HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

NUMBER 5: 

PEOPLE ARE MADE FOR A MISSION (final part, AMEN)

Do you think any one of the people you know would be encouraged to know that God created him or her for a specific mission here on Earth? It’s true! God’s fifth reason for creating us is for a mission.  Jesus is quoted in the Gospel of John as saying,

 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  John 17:18 (NASB)

Every believer has two missions, one to fellow believers, the other to unbelievers. Actually it is more like a MINISTRY to believers, and a MISSION to unbelievers. It is not hard for us to do both, serving believers and helping unbelievers. The truth is most people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. That means our relationship with an unbeliever caries more value than our fame in this world. Put simply, “People don’t care how much you know.  They want to know how much you care.” This gives the average Christian an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

Each of us play a crucial role in helping the people around us to develop this sense of mission in their lives. One thing we can do is to help others see what mission God has planned for their lives. This doesn’t mean we have to be able to read tea leaves or someone’s palm, then declare to them the specific plan God has for their life.  Indeed not!  Rather, our role is to encourage and guide others around us.  God says this very activity (performing our ministry and mission) is one of the reasons why HE gives us the Bible.

God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17 (NLT)

The hardest thing is for us to be living examples of what we say we believe.  What does it say to the world when we endorse one thing, but never use it.  For example, what are we saying to the world when we say, I believe in eating healthy as I’m chewing on a chocolate candy?  Get my point. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about this:

let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:16-17 (NASB)

We need to begin by asking God to grow each of us in all of these areas.  At the same time we should be building into the lives of the people around us, a strong sense of how God created each of them to experience a meaningful life. The great lie is that we have to be perfect, or really, really good to help others.  Again, NOT SO! Not all of us are called to be leaders, but we are all called to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Don’t be afraid to say to the people around you,  “Walk with me as I try to walk with God.”  You'll be amazed at what God will do!

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE (part 4)

People Are Shaped for Service
God created each of us to serve him, and in the church, we call that ministry. The Bible teaches that one of the reasons we were created is to serve God by serving others.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

Every Christian is created to serve, and that means we are called to ministry, created for ministry, saved for ministry, and uniquely gifted for ministry. The Bible makes it very clear that every Christian is a minister, regardless of age.

This series of posts began with the declaration that people are looking for meaning in life.  People who volunteer, when asked why they volunteer, often say that volunteering (serving) is meaningful to them.  In short, it helps them to find the answer to the question, “Why am I here?”

Our desperate need to have a life with meaning is demonstrated in a fictional character on a popular TV show.  In the third season of the TV show House MD, a homeless old guy (played by Geoffrey Lewis) who has come to the hospital to die says:

 “If I die in peace, then I'm just another patient. But if I die suffering... I just need to die, knowing that something is different because I was here.”  

This man was willing to die in extreme pain because he believed it would cause the doctor, the only person with any type of relationship with him, to remember him.

To develop a meaningful life, people need opportunities where they can serve and have a sense of success. We can help people find meaning in life by guiding them to volunteer in various areas of ministry.  Create meaningful events where people can volunteer.  

As caring Christians we need to remember that ministry is not limited to the property where the church meets.  The most effective ministries most often take place away from the church building.
                                  
The God of the universe shaped each of us to serve, and we can start right now.  The earlier people start to serve, the sooner they will begin to experience Christ-like service.  This type of service will develop within each of us a sense of meaning to our life.

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE (part 3)

People are created to be like Christ

Let’s review: Part 1 is: We were planned for God’s pleasure, and that’s called worship. Part 2 is: We Find Meaning in Community, that’s called relationships or fellowship.

Now, there’s a third reason God made us. He created each one of us to be like Christ, and we call that discipleship. God works in our lives to transform us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in Romans 8:29 (HCSB)
For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

We need to have a clear understanding that Jesus was not an accident. His birth and our lives are all part of God’s original plan. God still working the same plan today that He has had from the very beginning of time.

God’s plan needs to become our plan -- immediately! Our goal needs to be to help the people around us to become more and more like Christ. Part of the process is helping them understand how God is going to take them through everything that happens in their life.  Just as Jesus went through joy we too will experience joy. Just like he went through sorrow, we too will experience sorrow.

Was there a time when Jesus was lonely? Yes.
Was there a time when Jesus was tempted? Yes.
Was there a time when Jesus was unpopular? Yes.
Misunderstood? Yes.
Criticized? Yes.
Went without basic needs? Yes.
Was there ever a time in Jesus’ life when things left him uncomfortable? Absolutely.

Our lives are filled with all these problems and too many more to list here. We need to remember God is not only in control, but He is right there with us in our Joys and our sorrows.  Only then can they truly become like Jesus.  Perhaps Corrie Ten Boom said it best when she wrote:

“No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”

The Bible also says that other people are able to see God at work through our own suffering.

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. John 9:3 (NLT)

In order to produce the fruit of the Spirit in us, God will place us in difficult situations, surrounded by people who don’t like us, won’t try to understand us and often will treat us unfairly. Our faithfulness through trials will help others to see their problems from God’s
perspective and will help them submit to his sovereign hand as he works to make them more like Christ.

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE (part 2)

NUMBER 2:
We Were Created to Communicate the Truth.

The second thing that gives a person’s life meaning is to have a mission.  In the Star Trek series, the Enterprise was on a mission “to go where no one had gone before.” In Swamp people the mission is about catching ‘gators.  Even the Blues Brothers were “On a mission from God.”  Someone might think or even say, “Well, that’s just entertainment.”  Perhaps, but even in history there are examples of the importance of having a mission.  Phrases like “No taxation without representation” and “Remember the Alamo” were rallying cries calling people to a common mission.  Having a mission gives meaning to our lives.  God’s second reason for creating us is for mission.  

We all have a mission.  Like the Mission Impossible task force we can choose to accept it or not.  The difference is the mission we have is one that gives our lives meaning.  Our mission is to tell unbelievers about God and to encourage believers in God.  

 

God said to Moses,

and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." Exodus 19:6 (NASB)

and Jesus said to the disciples,

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)

Every believer should have a ministry to believers, and a mission to unbelievers. It is not hard for  people to do both. One possible way to accomplish both is to involve the entire family by going on a mission trip together. 

Studies show most people who come to Christ -- at least in the United States -- come to him before they turn eighteen . Other studies show people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. This combination gives Christian families an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

We all play a crucial role -- if not the most critical -- in helping people develop this sense of mission in their lives.  We have the power, more than that, we have the mission to begin building into the lives of people a strong sense of how God created each of them for a mission. 

DEVELOPING A LIFESTYLE THAT WORSHIPS GOD

Disclaimer: The following post are just some brief thoughts about worship.  For an in depth study of Worship I recommend: Will You Worship? by Ray Jones and Dr. Dino Sensi; also, Tozer on Worship and Entertainment. by A.W. Tozer; finally, The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life. by Louie Giglio

For worship to be more than “That thing we do on Sundays” we must begin by changing our understanding of worship. Most importantly I must begin with having committed my life to obeying God and receiving the forgiveness provided by the sacrifice of  Jesus.  Having done that, there are three steps involved in this change:
1- I must begin to think of God as always with me;
2- I must begin to pray more often than prior to eating a big meal;
3- I must establish a regular time alone devoted to meeting with God. 

Perhaps the place to start is to answer the question, “What do I worship?”  In the previous post I gave some examples of false objects of our worship.  I propose two formulas that a person can use to discover what they truly worship.

First, take time to consider what gets my attention, my affection, and my allegiance? In other words, what are the things I spend the most time thinking about?  What am I passionate about?  To what am I most loyal? 

The second formula which helps us discover what we truly worship is to make a list of what do I spend my money, my time, my thoughts and my energy upon?  Where I spend my money is bigger then “Do I tithe?” If we examen our shopping habits and our credit / debit card statements we will discover where our disposable income is spent. If I worship an activity, then I’ll spend my money on that activity more than anything else. My calendar will be dictated by the activity(s) I worship, that I will plan around and even cancel events because of what I worship.  I will spend almost all of my free time thinking and dreaming about my object of worship. All of my  energy will be focused upon my object of worship. 

In 1 Samuel chapter seven, the people Israel are told to get rid of their idols and devote themselves to God.

Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone. 1 Samuel 7:3-4 (NASB)

A serious misunderstanding is  possible at this point.  I am not saying that worshiping God means that there is nothing but “church” in my life.  The Bible teaches we have freedom to have hobbies, to enjoy various activities, to recreate, etc, as long as it doesn’t lead to sin by us or others. In fact, we can actually do various activities in a way that is actually worship, or leads to worship.

For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)

and

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own [good], but [the good] of the other person. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (HCSB)

and again

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (HCSB)

Once we discover the “false gods” we have in our lives, then we can begin to call on the Holy Spirit to enable us to remove those gods.  Begin by fasting from any object or activity that I suspect of controlling me.  Use the urges and desires for that object or activity to cause me to turn to The Father in prayer. Replace the time we spend on that object or activity with time spent with God or studying about God by reading the Bible.   These behaviors will start us on the path that will develop in us a lifestyle of worshiping God!

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

The most fundamental question people ever wrestle with is "Why am I here?" Unlike past generations, people today aren’t necessarily looking for “the meaning of life”. Instead they’re searching for meaning in life.

Americans especially are desperately seeking something that makes their life worth living. We are so desperate for it, we will grab onto any activity, cause, or belief regardless how poorly it fits into our lives.  The fact is we are seeking the very thing for which God made us. 

The Bible teaches that God made everyone for a relationship with Him.  That relationship is the key ingredient for a meaningful life.  For instance, in Colossians we’re told: 

because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 (HCSB) 

The Bible also teaches that there are several steps we can take toward developing a meaningful relationship with God.  Following each of these steps is the single most important thing any of us can ever do.  God holds us accountable for living these five purposes as an example to the people around us and most importantly to our children as part of training them in the ways of the Lord.

STEP NUMBER 1:   We were created to Worship God.

If there is one thing people in the world, especially in the United States, understand it is how to worship.  People who worship Star Trek are called “Trekkies”; those who worship Jimmy Buffet are called “Parrot Heads”; those who worship famous stars are called “groupies”. I should also mention those who might worship sports, T.V. shows, possessions, pleasure, popularity, or power.  The truth is we get worship.  What we don’t get is the correct focus of our worship.  The Bible tells us that we were created to worship God!

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."  Revelation 4:11 (NASB)

Most people struggle with love and acceptance.  We need to understand how critical it is to build into other lives the precious knowledge that all of us were created as an object of God’s love.

By understanding God’s love for us, we can reflect our love for God. In Matthew 22:37 (the verse we know as the Great Commandment) Jesus says:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (NIV)

People who miss this are missing something of critical importance in life. We need to teach people to know God, and we need to teach them to express their love to God through worship.

Before we teach others about worship, we must first understand worship and begin to develop a worshipful lifestyle.  Worship of God builds our relationship with God and gives our lives meaning. 
In my next post I will present some thoughts and scripture about developing a lifestyle of God worship.

TEEN CRISIS INTERVENTION (part 2)

Three Reasons to Help a Teen in Crisis

Now when Job’s three friends...heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, each of them came from his home. They met together to go and offer sympathy and comfort to him. Job 2:11 (HCSB)

1. When I was hurting God provided someone to help me.

Everyone of us has gone through or is presently going through a time of crisis.  (Personally my teen and college years were one crisis after another.)  Each time we experience a crisis God puts not only one, but usually several people, in our lives to be there for us.  This includes the Holy Spirit!

While I do not recommend the movie Pay it Forward (because of the excessive foul language) I do recommend the philosophy.  Someone was there for me, so I should be there for someone else.

Ignoring a person in crisis is equal to ignoring a person drowning in a pool.  Most people describe their crisis as feeling like they are drowning.  Job was in a crisis greater than most of us can imagine, he lost his property, his children, and his health.  But he still had three good friends who were there for him. 

2. When I needed someone no one but God helped me.

This reason is the opposing cause with the same result as the reason above.  Perhaps you experienced a life crisis alone (this never happens for believers because the Holy Spirit is always with us).  You know how hard it is to survive a crisis.  Surviving a crisis, either alone or with friends, highlights the importance of having a friend(s) to lean on and to provide that extra help to those in crisis.

Choose to be that person for someone else.  Job’s friends weren’t there by accident, even Jesus sought comfort and support from his friends while he was experiencing his crisis in the garden the night before his death (Mt. 26:38).

3. God is giving me an opportunity to participate in HIS work.

Each one of us has been commanded by God to love God and love people (Mt. .  Part of loving God is to love the things HE loves, that includes people.  Part of loving people is helping each other through various crises we experience in life.  There is a word we use for this, it’s discipleship.

God not only directs us, but HE also empowers us to help each other.  THIS DOESN’T MEAN WE ARE TO BECOME "THE SPIRITUAL ANSWER MAN."   I am convinced the best answer to helping those in crisis is, “I don’t know, but lets find out together.” 

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 (NASB)