FIVE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING PURPOSE

"The PURPOSE of life is not to be happy; it is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate. To have it makes some difference that you have lived and lived well". - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A life without purpose isn't worth living. As per the laws of creation, every living thing has been given an assignment to undertake. One great man says "everything we need to make our world better is right here in people." Sadly, not everyone is willing to undertake the assignment they have been created for. 

Purpose is defined as the reason for which something exists. The reason is what empowers a person to live. It isn't enough that you just occupy a space called life. You have to show gratitude for the life you have by making sense of it - in manifesting the purpose God created you for.

"So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand" is what Exodus 2 verses 12 speaks of Moses when he came of age. His purpose was to redeem Israel but his methods weren't God's.  You also need to know that your rewards in life is connected to the purpose you manifest.  

These five advantages of having purpose will bring you delight and insight as you read further:-

1.Purpose helps your self-motivation for continuous success. In times of frustration and disillusion, what will keep you going is the force of our purpose. As you remind yourself of our purpose, the energy to keep going is released. 

2. Purpose guards against negative programming. The joy of knowing that you have the original blueprint of your purpose, stops you from buying into the negativity around.

3. Purpose helps you value your parameters to avoid spreading yourself all over the place. You learn to stay within your gift and calling.

4. Purpose will distinguish you and separate you from who you are from what you have achieved. Purpose is so powerful it can help you stay away from trouble and from what seems popular but not in concert with what you've been created for. 

5. Finally, purpose is what will set your spirit on high in times of low experiences. Being humans, challenges will seek to test your joy, endurance etc but purpose is the oil that keeps pumping the adrenaline you need to win. 

Think Aloud :-

What does purpose mean to you?

4 Blessings You Miss Living In Sin

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light". 1 Peter 2:9

In my previous blog what is sin, I explained to you the realities of sin and the repercussion it carries. That sin is a fundamental relationship, it  isn’t a wrong doing but a wrong being. It is a deliberate and determined independence from God. It’s a premeditated rebellion against the word of God.  I followed it through with  what sin will do to you and ended it with how to break free from sin. It is easier to live in holiness than in sin. The four fundamental blessings that follows the one who decides not to live in sin according to 1 Peter 2:9 are - being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and finally you become a peculiar person. 

To be a chosen generation, God is simply saying there will many generations but yours will stand out. In Zechariah 3:7, God said to the prophet "if he would walk in His ways and keep His charge, then he shall judge God's house, keep His courts and will have places to walk among these that stand by".  Zechariah's generation was to be the chosen one amongst the many only if he will walk in the ways of God. The same promise of God is available to you if only you are prepared to break free from sin.  There is a place reserved for those who will leave the camp of sin. The place of being chosen generationally. 

The second blessing is that of being part of a royal priesthood.  Not the royal priesthood but a royal priesthood. It talks about the divine difference which God brings in to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. The land of Goshen had light whilst the rest of Egypt had darkness! That is divine difference!  In modern terms, I am aware the Queen of England  has her own chaplain. This chaplain ministers only to the Queen. Not every chaplain has that privilege! The privileges you have with God determines the exemptions you enjoy in life. You have been chosen to be a royal priesthood unto God. Your prayers, worship and sacrifices are like a sweet scented smell on to God. Because of your state, God won't do anything without first discussing it with you. Will I do anything without first telling my friend Abraham asks the Lord? No, because Abraham was a royal priesthood whose sacrifices were pleasing to God. 

A peculiar person is simply someone who is different in everything. One definition says to be peculiar means to be distinctive in nature or character from others. Wonder why they don't understand you - the joy you exude even when pain is all over, the divine provision here and there, the strength to carry when others feel like giving up? Simply because you are distinctive in nature and character! In nature because you've been bought by the blood of God and in character because you have renewed your mind. Sin only does one thing- it numbs the original power, grace and virtues God freely gave to you. 

Finally, being a holy nation is the finality of our relationship with God. Be ye holy for I am Holy says the Lord. The writer didn't say a holy person but a holy nation. This means your generation will become a nation of holy people. At one point, God said "I know Abraham for he will order his generations in the way of the Lord to do righteousness and justice". (Genesis 18:19). Holiness is the key to an enduring generation that walks in God's blessings.  

Sin only robs you of God's best in your life. Sadly, you can get used to sin and at some point, think its alright to live that way. 

THINK ALOUD :-

What do you think are some of the blessings a person misses living in Sin?

GRACE THE MAKER...

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me". 1 Corinthians 15:10

Grace is the maker of men! Without grace, the value of an individual isn't that much. However, many often assume the dint of their hard work is the key to their success. Unfortunately, without the input of the grace of God, you can have all the plans in the world and not amount to anything. 

Grace isn't only seen as the schoolmaster that brought us to faith but grace is the undeserving input of the God in the weakness of a person to fulfil His plans in their lives. I dare say that what people refer to as luck could be the grace of God at work in their endeavours unbeknown to them . 

Our Christian faith eschews laziness and docility but it however elevates diligence. Sadly, many assume the presence of grace means the absence of their input. No and no! As you do your best which isn't anything "best" compared to what God does, He releases His grace which is His sufficiency to bring satisfaction. 

When God places a person strategically in life, its not based on height, size, accent or colour but by the factor of grace which is in His nature. Wherever God goes, grace goes! It freely exudes out of His nature. "Had it not been for the Lord on our side, tell me where we would have been"? When a person recognises that it took grace to bring them thus far, what they are inadvertently saying is that, more of your undeserved favour is welcome in my life Lord. Interestingly, the GRACE of God is free if only a person will subscribe to it.  For the law came through Moses but GRACE and truth came by Jesus. 

There are FOUR major changes that the GRACE of God brings about in the life of a person:

1. It increases receptivity- when you know God is on our side to help you, you will open up your spirit to receive directions and inspiration from Him.

2. It facilitates your focus on the goals of God for your life - whatever you can become is dependent on the grace of God. "I am WHAT I am because of the grace of God". The WHAT of your life causes you to look up on to God solely. 

3. It generates appreciation for God- because He is your source. Money, people, blessings can all be resources but God remains the ultimate SOURCE.

4. It helps to connect you to your source who is God - You can only maintain your connection to God when GRACE causes you to see what He has done in your life. 

THINK ALOUD :-

What does the #GRACE mean to you?

Joe Akuoko II