Category: purpose

God’s Pleasure

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Jesus’ example prayer reminds us to pray that God’s kingdom would come. This refers to the earthly kingdom that God tells us about in the Bible. God gives us many commands to follow, which fit into His ultimate purpose. Unfortunately, as flawed human beings we want our own way. Too many don’t like Philippians 2:13, because it talks about God’s work being for His pleasure. We want our own pleasure. We want good for our own sake. However, if we take the time to study the Bible, I think we will find the benefit of God’s way. We also need to consider the eternal benefit. We will learn more of that by studying the Bible.

I hope that my readers will put time and effort into reading God’s Word and finding out what God’s good pleasure is. I think we will find it pleasurable ourselves.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to work in us. Thank You for sharing Your pleasure with us. Please help us to seek Your way and not our own. The selfish pleasures of this world can have a strong pull. Please give us the strength to say no as well as the knowledge of how much better Your way is.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Kingdom

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I think one of the hard parts of Jesus’ example prayer is “Your kingdom come”. I don’t think we realize how often we seek to build our own kingdom. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 talks about having freedom for the sake of building others up. I fear that we want freedom for our own selfish purposes too often. The Bible repeatedly talks about using our freedom to build others up. In this passage we are told “all things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

We need to make choices that help build God’s kingdom. We do that by living in a way that draws people to the One we serve. We need to share that hope to those who have never heard and remind the ones who know Christ of how wonderful the eternal hope of God’s kingdom is.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us direction about how to use the freedom You allow. Please help us to be aware when our own selfishness takes over. Please help us to use our freedom for the sake of the gospel and do everything for Your honor and glory.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Giving Preference

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The Bible gives us instruction to put others first in several passages. In this passage we know that our love needs to be genuine, not fake. In this verse, we are told to put others before ourselves. Some translations tell us to try to outdo others in showing love. The point is not to have a contest, but to put others first. I know this can be challenging at times, but God offers help through His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the help You give. We know we need You. Please help us to remember to go to You frequently for the help You offer.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Work in the New Year

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As we get full swing into 2025, I want to remember that there is work to do. God tells us to be diligent. The Bible tells us how to be “approved to God”. We need to work towards that goal.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction and encouragement You give us in Your Word. Please help us to obey what You have commanded. There is nothing better.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Deliver

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I love the comfort of the Psalms. God tells us that He watches those who fear Him. He will deliver our souls from eternal punishment and helps us in the difficulties of today. While God gives common grace to all, these verses talk about those who fear Him. God is not going to deliver those who reject Him. I wish more people knew how much God cares. If they did, I think more would fear Him.

It is my prayer that I have opportunity to show and tell people about the truth of God. Both to those who know Him, so they can learn more, and to those who don’t know God. I want everyone to know more.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to share the truth of Who You are, both with my life and with my words. I want those who know You to know You more. I grieve for those who don’t know the truth about You. Please help me to share the truth with them.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Giving Good

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I was the recipient of good this week. A friend from church sold me a nice vehicle that was an upgrade from my previous vehicle. I appreciate that I can trust the seller – knowing this family’s faith in God. We can’t always trust people in society today. I am extra thankful when I know someone who is honest.

God gives us a command to do good to everyone. However, God gives an emphasis on those who are a part of God’s family. I am grateful when God’s family does good for me. I want to watch for opportunities to do good to others. It frequently starts with prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a new to me vehicle through my fellow believer. Please help me to share good with others as opportunities arise. Thank You for blessings through other believers.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Unshakable

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As believers we should know why God is worthy of worship. This verse gives us one reason – God’s kingdom cannot be shaken. Our world is very shaky. I am thankful God gives me a solid foundation.

The rest of the verse tells us to offer God acceptable worship. Worship that has reverence and awe. I think we would show an understanding of the solid foundation God gives if we stopped allowing an “anything goes” philosophy. We need to stop and think about how we choose to worship God whether alone or with others. God is worth the extra thought.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength that makes Your kingdom unshakable. Please help us to think through how we worship You. May our worship be acceptable, filled with reverence and awe.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Stand Firm in Love

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These verses are short and simple…to read. Being watchful and standing firm require continued effort. This isn’t a simple one and done. The other challenge is doing everything in love. We can get a mixed up understanding of what love really is. Too often we want love to be happy-go-lucky. Sometimes love is living through pain. Sometimes love seems tough when we have to stand against wrong. That requires lots of being watchful and standing firm.

The one thing I can say, is that if God gives a command, He also gives the strength to obey. God will not fail us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the instructions we need to live. Please help us to discern through watchfulness, stand firm, and act in love.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.