There is a significant difference between setting goals and setting goals with a God-given purpose. In 2 Timothy 1:9 we learn God has saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. We are saved, called and graced for PURPOSE. Purpose is all that God created you for, called you to and graced you for. It is what life equips you for.
Purpose has your name on it. Purpose doesn’t quit and it points to Jesus in the form of a current testimony, what you are able to tell others about His work in your life today. Purpose points you forward. It motivates, inspires, and encourages you. And, purpose inspires others toward “a purpose driven life.” Purpose doesn’t happen to you, it happens THROUGH you. Purpose is 1) Why you are saved, 2) Why you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and 3) Why you are alive.
When your existence (your life) and purpose collide, you are dangerous. You are heading toward destiny and creating a legacy. It is a powerful opportunity when people realize they have a purpose. God anoints you for this. Purpose defines how you speak and think and it is the reason you get out of bed in the morning. It also affects those around you.
Why does God want us to live with purpose? Are you familiar with what is generally referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”? In the words of this prayer, we pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Purpose brings heaven’s purposes to earth. That is what Jesus did. He brought heaven to earth. Jesus came with purpose - to preach the good news, to heal broken hearts, to set captives free, to open blind eyes, to release the oppressed, and to preach the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19)
Ultimately Jesus’ purpose, and ours, is to spread God’s fame. Every believer has a purpose, a role to play in the spread of the good news. No matter what you do for work or ministry or life, you have purpose. Use your gifts to serve God and watch what God will do. You can be used for the glory of God and see success in the process. Success is a Bible word and if there's good success (Joshua 1:8), then there can be bad success. Bad success is all about yourself. Proverbs 16:3-4 promises that if you commit your actions to the Lord, your plans will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.
To everything there's a season. There is a time for every purpose under heaven. This is your time. Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. He is the same God who saved you, but it's not just about yesterday. Make it about today and tomorrow and forever.
Purpose is an issue of the heart. Psalm 33:11 promises that the purposes of God’s heart stand through all generations. It's a heart condition. He places his purpose in our heart, a divinely planted sense of purpose. Align your purpose with His and you're going to find that sweet spot in your life. It will be turbo charged because of God's grace and his anointing at work in your life.
When purpose is in your heart, it will find its way into your mouth. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Purpose is in God's mouth and His word does not return to Him empty but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. When we have purpose, our mouth is not subject to vain gossip or false narrative but helps propel our purpose.
Purpose frames the things you desire. “May He grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill ALL your purpose” (Ps 20:4). Desire changes with God's revealed purpose.
Don't be surprised if the devil fights you as you walk into purpose. He gets threatened when people start living their purpose. His purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He will try it but he doesn't have to be successful. Purpose says “no permission” to steal, kill or destroy. Purpose allows “no opportunity” “no advantage” and “no place” to the devil and his schemes.
God can do all things and no purpose of His can be thwarted. His purpose cannot and will not be annulled. His purpose stands firm. Ask God to put His sense of purpose in your heart and make your life about purpose. Live WITH purpose, FOR purpose, and ON purpose.
