July 3, 2017

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS


Each of us were meant to make a difference in the lives of others. This includes the people with whom we interact with on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. You see God meant for each of us to live a life of divine purpose. Our greatest purpose in life is to share in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. His ministry (lived through us) is not just for those who have a church position, a seminary degree or a license to preach. Ministry is for all of us. It is about fulfilling the specific mission God decreed over our lives even before we drew our first breath.

Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

I believe that David's declaration about "the days written about us" specifically includes us making a difference in the lives of others. What will the Lord be interested in when we stand before Him? Will He be concerned with how many degrees we obtained? Or, how much money we made? Or, how many businesses we ran? I think not! When our works are thrust into the fire of His Presence, all that will endure is what we accomplished for Him! To accomplish His will for our lives, we must grasp the importance of His manifested Presence ministering from and through our lives! It is the overflow from His glory that ministers best to those around us. His Presence flowing from us enables others to be touched, healed and changed!

It is important that each of us learn and embrace these five statements concerning our purpose in life.

1. We all have been given a purpose and destiny that includes making a difference in the lives of others.

2. We are most fulfilled when we are fulfilling our purpose and moving toward our destiny.

3. Not everyone uncovers or realizes their God-given purpose. We must be diligent (this is the reward of those who diligently seek the Lord) in our process and progress.

4. Our purpose will be revealed as we embrace and enjoy God's personal design for our lives. Our purpose is not found in the opinions of others (no matter how well intentioned).

5. We will be held accountable concerning our obedience to the purpose to which God has called us.

Remember: The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

In the Bible we see at least four different ways God revealed a person's purpose in life.  This purpose is usually realized as:

1. A DIVINE LIGHTNING BOLT OUT OF NOWHERE.  Example: the Apostle Paul. God revealed his purpose and destiny in a moment of time on the Damascus Road. It came by a supernatural event and was instantly clear. Paul remembered this moment the rest of his life.

2. WE WALK THROUGH THE DOORS THAT ARE OPEN BEFORE US. (Example: Queen Esther). God revealed her purpose and destiny by ordering her steps. the Lord began by opening the door for Esther to become Queen. He then took something bad (Haman's plan to destroy the Jews) and turned it into something wonderful. Esther learned her purpose by moving ahead step by step. Greater understanding was given to her as she embraced each new opportunity.

3. THE DIVINE CALL TO MINISTRY FROM BIRTH: (Example: Jeremiah). God revealed early in Jeremiah's life his purpose, call, ministry and destiny. Jeremiah 1:4-7 says, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." Jeremiah was moved toward his destiny even from before his birth (as was John the Baptist) and his ministry was set in motion in a divine manner.

4. GROWING AWARENESS: (Example: Joseph). God reveals purpose and destiny for many people in a general sense. As we move toward our purpose in life, He provides the details. The idea of such comes from the Greek word: kaleo. The word is used chiefly in the writings of the Apostle Paul (though the idea and term are found also elsewhere). George Henry writes that Paul realized "the invitation given to men by God to accept salvation in His kingdom through Jesus Christ. This invitation is given generally and outwardly by the preaching of the gospel, inwardly by the work of the Holy Spirit. With reference to Israel, it is on the part of God irrevocable, not repented of. Having in His eternal counsel called this people, He entrusted them with great gifts, and because He did thus enrich them, He also, in the course of time, summoned them to fulfill the task of initiating the world into the way of salvation, and of preparing salvation for the world."

Paul also wrote that this "high calling" in Christ is made in and from heaven by God on account of Christ (Philippians 3:14). Similarly it is a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1) as well as a holy calling, holy in aim, means, and end (2 Timothy 1:9). Paul told the Ephesians that every Christian is to walk worthy of this calling (Ephesians 4:1) and to be encouraging others to live in such a way that God will count them worthy of their calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

I ask you to consider this…

ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS?

IF NOT, WHEN WILL YOU BEGIN?

IF YOU ARE, ARE YOU ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME?

I encourage you to do your best to make a difference in the lives of others--today and everyday!

I love you,

Robert