Benefits of Living a Life of Purpose

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rick-warren21A few years ago I had the privilege of attending a Purpose Driven Church Conference on the campus of Saddleback Church in southern California.  It was one of those rare, life-changing weeks that come along far too seldom.  The founding pastor, Rick Warren, has written two best-selling books.  His latest is called  “The Purpose Driven Life.” This book is designed to be read over a period of 40 days.  Each lesson is just a few pages long and requires time to digest.  On Day Three, Rick shares five great benefits of living a purpose-driven life:

1.  Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.  We were made to have meaning.  This is why people try dubious methods, like astrology or psychics, to discover it.  When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; without it, nothing is bearable.

2.  Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.  If defines what you do and what you don’t do.  Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t.  People who don’t know their purpose try to do too much–and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict. (See Ordering Your Private World and A Leader’s Real Test for further thoughts along these lines).

3.  Knowing your purpose focuses your life.  It concentrates your effort and energy on what’s important.  You become effective by being selective.

4.  Knowing your purpose motivates your life.  Purpose always produces passion.  Nothing energizes like a clear purpose.

5.  Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.  Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on earth.  They want to be remembered when they’re gone.  Yet, what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life, but what God says.

Book: “The Day Christ Died”

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I just wrapped up Jim Bishop’s 1957 book, The Day Christ Died. Bishop’s book traces the 24-hour period leading up to the death and burial of Jesus. While reading the book, I decided to preach a series of messages called “24”. See 24:Jesus for more information about the series.

The book was absolutely fascinating. I recommend it to any Christian wanting to know the details of Jesus’ final hours. The book also provides a good overview of the Roman and Jewish world in the Palestine region. I was especially intrigued to learn more about the individual characters involved in the closing 24-hour drama of Jesus’ life. I will warn you that the book is lengthy and takes a great deal of concentration as you read.

This is book 10 of 52 of my quest to read 52 books this year. For more information on this quest please see One Book Per Week = 52 or this series of posts.

Book: “Financial Peace”

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dave-ramseyI just finished rereading Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. The book is a must read for every young couple considering marriage and every couple struggling with their finances. Through the years, I’ve read a number of books like this one, but I like Dave’s straightforward, in-your-face approach the best.

Dave also has a financial training course that can be taught in local churches called Total Money Makeover. I hope to offer it at our church on a regular basis as a part of our discipleship program. I also recommend that you listen to Dave’s radio program for further information and inspiration. Radio program airing information can be found here.

This is book 9 of 52 of my quest to read 52 books this year. For more information on this quest please see One Book Per Week = 52 or this series of posts.

Book: “The Stewardship of Life”

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kirk-noweryI just completed Kirk Nowery’s book, The Stewardship of Life. Nowery served as President of INJOY Stewardship Services. Prior to his role at INJOY, he served for 18 years as Senior Pastor of one of the nation’s largest congregations in Miami, Flordia. In addition to his many roles, he was Chaplain of the famed Miami Dolphins footall team from 1983 to 1995.

In the book, Nowery explores the need for Christians to be good stewards of all the resources God gives to them. Naturally, he talks about finances, but that is not the main focus of the book. He talks about stewardship in the areas of vision, influence, commitment, time, and opportunity. The final chapter is called The Stewardship of You.

I recommend the book to anyone wanting to examine the area of stewardship. One bonus for me as a pastor was the fact that I gleaned several sermon ideas for future stewardship-related sermon series.

This is book 8 of 52 of my quest to read 52 books this year. For more information on this quest please see One Book Per Week = 52 or this series of posts.

Grow Up

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baby4“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation….” 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) 

A few days ago, Nadya Suleman, a 33-year-old in Southern California mother, gave birth to six boys and two girls ranging from 1 pound 8 ounces to 3 pounds 4 ounces. I certainly wish them well and pray that God will bless them to live healthy, productive lives for His glory.

As I was thinking about the octuplets, it dawned on me that they all have one thing in common besides having the same mother–they were all born as babies! That is true for all of us. We all begin the same way and we all end the same way. What we do in the middle makes all the difference!

As Christians, we all begin the same way spiritually as well. We all are born spiritually (John 3) through Jesus and begin as newborns in the Lord. Unfortunately, many believers never move beyond that point. Nothing saddens me more than seeing believers that should have long ago become spiritually mature still thinking and acting as spiritual newborns.

Where are you in your spiritual development? Frankly, God expects and commands us to grow up.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)