The Purpose Driven Life
I am currently reading the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Here are some of the things I've gotten out of it so far.
Day 3:
What drives your life?
You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. --Isiah 26:3
Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?
"Many people are driven by guilt, resentment and anger, fear, materialism, or the expectations of others. But our goal is to live a life that is guided, controlled, and directed by God's purposes. Nothing matters more than knowing God's purpose for your life."
"We are all products of our past but we don't have to be prisoners of it. God's purpose is not limited by your past. He can turn a murder (Moses) into a leader, a coward (Gideon) into a courageous hero, and he can do amazing things with the rest of your life as well."
There are 5 great benefits of living a purpose-driven life.
- Knowing your purpose gives your life meaning.
- Knowing your purpose simpilifies your life.
- Knowing your purpose focuses your life.
- Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
- Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.
"Everyone wants to be remembered when they're gone. Ultimately, what matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says about you. How will you answer God when he asks, "What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?" and "What did you do with what I gave you?"
"Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgement seat of God. Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God." - Romans 14:10
Here's a prayer that you can say to the Lord:
Father, I don't want my life to be driven by anything but love for You. Help me to center my life on Your plan and purpose for me, and not worry about the expectations of others.
I know that my 1st purpose in life is to worship God. Worship is my response to God's love.
1. It is focusing my attention on God. "Focusing on yourself is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone absorbed in self ignores God, and ends up thinking more about self than God." Romans 8:7
2. Worship is expressing my affection to God. "We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
3. Worhsip is using my abilities for God. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people."
I've realized now that the best gift I can offer to God is to just....love Him back. And that's what I intend to do.