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.