Weekly Devotion From Our Pastor

For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.
Acts 13:36 TNIV

While reviewing Paul’s sermons and speeches in Acts this week I came upon this verse.  It jumped out.  Quite honestly I had never seen it before!  My imagination began to swirl….

Imagine for a moment you are crossing from this life to the next.  You are about to come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus is speaking to about you and uses these words: "__________ served the purpose of my Heavenly Father for her generation."

Wow!  Imagine being able to shear that. Even though David made some incredibly bad choices that led to long term consequences he still “served God’s purpose in his own generation”. David repented each time he erred and his purpose was accomplished on earth.

I’m learning to pray for people and myself this way; "Lord, please fulfill every purpose for which you made _______________. In the midst of trial or blessing may Your purpose be seen, understood and lived."

A friend of mine defines success as “fulfilling the complete purpose for which God made you.” It has nothing to do with wealth, accomplishments, stature in life, or standard of living. It has to do with living a life of obedience to the Father. And when we live a life of obedience to the Father, we will fulfill the purposes that God had in mind when he made us.

In 1924, Eric Liddle (the Scottish runner whose life was chronicled in the movie Chariots of Fire) was challenged by his missionary sister to forego running in the Olympics to go to China with her as a missionary. He responded by saying, "When I run I feel His (God's) pleasure. I was made to run and I was made to be a missionary too." He understood his complete purpose for his generation. As a result, he brought glory to the Father through his running and his missionary service.

How about it?  Are you cooperating with God so His purposes for your life are fulfilled in your generation?  It is something to think about.