Just Exceptional

Living with purpose is the only way to really live. Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it. Verse to Remember: "For David ... served the purpose of God in his own generation." Acts 13:36 (NASB) Question to Consider: When will I take the time to write down my answers to life's five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?

Point to Ponder: Blessed are the balanced. Verse to Remember: "Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do." Ephesians 5:15 (Ph) Question to Consider: Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God's five purposes for my life?

Point to Ponder: The Great Commission is my commission. Verse to Remember: "Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind." Psalm 67:2 (LB) Question to Consider: What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?

Point to Ponder: God wants to say something to the world through me. Verse to Remember: `Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15b-16 (TEV) Question to Consider: As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share it with?

The consequences of your mission will last forever; the consequences of your job will not. Nothing else you do will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God. Point to Ponder: I was made for a mission. Verse to Remember: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Question to Consider: What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish? What keeps me from telling others the Good News?

God has never been impressed with strength or self-sufficiency. In fact, he is drawn to people who are weak and admit it. Point to Ponder: God works best when I admit my weakness. Verse to Remember: "My Brace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV) Question to Consider: Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?

God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements. Point to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant. Verse to Remember: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 (NIV) Question to Consider: Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others. Verse to Remember: "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42 (NLT) Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

Point to Ponder: God deserves my best. Verse to Remember: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NN) Question to Consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

The very experiences that you have resented or regretted most in life-the ones you've wanted to hide and forget-are the experiences God wants to use to help others. They are your ministry! Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me. Verse to Remember: "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10 (LB) Question to Consider: What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church? I have a gift for you! Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus. Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free.  It's free. Download here  http://bit.ly/OutofWater

God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.  Point to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.  Verse to Remember: "God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all." 1 Corinthians 12:6 (Ph)  Question to Consider: In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?  I have a gift for you!  Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus.  Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free.  It's free. Download here http://bit.ly/OutofWater

While many best-selling books offer advice on how to `get" the most out of life, that's not the reason God made you. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. Point to Ponder: Service is not optional. Verse to Remember: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Question to Consider: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him? I have a gift for you! Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus. Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free. It's free. Download here http://bit.ly/OutofWater

While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. God views our lives from and for eternity, so he is never in a hurry. Point to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity. Verse to Remember: "God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:6 (NCV) Question to Consider: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent? I have a gift for you! Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus. Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free. It's free. Download here http://bit.ly/OutofWater

The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you. Point to Ponder: There is always a way out. Verse to Remember: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT) Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me? I have a gift for you! Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus. Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free. It's free. Download here http://bit.ly/OutofWater

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality! Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.  Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.  Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward then will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIT)  Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face? I have a gift for you! Explore the subjects of faith, meaning and purpose through the fascinating narration of Simon's encounter with Jesus.  Download my newest book, A Fish out of Water for free.  It's free. Download here http://bit.ly/OutofWater

Since God intends to make you like Jesus, he will take you through the same experiences Jesus went through. That includes loneliness, temptation, stress, criticism, rejection, and many other problems. Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem. Verse to Remember: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV) Question to Consider: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

D. L. Moody said, "The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives." Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me. Verse to Remember: "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 (KJV) Question to Consider: What has God already told me in his Word that I haven't started doing yet?

Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you. Tell me what you are committed to, and I'll tell you what you will be in twenty years. We become whatever we are committed to. Point to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing. Verse to Remember: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God-what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." Romans 12:2b (TEV) Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?

God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ. Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT) Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

"Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen: I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church. A critical spirit is a costly vice." - Rick Warren. Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church. Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:19 (Ph) Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?