Day 6 22/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

UNDERSTANDING THE SEASONS IN LIFE

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8

Rick Warren

"As long  as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night."  Gen. 2:22 (LB)

"There is a time for everything, and

a season for every activity under heaven."  Eccl. 3:1

"... everything on earth has its special season."  (NCV)

5 FACTS ABOUT THE SEASONS OF LIFE

1.  They are beyond my control.

       "God controls the times and the seasons.  He makes and unmakes kings."  Dan. 2:21 (GN)

2.  They are often confusing.

       "... God does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing."  Eccl. 3:11 (NCV)

3.  God has a purpose for each season.

       "We know that all that happens to us is working for our good IF we love God and are fitting into his plans."  Rom. 8:28 (LB)

4.  The seasons include both good and bad times.

       Eccl. 3:2-8 "There is a time to...

       be born/die                  plant/uproot                 heal/kill                 build/tear down

       laugh/cry                     dance/grieve                gather/scatter       hug/not hug

       find/lose                       keep/throw away         repair/tear            speak up/be quiet 

       love/hate                      peace/war                                 

5.  What I sow in one season, I'll  reap in another.

       "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."Gal. 6:9 (KJV)

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF EACH SEASON

4 Questions to Ask

1.  WHAT CAN I LEARN IN THIS SEASON OF LIFE?

       "Remember what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him."  Deut. 11:2 (GN)

       "(This happened) ... so we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but God..."  2 Cor. 1:9 (Ph)

 Keep a journal. Write down the lesson that you had learned. 

2.  WHAT CAN I ENJOY IN THIS SEASON OF LIFE?

       "People ought to enjoy every day of their lives."  Eccl. 11:8 (NCV)

       "Give thanks in all circumstances; this is God's will for you."  1 Thess. 5:18 (NIV)

       "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Phil. 4:11 (NIV

 James 4:14 

3.  WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS SEASON OF LIFE?

       "Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do.  Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties these days."  Eph. 5:15-16 (Ph)

4. HOW CAN I HELP OTHER IN THIS SEASON OF LIFE?

       "Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help." Proverbs 3:27 (NCV)

       Regret the pass, worry for tomorrow is the two thing that cause most of the people can't enjoy the season of life. 

       "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."  Eccl. 11:4 (LB)

Day 5 21/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT I BELIEVE?

Rick Warren

      

1.      WHAT’S A WORLDVIEW? 

       MY WORDVIEW: The beliefs I build my life ON

·         “The one with most toys wins” ~ MATERIALISTIC 

      Jesus: “A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”        

      Luke 12:15 (NIV)

·         “I’Ve GoT to THiNK OF ME FIRST” ~INDIVIDUALISTIC

      Jesus: “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Matt.  16:25 (NLT)

·         “Do whatever feels good” ~HEDONISM 

      “Are you addicted to thrills?  What an empty life!  The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.”  Proverbs 21:17 (Mes)

·         “Whatever works for you” ~pragmatism 

      “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

·         “God doesn’t exist or matter” ~NATURALISM

“From the beginning of creation, God has shown what He is like by all He has made.  That's why those people don't have any excuse.  They know about God, but they don't honor Him or even thank Him...  They claim to be wise, but they are fools.”  Rom.  1:20-22 (CEV)

·         “You are your own god” ~HUMANISM

      “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped created things rather than the Creator.”  Rom.  1:25 (NIV)

·         “God made ME for his purposes” THEISM 

      “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible...  everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”  Col.  1:16 (Mes)

2.   WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT I BELIEVE?

      “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”  Proverbs 4:23 (TEV)

      “If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.” Proverbs 29:18 (Mes)

      “Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.”     1 Peter 3:15 (Amp)

3.  HOW CAN I STRENGTHEN MY WORLDVIEW? 

       LEARN WHAT IS TRUE. 

      “Learn the truth and never reject it.  Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.” 

      Proverbs 23:23 (NCV)

       DISCERN WHAT IS FALSE.

      “Don't believe everything you hear.  Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.  Not everyone who talks about God comes from God.  There are a lot of lying teachers loose in the world.” 1 John 4:1 (Mes)

       TURN FROM THE WORLD TO THE WORD.

      “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”      Rom.  12:2 (NIV)

      “A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on    trash.”   Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)

     CONCERN YOURSELF WITH GOD’S AGENDA.

      “God will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”  Luke 12:31 (NLT)

     We can't have two God in our heart. 

     God said, put him first, he will take care the rest. 

      “Stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” 1 Cor. 14:20 (NIV)

Day 4 20/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

WHERE TO FIND THE HOPE YOU NEED

Rick Warren

 “May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him.  Then you’ll overflow with hope…” Rom. 15:13 (GWT)

“In Your name I will hope, for Your name is good.”  Ps. 52:9

Jehovah Shammah = “God is always there!”

BECAUSE GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME… 

1.  HIS PRESENCE IS WATCHING OVER ME

“Don’t worry, because I am with you.  Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you.  I will support you…” Is. 41:10 (NCV)

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”  Ps. 32:8 (NLT)

       “I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies never stop.  They are new every morning.”  Lam. 3:21-23 (NCV)

2.  HIS PURPOSE IS WORKING IN ME

       “We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Rom. 8:28 (NAS)

       

        God is doing good thing in my life even when the situation is that bad.   

        Hope is something make sense regarding the power that turns up. 

       (God)  “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.  I will give you hope and a good future.”  Jer. 29:11 (NCV)

“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.”  Phil 1:6 (NCV)

3.  HIS PLACE IS WAITING FOR ME

       “Don’t be troubled.  You trust God, now trust in Me…  I am going to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:1-2 (NLT)

       “God has reserved for His children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you…  And God, in His mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting Him…  So be truly glad!  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.”  1 Peter 1:4-6 (LB)

“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.  All of that has gone forever.”  Rev. 21:4 (LB)

“Listen!  I have upheld you since you were conceived and I have taken care of you from your birth.  Even when you are old, I will be the same.  Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.  I made you and will take care of you.  I will carry you and save you.  Can you compare Me to anyone?  No one is equal to Me or like Me!”  Isa.  46:3-5 (NIV & NCV)

“In God’s great mercy He has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.”  1 Pete 1:3 (NCV)

When you face the crisis :

1. Remember the presence of God

2. Receive from God's people 

3. Rely on God's promises. 

 

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isa, 40:31 (NIV)

Day 3 19/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

THE PATH TO PERSONAL PEACE

Rick Warren

3 SOURCES OF TENSION

• When circumstances are uncontrollable.
• When people are unchangeable.
• When problems are unexplainable.

Jehovah Shalom = "I am the God of Peace"

"I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid."John 14:27 (LB)

THE PATH TO PERSONAL PEACE

1. ACCEPTANCE  OF WHAT CANNOT BE CHANGE

"I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at anytime in everything that happens … I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength."Phil 4: 11-13 (NCV)

learning through out tough time... 
Is your demand for explanation not God. God doesn't owe you an explanation. 
just like Job, no explanation has given.

THE SERENITY PRAYER

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

2. TRUST

 IN GOD LOVING CARE. 
"You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on You because they trust You."Isa. 26:3 (NCV)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."Pr. 3:5-6 (NIV)

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand."Phil. 4:6-7 (LB)

3. SURRENDER

 TO GOD LOVING CONTROL

"If a person's thinking is controlled by his sinful self, then there is death. But if his thinking is controlled by the Spirit, then there is life and peace."Rom. 8:6 (ICB)

"Those who love your teaching will find true peace, and nothing will defeat them."Ps. 119:165 (NCV)

"Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."Rom. 5:1 (NLT)

Day 2 18/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?

Rick Warren

     

LIFE'S 3 GREATEST QUESTIONS

1.  QUESTION OF EXISTENCE: WHY AM I ALIVE?

JEREMIAH: "Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?"Jeremiah 20:18 (TEV)

GOD SAYS:

• I WAS CREATED TO BE LOVE BY GOD

"Love comes from God... for God IS love. God showed how much he loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him."1 John 4:7-9 (NLT)

"Long before God laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, and settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love."Ephesians 1:4 (Msg)

God:

"I have loved you with an everlasting love!"Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

2.  QUESTION OF SIGNIFICANCE: DOES MY LIFE MATTER?

DAVID: "I remember how short my life is. Why did you create us? For nothing?"Psalm 89:47 (NCV)

JOB: "Why should I work so hard for nothing?"Job 9:29 (GW)

SOLOMON: "Laughing and having fun is crazy. What good does it do?"Ecclesiastes 2:2 (CEV)

GOD SAYS:

• HE CARES ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE

"Not even a sparrow, can fall to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing it. The very hairs on your head are all numbered! So don't be afraid; you are far more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows."Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT)

• HE PLAN MY DAY BEFORE MY BIRTH.

"You... scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in Your book!"Psalm 139:16 (LB)

• HE MADE ME TO LAST FOREVER

"God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but people can't see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

"The world and everything in it is passing away; but those who do the will of God will live forever."1 John 2:17 (TEV)

3.  INTENTION: IS THERE A PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE?

ISAIAH: "My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose at all."Isa. 49:4a (NLT)

GOD SAYS:

• HE MADE ME FOR HIS PURPOSE

"The Lord has made everything for His own purposes."Prov. 16:4a (NTL)

How do I discover my purpose in life?

"Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible …everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."Col 1:16 (Msg)

"Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding."Pr. 9:10b (LB)

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for... part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone."Eph. 1:11-12 (Msg)

"It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open."Acts 10:35 (Msg)

Day 1 18/8/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

It has been a long time I didn't log in my blog and write on what's I had encounter with God. 

Here I am to start on 40 days purpose driven life devotion plan "what's on earth am I here for?" 

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Preparing for What on Earth Am I Here For?

Rick Warren

"Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years... He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight... Hezekiah trusted in the Lord... There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. So the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did."2 Kings 18:2-7 (NLT)

"(Later) Hezekiah got sick. He was about to die. The prophet Isaiah said 'Prepare your affairs and your family. This is it: You're going to die. You're not going to get well.' Hezekiah turned away from Isaiah and, facing the wall, prayed to God: 'God, please, I beg You: Remember how I've lived my life. I've lived faithfully in Your presence, lived out of a heart that was totally Yours. You've seen how I've lived, the good that I have done.' ... Then God said, 'I've heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here's what I'll do: I'll add fifteen years to your life.'"Isaiah 38:1-5 (Msg) 

 

1. GOD WANTS ME TO CENTER MY LIFE AROUND HIM.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart ...and soul and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Mt. 22:37-38

"A sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."Phil. 4:7 (Msg)

 

2.  GOD WANTS ME TO  CONNECT WITH BELIEVERS.

"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together... instead let us encourage one another."Heb. 10:25 (GN)

"Those who believed... were baptized and added to the church... They joined with the other believers and committed themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship... They worshiped together regularly at the Temple... and met in small groups in homes ..."Acts 2:41-42, 46 (NLT/LB)

1. Believe
2. Be baptized
3. Join a church family
4. Commit to regular worship
5. Connect to a small group fellowship

Which of these is my next step? (Pick One)

3.  GOD WANTS ME TO CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

"Let us go on... and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be."Heb. 6:1 (LB)

"By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you...!"Heb. 5:12 (GW) 

 

4.  GOD WANTS ME TO  CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING BACK.

"God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other."1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

"What can I give back to God for the blessings He's poured out on me?"Ps. 116:12 (Msg) 

 

5.  GOD WANTS ME TO COMMUNICATE HIS LOVE.

"Through Christ, God has made peace between us and Himself, and He gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him… So we have been sent to speak for Christ!"2 Cor. 5:18, 20 (NCV)

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

TO CENTER YOUR LIFE AROUND GOD: (Worship)

• Read/Re-read Purpose Driven Life during the next 40 days

TO CONNECT WITH OTHER BELIEVERS: (Fellowship)

• Join a 40 Days of Purpose Small Group

TO CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL MATURITY: (Discipleship)

• Watch the 40 Days of Purpose videos in your small group

TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION WITH YOUR LIFE: (Service)

• Sign up to HOST a new small group for six weeks – Learn more at www.PurposeDriven.com

H ave a friendly heart
O pen your home to a small group of friends
S erve them something to drink
T urn on the DVD or Video tape of Pastor Rick!

TO COMMUNICATE GOD'S LOVE TO OTHERS: (Mission)
Invite 5 friends to participate in the What on Earth Am I Here For small group study.