The Purpose Driven Life - Chapters 30 -35

Chapter 30- I was shaped for serving God

Verse to remember - God works through different men in different ways, but is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all. 1 Cor 12:6

Question to consider- In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?

How God shapes me for ministry:

Spiritual gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experience

“Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others”

I love people and I thrive on interacting with them in a real way. I am not a social butterfly and I do not care about small talk or superficial chit chat. I love to talk about matters of the heart. I am compelled to know people for who they are. I like to find ways to connect to others so I can share my faith. I love to tell people about who Jesus is to me. I would love to help lead new Christians into a deeper understanding of discipleship and how to walk the walk. I love to preach and teach Gods word and encourage others.


Chapter 31- Nobody can be like me

Verse to remember- God has given each of you some special abilities, be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others Gods many kinds of blessings 1 Peter 4:10

Question to consider- What God given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?

According to the book I have been shaped by the following experiences

Family
Educational
Vocational
Spiritual
Ministry
Painful

I love to encourage people. I am an extrovert and I thrive on human contact. I love to communicate with people both in person as well as through the written word. I like to write short stories and articles about those things that are near and dear to my heart. I feel compelled to be transparent in my writing as I share the events of my life with others. I want people to know who Jesus is and how he is changing me from the inside. I want to teach others what I have learned through experiences and reading Gods word. I have a natural attraction towards computer technology and electronics. I love photography and capturing moments on film.


Chapter 32- God deserves my best

Verse to remember- do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth 2 Tim 2:15

Question to consider- How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

I need to prioritize my time more efficiently and find opportunities of service. I need to learn how to take what I already know and walk ti out in my life in practical ways. I need to ask God to open up doors of opportunity where I can use my spiritual gifts , abilities and experiences to minister to the needs of others. I need to stop comparing my life and ministry to other people and run the race that God has enabled me to run.

Chapter 33- I serve God by serving others

Verse to remember- If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers; you shall surely be rewarded Matt 10:42

Question to consider - which of the 6 characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?


“We serve God by serving others”

“God shaped you for service, not for self centeredness”

“You can tell what they are by what they do”

The six characteristics of a servant are

Available to serve
Pay attention to needs
Do the best with what you have
Do every task with equal dedication
Faithful to ministry
Maintain a low profile

Being available to serve is probably the number one problem out of all 6 characteristics. If I were honest with myself I would admit that there are times that I struggle with each of these characteristics.

I live in a materialistic world that determines my value and identity by what I own and what I am able to do. You are someone if you live there, drive that and belong to this organization and have this amount of wealth. We are constantly bombarded by marketing of all types that tells us that we need all sorts of junk. Our wants have destroyed our perception of real needs and therefore we spend most of our time pursuing things, wealth and status. I can not serve God as much as I should because of bad financial decisions, debt, poor time management and the pursuit to be entertained during what little free time I do have.

On page 259 of this book there is a quote by John Wesley and it says the following

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can” John Wesley

OUCH and double OUCH… That hurts

That means that I should pursue opportunities to do good and serve others every opportunity I get. Serving others will never be convenient or fun until God changes our hearts and gives us the desire to serve others above our own needs and happiness. Instead of looking for one opportunity per day to be good to someone I should never stop looking to serve others.

Chapter 34- To be a servant I must think like a servant

Verse to remember- your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus Phillipians 2:5

Question to consider - Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

If a need crosses my path that I can meet I usually do what I can. Do I go out of my way or inconvenience myself to see or find needs? The answer to that is no. I need to be more sensitive to others needs and be more willing to make myself available to meet some of those needs.

“Service starts in your mind”

“servants think more about others than about themselves”

“servants think like stewards, not owners”

“servants think about their work, not what others are doing”

“servants base their identity in Christ”

“servants think of ministry as opportunity , not an obligation”


Chapter 35- God works best when I admit my weaknesses

Verse to remember- My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor 12:9a

Question to consider- Am I limiting Gods power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?

Yes, I am sure that I sometimes limit Gods power in my life. I am proud and sometimes arrogant. At times in my life I have been told this and my defense was that I am not arrogant but self confident. I am just very confident in my abilities.
When does self confidence turn into pride and arrogance? Can one be self confident and humble at the same time? At a very early age I rebelled against my parents authority and excessive abusive behavior towards me . I went out into the world determined to escape the abuse and do things “my way”. Life taught me some very hard lessons and I quickly realized that my parents did posses a certain amount of worldly wisdom that I if I had followed it some of my lifes lessons might not have been so painful.

Thanks to the school of hard knocks I learned at a very young age to be a survivor.
My support system most of the time was me, I and myself. I did not have a close relationship with a parent figure, mentor or friend who could speak truth into my life , give me guidance or allow me to be vulnerable to them. My nature was and still is to some degree to just “handle it” myself. I want people to think that “everything is under control”. I sometimes think that if I were to be vulnerable to people that I would be viewed as a “whiner”, “weakling” or “cry baby” that needs to just “suck it up”. It is easier for me to communicate my true feelings and struggles in writing than it is for me to be vulnerable to the fellowship of believers I go to church with.

I suppose that because I do not share with others the things that go on in my heart that they assume all is well and therefore they do not need to pursue me in an effort to connect with me. I am task and results oriented and when the feedback level is low or non existent I become discouraged and find it difficult to pursue moments of connectivity with other people. I wonder how many people feel the same way as I do? Ships passing in the night with no apparent problems or needs…..


James Moffitt
http://www.jesus-connect.net/jcmoffitt
moffittj@bellsouth.net

The Purpose Driven Life Chatpers 27,28 & 29

Chapter 27- There is always a way out

Verse to remember- God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can not stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give into it. 1 Cor 10:13

Question to consider- who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

According to this chapter defeating temptation takes these steps:

Refocus your attention on something else
Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
Resist the devil
Realize your vulnerability

I have several people in my life who I am accountable to and who are willing to pray for any needs in my life. My wife is the first and foremost accountability partner since she is the closest to me and knows me better than most people.

Chapter 28- There are no shortcuts to maturity

Verse to remember- God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. Phillipians 1:6

Question to consider- In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?

I need to be less fearful of loss. In this chapter it states “ There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. “ This reminds me of one of my favorite sayings. “Through the pain onward to battle and victory.” I need to start a notebook or journal of lessons learned. I love to write anyway so this should not be difficult for me to start.

I need to be more patient with myself. I am my worst judge.


Chapter 29- Service is not optional

Verse to remember - For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Question to consider- What is holding me back from accepting Gods call to serve him?


This chapter tells us the following truths

You were created to serve God
You were saved to serve God
You were called to serve God
You are commanded to serve God

“Impression without expression causes depression”

The only thing that is hindering me with regards to service is the amount of time I would like spend doing it. With regards to my local congregation I wish I were in a position to do more than I am able to do. I wish I had more avenues of ministry. It seems that the larger the congregation the more opportunities to serve.



James Moffitt
http://www.jesus-connect.net/jcmoffitt
moffittj@bellsouth.net

The Purpose Driven Life Devotional Chapters 24-26

The Purpose Drive Life - Day 24,25 &26

Chapter 24 -The truth transforms us


Verse to remember - If you continue in my word, then are you disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

Question to consider- what has God already told me in his word that I have not started yet?


The following quotes in this chapter stand out to me.

"The truth transforms us"

"Gods word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever"

"We cannot live without the word of God"

"Never take the word of God for granted"


Abiding in Gods word includes these activities



I must ACCEPT its authority
I must ASSIMILATE its truth
I must APPLY its principles



"Memorizing Bible verses helps resist temptation, make wise decisions, reduce stress, build confidence, offer good advice and enables me to share my faith with others."

"The truth will set you free, but first it may make you miserable! Gods word exposes our motives, points out our faults, rebukes our sin, and expects us to change"

"The bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives"

To answer the question for this chapter will require brutal honesty. I have spent most of my time after spiritual rebirth gaining knowledge about God and his word. I have spent countless hours on intense bible study and preparation to teach what I have learned about Gods word to others. However I have not applied everything learned in practical ways to my life.

I guess that if I were honest I would have to say that I have practiced "sporadic obedience." Perhaps I could further define it as periods of being on a spiritual rollercoaster. On page 187 it says "many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on unreliable authorities: culture, tradition, reason and emotion." Our sin nature automatically engages all of these authorities if we are not careful. I have fallen victim to all four of these at different times in my life. Here are some action items I need to take.

I will read Gods word every day and not when I feel like it or when it is convenient

I will practice better self control with regards to being a good steward with my finances.

I will actively pursue opportunities to serve my immediate family, my church body and the community God placed me in.

I will purpose in my heart to find the good in people I meet and leave their problems and faults with God.

I will purpose to connect with other men in my community for the purpose of developing relationships so that we can grow in grace and spiritual maturity together.

I will purpose in my heart to renew my mind and heart through Gods word instead of trying to find multiple ways to be entertained and just burn empty time.

Chapter 25- There is a purpose behind every problem

Verse to remember- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Question to consider- What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?


The following quotes in this chapter stood out for me.

"If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look at within, you will be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you will be at rest! Your focus will determine your feelings"

"Character building is a slow process"


I have had 3 major events in my life that have caused the most spiritual growth.


Event one happened when I was just 3 or 4 months old in Christ. I was a fire insurance Christian and I only called upon God when I was in trouble. I called Jesus savior but he was not the Lord of all. I lived life with me being in the center of the throne room of my heart and not God. I spent 45 days in a street rescue mission called The Star of Hope Mission where God got my undivided attention.

Event TWO happened when I experienced a divorce from my first wife and separation from the family I loved. I was devastated, angry, bitter and resentful towards my ex wife, her family and God. One of the things that I learned was that it takes 2 people to experience divorce and I had to recognize my participation in both conscious and unconscious sin that helped to destroy the relationship. I also experienced the pain and anxiety of separation from the two people that I loved with every fiber of my being. I learned during this time that God is always there and is able to comfort, strengthen and heal when no one else is.

Event 3 is when we lost our daughter Jessica to cancer. The most difficult part of this loss was to realize that Jessica was not ours. Jessica is Gods child. God allows us to experience the lives of children and to manage their day to day details. We are able to enjoy the many joys and trails that they face. We are reminded of our parent child relationship with God as we attempt to be Godly parents to our children. Our humanity is reflected back to us from our children as constant reminders of our need for humility and a real connection with our creator.

Chapter 26- Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.

Verse to remember- God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterwards they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him James 1:12

Question to consider - What Christ like character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?


The following quotes stood out for me in this chapter.

"God develops real peace within us, not by making things go the way we planned, but by allowing times of chaos and confusion"

"We learn real peace by choosing to trust God in circumstances in which we are tempted to worry or be afraid."

"We learn real peace by choosing to trust God in circumstances in which we are tempted to worry or be afraid"

I keep coming back to the theme with regards to my response to tests in my life. I always want for life to be smooth sailing. Why me Lord and what have I done to deserve this situation or these circumstances are questions I always seem to ask. I believe that ultimately I tend to do what is right with regards to being faithful and enduring hardship. My problem is I start out acting surprised at the circumstances of a situation and spend my initial moments mentally reacting to it as if the situation is not fair. Nothing in life is fair. We live in a fallen world and bad things happen to good people just as good things happen to bad people.

Sometimes I react wrong emotionally to circumstances and make poor choices. I can truly say that I am learning what it means to have peace and joy in the midst of trials in my life.




James Moffitt
http://www.jesus-connect.net/jcmoffitt
moffittj@bellsouth.net

Living in the shadow of a stupid ground hog....

Who started listening to ground hogs with regards to predicting our weather anyway? The ground hog saw his shadow the other day and I guess that means 6 more weeks of winter weather. Did anyone think about relocating the ground hog to another part of the globe where the sun would be directly on top of his little noggin and therefore would be NO shadow? Sheesh... Yes, I did think about taking OUT the ground hog but resisted any excessive excitement about that option just in case our friends from PETA were reading my drivel.... LOL. Like they would be reading MY blog.... NOT....

This weekend downtown Charleston was in full swing with visitors from who knows where. I have not seen that many umbrellas this side of Niagra Falls. I am wondering IF these people who visited our fine city decided to visit BECAUSE of the 2 day rain storms or IF they were locked into the visit because of having planned their weekend jaunt to our fine city months ago? Either way, I hope that they re think their planning strategies for next year and NOT visit us in the midst of the winter months. Dont get me wrong, Charleston certainly has its fair share of tourist trap goodies to visit and remove your disposable income from your possesion. I am hoping that because they are able to do this so effectively (like most tourist traps) that someone in city hall will think about fixing some of the pot holes and streets in our fine city. GASP.... Imagine that thought...

Luckily for me I was able to observe the happenings all around me at work from the vantage point of my favorite parking garage. Cough.... It is amazing to me how many people look at things from a horizontal view point. It seems as if no one ever looks up past the second story of any dwelling. Well, at least they don't until the passing pigeon deposits a prize on their noggins. If that happens DO NOT look up because the pigeons fly in numbers and if they are all on the same schedule you may get more than you bargained for.

It is Presidents Day and most Government Employees are enjoying a day AWAY from their cubicle prisons. Wahoooo! What a deal. If you are lucky you are getting paid for being off today as well. This is my regular day off so I am off regardless of what President we are honoring or what ground hogs see when they look at the ground. The kids just got back from the Dentist in Mt Pleasant and got their teeth cleaned. I guess I will need sun glasses now to see their beautiful smiles. I am on Day 29 of my 40 days of purpose (porpoise) devotional study by Rick Warren.

The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church are two indespensible books for your library so if you don't have them rush right over to your nearest Christian Bookstore URL and get them. Experiencing God Day by Day is another book that has the same theme. Both authors , Blackaby and Warren have Southern Baptist Convention backgrounds if you are interested in that type of trivia. I have encouraged several friends to get this book and engage in working through the 40 days. One friend told me that she has had the book in her posession but has not chosen to do anything other than collect dust with it. Another friend is just starting the book and is beginning to work through the contents. Did I say that this book is not intended to make your comfortable or help you to stay wrapped up in your current security blanket? This book is not light reading either. You will either love this book or you will hate it. The book will challenge you to examine your views about a lot of different things with regards to your faith. Are you ready for that? Are you ready for change? Change means sacrifice and loss and therefore sometimes pain. Do you have some extra Excedrin in the medicine closet? If you do, it wont help. The Holy Spirit will be the only one that can administer healing with regards to the change and pain I am talking about. I wish you Jesus should you undertake this study. Get a pen, journal notepad and a nice cup of coffee and get started.

I am currently working on growing the membership of Jesus Connect Ministries BBS Jesus Connect Ministries BBS We have gone from 5 members to 16 members in the last 4 to 6 weeks. I can not tell you how excited about that I am. Well, yes, actually I can tell you. I am absolutely happy about it. We are paying an ISP to Co-host our server on their Internet backbone so we need to start using it for the glory of God.... If we are not then we are not being good stewards of what God has given us. Click on over to this location and see what is going on. Jump right in and tell us who you are and how you found us. You will be able to READ as a guest but you will need to sign up for an account to post a message so as soon as I see you requesting access I will process your account.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Keep Jesus Christ number ONE in your life. Its all about God, not about me...

God bless