Got purpose?

Everyday I walk around my college campus...going to and from class...stopping in different offices...hanging out at the library...today was different though...I was walking to the parking lot looking for my car...when it hit me...I'm in college...now if you know me...then you know that I have been in college for quite sometime...but today the the thought that crossed my mind...was I am on a college campus...I am surrounded by people who decided that graduating high school was simply not enough...I am surrounded by dreamers...people that hope their academic pursuits land them in the careers they dreamed about as children...one could easily draw the conclusion that...these people have a purpose...

Yet all the time people tell me in one way or another...that they have no purpose...even people that have graduated from college...have a degree...working a good job...still feel empty...unfulfilled...yet on paper...you would think...this person is walking in their purpose...because there resume looks great...they interview well...polished presentation...but without purpose...So what are we looking for? What is your purpose?

Rick Warren, author of the bestseller A Purpose Driven Life...says in chapter one of his book...that our only purpose is to worship God...that is it...I wish I could tell you something different, but according to Rick...that is all we were created to do...so let me help you find your purpose...If we were created to worship...before we can find our purpose...we need to know how to worship...Jesus says in John 4:23...that true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth...real worship...is a lifestyle...not a type of song...or a holy dance...not even speaking in tongues...we worship God in our lifestyle...the way we treat people...is worship...the way we talk...what we do when no one is watching...it is all worship...Paul says in Romans 12...that giving our lives back to God as a living sacrifice is our reasonable act of worship...it's what we ought to do...so with that being said...What is your purpose?

I believe that we all have different gifts...all of us have that one thing that we have always wanted to do...at first it may be juvenile...but as we get older...we slowly see ourselves headed in the direction of our childhood dreams...(at least it has been that way for me)...with these natural...God given gifts...it is our responsibility to use them to worship God...to bring glory to God...to redirect the attention of the world to the God they can't live without...

Some people can sing...some people can dance...I am not one of those people...I remember as a child being asked by my Pastor's wife...to enter the church talent show...I at that age didn't think I had any talents...I wasn't a great athlete...I couldn't sing...play an instrument...nothing...the one thing I could do...and do well...was speak in front of a crowd...I could write really well...and I loved to teach...but I never saw how that would translate into a "talent"...little did I know she had shown me my gift...I entered the talent show...I went up last...I spoke to the congregation about hearing the voice of God...the church gave me a standing ovation...I had discovered my gift...and I used that gift to bring glory to God...and now years later...I am a youth minister at my church...I teach Sunday school...and Bible study...I am about to finish school...and become a History teacher...all because I found out what I was good at...and gave it back to God...

You purpose is right under your nose...Did you know your brain is advanced as it is ever going to become the moment you are born...God gave you everything you needed...to do what He put you on Earth to do...Jeremiah 1:5 says...

5 "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."

Before you ever uttered your first word...God has been guiding you toward accomplishing the very task He put you on this Earth for...Take a moment...look back over your life...look at where you want to be in six months...and start your new life...doing exactly what it is God put you here for...Let's pray...

Lord we want to understand our purpose...As we pray Lord speak to our hearts...allow us to know exactly what it is you would have us to do with our time here on Earth...we want to please you...we want to do what is right in your eyes...so help us Lord...help us to get in line with your will for our life...we don't want to waste another day...so speak Lord...we need you...and we love you...in Jesus' name we pray...Amen...

Living Single...

No...this blog is not about Queen Latifah's short-lived sitcom on the Fox network...this particular blog deals with the good, the bad, and the ugly of living single in this day and age...If you have not read my previous blog entitled...Christian seeking...I advise you to do so now...as this is a continuation of some previous ideas expressed in that blog...

In my last blog...I looked at being single...getting married...finding 'The One'...all as God intended things to be...I want to deal with the other side of being single...the day to day life of Christian singles...so what happened between...Genesis chapter two...and 2008...(a lot...duh...lol...) No, seriously...the major thing was the fall of man...the original sin...After sin is introduced to the world...mankind is removed from God's peaceful paradise...and cast into the world we know today...A world full of sickness, disease, war, hate, adultery, fornication, homosexuality...things God never intended for us to know....

The divorce rates among Christian households and non-Christian households are pretty much the same...Christians struggle with sexual immorality...fornication...adultery...homosexuality...all because we are confused as to what it is...we SHOULD be doing...we date...club...mingle at Happy Hour...just like everyone else...finding ourselves in situations God never intended for us to experience...I know what you are thinking...as a single person...I shouldn't date??? How will I ever get to know if we have anything in common? My only answer for you is...only God knows...sounds hard to swallow...but is it really...Is it really hard to trust God to make the right decisions for you??? I know that being single...means being alone...and for some of us that is really hard to do...Being in tune with God's will for your life is the best thing we can do right now...Dating only pulls your attention away from pleasing God...and works at pleasing your flesh...I am not a Bible scholar...yet...lol...with that being said...I don't know of any scriptures that deal directly with dating...but I will share with you Paul's opinion on being single...check it out...First Corinthians 7:32-35...

32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

Early in this chapter, as well as chapter 6, Paul speaks against against sexual immorality...in verse nine...He says that he would rather a person be married than to burn with passion...Marriage went from being God's holy union of a man and a woman...in chapter two of Genesis...to becoming a bail-out for those with no self-control...sin tainted God's plan...and now women seek women...and men seek men...in marriage...people get married at a drop of a hat...as soon as we find someone slightly decent...the interrogation begins...Where do you work? What's your credit score? Are you saved? In verse 32 and 33, Paul is saying as singles we ought to be more concerned with what the Lord would have us do...because the husband/wife (boyfriend/girlfriend) relationship distracts you from the things of the Lord...and places your attention on the affairs of this world...Paul goes on to say in verse 35...I say this not to restrict you...but that you may live in undivided devotion to the Lord...

What are you searching for? Are you lonely? Do you want what you see on tv...the fairy-tale...prince charming...happily ever after...storybook ending? Better yet...do you intend to carry all of your emotional baggage into every relationship from here on out? I find myself comparing one woman to the next...searching for my bride...and God is simply saying...when you are done...I'll start...When we get done with our laundry list of things we need and want in our mate...God will step in and give us His version...He will give us exactly what we need...the question is...Do you trust Him??? Allow God to step in and mend your brokenheart...to help you with self-control...so that He can plan your wedding...Let's pray...

We never stop to say thank you for the little things in our life...so Lord we just want to say thank you...thank you that when I woke up this morning I was in my right mind...that as we rushed about our day...you kept us from all hurt, harm, and danger...thank you for being our keeper Lord...for being our provider...for standing in the gap for us...Thank you most of all...for sending your Son...Jesus Christ...to die for our sins...Lord we want to be holy...remove everything out of our life that keeps us from serving you...Lord help us to control ourselves in every relationship...Lord we want everything you have for us...we don't want to miss one blessing...so help us to understand our purpose in your kingdom...Lord you know what we stand in need of...so bless us according to your will...we need you Lord...and we Love you...it is in Jesus' name we pray this prayer...Amen...

Ephesians 3:20 says...

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Trust me...what God has for you...is better than anything you ever dreamed of...

Christian seeking...

I'm single. I'm 24 years old. My friends are getting married. As a matter of fact...I know at least one person my age who joined a mate in holy matrimony in every month since May...Did I mention I'm single??? I feel some pressure...not necessarily social pressure (from family and friends)...you know...but personal pressure...to be nearing the altar...jumping the broom...hearing the melodic tones of wedding bells...the heat is on...and my search for the perfect bride continues...I'm a Christian seeking...

If you can identify with anything I have said so far...then I am glad you are reading this blog...As I mature in age...and in Christ...I have an overwhelming desire to find "The One"...if you are a hopeless romantic...you may have dreamed about the day you will cross paths with your 'One'...if you are like me...you know how they will look...how you would propose...how many kids you want...you may even have an entire list of things you want and need in your spouse...It wasn't until recently that a friend urged me to find out what Christian singles ought to be doing...in the meantime...Here is what I have come up with...Genesis 2:15-22 (NIV) says...


15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

I want to make four quick points from this passage of scripture...

The passage begins with Genesis 2:15...here we see God placing Adam in the garden to work...this was on the Sixth day of the creation story...when God made man...the first thing that singles need to know is that you were created to do God's work...if you are single and you are not doing what God would have you do...you need to figure it out...and get to work...if you want to be the husband or wife God has called you to be...you have to be busy doing what God has called you to...verses 16 and 17 deal with the "rules" God set forth for Adam...just a quick question...What trees have you been eating from???...make sure you are in God's will...living outside of His will for your life leads to more problems...

Secondly...look at verse 18...God said it is not good that man should be alone...I will make a helper suitable for him...What I find interesting is before Adam even realized that he was alone...God said I will make a helper for him...It is God's desire that you experience the "oneness of marriage"...that you be complete...I like what God says hear...I will make a helper...not I will find a helper...or I will send Adam to the club to find a helper...I will make her unique...to suit his needs...a helper...which takes me back to the first point...Why would God send you a helper? If you aren't doing anything that requires help???...in verses 19 and 20 we see Adam...hard at work...doing what God had purposed him to do...and it wasn't until then that I realized it was at this point that Adam felt he was alone...after naming all the livestock...and seeing them paired together male and female...he realized that he was alone...not realizing that God already knew this...and was in the process of "making a helper suitable for him"...Singles...God knows you are lonely...He knows that you are 'seeking'...but he wants us to rest in His providence...His 'never-failing' ability to meet your every need...which leads me to my third point...

Verse 21 says...that God caused man to fall into a deep sleep...we have to fall into God's peace...just relax in Him...knowing that He is able to send to us that perfect individual equip with everything we need to continue working for the Lord...in unity...where the two become one...this is the hardest part about being single...when you are alone...you have to find rest in your relationship with God...or you will want to try online dating...and use these social networks like Myspace and Facebook to find a mate...or even listen to your friends who seem so happy...my only advice is to wait on God...find rest in Him...the rib is significant...it shows man's role to the woman...the rib is located under the arm and near the heart...symbolic of man's desire to protect and love the woman...

Finally in verse 22...we see God presenting the woman to man...don't seek...allow God to find your mate and present you to one another...King Solomon in all his wisdom said..."If man is the head...than the woman is his crown...." My wife will be my confidence...my pride...my glory...she will compliment me in every way...we have to trust God to do what He has always done...and that is give us exactly what we need...Let's pray...

Lord you are so awesome...we love you for loving us like no one else can...I am so glad that you know us better than we know ourselves...you know what is good for us...you know what we need...and for that we are thankful...Lord help us to allow you to show us our mate...Lord forgive us of our sins...forgive us for trying to substitute our relationship with you for physical/carnal relationships here on Earth...help us to discover our purpose...so that we can do your will as you prepare our spouse to join us...forgive us for all the people we may have hurt trying to be "grown"...shower us with your grace and mercy...show us how to love like you...we love you Lord and we need you...and it is in Jesus' name we pray this prayer...Amen...

Check out this link...for more concerning this topic...
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Before-You-Do/TD-Jakes/e/9781416547280

Agape

This past weekend I shared a Word with a few friends...I spoke on love...not just any love...the unconditional love God has for us...you know...love is a word that we throw around so carelessly in our culture...we tell people all the time we "love" them...we "love" to shop...or we "love" ice cream...Love has lost its affect...our culture attempts to water down its power...the same "love" used to describe our "love" for our family...is the same "love" used to describe an addicts need for another hit...When was the last time you said you "loved" something? In what context did you use it...did you abuse it??? Love isn't an emotional thing...it is totally spiritual.

In the Bible love is used in three different ways...you have eros...which is a romantic love...like the love a man has for his wife...then you have phileo...which describes the love you have for your friends and family...a brotherly love...and then there is agape love...the unconditional love God has for us...

I looked up Agape in my Strong's concordance...and it says...

Agape--To love; in the New Testament usually the active love of God for His Son and His people, and the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even their enemies.

I love this definition...the word that stands out to me the most is...active..the active love of God...Love is an action word...Just think about God's active love for a minute...His active love...is what keeps you...you know...that night you drove home drunk...His active love kept you...when you found yourself in that situation that you didn't think you could get out of...His active love gave you a way of escape...when you thought you could never forgive...His active love gave you peace...and the definition doesn't stop there but this love is the love God the Father...has for His Son...John 3:16 reminds us of this love...

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God's love is sacrificial...For God so loved the world, that he gave...the definition of agape...says that we ought to have this same love...an unconditional active love for everyone...in order to love like God...we have to be in relationship with Him....we have to really die to ourselves...sacrifice...in order to please God with our love...

The easiest definition for love is God...God is love...1 John 4:16 says...

16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

God is love...so be careful how you use this word...love...everytime you fix your mouth to say it...think...Do I really "love" this thing? Can you put "God" every where you put love? According to 1 John 4:16...you ought to be able to...God is love...and that is awesome...Let's pray...

Thank you for loving us...like no one else can...thank you that nothing makes sense unless you are apart of it...Lord you know us inside and out...so help us to be the men and women you called us to be...You deserve our very best...so help us to be all that and more...for you...for our families...for our loved ones...we need you Lord...we love you...and it is in Jesus' name we pray this prayer...Amen...

It's a new season...

So my family just endured the wrath of Hurricane Ike...news reports say that the storm was the size of Texas...with windspeed peaking at 145 mph...The Gulf Coast was battered by the storm...sending residents of Galveston County, Texas fleeing for safety...As Hurricane Ike blows over...I can't help but look at this natural phenomena in the spirit...

Growing up in a coastal region...hurricanes and the threat of hurricanes are nothing new to me...hurricane season usually happens as the seasons change from summer to fall...and in some areas from spring to summer...but whenever the seasons change you can expect a storm...As Ike tore up the Gulf Coast...I was encouraged in my spirit...because Ike was a simple reminder that when storms arise in my life...I shouldn't run for cover, but be reminded that my season is about to change...that God is preparing to take me to another level in Him...In my Winter days...God will put a Spring in my step...when things are too HOT...God will allow you to Fall into his many blessings...

Paul tells us that there are more than four seasons...in Galatians 6:9...Pauls says...

9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

In the natural we have four seasons...Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter...but Paul says don't forget about DUE season...lol...God is faithful...He will do it...in your storm don't grow weary in well doing...keep the faith...because right around the corner...is your DUE season...and you shall reap your harvest...Amen...Let's pray...

Lord you are holy...and we love you for loving us the way you do...thank you for all you've done...when we couldn't see our way out...you kept us...and we are so thankful for that...Lord we need you and we can't deal with life's swift transitions without you....forgive us of our sins...help us to be obedient to your will for our life...Lord bless the families of every person effected by Hurricane Ike...Lord we know you are able to restore things perfectly...so do everything in your power to bring peace to that situation...Lord thank you for reminding us that our storms are just setting us up...for the "crazy" things you have in store for us...Lord we love you and we need you...and it is in Jesus' name we pray this prayer...Amen...

In all things...

I heard a Word a few Sundays ago...it has really stuck with me...I decided to take a closer look in my private study...and now...I really can't stop thinking about what Paul had to say to the church at Thessalonica...First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says...

16Rejoice always;
17pray without ceasing;
18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

At first glance...this seems "do-able"...rejoice always...pray without ceasing...in everything give thanks...and then it hit me...rejoice always...pray without ceasing...in everything give thanks...So what do you mean Paul??? Paul you can't mean rejoice in sadness...pray when I'm broke...give thanks when I am stabbed in the back...

Easier said than done...Am I right??? What I like about Paul...is he didn't suggest something that he had never done...in his second letter to the church at Corinth...Paul gives testimony of his sufferings...2nd Corinthians 11:23-30

23Are they servants of Christ?--I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.

Paul says...if I can do it...so can you...and trust me you haven't had it like me...

Paul goes on to remind us in verse 18 of Thessalonians 5...that this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...that you never stop rejoicing...that you never stop praying...that you never stop giving thanks...you can only take on this Christian attitude...IN Christ Jesus...you have to be in relationship with Christ in order to smile...when life suggests otherwise...to pray until something happens...to give thanks when in need...it is God's will that you lean and depend on Him...that you tap into the supernatural...Let's pray...

Lord you are so awesome...you know us better than we know ourselves...so Lord forgive us of our sins...all of them...everything that keeps us from you...remove them now...Lord you are so holy...and it is our desire to be just like you...so help us where we are weak...Lord we really want to please you...although our daily decisions sometimes don't line up with your will for our life...we ask now that you take back our minds...take back our bodies...and use them for your service...that you may get the glory from our lives...help us Lord to rejoice in all things...the good and the bad...to pray without ceasing for ourselves...our families...our community...our nation...we need you God to remind us to give thanks in everything...so Lord stir up the gifts among us...that we might give you all the glory, honor, and praise you deserve...we ask these things in Jesus' name...Amen!!!