Day 6 - Life is a Temporary Assignment

I am here on earth for just a little while. (Ps. 119:19)

Two truths:

• Compared with eternity, life is extremely brief
• Earth is only a temporary residence

Points from the book:

“Spiritual green card”
Ambassador to an enemy nation
We are constantly entertained, amused, & catered to which makes it harder for us to realize this is not our home.

Remember:
~Life is a test, trust, & temporary assignment

~Prepare for something even better
Read John 16:33
Fish vs. land
Eagle vs. land
You vs. earth
Material prosperity or popular success according to the world
Faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry
Paul was faithful > prison
John the Baptist was faithful > beheaded
The end of life is not the end!


Point to Ponder:
This world is not my home.
Verse to Remember:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Question to Consider:
How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

Day 5 - Seeing Through God's Eyes

How do you see your life?
How do you picture your life, what image comes to your mind?

Your metaphor for life influences your life more than you realize
It determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities
If you think life is a party, your primary value in life will be having fun
If you see life as a race, you will value speed and will probably be in a hurry much of the time
If you view life as a marathon, you will value endurance
If you see life as a battle or a game, winning will be very important to you
Replace your metaphors with the biblical metaphors of life: (Read Romans 12:2)

The Bible’s three metaphors that teach us God’s view of life:
Life is a test
Life is a trust
Life is a temporary assignment

Life is a test
God tested several people in the Bible and He continues to test us today
Character is both developed and revealed by tests
How do you act when you can’t feel God’s presence in your life? (Read 2 Chronicles 32:31)
Everyday is an opportunity to deepen our character, demonstrate love, or depend on God
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
Read James 1:12

Life is a trust
We are stewards over everything God has given us and God is OWNER of everything (Read Psalm 24:1)
Read 1 Corinthians 4:7
God expects us to take care of the things He has given us
Read Matthew 25:21
Affirmation
Promotion
Celebration
Life is a test and a trust, and the more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.
Read Luke 12:48
Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
Verse to remember: “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a
Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

Made to Last Forever

Day 4 Purpose Driven Life
Made to Last Forever
Take a moment and think about something that is made to last forever or something that has lasted forever.

This life is not all there is.
When you think about that statement, how does that make you feel or behave?

Earth is the stage for our tryouts for our life in eternity. It is where we practice.
Ecclesiastes 3:11. Our minds are set on eternity.
What is the difference between a tent and a house? 2 Corinthians 5:1
Life on earth offers many choices. Eternity offers only two choices: heaven or hell.
What decision(s) determines whether we go to heaven or hell?
Philippians 3:7 Certain things are of no importance
How often do you think about eternity?
Hebrews 13:14

Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.

Verse to Remember: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:17

Question to Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?

What drives you?

What drives your life? from Purpose Driven Life

Take a moment to think about what motivated you to be who you are today or what is motivating you to become the person you want to be in the future?

Everyone’s life is driven by something.
Five most common drives are:
1.Many people are driven by guilt.
Have you ever done anything for which you felt so guilty that you were always trying to correct it? (Read Psalms 32:1-5)
2.Many people are driven by resentment and anger.
Why is it so hard to forgive?
Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment.1 (Read Job 5:2)
3.Many people are driven by fear.(Read 2 Timothy 1:7) Is lack of faith a form of fear?
4.Many people are driven by materialism.
What is your true motive for wanting that new car, house, better job, more money, etc? (If God is not mentioned, then your motive may be wrong)
Real security can only be found in that which can never be taken from you – your relationship with God.2
5.Many people are driven by the need for approval.
You can’t please everyone.
Who should we try to please?

We should be driven by God’s purpose
How would you explain what the following phrases mean?
~Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life. Jeremiah 29:11
~Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.
~Knowing your purpose focuses your life. Ephesians 5:17 & Philippians 3:13
~Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
~Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Romans 14:10-12

Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?

You are not an accident

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)

You are not here because of some accident. God created you purposely. There is a reason you are here. God created you to fulfill His purpose so that He would get the glory.

Points to remember:
1 - God knows my life schedule (Psalm 139:16)
2 - It is no accident that you live where you live; God knew the exact places where He wanted us placed (Acts 17:26)
3 - God’s motive for creating us was His love (Ephesians 1:4)
4 - He created the world with us in mind (James 1:18)
5 - God created earth for us to live in (Isaiah 45:18)
6 - Why did God create the earth for us to live in?
Because God is love (1John 4:8)
7 - And this love is so great that we can’t imagine or fathom that someone could love us that much
8 - God wasn’t lonely and didn’t have to create us, He did it because He loved us and wanted to express His love (Isaiah 46:3-4)

Question to ponder (from the book):
I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

Remember You are NOT and accident

What is hospitality?

Hebrews 13:2 says, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hospitality is welcoming people into your home (or church) and making them feel comfortable. Being nice to people (and sometimes that may mean being kind when they are not kind to you).

In February, our hospitality ministry began studying the book, The Purpose Driven Life. We started with Day One, which explains that is it not about you. God created us for a specific purpose and no matter what happens in our lives, it is not about us. When someone is cruel to you, it is not about you. When someone intentionally hurts you, it is not about you. When you are lied on, it is not about you. When people use you, it is not about you. Again, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU.

Remember:
1 - You were created by God for God (Romans 8:6)
2 - God is always in control (of EVERY situation)(Job 12:10)
3 - We must sacrifice ourselves daily (Matthew 16:25)
4 - We need God's wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7)
5 - You need insight into your purpose (Ephesians 1:11)

Question to ponder from the book:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

Remember, It's NOT about you.