Word for Today, Mon, 04 Apr 2005: Obedient to a Purpose

#1 · April 5, 2005, 6:52 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on April 5, 2005, 6:52 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Word for Today, Mon, 04 Apr 2005: Obedient to a Purpose

Dear friends,

What does God desire of me, from me? Does God desire something
of me? These are some of the questions we ought to be asking
ourselves if we are true followers of God. Our lives matter to
God. We have been redeemed at a great price - the sinless life
of God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Clearly we are loved and we are
important to God. But does God expect anything from us? Yes, He
does. He desires praise from us, He desires that we rely on Him
for everything, He desires that we earnestly seek Him. He also
desires for us to be "ambassadors" for Him, telling others of who
He is and what He has done for us, and why it makes a difference
to us personally.

Those are pretty clear expectations, and they are clearly
mentioned in the Bible for anyone who is faithful enough to read
it.

Larry writes about God's purpose for our lives. Larry challenges
us to think big, and to think beyond the areas in our lives that
we have previously considered.

What might God be asking us to do? I'm constantly asking that
question. Sometimes, though, when we ask, we also ought to be
prepared to wait and listen for the answer. That answer might be
there immediately or it might take time to become clear. I
challenge myself and ask if I am listening or not. I encourage
you to do the same. God may have already spoken.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

____________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

"Dreaming Big & The Prayer of Jabez" Larry Davies

Diane Sawyer, co-anchor for the television program, "Good Morning
America" gave an interview for the 60th anniversary Guidepost
issue and talked about a Junior Miss Competition and meeting
Catherine Marshall, the famous author. Expecting just a last
minute pep talk, they were not prepared for what Catherine had to
say: "You have set goals for yourselves but I don't think you
have set them high enough. I think you should take those goals
and expand them. Think of the most you could do with your lives.
Make what you do matter. Above all, dream big." (Mar 2005)

Diane took her message to heart and has learned to dream big but
what about the rest of us? Will God help us set higher goals and
learn to dream big? Has your church learned to dream big?

"Larry, I have a stressful schedule and work too hard already?
What more can God expect?"

Dreaming big has nothing to do with stress or work habits. Here
is the question: "Do you believe God can do big things through
you and your church? Are you seeking to fulfill God's purpose?"

Several years ago, our church studied "Prayer of Jabez" a book by
Bruce Wilkinson about a virtually unknown Bible character named
Jabez. Bruce found these verses in 1 Chronicles of the Bible:
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory that
Your hand would be with me and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!"

Many lives were changed as our church took the "Prayer of Jabez"
challenge asking God to "enlarge our territory." One example of
God's answer came within a few months when we found ourselves
sharing facilities with a church destroyed by a tornado. The
unique relationship forged between our two congregations, white,
black, Baptist and Methodist created many unique ministry
experiences and resulted in our community building Lawyers Road
Missionary Baptist Church.

I didn't always know Prayer of Jabez but I've prayed many times
for God to enlarge my territory...

1. Years ago while in business, I wanted to do more: I meant
owning my own company but God had other ideas. Within months I
left the business world to become a minister.

2. While going through a divorce, I asked God: Why did you call
me into the ministry only to lose my marriage? God then led me to
form a divorce recovery and singles ministry.

3. When serving three small churches: I asked God for help
reaching more people. Within weeks, I was writing a weekly column
now published in newspapers and the Internet.

4. When bombarded with hundreds of prayer needs on our website,
far more than I could handle... I asked for God's help and formed
a prayer ministry with over 9,000 partners.

5. When praying for a Christmas project, a family called asking
for help providing Christmas for their family. The next year,
"Christmas Parents" provided gifts for over 500 children.

6. Early this year I prayed for another major project for our
church... within weeks I was offered the opportunity to fly to
Sri Lanka and help the town of Kalmunai rebuild.

Catherine Marshall said to Diane Sawyer: "Think of the most you
could do with your lives. Make what you do matter. Above all,
dream big." God can do big things through you and your church.

For thirty days, I challenge you to join me in dreaming big and
ask God to enlarge your territory: "Oh, that You would bless me
indeed and enlarge my territory that Your hand would be with me
and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
Here is what I predict:

1. You will have your life and purpose stretched far beyond
what you ever imagined.

2. Some of you will make radical life changing decisions over
the next few months.

3. Most of you will see a clear example of God working within
your daily life.

4. Your church will become more of a leader and an example
within your community.

5. Your church will take on at least one new special project
through God's leading.

6. Your church will also begin to grow as you continue to make
a difference for God.

Will you join me in "dreaming big" and take the "Prayer of Jabez"
thirty day challenge?

If you respond to the "Prayer of Jabez" thirty day challenge,
please write me either through your newspaper or email me
directly at mailto:LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com

Sowing Seeds of Faith... devotions and world-wide prayer ministry
would not be here without your support but as we expand we also
find a critical need for more help. Consider supporting our
ministry by buying a book or two or offer a contribution directly
to the ministry. If you would like to support our ministry there
are at least four ways you can do so right now:

1. Include Sowing Seeds Ministry in your regular prayers.

2. Sign up for our prayer ministry:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

3. Consider buying our latest book:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

4. Become a ministry partner through either a one-time
contribution or monthly:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the worldu2014like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide
your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's
Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale only through our
website. www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates.
personals.yahoo.com

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

What does God desire of me, from me? Does God desire something
of me? These are some of the questions we ought to be asking
ourselves if we are true followers of God. Our lives matter to
God. We have been redeemed at a great price - the sinless life
of God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Clearly we are loved and we are
important to God. But does God expect anything from us? Yes, He
does. He desires praise from us, He desires that we rely on Him
for everything, He desires that we earnestly seek Him. He also
desires for us to be "ambassadors" for Him, telling others of who
He is and what He has done for us, and why it makes a difference
to us personally.

Those are pretty clear expectations, and they are clearly
mentioned in the Bible for anyone who is faithful enough to read
it.

Larry writes about God's purpose for our lives. Larry challenges
us to think big, and to think beyond the areas in our lives that
we have previously considered.

What might God be asking us to do? I'm constantly asking that
question. Sometimes, though, when we ask, we also ought to be
prepared to wait and listen for the answer. That answer might be
there immediately or it might take time to become clear. I
challenge myself and ask if I am listening or not. I encourage
you to do the same. God may have already spoken.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

____________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

"Dreaming Big & The Prayer of Jabez" Larry Davies

Diane Sawyer, co-anchor for the television program, "Good Morning
America" gave an interview for the 60th anniversary Guidepost
issue and talked about a Junior Miss Competition and meeting
Catherine Marshall, the famous author. Expecting just a last
minute pep talk, they were not prepared for what Catherine had to
say: "You have set goals for yourselves but I don't think you
have set them high enough. I think you should take those goals
and expand them. Think of the most you could do with your lives.
Make what you do matter. Above all, dream big." (Mar 2005)

Diane took her message to heart and has learned to dream big but
what about the rest of us? Will God help us set higher goals and
learn to dream big? Has your church learned to dream big?

"Larry, I have a stressful schedule and work too hard already?
What more can God expect?"

Dreaming big has nothing to do with stress or work habits. Here
is the question: "Do you believe God can do big things through
you and your church? Are you seeking to fulfill God's purpose?"

Several years ago, our church studied "Prayer of Jabez" a book by
Bruce Wilkinson about a virtually unknown Bible character named
Jabez. Bruce found these verses in 1 Chronicles of the Bible:
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory that
Your hand would be with me and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!"

Many lives were changed as our church took the "Prayer of Jabez"
challenge asking God to "enlarge our territory." One example of
God's answer came within a few months when we found ourselves
sharing facilities with a church destroyed by a tornado. The
unique relationship forged between our two congregations, white,
black, Baptist and Methodist created many unique ministry
experiences and resulted in our community building Lawyers Road
Missionary Baptist Church.

I didn't always know Prayer of Jabez but I've prayed many times
for God to enlarge my territory...

1. Years ago while in business, I wanted to do more: I meant
owning my own company but God had other ideas. Within months I
left the business world to become a minister.

2. While going through a divorce, I asked God: Why did you call
me into the ministry only to lose my marriage? God then led me to
form a divorce recovery and singles ministry.

3. When serving three small churches: I asked God for help
reaching more people. Within weeks, I was writing a weekly column
now published in newspapers and the Internet.

4. When bombarded with hundreds of prayer needs on our website,
far more than I could handle... I asked for God's help and formed
a prayer ministry with over 9,000 partners.

5. When praying for a Christmas project, a family called asking
for help providing Christmas for their family. The next year,
"Christmas Parents" provided gifts for over 500 children.

6. Early this year I prayed for another major project for our
church... within weeks I was offered the opportunity to fly to
Sri Lanka and help the town of Kalmunai rebuild.

Catherine Marshall said to Diane Sawyer: "Think of the most you
could do with your lives. Make what you do matter. Above all,
dream big." God can do big things through you and your church.

For thirty days, I challenge you to join me in dreaming big and
ask God to enlarge your territory: "Oh, that You would bless me
indeed and enlarge my territory that Your hand would be with me
and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
Here is what I predict:

1. You will have your life and purpose stretched far beyond
what you ever imagined.

2. Some of you will make radical life changing decisions over
the next few months.

3. Most of you will see a clear example of God working within
your daily life.

4. Your church will become more of a leader and an example
within your community.

5. Your church will take on at least one new special project
through God's leading.

6. Your church will also begin to grow as you continue to make
a difference for God.

Will you join me in "dreaming big" and take the "Prayer of Jabez"
thirty day challenge?

If you respond to the "Prayer of Jabez" thirty day challenge,
please write me either through your newspaper or email me
directly at mailto:LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com

Sowing Seeds of Faith... devotions and world-wide prayer ministry
would not be here without your support but as we expand we also
find a critical need for more help. Consider supporting our
ministry by buying a book or two or offer a contribution directly
to the ministry. If you would like to support our ministry there
are at least four ways you can do so right now:

1. Include Sowing Seeds Ministry in your regular prayers.

2. Sign up for our prayer ministry:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

3. Consider buying our latest book:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

4. Become a ministry partner through either a one-time
contribution or monthly:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the worldu2014like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide
your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's
Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale only through our
website. http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates.
personals.yahoo.com