nāh).

But in verse 26 God said something different.

God said let us make…(na·‘ă·śeh). Let us make mankind (adam: man, mankind) in our image (bə·ṣal·mê·nū, tselem). All the other things God created, He spoke into existence. Then when it comes to humans, God fashions, makes us. As humans, we are exclusively different than all other creatures.

“The soul is first, in God’s image. This, as suggesting an external likeness, may refer to man’s reason, free-will, self-consciousness, and so on. But it is, secondly, in God’s likeness, which implies something closer and more inward. It refers to man’s moral powers, and especially to his capacity of attaining unto holiness.” But the third characteristic is dominion – having both authority and responsibility for all the rest of creation. Finally, it is God that determined the two physical differences between them – male (zakar) and female (neqebah) He created them.

I love the picture in Genesis 2:7, Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and man became a living person. God (yatsar: to form, fashion) formed us out of the dust (aphar: dry earth, dust) and breathed (neshamah: breath) into his nostrils, the breath of life, and man became a living soul (nephesh: a soul).

Everything God created is good, but we are very good because we bear God’s image.

Prayer

Dad,
This who idea of we are, who made us, is so important when we are searching for meaning in our lives. I would think this makes the quest for answers so much easier. I would never really had a chance to discover purpose or even a future if you had not found me and offered me a new life. I am forever thankful for the way you have loved me and led me since I was just a teen. Amen.

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Pep talks from prison.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

….so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 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. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬b-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God is still working even when it looks absurdly bleak. Paul’s situation is very real and should be seriously depressing. Prison is prison, ancient or modern, it still has to be one of the worst places to find yourself or to find God at work!

The Apostle Paul is the author of 13 epistles. That is almost 50% of the New Testament, and 62% of the letters written to churches. Paul wrote four of those letters from prison or house arrest (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon).

Paul knew he wasn’t free to share Christ in the marketplace as he made and repaired tents in open air malls throughout the city. He was an effective witness to the business community, leading dozens to Jesus (especially women business owners). Some of them had wealth and status in the city. He would disciple them and oftentimes ask them to open their homes to meet for Church. Many of the prominent churches in these cities were held in large homes and the home owners had large networks of friends and colleagues themselves. It was a brilliant plan that God used often. But for a couple of years, Paul found himself in lockdown. And, although he struggled with that for a number of reasons, he still found a purpose in his loss of freedom.

He was not free to work or travel, but he was free to have visitors and write letters. The visitors both carried the news of how the churches were doing, with letters back and forth. Letters were super effective in a lengthy question and answer format of that day. Paul’s teaching from these letters were a powerful example of God’s continued work among the believers and the churches they attended. And, in God’s providence, we are the beneficiaries of the Holy Spirit directed theology and conversations captured thousands of years ago.

Here in the letter to the churches in Philippi, Paul writes his most earnest, humble and beautiful expression of the gospel (Good news) at work even in the worst of times. Paul was simultaneously defending himself as a legitimate Apostle and equally “dividing the Word of truth (apologetics)” while his challengers and fake teachers continued to spread falsities among the churches he started. But even Paul admits, God will be honored and have His way no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Paul often wrote about being in states of plenty and going without, full of food and forced fasting, ease and extreme discomfort. The gospel of Jesus, God’s work continues regardless of our situations.

Paul’s famous phrase, “whether I live or die,” sums up much more than his own perceived restraints. Paul wanted his life to honor Christ – and he did just that! Paul’s teaching with phrases like “rejoice in the Lord always,” come from the worst possible circumstances. It should remind me that God is with me even when I am down, sick, or forced to be still. And, if I can get a proper perspective of my own purpose in the Kingdom of God, it should remind me that God still works in me and through me to accomplish His will. I am comforted and challenged by Paul’s pep talks from prison!

Prayer

Dad,

There is no place, no situation that I find myself alone. You are with me! And, there is no circumstance, no matter how disabling or debilitating it may seem, that you are not at work in me and can also be at work through me. Nothing catches you by surprise, Nothing can thwart your plans. Nothing can stop you from accomplishing your will. Help me when I feel the “prison” seasons in my life, to rejoice, to consider it pure joy because you are with me.

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Plan early – plan twice – but stay open.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Plan early, plan twice is a famous military axiom. Proverbs has its own set of wisdom axioms. Many folks believe that Proverbs is all about promises or guarantees, it’s really about principles. Of course, Godly principles are more than just strong suggestions, they have the personified wisdom of all creation, as seen in Jesus life here on earth. I’d bet my life on these Godly principles!

If you have lived a life a faith for any length of time, you’ll realize the dynamic tension of this Proverb. Other translations capture the nuance of this Proverb a little better than NLT. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man…” says another translation. Humans can and should make LOTS of plans! It is one of the wonders, benefits and beauties of being made in God’s image. Should I even make plans since God’s purpose will override them anyways? That’s not really how it works even if it feels like a deterministic exercise. Why should I make plans if God just has His way regardless? See how negative and self-defeating that sounds? God wants us to not only make plans and live a full and wonderful life here on this planet and in this slice of time. He wants us to thrive and do so with gusto and abundance. This isn’t some kind of name & claim it theology, this is how God designed life to be for us from the very beginning. Yeah, there is a requirement in this anticipated life of joy. It’s expected that one is pursuing a godly life, one filled with goodness, rightness, and His truth of justice.

The big mistake is thinking that God is the crusher of dreams and the smiter of all that’s fun. That’s a lie. Pursuing God means pursing good verses chasing after selfish, evil desires. You are aware that there is evil bouncing around in our hearts, right? Quit blaming God for trying to stop us from doing evil!

We will be pleasantly surprised to find out that when we make plans for godly pursuits and good aspirations, that God is right there cheering us on – the breath of God putting wind in our sails. When we are led by the Spirit of God I am 100% positive that those plans are godly and completely within the plans of God himself! And, I am equally confident that when I make plans that are NOT going to turn out well for me and others, that God’s purpose does prevail to turn those plans into something good.

We have been warned that our heart, when it is not committed to God is “deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 tells us. Personally, I have embraced the whole idea of making tons of plans and dreaming big, godly dreams. All of which I have submitted to God with the phrase Jesus spoke in the garden of Gethsemane – “Your will, not mine be done.” Sure, there have been some ragged right turns, some topsy-turvy turnabouts and lots of puzzled prayers. Overall, I saw God’s hand in it all. I saw His plans prevailing even when I could not figure out (while going through dark times) what He was up to. Looking back, it more than makes sense and that presently helps me when my faith waivers looking forward.

Prayer

Dad,
I remember someone telling me from an old quote, “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” That has given me hope and confidence in your ways, your plans, and your will above my own! My trust is solid in you. I have made and followed through with plans that needed to be altered by you, and I am eternally grateful you intervened.

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To thine own purpose be true.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​“This above all: To thine own self be true.”William Shakespeare wrote this in Act 1, Scene III of the famous play, Hamlet. The Apostle Paul writing centuries before, told Timothy something far more eternal, and far more profound. Paul’s version would be, “This above all: To thine own calling and purpose be true.”

Not only does every person carry a purpose from God within, but each person is encouraged to find it, let others help shape it and then fan the flames of that calling into an effective, God-glorifying pursuit. You can only be you! You SHOULD only be you! God’s purposes, His truth is eternal, so Timothy as well as you and I should be completely focused on that.

No matter how we may fantasize or compare to others with more wealth, influence, fame or following – we cannot be someone other than ourselves! Several phrases come to mind to help me deal with my own deficiencies. My favorite, God works in and with my weakness. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I have no idea how or why God continues to see my sin and weaknesses, yet still uses me to participate and accomplish His will.

I love how Paul closes this thought with Tim. “Stay true,” he writes, “for the sake of YOUR salvation and OTHERS.” I am leading my own life in godliness, attitudes, loyalty, discipline and persistence. However, in that pursuit, there are others watching, learning, listening and some are following. That’s a huge weight of responsibility on every believer. That’s a responsibility as a parent, with our own littles, teens and twenties following. That’s a responsibility as a husband or wife with our lifemate following. That’s also a responsibility as a good friend with our community following.

I cannot neglect those gifts of purpose, I must pursue them and focus on being and doing what no one else on this planet can be – ME.

Prayer

Dad,
I may not like what I see in my sin or the reflection in the mirror each day. However, when I look back and see who I used to be, the way I used to believe and behave – wow – you have changed me significantly! I press on, with your grace. I press on in my weakness as your power is perfected in my life. I keep moving forward with faith in who you are and who you have made me to be. Amen.

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Finding God’s purpose for your life is not a linear process!

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.” Acts‬ ‭9:21-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Well, you know what they say, “if you can’t beat ‘em, kill them!”

For awhile back then Saul/Paul found himself despised by all and feared by believers. After, he comes in from his desert experience, Saul immediately starts preaching Jesus is the Son of God.

His life, his radical turnaround forces this question, “Isn’t this the guy that…?” Basically, this happens in all well known previously bad-human conversions even today. One’s transformation story is very powerful when people ask about the former life. Saul got his speaking groove down so well, that the Jewish religious elite just couldn’t refute his proof. So, rather than see truth or change their hearts, something more sinister took over their thinking. “Let’s kill him,” they said. What hubris, egregious hypocrites. They couldn’t deal with truth, so they ramp up a riot. Sounds like our modern political climate right now.

Saul continued to start with civil synagogue discussions in every town he visited. Yet, it just got increasingly violent, until finally he had to give up going to the Jews first. He believed he was called to the Jewish people! A little providence and a whole lot of death threats convinced him that maybe his calling wasn’t to the Jewish people.

This seems to happen when discovering God’s will. You think it should go one way but door after door continues to close until you realize- that’s not what God wants you to do! There’s something else out there. Paul shifted his focus solely on the Gentiles (non Jews) and then took that passion all the way to the Church leaders, convincing them that the gospel was ALSO for the rest of the world. Acts 15 was all about a fulfillment of God’s plan for Israel and his own favored people to be the ones who brought salvation to the whole world and not just to keep it for themselves. Israel always had a tough time with that idea.

Saul/Paul would go on to bring the message of Jesus to all the major regions of Gentile populations and plant churches (not synagogues) everywhere he went. Paul would come into town, set up his tent making, tent repair shop. Then he would make friends with all the local businesses leaders in the town through shoptalk. He led highly influential men and women to Jesus, then convinced them to use their nicely sized homes to meet in for church on Sundays. Many of those original business owners became church elders and pastors. Paul also ended up writing a large part (almost half) of what we know as the New Testament with thirteen letters, written to correct and encourage these new churches. I would say, all the death threats and riots resulted in explosive growth in the gospel going out to all nations.

Have you started any riots? Received any death threats? Are you struggling with what you think God has called you to do? Maybe there’s something else God has in mind?

PRAYER:

Dad,
Your calling, your purposes are not always the easiest to discover and even more difficult to accept. I have seen a very non-linear path in my own life, right? It’s seems like more of a scribble than a straight line! Yet, you have been faithful and patient. I am thankful for that. For many years, I never thought I would be any kind of first chair leader. There were hopes dashed and failed possibilities. I just settled into the fact that I would be a great second chair for the rest of my life. Then, SURPRISE, through an extraordinary turn of events, I get a callback to serve in my home church as the lead pastor, or Chief Servant Officer as I say. Who would have thought? So now I need your wisdom and favor more than ever before!

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Exhausted but fulfilled.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.” Luke‬ ‭6:20-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is something uniquely holy and all together supernatural about doing God work. Jesus had an entire night of prayer, talking with God about all that was happening and all that would happen.

I’ve had a few talks with my sons and daughters. I’d say, “how’d you’re day go?” They would tell me the good and more frustrating parts of their day. These updates are often filled with highs and lows, sadness and hilarity. Then it would move on to “what’s up next?” Oftentimes it would be a list of upcoming events or plans. But sometimes it would be a conversation about dreams and aspirations – and I would drink it in like a tall glass of watermelon iced tea.

After spending a night on the hill, Jesus called his team together and gave twelve of them a group name – you’ll be called Apostles, he said – Messengers, ones sent on a mission.

THEN Jesus comes down to start his day job – healing the sick and kicking demons out of humans. Luke, the doctor, wants us to know that it was hard work, exhausting work because he says, “Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.” Hmmm, and he healed everyone? An exaggeration? I doubt it.

Whew, after a night of prayer, a quick but earth-shattering pep-talk with his people and a full day of supernatural power coming out of his soul. Jesus… what? Collapses? No, he gives a summary of the day to his team. He goes over the purpose of mission, the why behind what he’s there for and the template that these newly appointed Apostles would follow later on. He gives to them the quick outline of what the crowd produced in Jesus after a hard day’s work. The beginning of the be-attitudes.

God blesses, blesses, blesses those who are: poor, hungry and crying. These are not just physical deficiencies, they are deep cravings of the soul! Jesus reminds his team, there are those walking among you who are living below the physical and spiritual poverty level. There are those lacking daily physical and spiritual nutrients and are malnourished. And there are those who are physically and spiritually broken, who wake in pain and cry all day long. Jesus is saying this is why he came. Jesus is saying, this will soon be your mission to bless by healing, feeding and consoling. It was a very full day indeed! Prayer is exhilarating, people are exhausting. Welcome to the life of every believers day.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Whoa. That’s quite a day in the life of Jesus! It rattles my reality when I think of the desperation in our culture, the deep longing and searching for relief and something to dull the pain of a purposeless life or far worse. I think of folks in failing relationships, those trapped in addictions to self medicate and perpetually seeking even a moment of peace or a second to quiet their soul. I know people in constant physical pain who wake up wishing their life, their world would change. And to realize that you BLESS those in these dark and lonely places? Well, that’s amazing. And to imagine that you’ve called me to be a messenger, an ambassador of hope? Wow, that’s powerful.

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The day he quit his job to work for God!

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.” Luke‬ ‭5:8-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a legacy Peter had as he would tell his family, his children and friends when they would later get together telling stories as the church gathered around the love feast (communion).

From the very beginning to the bitter end, then to a miraculous sendoff of Jesus. Jesus just doesn’t do normal! I mean, who recruits followers like this? In fact, who recruits leaders of future apostles and church fathers like this? It’s been said so many times, but Jesus found common, middle class, hard working guys and converted them to super miracle workers, church planters, authors and martyrs. Yeah maybe Matthew had some money, but he was such a social outcast being a money guy working for the Roman government.

And talk about worldly guys! Peter and his crew were both sailors and fishermen. You’ve heard the sailor stories and seen Deadliest Catch. These guys were tough, hardened, calloused
-hands kind of people. However, it’s interesting to note that Jesus was NOT intimidated by rough dudes, maybe hard hands do not mean hard hearts?

Luke tells us Jesus steps out onto Peter’s boat like a lost tourist. He then casually asks Peter to push away from shore a little. Then, like a totally noob, tells him to push out further and let down his nets again. Notice, Luke had already told us Jesus found the guys CLEANING those nets – they were DONE.

Peter respectfully protests, being the expert in his own trade, “Jesus, it’s been a hard days night, and I’ve been working like a dog!” Yet, he did as Jesus asked. Peter and the whole bunch must have been trying to figure out what kind of Rabbi behaves like this guy. He’s not normal!

I think they were tired, and in shock trying to understand what was going on. What was this guy’s angle? What was he selling? What did he want? What kind of religion does this guy represent?

Maybe Jesus caught them on that one really bad day that everyone has, when they say, “what are we doing?” Or, “What is life all about?” Or, “Why are we killing ourselves over fish?” Maybe it was one of those mornings where the whole gang was thinking, “what if we quit and did something else?”

Then “coincidentally” this strange Rabbi walks up and speaks and acts in such a way that the fishermen become WOKE – super woke to life and purpose. Woke to what life could be, what it should be. Jesus words and the miracle of their “retirement” catch of fish was just enough for the guys to make a decision to quit their jobs and work for God! Luke writes, “As soon as they landed… they left EVERYTHING and followed Jesus.”

PRAYER:

Dad,
I was nowhere as far as the first followers in my pursuit of life or career. I hadn’t even graduated High School. However, when I said “Yes” to following you, it only took a couple of years to begin to reformat my entire future to do whatever you asked of me. Sure, I didn’t feel qualified – I wasn’t qualified. Sure, I felt conscientious about any kind of “religious” calling or preparation. My “people” didn’t come from any spiritual stock. I had no godly folk in my family going back several generations. I was the first of my kind to even think about going into “ministry.” Most of my family thought that I would go into some kind of priest training and a monastery life. They didn’t know and neither did I. They also thought I got caught up in some kind of religious cult or maybe I was going through some kind of “youthful” season of finding myself. I know it surprised all of them that it stuck and it was real. Now some 45 years later, I’m still following you in a calling and purpose that I never grew out of. Instead I just continue to grow into it. So, thank you for “randomly” showing up in my life and simply saying, “come on… follow me.”