What is life really about? You spend your life working hard, paying the bills, dealing with life’s challenges and heart ache than you die. THIS WAS NEVER GOD’s INTENTION – God has a purpose for your life - whatever stage you are at (young mum, married, single, divorced, widower, pensioner)
Rom 8:28 Everything fits into a pattern for good to those who love me and are called according to His design and purpose
Some people tend to think that chance governs the universe. You were made by God, and you were made for God. Until you understand that, your life will never make sense. Our lives start with God.
The only way you are ever going to know the purpose for your life — why you are here on this planet, and what on earth you are here for — is to talk to your Creator, God, and to read his Word, the Bible.
Proverbs 16:4 “The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
The lifestyle with which we are familiar with may become only a memory, as life changes because of the coronavirus pandemic,
The global pandemic will “forever alter the world order”. The truth is our world is changing with or without the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the world was changing drastically. One of the most important ways in which the coronavirus pandemic is changing the world is through its impact on every aspect of the life of every individual in society, including the way we work, live and learn. How we cope with that will make all the difference in us carrying out our purpose.
Is it keeping you in spiritual lockdown, causing us to feel anxious, fearful out of control – hopeless and losing our focus and vision on the greater purpose? Yes, it has been a difficult season – let us remember God is still in control
2 Timothy 1:7
Isaiah 41:10
It’s time to dig deep, go back to basics – and discipline our lives, not to fear the report of man, as God is with us – to step out and keep moving in the right direction
GOD's PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE – HAS NOT CHANGED, SEASON MAY CHANGE, BUT His gifts and calling are without repentance. People who live a life of purpose have core beliefs and values that influence their decisions, it shapes their day to day actions. We are called to be the Body of Christ in the world, called to participate in God’s mission of love in the world. I believe this has been a time of awaken a time of SHAKING, PRUNING, PURGING – RE-ALIGNMENT, RE-PURPOSING – GOD HAS ALLOWED THIS TO TAKE PLACE.
Philippians 2:13
MATTHEW 25:31-46
This is one of most powerful passages in the Gospel passages, Jesus while still on earth foretells this scene of the Last Judgment.
The story begins with the arrival of the “Son of Man in His glory;” . When He returns, He is not coming as a man, He is coming as a King in all His glory.
Rev. 5:11 says - ten thousand x ten thousand - that is a 100 million angels. He will gather all people of the earth and start to separate them. All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. God is coming to bring a separation.
HOW WE LIVE OUR LIFE - MATTERS TO GOD. At that time - it won’t matter how famous or rich you are, nor what qualifications you have, nor how big your house is… Life is short compared to eternity - TIME IS PASSING BY SO QUICKLY.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. He will say to one - Go to the RIGHT, …go and inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. And He will say to another - You go to the LEFT, … depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. This is a scene about the end of the world, and this LAST judgement is somehow, linked to HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE. The purpose is to determine who shall enter the kingdom of God, which the Son has come to establish. God had a purpose by sending His son to die for the sins of the world
The 'last judgment' is taking place in our lives - here and now. THERE IS A WORK FOR US TO DO – PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THE LIGHT AND LOVE OF JESUS AND GOD WANTS TO USE YOU AND ME.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The difference between the Sheep and the Goats in the parable, is what they DID and DIDN’T DO. Hearing this parable in In this passage (Matthew 25) - can make you think you have to work for your salvation and do good things. Those who went to the RIGHT, did not inherit the Kingdom simply, because of what they did. Jesus is not teaching righteousness by faith and works. He is teaching on the coming judgment, how we live our lives matters. The bible clearly, states we are all saved by faith, but this has to be reflected by works. In the book of James, it says what good is it if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds. So, what good is it if we do nothing about the physical needs of others. Jesus is not saying that we will be saved by our giving to the poor (or by doing any other good deed).
He is saying - how can you really be saved, if we do not do these things If we are really saved, we will show that by our kindness and generosity to others. The Apostle John, (1 John 4:20), puts it simply – it’s not possible to love God and hate others. We are saved by grace, but JUDGED BY WORKS. However, some people try to work for their salvation!
Jesus identifies himself with those in need. If you help them, he says, you are really helping me; and if you ignore them you are ignoring me. It is important to note, that it is a judgment of sheep and goats, not one of sheep and wolves! Jesus is not choosing between the obviously bad and the obviously good. Sheep and goats are almost identical, and no one but a shepherd can easily tell the difference.
SHEEP have a reputation for being stupid and sort of worthless. But they are, and have always been, dependent on their shepherd and defenceless.
GOATS, on the other hand, have a reputation for being independent, opinionated and curious at best—or vulgar, dangerous and destructive at worst. We are called to be sheep
Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd and trust him to lead them to food, water and safety. If they wander, which some do, the shepherd will go out and rescue them and bring them back to the safety of the flock. A goat, however, doesn’t follow anyone. A herd of goats go where they want, and the goatherd follows behind. So for us to be God’s sheep, we must depend on Him to defend us. If we push, take, destroy and bully, we are goats. We may find it hard to really believe that the suffering Jesus on the cross who cried out: 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do'. Could, our risen Lord, declare such an awful judgment to those who go to the left into everlasting fire?
God wants our lives to overflow with purpose, mercy, love, and compassion — the marks of His kingdom. I just don’t think, it’s as easy as categorising ourselves as either a sheep or a goat. The reality is we are both. It may depend on if we are having a good day or not. I’m sure each of us has a story; a time when we have fed, clothed, visited, cared for one of the least of these, and another time when you drove past, looked away, or pretended not to see the man or woman holding a sign asking for food, or some other kind of need.
OUR WORLD IS CHANGING - JESUS IS COMING BACK
There are approx. 14.4 million people living in POVERTY
This includes approx. 4.5 million children
8.5 million working-age adults and 1.3 million pension-age adults
GOD WILL NOT BE FOOLED: If how we live, differs from what our mouth actually says we believe - He will always accept the testimony of our life. There is something, that ONLY our Shepherd can see in us, and that UNSEEN THING - tells God, whether we are a sheep or a goat. During the separation there was no questions asked - no time to present their case. He has simply noted, that when they had opportunity to help someone in need, they DID IT OR NOT. Nothing more is required. The people who gathered for judgment - had no idea, what difference their lives were making. That God was watching them.
They were just going on with their everyday lives. One cared for the least and the other did not. They seemed oblivious, as to the consequences or effects of their actions. They both ask the same question. 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?
What if this story - isn’t only about assigning rewards or punishment, and determining an eternal location?
WHAT IF IT IS ALSO ABOUT HELPING US TODAY
to look at the truth of our lives,
to look at the choices we make,
and to be aware that our choices matter.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
All people, will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life – whether good or evil
Don’t only hear this story as a final judgment on your life. HEAR IT AS A WAKE UP CALL. Jesus is coming back and we have to
live our lives on purpose for God
LET US PRAY
Father God
We want to be Your sheep. Help us to do what You would do – when Your Son walked on this earth.
Open our eyes, our hearts, our hands to honour Jesus now as our Lord and King by welcoming those who are hungry, thirsty, abandoned, lonely, poor, and sick. Let our love become free and spontaneous, like the tenderness You have shown us in Your Son. Welcome us in the everlasting Kingdom prepared for us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
This word was part of Dec 2020 Women of Purpose conference
Rom 8:28 Everything fits into a pattern for good to those who love me and are called according to His design and purpose
Some people tend to think that chance governs the universe. You were made by God, and you were made for God. Until you understand that, your life will never make sense. Our lives start with God.
The only way you are ever going to know the purpose for your life — why you are here on this planet, and what on earth you are here for — is to talk to your Creator, God, and to read his Word, the Bible.
Proverbs 16:4 “The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
The lifestyle with which we are familiar with may become only a memory, as life changes because of the coronavirus pandemic,
The global pandemic will “forever alter the world order”. The truth is our world is changing with or without the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the world was changing drastically. One of the most important ways in which the coronavirus pandemic is changing the world is through its impact on every aspect of the life of every individual in society, including the way we work, live and learn. How we cope with that will make all the difference in us carrying out our purpose.
Is it keeping you in spiritual lockdown, causing us to feel anxious, fearful out of control – hopeless and losing our focus and vision on the greater purpose? Yes, it has been a difficult season – let us remember God is still in control
2 Timothy 1:7
Isaiah 41:10
It’s time to dig deep, go back to basics – and discipline our lives, not to fear the report of man, as God is with us – to step out and keep moving in the right direction
GOD's PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE – HAS NOT CHANGED, SEASON MAY CHANGE, BUT His gifts and calling are without repentance. People who live a life of purpose have core beliefs and values that influence their decisions, it shapes their day to day actions. We are called to be the Body of Christ in the world, called to participate in God’s mission of love in the world. I believe this has been a time of awaken a time of SHAKING, PRUNING, PURGING – RE-ALIGNMENT, RE-PURPOSING – GOD HAS ALLOWED THIS TO TAKE PLACE.
Philippians 2:13
MATTHEW 25:31-46
This is one of most powerful passages in the Gospel passages, Jesus while still on earth foretells this scene of the Last Judgment.
The story begins with the arrival of the “Son of Man in His glory;” . When He returns, He is not coming as a man, He is coming as a King in all His glory.
Rev. 5:11 says - ten thousand x ten thousand - that is a 100 million angels. He will gather all people of the earth and start to separate them. All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. God is coming to bring a separation.
HOW WE LIVE OUR LIFE - MATTERS TO GOD. At that time - it won’t matter how famous or rich you are, nor what qualifications you have, nor how big your house is… Life is short compared to eternity - TIME IS PASSING BY SO QUICKLY.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. He will say to one - Go to the RIGHT, …go and inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. And He will say to another - You go to the LEFT, … depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. This is a scene about the end of the world, and this LAST judgement is somehow, linked to HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE. The purpose is to determine who shall enter the kingdom of God, which the Son has come to establish. God had a purpose by sending His son to die for the sins of the world
The 'last judgment' is taking place in our lives - here and now. THERE IS A WORK FOR US TO DO – PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THE LIGHT AND LOVE OF JESUS AND GOD WANTS TO USE YOU AND ME.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The difference between the Sheep and the Goats in the parable, is what they DID and DIDN’T DO. Hearing this parable in In this passage (Matthew 25) - can make you think you have to work for your salvation and do good things. Those who went to the RIGHT, did not inherit the Kingdom simply, because of what they did. Jesus is not teaching righteousness by faith and works. He is teaching on the coming judgment, how we live our lives matters. The bible clearly, states we are all saved by faith, but this has to be reflected by works. In the book of James, it says what good is it if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds. So, what good is it if we do nothing about the physical needs of others. Jesus is not saying that we will be saved by our giving to the poor (or by doing any other good deed).
He is saying - how can you really be saved, if we do not do these things If we are really saved, we will show that by our kindness and generosity to others. The Apostle John, (1 John 4:20), puts it simply – it’s not possible to love God and hate others. We are saved by grace, but JUDGED BY WORKS. However, some people try to work for their salvation!
Jesus identifies himself with those in need. If you help them, he says, you are really helping me; and if you ignore them you are ignoring me. It is important to note, that it is a judgment of sheep and goats, not one of sheep and wolves! Jesus is not choosing between the obviously bad and the obviously good. Sheep and goats are almost identical, and no one but a shepherd can easily tell the difference.
SHEEP have a reputation for being stupid and sort of worthless. But they are, and have always been, dependent on their shepherd and defenceless.
GOATS, on the other hand, have a reputation for being independent, opinionated and curious at best—or vulgar, dangerous and destructive at worst. We are called to be sheep
Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd and trust him to lead them to food, water and safety. If they wander, which some do, the shepherd will go out and rescue them and bring them back to the safety of the flock. A goat, however, doesn’t follow anyone. A herd of goats go where they want, and the goatherd follows behind. So for us to be God’s sheep, we must depend on Him to defend us. If we push, take, destroy and bully, we are goats. We may find it hard to really believe that the suffering Jesus on the cross who cried out: 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do'. Could, our risen Lord, declare such an awful judgment to those who go to the left into everlasting fire?
God wants our lives to overflow with purpose, mercy, love, and compassion — the marks of His kingdom. I just don’t think, it’s as easy as categorising ourselves as either a sheep or a goat. The reality is we are both. It may depend on if we are having a good day or not. I’m sure each of us has a story; a time when we have fed, clothed, visited, cared for one of the least of these, and another time when you drove past, looked away, or pretended not to see the man or woman holding a sign asking for food, or some other kind of need.
OUR WORLD IS CHANGING - JESUS IS COMING BACK
There are approx. 14.4 million people living in POVERTY
This includes approx. 4.5 million children
8.5 million working-age adults and 1.3 million pension-age adults
GOD WILL NOT BE FOOLED: If how we live, differs from what our mouth actually says we believe - He will always accept the testimony of our life. There is something, that ONLY our Shepherd can see in us, and that UNSEEN THING - tells God, whether we are a sheep or a goat. During the separation there was no questions asked - no time to present their case. He has simply noted, that when they had opportunity to help someone in need, they DID IT OR NOT. Nothing more is required. The people who gathered for judgment - had no idea, what difference their lives were making. That God was watching them.
They were just going on with their everyday lives. One cared for the least and the other did not. They seemed oblivious, as to the consequences or effects of their actions. They both ask the same question. 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?
What if this story - isn’t only about assigning rewards or punishment, and determining an eternal location?
WHAT IF IT IS ALSO ABOUT HELPING US TODAY
to look at the truth of our lives,
to look at the choices we make,
and to be aware that our choices matter.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
All people, will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life – whether good or evil
Don’t only hear this story as a final judgment on your life. HEAR IT AS A WAKE UP CALL. Jesus is coming back and we have to
live our lives on purpose for God
LET US PRAY
Father God
We want to be Your sheep. Help us to do what You would do – when Your Son walked on this earth.
Open our eyes, our hearts, our hands to honour Jesus now as our Lord and King by welcoming those who are hungry, thirsty, abandoned, lonely, poor, and sick. Let our love become free and spontaneous, like the tenderness You have shown us in Your Son. Welcome us in the everlasting Kingdom prepared for us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
This word was part of Dec 2020 Women of Purpose conference
