To Know Our Purpose

What is it to know our purpose in this life? I can personally tell you that it truly brings great satisfaction and fulfillment to one's life. But it is definitely a journey that has specific steps we have to take or we'll never get there.

Step One:
Believe in (trust in, lean on and rely upon) the Lord Jesus Christ. Why Jesus Christ? Because He is the only One Who proved that He was God. Jesus/God came to this earth, lived a sinless life (he did nothing wrong), died to take our sins (our wrongs) upon Himself (only God could do something like that) and then He rose Victorious to show everyone that sin and death have no more grip on our lives. Jesus is the only One Who wanted to take our sins from us and the Only One Who could die with our sins upon Himself, so we don't have to die in our own sins. WOW!! What a Great God Who loves us! Isn't it time to get to know Him! I want Him in my life don't you?!

Step Two:
Now that you believe, trust in and rely upon Jesus Christ (and eventually you will find that it is great to be able to lean on Him too) it is time to make Him the Boss of your life. An awesome Pastor shared with me the fact that people don't know about "Lords and Kings" much anymore so it is helpful to think of Jesus as the Ultimate Boss! A Boss Who only seeks after our highest good in all things... and who wouldn't want a Boss like that anyway?! So, allow God through Jesus' life and teachings to be The Boss of your life!

Up to this point you may have a few questions like 'How exactly do I believe in Jesus enough to make Him the Boss of my life?' All you have to do is use your own words to tell Him that you are "sorry for your sins and grateful that He wants to take all of them from you". Then ask Him to "take your sins and that you want to get to know Him more and more from now on and that you truly want Him to be the Boss of your life". If you have anymore questions please email me at rebeccalove777@hotmail.com and I'll be glad to help in anyway I can.

Step Three:
Now that you are saved from your sins and Jesus is the Boss of your life it is time to find out what His plans are for your life and we call this "Our God-Given Purpose". To know your "God-Given Purpose" it is important to know what your talents, skills and spiritual gifts are because when you are walking in the way that God made you then you are fulfilling your purpose here on earth. Yep, it is that simple! So after you figure out what your talents and skills are it is time to find out what your spiritual gifts are. Don't worry because God is always growing us up and teaching us along the way and He will always show you what plans He has for you when He wants you to know them.

If you don't know what skills and talents you possess ask someone who knows you well enough what they see in you and then write your skills and talents down.

Identifying My Spiritual Gifts

In trying to make it easier to identify our spiritual gifts there are four major categories we can put each gift into. Usually, the spiritual gifts that we feel good about are our top gifts. The ones where we cringe when we read about them are usually the spiritual gifts we don't possess or rarely ever use.

Here are the four major identifying categories:
1) Yes, definitely (I already see these gifts strongly being used in my life)
2) Yes but not my top gifts (I see these gifts being used but not as strong as my #1 top gifts)
3) Maybe but not sure - need more experience (I have used these gifts but not very skillfully)
4) Not much/rarely exercised (definitely at the bottom of my list of gifting)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS
“Each Spiritual Gift is a God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ effectively”
(number each spiritual gift below to the best of your ability by using the 1-4 numbering system from above)

Administration: Effectively organizing resources and people in order to efficiently reach ministry goals.

Apostleship: Launching and leading new ministry ventures that advance God's purposes and expand His kingdom. The original Greek word is “sent one” (literally, one sent with authority, or as an ambassador).

Discernment: Recognizing truth or error within a message, person, or event.

Encouragement: Helping others live God-centered lives through inspiration, encouragement, counseling and empowerment.

Evangelism: Sharing the love of Christ in a way that draws others to respond by accepting God's free gift of eternal life.

Faith: Stepping out in faith to see God's purposes accomplished, trusting Him to handle any and all obstacles along the way.

Giving: Joyfully supporting and funding kingdom initiatives through material contributions beyond the tithe.

Healing: Heal/restore to health, beyond traditional and natural means, those who are sick, hurting or suffering.

Helping: Offering others assistance in reaching goals and glorify God and strengthen the body of Christ. This aptitude is sometimes referred to as the gift of “helps” or “service”.

Hospitality: Providing others with a warm and welcoming environment for fellowship.

Interpretation: Understanding , at a specific time, God's message when spoken by another using a special language unknown to the others in attendance.

Knowledge: Communicating God's truth to others in a way that promotes justice.

Leadership: Casting vision, stimulating spiritual growth, applying strategies and achieving success where God's purposes are concerned.

Mercy: Ministering to those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually or relationally. Their actions are characterized by love, care, compassion and kindness toward others.

Miracles: Supernatural acts that bring validity to God and His power.

Pastoring: Taking spiritual responsibility for a group of believers and equipping them to live Christ-centered lives. Shepherding is another word used for this particular gift.

Prophecy: Offering messages from God that comfort, encourage, guide, warn or reveal sin in a way that leads to repentance and spiritual growth. The original Greek meaning of this word is “to speak forth the truth.” The gift of prophecy includes both “forth telling” (preaching) and “foretelling” (revelation).

Teaching: Teaching sound doctrine in relevant ways, empowering people to gain a mature spiritual education.

Tongues: Communicating God's message in a special language unknown to the speaker.

Wisdom: Making wise decisions and counseling others with sound advice, all in accordance with God's will.

Remember, at anytime anyone of us can be called to exercise any or all of the gifts but what we are trying to figure out is what our top Spiritual Gifts are because those will be the gifts we use most often as we follow God and walk in His purpose for our lives. Also, we will be more effective in strengthening and serving the Body of Christ if we can identify just how God designed us. And we also need to know where we are best able to use our gifts, so we can compliment each other and function as a healthy Body (the Body of Christ).

Talk to you soon,

Rebecca