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What on Earth Am I Here For?

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Sunday, October 5, 2003

My Prayer Today

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the opportunity to continue preparing myself for the 40 Days of Purpose. As I look forward to next Sunday, when our congregation will undertake a season of spiritual renewal, I thank You that You are the author of all seasons of life, and particularly of seasons of growth in my life! I pray that as I worship with brothers and sisters in Jesus today that You will glorify Yourself in my life, and in our life together. May today’s worship bring You the honor and praise that You alone deserve. May the music and the message encourage and challenge me to greater faithfulness and to putting You first in my life. I pray for the worship team, the pastors, and all who will take part in leading the worship that they may have a special anointing of Your Holy Spirit to lead us to worship and follow You. As we focus on making the most of the time, I pray that You will redeem my time that I may truly glorify You in all that I think say and do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Verses

Ephesians 5:15-21

15So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. [literally: Therefore, consider(see) carefully how you walk/live, not as unwise ones, but as wise ones.] 16Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days [literally: redeeming (buying) the time (καιρόν—God’s time, this is as opposed to χρόνος—which is clock time.” because the days are evil]. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly [literally: Therefore, Don’t be mindless], but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. [but understand the will of the Lord.] 18Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. 19Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Reflecting on The Scripture

What, if anything in your life is distracting you from living in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit?

What would it mean to you to “make the most of every opportunity for doing good”?

Exploring The Scripture

What cautions does Paul offer in today’s Scripture for those who are followers of Jesus? (5:15-21)

What encouragement does Paul offer in today’s Scripture for those who are followers of Jesus? (5:15-21)

What outcomes are evident in the lives of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit? (5:18-21)

Understanding The Scripture

What does it mean to you, to “redeem the time,” as you go about your daily living?

When was the last time that you consciously asked God to fill you with the Holy Spirit?

Applying The Scripture

What one action do you need to take as a result of reading today’s Scripture?

Don't Waste Your Life!

In just seven days we will embark on a 40 day spiritual adventure! Some of us have been praying and planning for it for months. Others have become aware of it through the past 28 days as we’ve focused on the lives of Moses, David, Elijah and Jesus, and powerful 40 day experiences in their lives. Some are new to New Life and are just finding out about 40 Days of Purpose. The theme for today is “Don’t Waste Your Life!” Each of us has only one life to live, before entering an eternity of joy in God’s presence or separation from Him. The Apostle Paul reminds us to make the most of the time, to be careful how we live. To put it bluntly, Paul tells us: DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE! Paul gives us some important reminders for ensuring that our lives have meaning and purpose. The key is to be intentional, and to allow the Holy Spirit to fill and guide us. At New Life we’re investing 40 Days to focus on the five Biblical purposes for which we have been created. Please pray for God to work in all of us during these next 47 days and beyond, to deepen our faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit, and for Jesus to draw many people into His Kingdom! Please, sign up for a LIFE group for the next six weeks if You haven’t done so, and please ask God to show you ways that you can “redeem the time.” That’s going to mean clearing some clutter from our calendars for most of us. If we’re going to make “deposits” in the “time bank” that will glorify God and build us up, we’ll need to make some “withdrawals” first.