Finding My Individual Purpose For My Life-Part One
From The HeartPublish date: 02/10/2008
February: My Mission
Foundation Scriptures: Romans 12:1-21
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. 3 For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. 4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. 6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; 7[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. 9[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. 11 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. 12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. 21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. Romans 12:1-21 AMP
1. Finding Your Individual Purpose for Your Life Begins with Total Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.
Romans 12:1-2
Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Not conformed to this world—transformed by the renewing of your mind—in order that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
You want the perfect will of God for your life, not just the permissive or permissible will of God.
Many people live and die without ever finding God's purpose for their lives.
2. This Purpose or Calling is in Proportion to the Grace Given You by God to Fulfill Your Life's Mission.
Romans 12:3-8
Don't overestimate yourself. God has dealt to everyone the measure of faith according to his/her call and purpose. (To whom much is given, much is required—Luke 12:48.)
Verse 6: We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us—in order to fulfill God's plan.
3. With the Grace Comes the God-given Desire that Must be Pursued in Order to Fulfill the Plan.
Psalms 37:4 AMP—Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Put God first.
Isaiah 58:14 AMP—Then will you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage [promised for you] of Jacob your father; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
This always flows forth out of us abiding in the Vine—being connected. He is the Vine, we are the branches. As we stay connected to Him, we produce fruit and our fruit remains, proving we are God's children (John 15).
This GRACE will cause you to come through the hardest places and yet still shine.
4. Facts About Me that I Need to Know in Order to Fulfill my Eternal Destiny.
As a child of God—God is on my side.
Everything I need to walk in victory is mine:
- The Word
- The Name
- The Blood
- The Angels
- The Holy Spirit
I am to be fruitful and to look for fruit in my life.
I must stay focused on my path—my journey.
It will all count in eternity.