Day 1

Nicodemus comes to Jesus with the above statement. He wasn't necessary a believer at the time he came, but he recognized that there was something about Jesus that could not be denied. Jesus had come from God. He knew this by what he had observed.

You are about to enter a 40 day journey over 8 weeks to discover "Purpose" in your life. Not just any kind of "Purpose" but God's "Purpose" for YOUR life. Much like Nicodemus, we see something in Jesus that is different than any other teacher. You must sense this also or you would not be in this study.

Jesus responds to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3) "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5) Being born again, of water and the Spirit is Jesus answer to Nicodemus on what it means to have "Purpose". It all starts here, it all starts with God. In Baptism, God who comes to us, and only in God coming to us, do we find "Purpose". It's not about me!!!

Dear Lord, help me look to you, and only you, over these next days to discover YOUR purpose in my life. I am tired of trying to discover this in myself or by myself, and going no where. Help me to trust YOU in this journey - and listen to you in your WORD. Grant me YOU'RE Spirit to help me understand. Amen

Point to Ponder: It's NOT about me.

Verse to Remember: "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

Day 2

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Why must we start with God? Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…" Everything we know begins with the Lord. There is monumental wisdom in this verse but more than likely many of you are thinking like I did at first: "I know this already: we must turn to God. We've been told that all of our lives; this is nothing new." So let's get more practical.

Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose. Why? Because you can't focus on you without being selfish. We're human; this is a flaw inherent to us.(called original sin or the Old Adam) Think about these two ideas:

You didn't create yourself, so how could you know what you are created for.
Nothing, no invention, has ever been created without a purpose.

We are no different. Stop where you are and look around; try to find a purpose-less invention (I didn't say useless…there is a difference).

There are a lot of reasons why we do the things we do, act the way we act and strive for the things we strive for. Most have selfish motives. More than likely God's purpose will be against some or all of these. When the time comes our best judgments will be blinded by our ambitions; clear thinking is compromised. Therefore we must rely on someone stronger than ourselves - God. God is not biased, does not have ambitions, and will never let us down. "We were born by His purpose and for His purpose." He is our Father and Creator and we should look to Him for guidance.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Dear Lord, help me look to you, and only you, over these next days to discover YOUR purpose in my life. I am tired of trying to discover this in myself or by myself, and going no where. Help me to trust YOU in this journey - and listen to you in your WORD. Grant me YOUR Spirit to help me understand. Amen

For those Signed up for the 40 day Journey - Purpose Driven Life:

Point to Ponder: I am not an accident.

Verse to Remember: This is what the LORD says - he who made you, who formed you in the womb, who will help you. Isaiah 44:2

Questions to reflect and respond to:

1. What do you think of people who constantly focus on themselves? Do you think this is against God's character?
   
2. What happens when you use something against its intended purpose?
   

Day 3

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Maybe you're thinking to yourself, "I don't know what drives me? I don't seem to have a purpose or passion in my life? I would like to have a bigger cause to commit to - a purpose and passion that would drive me!" The Apostle Paul had purpose and passion. He had a purpose that filled him with boldness and joy - not just for a day, a week, a year, but a lifetime! In fact he saw everything was a loss compared to his purpose and passion.

Paul was in a race. For him the race was one of being wholly conformed to Christ Jesus. Like an Olympic athlete, Paul made sure that nothing would hinder him in the race: not past sins, hurts or mistakes nor past achievements and accomplishments, nothing would detract him from finishing the race of being like Jesus.

For Paul, the goal of the race was to know Christ fully. Remember what he said earlier: "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

For Paul, the prize was to be completely like Christ in word and deed.

Paul's purpose? To be like Christ Jesus. Paul's passion? To be like Christ Jesus. What drives your life? What's your passion? What's your purpose? Paul was not driven to have his many accomplishments remembered but to know and become like his master. Paul was preparing for eternity with Christ Jesus - that was his passion. What drives your life? What's your passion?

What so many followers of Jesus forget is that we are called to a new purpose when Jesus Christ takes up residence in our lives. We are called to a new passion and given a new 'fire'. Is your drive alive?

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Purpose and Passion) Romans 8:6

Dear Lord, I want your purpose and passion in my life. Transform me into your image, to be used by you in all that I do. Reveal that purpose to me through your word these next days. Amen

Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.

Verse to Remember: You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)

Questions to reflect and respond to:

1. What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life?
   
2. Describe a person you know who has purpose and passion.
   

Day 4

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

And there's a reason for that - GOD CREATED US TO LIVE FOREVER!

There are a lot of people in this world who would say that this life is all there is, and when it's over, -it's over! An elderly friend of mine has some friends who were telling him that they bought a cemetery plot on top of a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. They said they bought it because they loved the view. Think about what they're saying! For them, this life is all there is, and there's nothing more to look forward to. So they want a gravesite with a view. To me, that kind of thinking is the height of absurdity.

You were designed for God's purpose. But His purpose is bigger than anything you'll ever experience here on earth. His purpose for you reaches beyond this life into the ages of eternity yet to come. Yet this life is where it all begins. This is the dress rehearsal for the real production yet to come. The decisions we make now in this life will impact how we will spend eternity. The way we live our life now will impact how we will spend eternity. We read in 1 John 2:17 that "the world is passing away…but the one who does the will of God abides forever." We can live for the things of this life that are transient and temporary, or we can live for the things that are permanent and last forever. If someone gave me a really great price on a new house because it was slated for demolition so that the state could put in a new highway, that house wouldn't be much of a bargain would it? Who would want to invest their life in something that is doomed for destruction? Yet, that's exactly what we do when we live for the things of this life.

When we truly begin to understand that this life is the dress rehearsal for the real production - when we truly begin to understand that this life is transient and temporary, but eternity is permanent and forever - it gives new meaning to the words of Jesus when He says in Matt. 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…" [NKJV] It gives new meaning to the words of Jesus when He says in Matt. 6:20, "…Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal." It's time for all of us to put God first in our life, to commit our life to fulfilling the purpose that He's designed us for, and to make our life count for eternity. Because of God's love - we are saved by God's grace, not by works - but for works!

Dear Lord, help me not be consumed with the day to day details and issues in life that I miss seeing the bigger picture, the eternal picture. Help me build on the foundation that will last - You and Your word, and for the home that is eternal. Amen

Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.

Verse to Remember: This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17 (NLT)

Question to reflect and respond to:

• Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?
  

Day 5

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

"Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment." Rick Warren

Although God tests us (His word says that), one has to be careful in understanding life as a test. Such a view could bring us too close to the common misconception that God is a cruel puppeteer who makes us jump through hoops, or a game master who manipulates us like pawns on a chessboard. And He is not like that!

If one thinks that all of life is a test would imply that God put us on this earth to undergo some sort of obstacle/endurance course, with those who perform well getting to spend eternity with Him in heaven as a reward - and the better you perform the more you will get in heaven. HEAVEN IS OUR REWARD - by God's grace - not our merit.

To think that all of life is a test can lead to a very performance-oriented kind of perspective, and a very humanistic, self-centered one. It puts the spotlight firmly on ourselves, focusing on how WE respond to the "tests", what WE choose to do, how WE decide to behave. It cuts God out of the picture. And life on earth is not all about US - it's all about God! Always all about Him!

God doesn't sit on a throne in heaven, scrutinizing our every move, awarding marks for performance. No, He's actively involved in our lives, in our hearts, in our every moment. He's constantly speaking to us, His Holy Spirit guiding us with His voice and His Word.

How can life be a test? If all of life were a test, we'd be disqualified for having God with us, an ever-present help in times of need! (Psalm 46:1) How can life be about performing, and performing well, when God keeps on intervening in our lives? And without God with us - we would fail ALL tests. It's not about US, it's all about HIM!

Yes, I know the Bible mentions words like "testing" and "trials" countless times, and I believe these are ordained by God to develop our character ("Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" - Romans 5:3-4). While life encompasses the occasional test, I believe life is primarily a journey with God. A journey of PURPOSE, a journey of knowing and being like the Master, Jesus.

We are called to walk with Him while on this earth and "let your light shine before men" (Matthew 5:16). We are called to a relationship with Him as our Father.
And one thing is also sure: there is an eternity! We know this to be true because of the time Jesus Himself invested in teaching about the kingdoms of both Heaven, and Hell. There is a statistic... one out of every one...dies. There is coming a day when each and every one of us will bow, and our tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And following that profession of truth, there will be Judgment.

"Death is the most powerful and effective preacher the children of this world have. Though they avoid all churches and despise all preachers of God's Word, yet one preacher - death - they are compelled to hear. His church is the earth, his pulpit the deathbed, the casket, the hearse, the grave, and the cemetery. With a heart-rending voice He cries out, 'O man, it is appointed for you to die; you have no continuing city in this world, this earth is not your home, this life does not finish your course; in an hour unknown to you, you will have to leave this world with all its treasures."

Gracious Father, help me to see life from Your point of view. Please help me today to live a life that surrenders to you, that has your character, and to recognize that You own everything and everyone. Remind me to hold things loosely and use them for Your purposes. Amen

(Some of you have informed us that you have not received the daily devotion. Most of you have AOL accounts. Apparently AOL is blocking our e-mail as spam (while porn still arrives). We are looking into it and will let you know what can be done)

Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.

Verse to Remember: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." Luke 16:10 (NLT)

Question to reflect and respond to:

1. What has happened this past week that God was using to build my character?
2. How have I used what God has entrusted (not given) to me?

Day 6

Life Is a Temporary Assignment

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life. Newspapers and magazines are full of people looking for meaning in their lives. Unsolicited emails, spam, offer meaning through today's gods of money and sex. People rush to try the latest ways to find meaning - Feng Shui, crystals, horoscopes, tarot cards - yet what a damning indictment of our witness in society it is that they never think about Christ or the church. CHRIST IS OUR MEANING - "All things were created by him and for him" Col 1:16.

Knowing your purpose makes life simpler. Life today seems to consist of juggling yet more balls in the air - you throw one up and another is crashing to the floor, you rush to catch it and another three seem to fall at the same time. Yet God doesn't want us to be inept circus performers - he wants us to walk with him. It's impossible to juggle all the balls people expect you to. Knowing your purpose gives you a clear basis on which to decide which balls to catch and throw again, and which to let drop. Just ask "Does this ball - this activity, help me fulfill my purpose?" If not, let it drop, if God wants it done, someone else will pick it up and juggle with it.

Knowing your purpose focuses your life - it is much easier to juggle well with two balls than half a dozen. Stopping desperate catches to maintain the juggle allows you to concentrate on two or three, and juggle them well!

Knowing your purpose motivates your life. Having meaning gives you something to get out of bed for! Having an inspiring boss or team of co-workers in the office encourages better work, motivates you to try harder, to excel. Knowing your purpose motivates you - you have something to work towards, and you are working towards it WITH God. You are a co-worker with God, in his office, on his team, doing his work.

Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Paul tells the Romans, "we will ALL stand before God's judgment seat ... EACH of us will give an account of himself to God" Romans 14:10,12 Meeting budget targets at work, having a spotless, beautiful house, driving a luxury car, will not feature near the top of God's to-do list. Throughout the Bible we are reminded that life is a temporary assignment. We are reminded that we are foreigners, strangers in a strange land. We WILL be called home and we WILL have to give account - what you do with Jesus in this temporary life will determine that account, or should I say what you allow Jesus to do with you! Did you gain temporary wealth, temporary success? C. S. Lewis wrote "All that is not eternal is eternally useless" God will show you the way to eternal wealth, things that are eternally useful. God will show you your purpose, he will guide, he has already been guiding you to it. All you have to do is ask.

Gracious Father, help me see the shortness of my time here and use it as you would will me to live, with Purpose, with YOUR purpose. Reveal this to me by your word. Amen

Point to Ponder: The World is not my home.

Verse to Remember: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Question to reflect and respond to:

How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

Day 7

The Reason for Everything

He leads me in paths of righteousness. . . for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3

The 23rd Psalm is one of the most beloved portions of Scripture for many Christians. But there is a phrase used by the psalmist that I think goes relatively unnoticed, and it leads us to a truth of enormous significance. "He leads me in paths of righteousness. . . for His name's sake." And in that last phrase, we get the reason for all that God does: God. God is the reason for everything. God is the reason for all that God does. God is the reason for all that God asks. And God is the reward for all that God promises. In short, it's all about God. The Bible starts this way: "In the beginning, God..."

In Ezekiel 36 God emphatically states, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name." In Isaiah, God says that He defers His anger for His name's sake.
When God gives the law, time and again He gives the mandate and then the reason: "I am the Lord." He can ask what He asks and demand what He demands simply on the basis of who and what He is!
God is the chief good and the highest end. Therefore He could act for no other reason than Himself. God would always have to have the ultimate end in mind in everything that He does; but what is higher in virtue, what is higher in excellency, what is more lovely, what is higher in pre-eminence than God Himself? God must always act with Himself and His glory as His chief end. To do anything for any lesser reason would be to deny Himself, which He cannot and will not do.

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Because that is the chief end of God! God always seeks His own glory above all other considerations, and He enjoys Himself infinitely. Therefore, so must we. When Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whatever we do we are to do all for the glory of God, he is simply making a logical statement. Since God does all that He does for His own glory, then we are to imitate Him by doing all that we do for His glory.

So many issues among us would be resolved quickly if we realized first that it's all about God. Worship is for God, not for us. We are here to please Him, He is not here to please us. God knows His place, it's time that we learned ours.

Gracious Father, help me to see that everything centers on you and not me. Help me view worship as how I live my life in purpose to you. Amen

Point to Ponder: It's all for Him

Verse to Remember: For Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory. Romans 11:36

Question to reflect and respond to:

1. Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's Glory?
2. Everything we do can become an act of worship to God. How does this view change what you have assumed worship to be in the past?