Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

Are You Fulfilling God’s Purpose?

 

What occupies your mind when responsibilities don’t demand your attention? Take time to consider it. Your idle thoughts could tell you a lot.  Image result for image of someone thinking

Fears dominate many people’s thoughts. The news offers fuel for fearful thoughts, such as the disunity in the country. Some are concerned about their safety because ISIS might attack or war could break out. Those recently ravaged by violent weather, fire, or earthquake are likely questioning their future and how they’ll rebuild.

On a more personal level, we could be concerned about family, health, or finances. Or maybe our minds are filled with dreams of a special someone, about how to acquire the next thing on our wish list, or about a fantasy vacation.

The nature of our thoughts is a mirror into our hearts. Are we trusting, or fearful? Accepting, or judgmental? Joyful, contented, or angry? Hopeful, discouraged, or despondent? Loving, or guarded—or hateful? Other-focused, or self-centered and self-serving? I could add more, but you get the idea.

What do your thoughts say about who you are? What do they reveal about your priorities in life? Your level of trust in God?

I was led down this path by Haggai’s words, “Consider your ways” (Hag. 1:5, 7). Haggai was writing to the children of God who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. It had been destroyed when they were taken into captivity. Those who returned to rebuild were probably people with high dreams, a strong sense of purpose, and a commitment to re-establish God’s place in the center of Jewish life.

However, they became distracted from their goal by the overwhelming task, opposition,and the affairs of daily life. Sixteen years after returning, their dream of a restored temple had faded. Their personal affairs had become priority in their lives. Haggai’s words indicate that their own desires had become of greater importance than serving God.

Consequently, God was no longer blessing their efforts. He said, “’You looked for much, but indeed it came to little, and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to your own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the fruit and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought . . .’” (Hag. 1:9-11a).

The Lord was opposing His errant children. Hs word to them was, “Consider your ways.”

It only took sixteen years for a select committed group to forget their calling and to be all about themselves. I doubt that any of them made a conscious decision to put aside the task God gave them. In a fallen world, it just happens.

We live in a fallen world too. Consequently, we need to stop and make time to intentionally consider our ways. Are we doing what the Lord sent us to do?

After further examples of how the Lord was withholding blessings, God told His children to be strong and work, “for I am with you. According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Hag. 2:4b-5).

The Lord is faithful. He desires to bless us. It is we who stray from our calling and purpose. When we do, the Lord withholds His blessings.

If you feel like hard work is for naught, like your yield is being blown away (personally or corporately), stop and consider your ways.

When asked a convicting question, it’s easy to quickly give the “right” or expected answer, thus deceiving ourselves. We can double check our answer by observing what we think about when our attention isn’t demanded elsewhere.

Another way is to consider where we spend our free time–and our free money. What is important enough to us that we make time for it? How available are we to serve those in need who are outside our family?

In short, are we doing what God has called us to do?

When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), He will meet our needs. He will be our protection, provision, comfort, love, security, belonging, fulfillment, reward, . . ..”

That doesn’t mean life will always be easy. As the Israelites walked through the desert and got hungry and thirsty, God said it was a test. He tested them to help their faith grow as they saw their God provide. Sadly, it seems they never learned.

The early church was persecuted. Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked, but through it all, the Lord was glorified because Paul’s faith never wavered. He knew he was in the Lord’s hands and he rejoiced and gave testimony to God’s goodness throughout the hardships.

Whatever situation we’re in, we need to consider our ways and seek the Lord so we can cooperate with His purposes. Only then will we have grace for the moment. Only then will He be glorified through us.

 

 

Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

Why dImage result for images of empty crossid Jesus come to earth?

Seriously, answer the question before you read further. What do you think was His primary purpose for coming to earth?

Did you answer, “To die on the cross and save us from our sin?”

That’s what most people who follow Jesus say. It’s true that He came to save us from our sins. It’s His desire that all mankind believe and be saved. We have new life because of Him.

However, this week the Lord gave me new understanding about His purpose for coming to earth. Consequently, I’m convicted.

Just before being arrested, on His way to the cross. Jesus spent intimate time with His disciples. He truths to encourage and strengthen them for the coming crisis of His crucifixion and departure from them.

He then turned His eyes toward heaven and spoke to His Father saying, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You” (John 17:1).

Jesus then mentioned our salvation, “as You have given Him (the Son, Jesus) authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him, and this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:2-3).

He then immediately returns to the topic of glorifying the Father and links it to having completed His assignment on earth. “I have glorified You on the earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

Jesus came to glorify His Father. To glorify means to magnify, praise, honor, or celeImage result for image of a spotlightbrate. Jesus shined a spotlight on His Father so we would see—and hopefully also celebrate Him. Jesus asked to be glorified so He could glorify His Father more.

Jesus’ work included dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins, but His ultimate purpose was to glorify His Father. Indeed, His birth is highlighted every year at Christmas. He also brought glory to His Father by living a sinless life as a man in the midst of a sinful society. His obedience to His Father, love and compassion for sinless people, the power evident in miracles, and the authority in His words all brought glory to His Father.

Jesus’ whole life pointed to His Father. Through Him we know the Father because His love, character, authority, and power were manifested and recorded through the life of Jesus.

Yes, He came to save us from our sins, but I no longer believe that was His primary purpose. Jesus came that we might know His Father, know that He came from the God, and believe in Him and the Father. These themes are repeated over and over through the book of John.

After speaking of glorifying His Father on earth, Jesus said, “I have glorified You on the earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” John 17:4).

Our belief that the primary purpose of Jesus’ time on earth is so that we can be saved is an indication that we believe in a man-centered, or self-centered gospel.

But, it’s not about me, or about what I get out of it. Life in Christ is about Him. And His Father. About God—the three in one. The Spirit points us to Jesus. Jesus points to the Father.

Jesus is Father-centered.  He came to introduce us to the Father. He died and took our sins upon Himself so that we might know and fellowship with a holy God. Indeed, so that through Jesus Christ, we might be one with Him. If we follow in His footsteps, we will be Father-centered too.

If our focus is on glorifying God, we will be more aware of His love for us, more confident in His care, protection, and provision, more certain that He is working His purposes out through trials and tribulation, and more abundantly blessed with His grace to walk through the tough times.

If our goal is to glorify the Father, rather than saving ourselves, it should not be difficult to rejoice in all things and to count it all joy when we encounter various trials. After all, we will be confident that our sovereign God is at work and will rejoice that our trial is for His glory.

The first question of the Westminster shorter catechism is, “What is the chief end of man?” In other words, what are we created for?

The answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”

For years, I wondered, “How can I, whose righteousness is like a filthy rag (Is. 64:6), have any glory to give a omnipotent, holy God? Nothing I can do will add to Him!”

But I was wrong. Through obedience, Jesus glorified His Father. If I obey Him, He can be glorified through me too. As I take up my cross daily (Lu. 9:23)and surrender to Him (John 10:17-18).  He will more freely work in and through Me, and thus will more clearly shine forth from me.

I cannot glorify God, because I have nothing to offer. Nothing but me. However, as I surrender myself–my Me–to the Lord, He can bring glory to Himself through me. That, to me, is amazing.

But that’s what Jesus called us to. He told the Father, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world (Jn. 17:18). He sent us into the world to shine the light on God, so the world will come to know Him and will believe.

The world desperately needs to see and know our God.

Paul said, “Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31b).

Lord, help us lay aside our self-serving beliefs and embrace and maintain a goal of glorifying You through our lives. May you receive all glory, honor, and praise so the world will know you.