HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 277
page A275
in your church, care for your ailing spouse, run a large corporation, feed the hungry, play
professional sports, or volunteer at a shelter. He has given each of us special gifts and
abilities. When we use those abilities to serve him and others, we are answering his call.
In everything God calls us to do, we can be sure he will equip us with the heart, vision,
support, and resources we need to carry out his call in our lives.
How can I know God’s purpose for my life?
• R O MA NS 1 2 :1 -2 | And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies
to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind
he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and
customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way
you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and
perfect.
Discovering God’s purpose for you begins with your whole-hearted commitment to God.
When you give yourself to God, he promises to make his will known to you as you make
yourself available to him.
• PSA L M 4 0 :8 | I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on
my heart.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 1 :2 0 -2 2 | 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. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ.
When you commit yourself to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life, he promises that your
life will be fruitful.
• J O SH U A 1 4 :1 2 | “But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the
Lord said.”
God’s purpose is best verified by God’s presence and God’s participation. When Caleb
realized he was part of God’s purpose to drive out the Canaanites, the strength of his
enemies was no longer an obstacle.
• 1 SA MU E L 1 7 :2 6 | “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the
armies of the living God?”
While others saw a fearsome giant, David saw an opportunity for God’s mighty work, and
his purpose therefore became clear. Don’t let obstacles stop you from discovering the
purpose God has for you.
• 1 C H R O NI C L E S 1 3 :2 -3 | “If you approve and if it is the will of the Lord our God . . . It is
time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it.”
David acted on the promptings God put on his heart, then took things a step at a time as
God opened or closed doors before him.
• NE H E MI A H 2 :1 7 | “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!”
Nehemiah’s passion to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was rooted in understanding what
God wanted for his people. Passionately pursue the process of discovering what God
wants for you and for those you serve.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 1 :2 0 | For I fully expect and hope . . . that I will continue to be bold for
Christ. . . . And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 3 :1 2 | I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first
possessed me.
Paul’s great purpose, whether by life or death, was to win others to Christ. Your purpose
will be something you feel compelled to do regardless of the risks.
HelpFinder
Purpose and meaning in life also start by obeying God, because then you will do what he
wants, which will lead to your accomplishing what he created you to become. The ultimate
goal in life is not to reach the destinations you want but to reach the destinations God
wants for you.
P
• E C C L E S I A S T E S 1 2 :1 3 | Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. (See note on page 595.)