Tag: Purpose of Life

How to Really Know Faith when Facing Fiery Trials

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3;17-18

When fiery trials of life come into our lives, all too often we despair or become angry. We may cry out to God with that piercing question, “Why?” We pray for a miracle when a loved one is ill and then wonder what happened when our loved one dies anyway. Couldn’t God have saved them? Couldn’t God have prevented the storm from ripping away all that I clung to on this earth? Couldn’t God have prevented the Cancer or the years of illness that followed? Of course, He could have!! But He didn’t in my case and often He doesn’t; yet, what He does is more miraculous than the miracle we are asking for.

Nebuchadnezzar had quickly forgotten his own words concerning God spoken to Daniel: “Of a truth it is that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47). Most certainly, he had either forgotten or misunderstood Daniels proclamation, “Thou, O King, art a king of kings, for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Daniel 2:37). Much like a lot of people we meet. Perhaps they have come to the awareness of God; but, quickly become more occupied in their own self exaltation. Never falling to the ground in praise or awe of God’s Grace and Glory toward them. So it was,

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In A Despairing World, What Is My Purpose?

Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things. You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! Hebrews 10:33-35 TLB

Can we truly know a steadfast joy that sustains our hearts even when terror strikes around us? Or when we go to the doctor to hear the dreaded word Cancer, where can be find sustaining faith? We see so much sorrow, so many suffering, and so much corruption that our hearts bleed for our nation and our world!  Yet, as followers of Christ we are told that we can hold tight to faith, hope, and joy. In our study on Monday, we began a 3 part series within our larger series through Hebrews.

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There are three key fundamental truths each of us must know in order to have a faith that can stand fearless no matter what happens around us. Even in the center of the storm, we can have a steadfast joy smoldering deep within our heart, spirit and soul. These three key fundamental truths are:

1. Knowing who God is

2. Knowing the purpose for which we were created

3. Knowing the true identity of who we are in Christ

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4 Wonderful Results of Knowing the Truth of Your Purpose

What is my purpose in life and why does it matter? Can knowing my purpose transform my life? Can it transform my actions and my reactions? Can purpose transform how I see trials? John’s Gospel from the first word and all the way through was written with one sincere purpose in mind—that “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). He had the privilege of seeing Jesus. He had witnessed all of His miracles. He sat at the feet of Jesus. He felt the awe and wonder of the love of Jesus for him. He witnessed the resurrection and had come to realize that there was no greater purpose in life than to point others to Jesus. The only hope for life eternal was in Jesus. Not only that, the only hope to satisfy the hunger of our souls on this earth is to know Jesus as our friend, our treasure, our Lord and our God. We were created to be loved by God, to walk daily with Him, to talk with Him, and to be bathed in His joy every day. Sin, broke that relationship; but, in Christ that relationship can be restored. John realized the wondrous gift that he had been given. He had been allowed to see Jesus and to walk with Him. He had been given “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). When John looked upon the sorrows, the trials, and the darkness of the world; his heart passionately longed to tell each and every one about Jesus. His life became filled with this one purpose.

Purpose

In Christ, I have been given the greatest gift ever!! In Christ, I have been redeemed, declared a saint, adopted as a child of God, showered with His presence, and His love. The eyes of my heart have been opened to see Him in all His glorious beauty and to desire Him above all else. As that truth grows within my heart, I must share that. God loves me so much that He would not leave me here on this earth one second beyond His having purpose for me. His purpose in my remaining are twofold. 1. That I might grow in my knowledge of Him so that I can fully enjoy His presence. 2. That I might be allowed to share in His Glory by His using my life as a testimony to bring others to Him. When I realize that my purpose is to grow more intimately in love with God (my best friend who loves me more than anyone else could) and then to share His gospel with everyone I meet; then, my life view changes. I think there are 4 main changes that occur when we see our purpose in Christ.

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3 Purposes of God That Will EMPOWER Your Life

I have so wanted to just sit down and talk with each of you.  If I could take your hand and tell you that in the midst of whatever circumstance you are in, God has a perfect plan of love.  So, I have decided to do the closest thing I can to that for now.  I created this video—this will be my first video podcast just for you.  I have spoken on a subject that I find very dear to my heart and believe that watching it will transform your Christian Journey.  Learning of these truths certainly transformed mine.  My desire is to begin this new year with at least monthly podcasts for you.  I will be open to questions or suggestions as to what subjects we may discuss or explore together.

 

My book, ULTIMATE INSPIRATION, GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE is a more in-depth exploration of this very subject.  I will be giving away one signed copy to someone chosen at random from those who leave comments below.  Feel free to contact me via the contact page above, leave your comments or place comments on my Facebook Author/Speaker Page.  For those who wish to purchase a copy of the book, you may go to http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000465113/Ultimate-InspirationGods-Plan-of-Love.aspx   or at Amazon at  http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Inspiration–Gods-Plan-Love/dp/1477205918/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451747889&sr=8-4&keywords=effie+darlene+barba

If indeed, you wish a copy and cannot afford it; please email me.  Depending upon the response, I will try to honor you with a copy.  Understanding that in the modern book market; I, the author,  must purchase my own books from the publisher. So, as I am able and God permits, I will try to fulfill those requests.

 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned with of course the exception of my own book for which I receive a small commission from Authorhouse, the publisher.   I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.