Born for a Purpose

The Sovereign Lord is My Strength Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Strength is not found in possessions. In fact, there are times when our possessions are gone. Inadequacy may be the reality, but fear doesn't have to be the result.   Today's passage is one of my favorites. It shoots down the prosperity teaching that promises tenfold material return on my giving. Sometimes the fig tree does not bud, vines are fruitless, crops fail, pens and stalls are empty. That's reality, isn't it? However, there's another reality. Even when I am going through a tough stretch, "yet I [can] rejoice in th...

God's Purpose Will Stand Isaiah 46:9-11 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Regardless of terrorists' threats ...  I am God and there is no other. My purpose will stand. Regardless of the economic forecast ...  I am God and there is no other. My purpose will stand. Regardless of Supreme Court decisions ...  I am God and there is no other. My purpose will stand. Regardless of rogue rulers who make arrogant claims ...  I am God and there is no other. My purpose will stand. Regardless of nuclear arms buildups ...  I am God and there is no other. My purpose will...

Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. The Good Shepherd cares for his sheep. He leads them where the grass is lush. He leads them to clear, fresh streams. He protects them from the animals that would attack and kill. He keeps his flock together. Not one sheep is ever lost. He leads purposefully and gently. Sometimes he picks up the weak ones and holds them in his arms. He carries them close to his heart so they can hear it beat. Maybe today you feel weak in body. The procedures and treatments have drained your strength. Your energy is gone. Maybe you feel weak emotionally. Anxiety has overtaken your thoughts. Worry has worn you down. Perhaps you are spiritually weak. You have given in to temptation . . . again. You are frustrated by constant failure. If you are exhausted in body, soul and/or spirit, ask Jesus to gather you in his arms. Ask him to hold you clos...

Enduring Hardship It is possible to be beaten until you are numb. You can smile and praise the Lord and say, "Jesus, I my cross have taken," for a while. But then you are slowly beaten until you are numb, and you get into a sort of a rut where you cannot fight back. Timothy had been with Paul a long time, and Paul had been in so much trouble so much of the time. Timothy was tagging along behind in the same trouble, and Paul had noticed a little temptation to be ashamed of the cross. Essentially, Paul was saying, "Don't be ashamed of the cross. Don't shrink from the affliction of the gospel. God has not given us the spirit of fear." Then in Second Timothy 2:3 Paul said, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." It is as though he might have detected in the young man a little temptation to recoil a bit from the hard life he was called into. Paul knew that Timothy was basically a sound man. He knew Timothy had been rea...

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.   Satan comes with the "What ifs?" He knows that questions fill our minds and hearts with chaos. He knows that chaos produces panic. And he knows that panic paralyzes.   God comes with the invitation, "Trust!" Trusting in the "Rock eternal" chases the chaos away. Trust replaces confusion and questions with a "perfect peace." Keeping our minds saturated with God keeps the waters calm even when the storm is raging all around us.   How do we keep our minds steadfast? Here are three suggestions:   1.  Read God's Word.  It is his love letter to you. Read through the psalms and highlight his promises. There is calm under the shelter of his wings.   2.  Listen to Christian music.  Load your smartphone with music that reminds you of God's u...