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Category Archives: Purpose/Calling


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Made in God’s Image

Made in God’s Image

What God as been teaching me lately …

We are made in God’s image. Genesis 1:26 One of the main aspects of this likeness is we create with our thoughts. It isn’t if we do or don’t, we do. Our thoughts create. What is the main difference between two people, the difference that really matters in their lives? Their thoughts based on their belief systems.

The ramifications of our thoughts are either good or evil. They either work for our and others’ benefit or destruction. Apart from God, we can’t know what is truly good in every situation for all people because we can’t see the end of the ripple effects we create. We might judge something as good that really isn’t. This lack of judgment between good and evil is a problem when you are by nature a creative entity. Adam and Eve showed us that. Further, even if we know what is good, in our own power we aren’t able to do good in every situation.

We aren’t meant to do make our own judgments or rely on our own power to perform. Yet, that is what many strive to do. God created a much better way.

To live in goodness and what is helpful, pure, truth and love for us and others, we need to give up our self-directed creative power in every area of our lives and let God’s creative power flow through us so that we are living out His will. Only God is good. Only God knows the end result of any one act. Only He is powerful and pure enough to do good every time for all people. Therefore, to live truly in all that is good and loving for all, we have to give up our self-directing creative power and gain God’s. This is the surrender He calls us to. Matthew 16:25 This surrender leads to eternal life because only what is of God lives forever.

How is this surrender manifested?

We begin by grasping two key areas of knowledge, which we do by seeking God and His truth. First is the deep understanding of the destructive nature of our self-directed creative power, and its consuming nature in every area of our lives. To understand we can’t judge on our own, and we need to operate by God’s will. When we gain this awareness, our response is to want to completely rid ourselves of our self-directing ways as we see them for what they are – paths to death. This response is a desire to “die to self”.

The second area of knowledge is to learn about God and His truth; His perfection, the power of life His truth holds, the purity of His love, and that only His ways are good. Only when we know and trust God, can we truly let go of this self-directing will. We trust what we know. In understanding these two areas and personally witnessing their truth in our lives, we will want nothing but His will. We long to be utterly consumed by His perfection and nothing of our own making apart from Him. John 15:5

In seeing our self-directed creative power for what it is and God for who He is, we are jolted to give up our destructive self-will and embrace His on every level. Only by choosing to give up our self-directed power, we are able to be filled with His. It’s one or the other.

Next, by “dying to self” and seeking the truth and ways of God with all our heart, soul and mind, God writes His truth on our hearts. By doing so, He renews us, regenerates us and makes us into new creations as He alters our very core with His love and truth. Through this process, which incorporates our circumstances, His Word, and God’s instruction, we become new creations as our deepest thoughts and belief systems are transformed. Galatians 2:20 All the old things pass away and are replaced with a mind and spirit crafted in His truth. 2 Corinthians 5:17 With a new mind, what we now create is in line with God’s will because our thoughts are governed by His thoughts.

This path of regeneration is the journey of every true believer; one in which we are made into sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. John 1:12

Patience is required through this process as all we are is peeled back, exposed, and renewed. Every area of our lives has been under our self-directing power. Therefore, it takes time as God’s truth penetrates our souls and purges the layers self-directing power and instills His creative spirit in their place. 1 Peter 5:10

If we chose to hold onto our self-directed creative power the end is death. Ultimately what isn’t of God dies for God is life, the life force by which all things exist. Separation from Him is death. As the perfect Father who loves His children, God is sustaining us in His mercy as we are renewed.

One note, as the Great Tribulation is upon us, this sustaining hand of God will begin to withdraw and people will be given over to what they have chosen. In following self-directed ways, those ways will consume them as an addiction. We are ensnared by the work of our own hands. It’s we who bring judgment upon ourselves as we live out what we have chosen. Again anything not of God leads to death. However, for those seeking the regeneration of their spirits by God, in these days they will continue to be transformed from glory to glory.

If you choose the latter by seeking God and letting Him create you, you will become who you’ve desired to be. This path is one of entering into God’s rest because it’s He who works in you, as you let go, seek and abide. The regeneration is His work. He tells you what He will do, does it, and you glorify Him. You let go of control and God takes over. Yes, God is that good.

Living by the creative power of God is the kingdom of God. It’s God’s Spirit filling every aspect of your unique being making you who you were created to be as His perfect creation. You are transformed by His power into the fullness of who He created you to be as a beautiful vessel powered by God. This is eternal life. This is God in us and us in Him. This is the kingdom of God. This is what Jesus came to preach and continues to as the Word of God. This is how you will do more than you ever imaged; because you are greater than you ever imagined. John 14:12-13, 14, 20, Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 4:17


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Living with Purpose and Meaning

Living with Purpose and Meaning

 

Living with purpose and meaning is something we all desire; it’s a desire implanted us by God. In the video below, I talk about three different perspectives to consider in relation to fulfilling our purpose as God desires. I hope it’s an encouragement to you.

For more information on this topic, check out my podcast, Finding Our Purpose in Unity with God.


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Is Your Temple Being Built?

Is Your Temple Being Built?

 

Get out a piece of paper and write down a typical week for you. How is your time divided? What consumes your time? What do you do with your spare time?

The most important activity for believers is building the temple. Was that on your list?

The eternal temple of God is made of the souls of the true believers in Christ. It’s the place God will call home for eternity. So the most important activity we do is prepare/build that place for Him, have you been building?

How do we build?

Among many attributes, God is holy, truth and love. For God to fully manifest Himself through us as the temple we have to be in unison with Him in these areas as noted in the scriptures. As oil and water don’t mix, neither does a corrupt soul lacking these and God’s spirit.

 

The soul that is able to hold God’s spirit is one that is pure, structured in truth, and consumed in love.

Purity

First, Jesus Christ cleansed our souls with His sacrifice. In Him, our slates are wiped clean.

Truth

Second, Jesus Christ builds a structure of truth within us. Jesus is the Word of God. It’s the Word, truth, that sanctifies. John 17:17 He gave us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who writes truth on our hearts and minds as He instructs us in the ways of God. 1 John 2:27 As we abide in the Word, putting the truth in us, the Spirit uses that truth in conjunction with our lives and constructs a framework of truth in our souls. I talked a bit about this in the video Prepared for Christ’s Coming.

In Proverbs, it talks about the importance of seeking and obtaining true wisdom and understanding that is of God, not this world. Proverbs 4:5-9. Wisdom and understanding are fundamental to the lives of believers, because these are what make up that framework of truth in our souls, which allows God’s spirit to dwell in us.

An important aside to this concept; we are to seek wisdom, but gaining wisdom isn’t dependent on our IQ. It’s dependent on the ability of the Holy Spirit to teach us and write it on our hearts and minds. Therefore, ANYONE, as God wills, can gain the wisdom and understanding of God. Hebrews 8:10-11 Further, this process varies greatly for everyone. It’s a journey and not instant. You may have many ah-ha moments, but the process of building a framework of truth takes time in abiding in the Bible being taught by the Holy Spirit and Him working out those truths in you and your life.

Love

Finally, Jesus Christ reconciled us back to God, so now we can abide in His presence. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Because God is love, when we draw near His love starts filling our lives. Like our earthly relationships, when we cultivate a relationship with God, the fruit is love.

Many professing believers neglect to partake in the second and third phases. They understand the purifying done by Christ, but neglect the latter two – abiding in the truth so that framework can be built and cultivating a relationship with God so that His presence, especially His love will reign in their lives. This is why many operate in their self-will and not in accordance to one who is abiding in truth and love.

I think this negligence is why many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14. Christ died for all people. Christ died that all may be saved. But few move onto walking in the purpose of His tremendous gift.

Look at the list you made at the beginning. Do you spend time abiding in the truth to gain a soul lined with truth? Do you nurture your individual relationship with God like you would do with a spouse (remember He calls us His bride)? This is how the temple is built.

Many people spend incredible amounts of time building up their earthly habitations whether homes, careers, health, families, and relationships and neglect the principle thing – their soul. It’s the one aspect that matters and affects all else, and if they neglect it, the rest greatly suffers as Haggai instructs us.

Haggai 1:6- 7 You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!

God says seek FIRST the kingdom of God, Him within you, and His righteousness and all else will be added unto you (the physical necessities of life). Matthew 6:33 Many people attend to the physical first, thus lose out on both. If you attend to the spiritual, then both will prosper. It’s God’s law of how He created this life.

Now you see why building the temple is to be the priority. Your belief systems affect EVERYTHING. If you change those, everything changes.

Each one of us is to do our own building of our part of the temple, our soul. No one can do it for us. We can support each other in the building process (which is very important and it’s part of building the temple as well because we are all conncted), but no one can actually do the building for us.

Restructure your list to make building the temple the first priority. Yes we have to work, attend to our families and health, but those should come second, because when you attend to the main thing the rest follows as it should. I’ve tested it out by taking on this promise 10 years ago. My life has proven it true in every way. It isn’t instant by any means because building truth and cultivating a real relationship with God isn’t easy in a world of lies, but it’s the path.

Now you see why this life isn’t just about being comfortable. God has a much greater mission of preparing His eternal dwelling.


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Finding Your Purpose Through Unity with God

Blog Talk Radio: Finding Your Purpose Through Unity With God


A new PODCAST (click above link to listen) is available on how you find your purpose/calling by drawing near to God in truth and spirit.

Overview: Most all of us long to have a sense of purpose that is beyond just eating, sleeping, and working day in and day out. For some of us, this unfulfilled aspect has plagued our lives sending us into places of darkness and despair. In this show I share my personal struggle and journey. I talk about our purpose and how it is found in a relationship with God because we were created to be in unity with Him. Apart from Him we will remain unfulfilled and ever searching. Though the world offers glimmers of hope in this area, only in God is it found to its fullness as we desire and God desires for us.


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The Journey of Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose

The Journey of Fulfilling

Your Unique Purpose

This post is written in more of an outline/bullet style. I wanted to document the journy as I’m discovering it . . .

We are born into this world at a certain place and time, and with a unique identity to fulfill purposes designed by our Creator, God. Those purposes can only be manifested through the union of us and God. Along with those purposes are corresponding desires that motivate us to fulfill those purposes – otherwise we would never move forward!

However, we are born separated from God, not in union. Therefore, we act from a place of our judgment and not His; a mindset represented by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We think we can judge what is good and right for our lives, though we haven’t a clue.

In this place of separation, we don’t understand what a connection with God entails; the beauty, life, freedom and purpose because we’ve never experienced it.

Therefore, we pursue a life trying to fulfill our deepest desires based on our ill-judgment. Outside God’s wisdom, we make destructive choices. Death grows in us, because God is life and only by being connected to Him do we have life. In all our pursuits, we are left hungering and unsatisfied, because we will never achieve the fullness of our desires and purposes apart from God for it’s not how they are designed.

At a certain point, our spirits are awakened to a call to be united to God in truth and spirit. At the discovery and stepping onto the new path we are ecstatic for so many roads have been dead ends. Something within tells us this is the way to fulfilling our deepest hungers – freedom, deliverance, truth, love, purpose and abundance.

The discovery of this path is understanding God calls us to come into union with Him by being reconciled through Jesus Christ. We come to an awareness that reconciliation with Him is not only eternal life but also the only way to true life on earth. It’s exhilarating.

However, this union requires that we give God Lordship; sovereignty over our lives. This Lordship includes letting go of our judgments and thus how we’ve been operating and thinking since birth. It requires us to let go of all that we have trusted and instead trust Him, which proves to be very difficult. Those areas of trust, though wrong, were our hope for attaining our desires. We feel we are giving up our desires. We aren’t. God gave us those desires. We are giving up our way of obtaining them. John 12:25

It’s here that many stop. They can’t let go and give up their self-will. They feel they have to give up too much, when in reality it’s only by letting go that they received what they’ve always wanted. The path is narrow. There is only one way, God’s way. Matthew 7:14

Others think they can learn principles of this path, and then forge ahead. But this process doesn’t foster the unity with God that they were designed to flourish in. With their “new principles”, they remain in control continuing to work according to their own strength. They aren’t relying, trusting and growing in God’s power working in them.

Others continue to move forward following the small light (the Word) in front of them, not sure of the next step until it is made. It’s nerve racking, but they step into the unknown. Realizing God’s ways aren’t their ways. They’ve embraced the tools given to them – the Word of God and prayer. By abiding in the Word of God they learn who God is, who they are in Him, and the dynamics of their relationship. They start developing an intimate connection.

From the knowledge gained in diligently seeking God, trust blossoms. They begin to trust in God’s Word and work in their lives and not what they think is right. The transition is occurring from walking according to their will to God’s spirit. They are letting go a little at a time, and finding it is the secret to moving forward on the path of life. Matthew 6:33, Psalm 37:3-5

Their path takes them through a wilderness, where they are stripped of all that they trust so that their trust can only be fully in God. This stripping comes by trials where the objects of their trust are removed or challenged. Only when they put those idols of trust aside, can they be united to God; a union in which He is the sovereign voice. This journey in the wilderness can be long and hard because it’s difficult to break the trust in other entities. 1 Peter 5:10 1 Peter 1:6-7 Philippians 4:19

In the wilderness, many, whose relationship is weak due to lack of truly knowing God thus in trusting Him, turn back to their old ways. The hardships and trials cause them to go back to what they trusted before.

For those who persist through the wilderness, when their spirit comes to a place of true surrender, then they are ready for the fullness of their purpose, desires and life to come. Their heart is in the right condition to receive what God has for them and to become who God intended them to be. It’s no longer about their works, but God working in and through them in a much greater power. A relationship is established between them and God, which none can separate. They are rightly related to God. God is first in their lives. His will prevails. His power flows freely. They enter into abundant life, as God has ordained for each one according to how they are created and the purposes they were created for. The fulfillment of their deepest desires start to bloom in and all around them.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Is it a road to Utopia? Not in the sense we might think. At times it doesn’t feel like it, especially through the wilderness, but yes it is. Only God can truly fulfill us, for He created us.
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