Deriving at Purpose

Mark 1:38

38But He said to them, "Let us go into the next town, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."

Jesus took time away from the crowd to spend time in prayer with our Heavenly Father. All the disciples were looking for Him wondering where He went and why. And when Jesus responded He told them where they were going next and explained His purpose.

Now if you believe Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life, then you believe Him to be your example of how you ought to live. Two things are happening here. 1) Jesus spent time in prayer with our Heavenly Father and  2) this is the way He derived at His purpose. So basically, the ONLY way you will derive at your true purpose in life is to spend more time with God the Father as Jesus did. And when He reveals it to you, you are then to go forth just as Jesus did. Here's the deal. Jesus was alone when He understood. He was not with the crowds of people and His purpose was not derived at through the acquiring of external things. Your purpose can ONLY come from God. So if you do not understand why you are here and what you are to be doing with your life, then there is only ONE way for you to discover it and that means getting closer to God. It is through faith that one finds purpose.

What is scary right now is that in the last week or so there have been three people under the age of 30 who have taken their lives and yet they appeared to have everything and be the sweetest people. No, all of the facts are not known but one thing is known, when you understand why God placed you here and you are moving forth in it, you have a new level of motivation, a new drive and you will not let anyone or situation stand in the way of you accomplishing why God placed you here on this earth. Outside of giving God praise, which is the common purpose we all share, you have one that is unique to you. Those who don't understand their purpose may nag at you because you are not going in the same direction they are. But when God reveals the purpose for your life, then it will not matter what everyone else is doing.

There is nothing wrong with having things but if you have been searching to find your purpose through the acquiring of external things then you are missing it. Because that is NOT where your purpose can be found and the devil is a liar!! As said in His word, God will bless you with things so you can give Him praise and also bless others but do not mistake acquiring them as your purpose in life. Deriving at your purpose will ONLY COME when you GO BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD.

A Time for Every Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

1To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

 

King Solomon was full of wisdom and this book along with Proverbs contains very valuable lessons on how to view life, walk in life and how to see others.

 

Many of us have seen antidotes on seasons and how it relates to people in your life but what about how they are related to purpose? If you break down how God has used the seasons then you know that he uses winter to take away the germs, animals go into hibernation and to some degree so do people. He gives the grass and flowers a time to rest. Spring is when the flowers and trees come alive again. Animals awaken from their slumber and people begin to venture out. Some people even begin working their gardens. We get a lot of rain in the spring to rejuvenate the soil. Summer comes and the sun beams brighter than any other time of the year and washes out the rain. And then comes the fall. The trees change colors before they loose their leaves, the nights become cooler and the sound of crickets echo louder than ever. A season as a noun is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as natural season, appropriate time from the Latin word sation- satio which means action of sowing, 1) refers to division of year 2) a period of time associated with a particular activity, event or holiday

 

How does all this relate to purpose? Everyone has a purpose but not every purpose comes to full bloom until its time. Purposes are birthed in different seasons for different people. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines purpose as an object or resolution aimed at: intention 2) resolution, determination. The second use: to propose as an aim to oneself.

So a particular time of year associated with a particular activity for a specific intent or aim. God does not see time the same way we do. Our finite minds cannot comprehend for the Word says in Isaiah 55 that His ways are not our ways. But know this, every season has a beginning and an end. Every purpose has birthing and when it is complete it ends. Everything in your life God will use for His purpose at His appointed time. You are here for an appointed time for a specific intention. No one knows but God what season you are in. So it would be wise just as King Solomon notes to understand and inquire from God your purpose and season.

His Plan

Psalm 33:11

11But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33 is a written praise to God recognizing not only His goodness but also His authority over everything. His plan was to create a world. He spoke it and it is still standing. Many have plans but as verse 10 points out, God foil those plans. God's plan always last!! No one has authority over Him. Even the devil has to get permission to dabble. And God only allows him to do so to prove exactly what the enemy wants to disprove, that God has the final say on ALL things and what HE plans no one can thwart. There may be a delay but as the word says, the plan of the Lord stands firm. Did God show you a plan? Did God say it is to be? Then know that's the plan.Anything else isn't firm no matter what. When God speaks, it's better than E.F. Hutton.

A Favorable Outcome

Luke 22:32

32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Before Jesus was arrested He warned Simon Peter that Satan "asked" to test him. Just as Satan asked God if he could "test" Job, so he did the same with Simon Peter. OH BUT GOD! God had his fail proof plan in place! His fail proof plan was Jesus! Jesus had already interceded on Simon Peter's behalf. For He said, "And when you have turned back", as indication that Simon Peter would stumble a little but he would not be hopeless. And after Simon Peter's test, his instructions were clear, strengthen the others.

Do you know that because God loves you, thinks the world of you and has plans for you, you are an enemy to Satan? You are an enemy to Satan because you seek to honor God with your life. So what is Satan's motive? His motive is to prove that you are not who you claim to be to God. His motive is to also take your future. How so? With a test. The purpose of the test is to show that you don't deserve whatever it is God has waiting for you. But the devil is a liar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that's why God allows you to be tested. God's purpose is to show that you ARE who He says you are. God's purpose is to show that your faith is stronger than what the devil can see! And when you have turned back, your instructions are clear, strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let them know that just because they're in the test, doesn't mean they are doomed to fail. God believes enough in you that He sent Jesus to intercede on your behalf and believes in you so He expects and sees a favorable outcome.

P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveoneone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!

Put in the Work

Proverbs 22:13

13The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

King Solomon coined the excuses of the sluggard or those who do not wish to put in the work. The excuses or distractions are often because the sluggard does not wish to rise to the occasion. Yet, they desire to have it all. You can not have the blessings at the table if you are unwilling to walk to the table. Put in the work. Yes, there are legitimate reasons when there really is a problem. But if one is creating a problem to keep from putting in the work then there is another situation. The sluggard wants to be spoon fed like a baby. But God is not interested in us staying babies forever. He desires soldiers and workmen and women to go forth in the earth and be His hands and feet. You can not be hands and feet if you are not willing to move them. But what if you don't want to be His hands and feet you say? That is your choice. But the greatest reward is when one has purpose. Not being His hands and feet will not lead you to your purpose and fulfillment. Put in the work. Putting in the work also means you can reap the harvest at God's appointed time. No matter what the work is, God will honor it as you honor where He has placed you and what He has given charge for you to do. Put in the work.