Seeing Life From God's View

 

 

What on Earth Am I Here For?

 

A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump;

a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

Proverbs 11:28

 

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord....

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with

roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees

are not bothered by the heat or worried by long

months of drought. Their leaves stay green,

and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

Seeing Life from God's View

 

What is your life?

James 4:14b

 

We don't see things as they are,

we see them as we are.

Anaïs Nin

 

The way you see your life shapes your life.

How you define life determines your destiny.

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world,

but let God trasform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.

Then you will be able to know the will of God."

Romans 12:2

 

The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God's view of life:

Life is a test, life is a trust,

and Life is a temporary assignment.

These ideas are the foudation of purpose-driven living.

We will look at the first two in this chapter

and the third one in the next.

 

Life on earth is a Test.

This life metaphor is seen in stories throughout the Bible.

God continually tests people's character,

faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty.

Character is both developed and revealed by tests,

and all of life is a test.

You are always being tested.

You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises,

impossible problems, unanswered prayers,

undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.

 

A very important test is how you act

when you can't feel God's presence in your life.

"God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him

and to see what was really in his heart."

2 Chronicles 32:31

When you understand that life is a test,

you realize that nothing is unsignificant in your life.

Every day is an important day,

and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character,

to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.

Some tests seem overwhelming,

while others you don't even notice.

But all of them have eternal implications.

 

"God keeps his promise,

and he will not allow you to be tested

beyond your power to remain firm;

at the time you are put to the test,

he will give you the strength to endure it,

and so provide you with a way out."

1 Corinthians 10:13

 

Every time you pass a test,

God notices and makes plans to reward you in eternity.

"Blessed are those who endure when they are tested.

When they pass the test,

they will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love him."

James 1:12

 

Life on earth is a Trust.

Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities,

relationships, and resources are all gifts from God

that he has entrusted to our care and management.

"The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD;

the earth and all who live on it are his."

Psalm 24:1

 

We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth.

You just get to enjoy it for a while.

"[God] blessed them, and said, 'Have many children,

so that your descendants will live all over the earth

and bring it under their control.

I am putting you in charge.'"

Genesis 1:28

 

"What do you have that God hasn't given you?

And if all you have is from God,

why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?"

1 Corinthians 4:7b

"Those who are trusted with something valualbe

must show they are worthy of that trust."

1 Corinthians 4:2

 

Jesus often referred to life as a trust

and told many stories to illustrate this responsibility toward God.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

come and share your master's happiness."

Matthew 25:21

 

At the end of your life on earth

you will be evaluated and rewarded

according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you.

If you treat everything as a turst,

God promises three rewards in eternity.

 

First, you will be given God's affirmation:

He will say, "Good job! Well done!"

Next, you will receive a promotion

and be given greater responsibility in eternity:

"I will put you in charge of many things."

Then you will be honored with a celebration:

"Come and share your Master's happiness."

 

"If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth,

who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?"

Luke 16:11

Jesus said,

"From everyone who has been given much,

much will be demanded;

and from the one who has been entrusted with much,

much more will be asked."

Luke12:48b

 

Life is a test and a trust, and

the more God gives you,

the more responsible he expects you to be.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY FIVE

Thinking About My Purpose

 

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?

 

 

p 41~46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com