How can you build a life of purpose? You can seek the answer to this question in many places - in self-help books, mentoring programmes, professional advice or even new-age philosophies. But have you ever considered how Jesus would answer this question for you? As the world's most significant person, He can do what no one else can. He can give you peace, purpose and power to change. Imagine for a moment that you're building a house. You hire a building contractor, but he never consults the blueprints drawn up by your architect (the designer). He casually builds without any detailed plan! An unwise move - I'm sure you will agree. Every good contractor needs to know exactly where to lay the foundation, erect the walls, and place the doors and windows. Only then will the home look the way it was intended. Only then will it comply to the planning consent given by the local authority.The same can be said of your life. How can you try to build your life without first consulting the great Architect of life? The One who predestined you according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5); who has created you for a wonderful and distinct purpose. The Bible says, "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).

Many of us sometimes feel as if we're living in a combat zone. It's as if a battle is raging on all sides and we can't seem to get focused. In combat, a critical factor for every soldier is whether he/she can outlast the battle in order to secure the victory. Therefore, surviving (coming through the struggle) means one of two things: (a) either you have gained the victory, or (b) you have escaped to fight again. But keep in mind, in spiritual warfare there may be spiritual captives! Many believers do not come through and end up defeated, bitter, backslidden and blaming God for what's happened. 2 Timothy 2:3,4 says, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. For no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (his commanding officer)." Enduring hardship as a good soldier is 'militaristic commitment', and this is essential in all spiritual warfare. God is looking for good soldiers, and the Greek word for "good" implies 'one who is fit, excellent and capable'. Therefore, a good soldier must possess all the correct virtues - he must be committed, skilled, disciplined, fierce in battle, driven and hardworking. You cannot live in the combat zone, and survive, without these characteristics.

John Watson of Vinesong talks about this vital subject bringing healing to those who have been hurt by life and knocked out of the race.

God seeks young people today. He seeks young people with great hearts who can make room for Him in their lives. To spread the Good News it is necessary to be youthful within (to have youthful energy). Also, to be capable of letting oneself be called into question about your faith. Jesus has a fondness for young people, as the conversation with the rich young man clearly shows (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22). He totally respects your freedom but never tires of proposing loftier goals for your life. Like Jesus, Cornerstone looks at young people with immense affection. You must understand that the church wants to be close to you - in moments of joy, in tests and trials, and in loss or failure. We're family!Dear young people, let yourselves be involved in the "new life" that flows from the encounter you've had with Christ and you will be able to become apostles of His peace in your families, among your friends, within your schools or colleges, and in the various spheres in which you are active.

Whenever you allow faith to rise above human reasoning, and then simply place your trust in God, He will work the miraculous in those seemingly impossible situations. "For with God nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). How reassuring it is for us to know that when we trust in God, His plan for our lives unfolds perfectly - each moment of every day. And the impossible becomes possible! Proverbs 3:5 encourages you to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Note, trust is a heart matter not a head matter! And the degree to which you trust in God reveals the level of faith you have in His ability to positively affect your situation. Unfortunately most people have never actually trusted in God with 'all their heart'. Most are simply leaning on their own understanding - trusting in their own ability to work things out!

Whenever you allow faith to rise above human reasoning, and then simply place your trust in God, He will work the miraculous in those seemingly impossible situations. "For with God nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). How reassuring it is for us to know that when we trust in God, His plan for our lives unfolds perfectly - each moment of every day. And the impossible becomes possible! Proverbs 3:5 encourages you to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Note, trust is a heart matter not a head matter! And the degree to which you trust in God reveals the level of faith you have in His ability to positively affect your situation. Unfortunately most people have never actually trusted in God with 'all their heart'. Most are simply leaning on their own understanding - trusting in their own ability to work things out!Often I hear people use the phrase, "I don't understand," and in this one statement we are showing that we are trying to find the answer to our dilemma on our own. We are trying to control the situation. Regardless of the problem or situation, we need to learn to accept, and trust that the guidance will come, and then patiently relax.Many times in this life you won't understand things. So if you learn to lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths. In essence, when we "don't" understand, that is a good thing. It's actually splendid, for the Bible tells us to "Lean not, on our own understanding." The bible goes on to tell us, our Heavenly Father's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. So if you are seeking human understanding to your dilemma, how then can you expect to receive any spiritual guidance? If you are relying on your own understanding, you won't have the capacity to interpret the thoughts of God.

Isaiah 60:1-2God is saying in the midst of calamity and darkness there is a generation who are arising.• Arise means to get to a higher level of living -so that God can release his glory in and through you.• Glory means all of God's best (Exodus 33) • All of God's best is in you• All of God's best will be seen on you• All of God's best can be released through you.• God is committed to [put in] and [pour out] all of Himself to a generation who ARISE.

Job 9:4-10 READ• God is sovereign. He controls all things• Sets up kings – takes them down• Sets up boundaries – Tells the Ocean where to stop• Set the planets spinning – controls the universe.Hebrews 1:3Hold all things together by the Word of His Power • Alpha and Omega –beginning and end –Holds the past and future in His hand.• When you give your life to God –you give Him control of it.• God is in control of every atom inside and outside your body.

Turn to Luke 8 and let's read the first 3 verses… "Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with Him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples."Notice, these women were helping to support Jesus out of their own means. One translation says, "Who ministered to and provided for Him out of their own property and personal belongings." What's quite obvious is that these women were women of substance, and they did three things with their resources; (1) they supported, (2) they ministered to [served], and (3) they provided for. Isn't this exactly what we should all be doing? Back to those 3 verses in Luke… The question that arises is, Why? Why did these women demonstrate love and affection for Jesus? Why did they serve Him using their own property and personal belongings? I believe the key is held in the detail that is given concerning their previous state – who they were before meeting Jesus. Note, all three women were in need of healing and deliverance.

This is probably one of the most encouraging passages of scripture in the whole Bible. It vividly expresses the deep and profound love, which the Lord has for all His people. Notice the wonderful statement… "I have called you by your name; you are Mine!" Another translation says, "I have claimed you; you are Mine!" God can legally claim us as His own because He was prepared to send Jesus to pay 'the price' in order to secure our redemption. Notice also how God emphasises that we are precious in His sight – 'greatly honoured' and 'loved'. Furthermore, through the prophet Amos, the Lord declared that all the gentiles who are called by His name will be part of the restoration of the Tabernacle of David. "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be." (Amos 9:10-11). This prophecy was forecasting the universal body of Christ becoming united in serving God. And according to ancient Hebrew custom, to be called by the name of anyone is to be regarded as a son or daughter. Therefore, it must also refer to all those who are to be included in the dynasty of David and considered children of God. Such a unique people will become a select community who have been given the ability to partake of the same divine Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).