Word for Today, Thu, 21 Apr 2005: Vision and Purpose
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from The Purpose Driven Life
devotional series. Before I share this message with you, I want
you to know that there is one man that I follow and that is Jesus
Christ.
In this modern age there are many people who have good ideas and
great visions for their church. I think that Rick Warren is one
of them. However, I am not at all sold on the idea that what
works for one local congregation ought to become the thing that
all congregations do - especially in the Name of Christ.
I think that Rick is a man who follows God, I think that my
friend Larry Davies is a man who follows God, I believe that Phil
Ware, Neil Anderson, Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, and many
of the other writers that I frequently quote in my messages are
all men who follow God.
One thing that disturbs me in this information age, where guys
like me can pick up a keyboard, tickle it for a while, and write
anything and everything and make it sound like the Gospel, yet
the true Gospel is the inspired Word of God. The men that I
quote love God, I love God, too. Yet each of us must keep our
eyes firmly fixed on God Himself, not on a movement, not on a
platform, and not on an idea. The distinction may not be
immediately obvious to many of you, but it's there, just the
same.
Though I share these messages, I still urge each and every one of
you to read the Bible, see what it says, and then compare what
the authors I quote have to say. Decide for yourself what's
right, don't take MY word for it either.
Our God wants a personal relationship with each and every one of
us. If you never get anything else out of the things I share
with you, understand this: God created us so that He could
interact with us, for His own good pleasure. Get that straight
and YOUR purpose will become a whole lot more clear. All who
have been washed clean by the precious, priceless, costly blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ have been purified, so there is nothing
at all standing in the way of a deeply intimate relationship with
Him - except for our own self will.
As we grow in grace, may we learn to surrender that self will to
Him and may He reward us with an inner peace that the world
simply cannot understand. When we stumble and fall, when we
forget about the One who bought us at such a great cost, let us
purify our hearts once again by remembering what He, out of His
great love, has done for us, then let us humbly confess our
failings before Him, be renewed in our minds, turn away from our
deeds, return to Him, be made whole once again, thus renewing our
purpose to live for Him.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
____________________________
The Purpose Driven Movement Vision
(The Angel Stadium Declaration - April 17, 2005)
By Rick Warren
Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling and
I'm finished with wavering, I've made my choice, the verdict is
in, and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's
no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's
people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to
celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in
his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living,
and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or
energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking,
thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or
faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity,
serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of
his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value
worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort,
service over status, and people over possessions, position, and
pleasures. I know what matters most and I'll give it all I've
got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ
today.
I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics,
motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by
temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my
race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running
by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up,
back off, back down, back out or backslide. I'll just keep moving
forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven and
mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised,
and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace so I will be gracious to
everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything
that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever,
Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is
yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime.
Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I
want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll
hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in,
and let the eternal party begin!"
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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