Friday, December 19, 2008

Daily Digest #200

The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith. —Hebrews 4:2

We are tempted to sin in many ways. When somebody annoys or provokes us, we usually want to do something bad in return. When our superiors give us unreasonable tasks, we feel like complaining or even punching him/her in the face. When a co-worker gossips about us, we are tempted to say the meanest things back. When a neighbor sets the speakers in full-blast, we feel like knocking the door down and unplugging the sound system, or even throw it off the balcony. When somebody makes our life miserable, we can't help but curse at the person and wish him/her dead.

But Jesus tells us, when our enemies throw us stones, we throw bread in return. Hard as it seems, it actually works because nothing annoys them more! :D Seriously though, God is trying to teach us about patience, understanding and love every time we encounter difficult people. What I learned from my experiences is that I can be the worst enemy of all. One can never really resort to violence or saying hurtful words if his/her heart was pure. And everyday, we make a decision to purify our hearts, and walk God's way. Should that be the case, nothing can ever bother us because we would find delight in simply serving Him and being a blessing to others.

For this, let us pray. May we ask God to purify our hearts. May we tame our tongues and be slow to anger. May we ask God's help and guide us when we find it hard to deal with difficult people. May we find in our hearts the joy of being generous, loving and kind, giving glory to God. Pray always.

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2008/12/17

He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 (TEV)

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The Bible also teaches that Jesus came to save you for something. God has a purpose and a plan for your life; he created you for a specific mission.

The Bible says: "He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9 TEV). You can live life at one of three levels: survival, success, or the highest level – significance.

Most of the world lives at the survival level. Half of the world's six billion people live on less than $2 a day. That's survival. If you're an American, even if you are the poorest of the poor in the United States, you live at the success level. Most of the world would love to have your problems. But you say, "If I'm so successful, why don't I feel fulfilled?"

You don't feel fulfilled because you were made for more than success. The ultimate goal of life is significance, not success. You were made for significance – and significance comes from knowing God, knowing his purpose for your life, and then doing it. Then you realize, "This is what I was made for! This is my niche! It's me! Now I know why I'm here on the planet."

All the success in the world can't give you that.

That's why the very first sentence of The Purpose Driven Life is a very counter-cultural statement: "It's not about you." That's the exact opposite of what our culture says. Our entire culture says, "It's all about you."

You'll never find satisfaction and significance by living for yourself because God didn't wire you that way. You were made for God. There will always be a hole in your heart because you need something greater than yourself. You need God's purpose. You've tried everything else. Why not try God?

So Jesus said, "I want to save you from your past. I want to save you for a purpose. And I want to save you by something."

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