Purpose Driven In Christ

Whatever is in our hearts will eventually surface through our actions and words. It’s important that we address the conditions of our hearts so that we are not negatively impacting the lives of others.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭

“O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” Proverbs‬ ‭23:26‬ ‭

There will be times in which we need to extend grace on various levels to individuals including ourselves. When we are intentional about extending grace in situations we will not be caught off guard to our emotions. We will be reminded of how grace closes the door to potential offense, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Embedded grace is needed for all interactions and relationships. It keeps both peace in our hearts and faith in our actions with the understanding that God works all things out for the good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew‬ ‭26:41‬ ‭

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”I Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

Insecurity is uncertainty or anxiety about oneself and/or lack of confidence. It can be a stronghold pattern or a situational state. We can be set free from insecurity when we truly receive the love of God, identify ourselves with Christ, and allow Him to give us joy, peace, confidence, purpose, dependency and significance in Him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians‬ ‭4:13

Having contentment in Christ will allow us to be discerning of potential opportunities to covet. When we guard our hearts from making idols of earthly things, we are more likely to be in the will of God. He supplies all of our needs and gives us things according to His will so that He receives the glory and remains on the throne of our hearts.

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” I John‬ ‭5:14-15‬ ‭

God has called us to seek wisdom and understanding. He has equipped us to gain wisdom and understanding through both His word and directly through Him. When we make decisions from our emotions or flesh we are most likely not operating in the wisdom in which God called us.

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.

Job 12:13

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 1:7

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:13-18

Jesus makes us righteous when we surrender our lives and place our faith in Him. He continues the sanctification process by allowing Holy Spirit to work through us. This involves helping us to deny our sinful nature so that we can be used for the purposes and plans that He has called us to. Sanctification means to be set apart for a purpose.

“Therefore, 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.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭

According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 1 Peter 1:2

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans‬ ‭8:12-14‬ ‭

We have the freedom to pray at any time. God has encouraged us to pray in various situations for His glory. It is communication with Him as it allows us to release our concerns and trust Him.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:18‬ ‭

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭

God wants us to continue having a zeal for the things of him while relying on the Holy Spirit to empower us to do what we are unable do in our natural abilities. If we rely on others to speak the truth and we are not a vessel ourselves, we have become dependent on others and not the Holy Spirit which can cause our flame to gradually fade. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but an ability to rely on the Holy Spirit who will speak directly through us for His glory.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭

Meditating on a negative situation can cause a person to experience the emotion of anger. When this emotion is not addressed, it can turn into sinful actions that not only impacts the person, but other individuals. We are called not to sin from this emotion, but to truly operate in self-control through the word of God. It’s important to acknowledge anything in our hearts that is not of God so that true freedom and inner healing can take place. God wants us to be at a place of peace and joy not bitterness and anger which produces negative fruit.

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:26, 29-32‬ ‭

Walking in love takes intentionality. If we are intentional about being consistent with walking in love despite an offense or disappointments then we will not be derailed by things not going our way.

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” I Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭

“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.” Proverbs‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭