Tuesday, May 10, 2016

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; 
be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace
to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14As obedient children, do not conform to the 
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy."

     In this great big world we live in, everyone has a purpose.  That purpose for your life has been designed especially for YOU by God himself!  Unfortunately, most people never find themselves in a relationship with God where they can hear from Him what that specific purpose is.  However, once you decide to live for God you can find your purpose in Him.  But...people have to understand that living for God is not simply believing in God...even Satan believes in God.  Living for God is also not just attending church services, although this is an important part of it.  Living for God means that you are fully living for God, all the time, in all that you do.  As you might have guessed, this is not easy but, nonetheless, it should be our goal.  This should be our goal for each day, week, month, year, and entire life.  
     So what does living for God actually look like?  This can take on so many appearances but let me try to share a few with you.  Living for God means that you are spending time in prayer with God each and every day.  Living for God means that you are spending time reading God's word AND believing in it!  Living for God means that you are actively part of a church family where you are able to help others in their spiritual walk while also receiving the help you need.  Living for God means you are no longer conforming "to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance."  Living for God means that you are willing to share your faith and the gospel of Christ with others because you know how it has changed your life for the better.  Living for God means that when others ask you why you are different (in a good way), you can't wait to tell them that you are the way you are because Jesus Christ lives in your heart!
     So when we choose to live for God our lives change for the better.  Sometimes these changes are difficult but they are always worth it.  Sometimes it means we give up some of the things we thought we were going to do with our lives...it's worth it.  Sometimes it means we allow ourselves to go outside of our comfort zone...it's worth it.  Sometimes it means we help at church events when we would rather be relaxing at home...it's worth it.  Sometimes it means serving food at a homeless shelter when we would rather be fishing or golfing or whatever...it's worth it.  It's ALWAYS worth it to live for God!

 In-Kwon and Jeong-Seok Kim visited us from the Mango Tree Respite Center in Tonga.
 Our Kapa Haka group from school (Dargaville High School).
 We have been infested with praying mantises this fall!
 Hadley on the playhouse.
 Our house in Tikipunga, Whangarei, New Zealand.
 Rev. Nigel Carey of Dargaville shared a special message with us recently.
 Guavas growing in our yard.
Feijoas growing in our yard.
Lori and our co-pastor, Donna Williams, recently had the honor of baptizing Jasmine!

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