Bible Study II - Purpose II

Purpose II 

God created you to fulfill a unique purpose.

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I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well. Psalms 139:14

Nothing about us is an accident.  He created us perfectly -  just the way He intended.   I know I've had my share of doubts about a few of his design plans for myself - there's certainly a few things I would like to change sometimes. But I know that it's true - you and I are fearfully and wonderfully made and I should be thankful- we are God's perfect design created  for a unique purpose!

Just what is your purpose?  How will you know what your unique purpose is?

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Are you listening for instructions so you can fulfill your unique purpose? Keep listening! You'll hear them!

He is Alive!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
I Peter I:3

Easter is my favorite holiday. I know that Christmas is probably the most popular but I have always loved everything about Easter.  It is a wonderful reminder of God's great love and sacrifice for us. It is a reminder for me too that I have a "living hope" --- I can and should live my daily life victoriously because He is ALIVE! What does this day mean to you?

Bible Study II - Purpose I

Purpose

God created you to fulfill a unique purpose.

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The Lord will fullfill his purpose for me. Psalm 138:8

From a spiritual standpoint, pursuing our purpose means to discover our God-intended reason for being and to design our lives accordingly (Couchman).  

Some people seem sure of their purpose in life. They seem to certain of God's leading and their unique abilities to fulfill that purpose. Do you believe you have a unique purpose in life? Why or Why not?

Let's discuss more about  our unique purpose tomorrow... don't forget to post. I'd love to hear your thoughts about God's purpose in your life.

Bible Study I - Part II

Significance - Part II

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
         The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
         And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
         And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:3-5

Yesterday we read verses that described God's great active love for us. King David pointed out man's importance to God in the verses above. I hope that you make that personal - because You  are important and significant to God!

How do you think understanding your significance to God can help you?

Let's talk about this more tomorrow!  I hope you'll join me!

Bible Study I - Significance Part I

 Significance*

You are deeply significant because God created you.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.  - I John 3:1

Do you really believe you are significant? It's hard to grasp how much God loves us but we can begin by studying scriptures.  The following scriptures describe his love for us.

Lamentations 3:22:23

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lamentations%203:22-23&version=NKJV 

Romans 8:35-39

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:35-39&version=NKJV

Ephesians 3:16-19

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:16-19&version=NKJV

What He Did For Love

God not only says he loves us; he demonstrates that love through His actions.

Here are few verses to describe what he has done and is still doing to express  his everlasting love for us:

Exodus 15:13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2015:13&version=NKJV

Psalm 94:18

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2094:18&version=NKJV

Hosea 14:4

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2094:18&version=NKJV

Can you think of more verses like these to share? What does it mean to you that God demonstrates His love in these ways?

Coming Next...Significance Part II

*Bible Study designed from Judith Couchman's book Designing A Woman's Life.

Ending Lines

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 
II Corinthians 4:8, 9

If you just look at the first parts of this verse it may describe what some went through or what some felt this week:
We are troubled...
We are perplexed....
We are persecuted...
We are cast down...

But there's more to this verse - because the first parts are not the end - that's not where we are to dwell - or where are thoughts are to stay. Those are just  the temporary parts of the story - the parts that tell us God understands what we're going through  ... not the ending lines. The second parts are the best... these are the ending lines for Christians:

We are not distressed...
We are not in despair...
We are not forsaken
We are not destroyed!!!

A Love Worth Giving

The Lord did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the Lord loves you. Deut. 7:7-8 NLT

God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.
He loves you when you don't feel lovely.
He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you,
divorce you, and ignore you, but God will always love you. Always. No matter what.

--A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado

Worry

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col. 3:15

I don't know if you needed this verse or not today - but I know I did.  I had several things on my mind I felt l needed to worry about - as if I could work them out better than God. Amazing how I feel I  have to torture myself with worries before I finally take them to the one who could actually help - and was right there waiting to hear about them! Do you do that too?

Another thing I get out of this verse is that when I am focused on being thankful - my worries and aggravations really diminish. Being thankful changes everything about our attitude doesn't it?

God Can Do It!

I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me. Phil. 4:13

Phil. 4:13 has been my "go to" verse for years.  Whenever I need a boost of strength and confidence I know I can get through it because of Him. I know we are all facing something different but I know we are all facing something.  Whatever your something is you can do it -and get through it because God can!  What is your favorite "go to" verse?

Future Thoughts

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I have learned with age and experience that I can never assume to know what someone else is thinking - what their motives are and what they're thinking. In fact, it's probably best to never let my mind stray in those negative directions and just assume everyone is on my side - even when I may be pretty sure they're not.
 I love this verse because He makes it very clear to us - He's thinking about us - and He's thinking wonderful things about us!!... He's thinking about how we can have peace and joy and a wonderful future! Isn't it comforting to know He's thinking good things about you right now? No doubt about it!

Thinking About Home

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

I'm sitting in a very nice motel room thinking about home. I have all of the comforts I could possibly want, a huge bed, big fluffy pillows and great food - but it's not home. I feel out of place here. It's a familiar place -I stay here often and the people I know here are great but I don't belong here. I miss my family - I miss my home. I am reminded that it's supposed to be like that for us as Christians, isn't it?.... Not quite fitting in with the world  - feeling out of place.  Do you feel that way often enough in your Christian walk?  What are you thinking about home?

Fearful Life

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all of my fears. Psalm 34:4
What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3

Fear of failure. Fear of change. Fear of loss. Fear of pain. Fear of the unknown. Fear of stepping out to be who we are meant to be. I remember reading once that fear was the absence of faith. Sometimes I need reminders of that. Of course, God knew I would - and I must not be alone in my fears because there are many verses to remind us of God's presence, faithfulness and willingness to help us through whatever fears we are facing. I am so thankful for God's patience in helping us face our fears in this life. Does satan ever use fear to attack your faith? What verses strengthen you?

Thought Life

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8


I don't know about you, but this verse is where I struggle - keeping my thoughts in check. I could easily get caught up in a state of panic and anxiety over the simplest worry if I am not careful. I know God doesn't want that for me and it all starts with my controlling my thoughts and trusting Him.

I feel like because I have a personality that tends to analyze and internalize, I really have to work at keeping my thoughts from running rampant so it is helpful for me to read a lot of good uplifting books and materials.  I find that there are many resources out there to help keep me encouraged throughout my day, including listening to good music. I subscribe to email listservs and have some favorite websites to check.  How are you keeping your thoughts pure and lovely today? I would love to read about it.

Be of Good Cheer!

Acts 23:11
I don't know if you are like me when you are sitting in church listening to a sermon but sometimes I carry home with me the seemingly oddest little tidbits. I know in my heart they are messages from God so I try to be careful not to forget them. Today I am sharing this with you because it's just too good not to and I am sure my preacher won't mind. He said that God's favorite words were "Be of good cheer" and he went on to tell of the numerous times he spoke those words! He spoke those words to ordinary peole like me and you because He wants us to be happy. He cares about you and that means He cares if you're worried, fearful, sad, angry, depressed!
I hope knowing you can give all of your cares and worries to Him fills you with GOOD CHEER!