Why Were You Born?

Is it too "big" to think about, or are you just too content with life to bother about such things? Or maybe you think you have life all figured out. Or you're buried in a deep, deep pit and you think that it will never change. Have any of those things ever made you wonder, "Isn't there more to life than this? There's got to be more to life than this!" Have you ever really STOPPED and pondered and thought about your life, about God and where you're going from here?

8/4/2003

Thinking Cap Time : )

Do you ever stop to ask yourself big questions? Like…“Who am I?” “What was I born for?” “What is life really all about, anyway?”

Is it too “big” to think about? Or are you just too content with life, so why bother about such things? Or maybe you think you have life all figured out. Or you’re buried in a deep, deep pit and you think that it will never change. Whatever the case, I’m asking you to stop right now and take a deliberate, quiet look at some things—as though for the first time ever. Stop and get gut-level honest with yourself.

Like…have you ever felt just crummy about a particular bad habit or some compulsion or addiction you’ve had? No matter what you do, it’s tied to you like a ball and chain.

What about the big “let down” after some big event or holiday? It didn’t quite “deliver” what you thought it would.

Maybe you’re totally fed up or frustrated with your circumstances or the people around you. The children “rule” and make you want to pull your hair out! The honeymoon and new little baby are foggy, far-off memories.

Can you identify with feeling ripped off at work or at home or cheated in some way or another? “They” did it to me.

Then there’s the boredom or frustration with the day-to-day rat race of life. Or you’re up and down like a yo-yo in your emotions. Or uncertainties loom with your finances or relationships, and you’re never sure of what’s going to happen next. There’s no one to really turn to and trust. And when you think you’ve found someone, they drop you or cut you off. You know…the basic bummers of life. Taking junk and dishing it out.

Well…have any of those things ever made you wonder, “Isn’t there more to life than this? There’s got to be more to life than this!” Have you ever stopped long enough to get off the Ferris wheel of life and find some solid answers to those questions? The kinds of answers that will change everything, for the rest of your life and beyond?? Have you ever really STOPPED and pondered and thought about your life, about God and where you’re going from here?

Well, there’s no time like the present! And I promise you that the “rat race” of life, and the emptiness that you know you’ve felt at some time or another is not the extent of God’s will for you on planet earth, that’s for sure! There is infinitely more to life than the little all-American lifestyle with its work-a-day treadmill, waiting for the weekends, the “family times,” an x-mas tree once a year, not to mention the unspoken heartaches and sin galore. Without even thinking about it, we get hypnotized into thinking that’s the extent of our 30 or 50 or 80-year life, day in and day out, year after year. We get mesmerized and spellbound by the routine of living and the merry-go-round existence. Isn’t it true? You have this idea (in theory at least) that life is—or someday will be—just so wonderful.

We convince ourselves that life will be better when we’re married and have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the children aren’t old enough, and we will be more content when they are. After that we’re frustrated that we have challenging children to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse or roommate gets his or her act together, when we get a better car, and are able to pay the bills without pressure. We’re waiting until we know more, are more, have more, or are appreciated more. The truth is that we chase these empty dreams that don’t deliver the happiness we always thought would be there.

So, again, no time better than the present to think about God and what HE wants for your life! If not now… when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. Remember, that “time” waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have children, until you have a good job, until you retire, until you get married, until the weekend, until you get a new car or home, until your new car or home is paid off, until your spouse treats you right, until spring, until fall, until winter, until summer, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, or until you die (and that’s too late!!). There’s no better time than right now to decide to turn to God.

The way things are for you now (without God), if you’re really honest about it, you know that there are miseries, heartbreaks, loneliness, emptiness, self-centeredness, pride, vanity, greed, jealousy, envy, anger and sin of every kind. The truth is, that apart from knowing God, the hurtful ugliness and festering sins are very much a part of human life. In fact, it saturates everything. And truth be told, we’re doomed because of it. It’s morbid, I know, but unless you do something about it, it’ll be more of the same, nothing ever changing…right on into eternity and hellfire.

And THAT is DEFINITELY NOT what you were born for!!

So Why Were You Born??

JESUS is Why You Were Born!

You were born for Him! You were given life so you could find and know God and Jesus, His Son.

Stay with me here, okay? Don’t quit reading because you think you’ve “heard it all before…”

He’s carefully and lovingly watching you, and He’s placed you here for a far greater purpose than you could ever imagine! Certainly not to live a 9 to 5 run-of-the-mill life. And certainly not to live in misery, selfishness, heartache and boredom—that’s for sure! He wants to wash you clean and set you free from all the guilt and sin in your heart and rotten attitudes and emotional bouts. He wants to open your eyes to a world full of Glory, Power and Beauty in Jesus, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. He longs to fill you and make you Rich beyond measure in the Life of God and His Precious Son, Jesus. He offers you Life to the full —not just a patchwork of things that will vanish nearly before the next sunrise over your gravesite. And Life to the FULL is found only in the One you were created for—God made it that way! To live in Him and with Him and for Him. That’s why you were born! You were born to be friends with God and live with Him now and forever.

Since God has made you for a purpose like that, why would you keep running around in circles, pushing your little “piles of sand” from place to place? Where is that leading you, anyway?? He made you, and has a plan for you. He wants you to come out from the life you currently live. He has Wonderful things to show you. The Infinite, All-powerful Lord and Maker of the heavens and the earth wants to fill you up with a brand-new life in Him. And God proves it to us by the Love He demonstrated through His Son, Jesus.

“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8

Now THAT is LOVE!!!

His deep, deep Love for you is demonstrated in the incredible Gift of His Son. When the time was just Right, God sent His man Jesus, to the earth. He knew that all of us would stay in a big heap of trouble without Him! He sees us being aimless and meaningless, getting into trouble, hurting others and getting hurt… So out of His imponderable love for us, Jesus was handed over by the Father, to die instead of you. You see, the sins of lust, greed, pride, ugliness, selfishness, abusiveness, self-pity, jealousy, ad infinitum… inside of you hold you captive, and make you a criminal against God. Because of your crimes, your ultimate destination is death. BUT!! God doesn’t want that to happen! He doesn’t want you to eventually shrivel up and die and be gone forever from His sight. His desire is that you would, in fact, Live! And so God provided a way through Jesus.

To give you another “reference point” of who you are and who Jesus is….the difference between Jesus the person, and you the person, is that He NEVER sinned. Not even once. He had a very excellent thing going with His Father, as He watched God, followed Him, lived in Him and obeyed Him in the tiniest detail—in every thought, word, action and attitude. All the way through, pure and true, He chose to not once turn His back on His Father. He loved His God and kept His eyes on Him continually. His every Hope and total Heart were buried in God while living here as a man. God led, comforted, surrounded, supplied and filled Jesus day by day, through every pain, temptation and heartache of the human life. Jesus cares and He knows how we feel, because He lived a human existence. But He lived it out in God.

His obedience ultimately led Him to the Cross. Jesus made deliberate choices to turn away from protecting Himself from the abuses, jeers, taunts, lashes and crucifixion. He purposely chose—for us—to turn from self-preservation, and instead went to the Cross. In deep love with His Father and a deep desire to obey to the end, He fulfilled God’s will. He died so you wouldn’t have to.

Why did He have to die? Because God wants to have a real relationship with you. But the problem of man’s selfish, independent and sinful nature stands in the way of that and must be dealt with. So Jesus took it upon Himself to “pay the price” for your sin—you deserved to die, but He died in your place. And three days later, God raised Him from the dead by His mighty Power and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand. He is now far above any ruler, authority, power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ.

Trust Him—You’ll not Regret It

Given all of that, you need to make some choices. It’s not “automatic entry” into heaven just because you say, “Yeah, okay, I can believe that. I’m in. See you in heaven.”

No. It doesn’t work that way.

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified [by your sins], both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “You must turn from your sin and turn toward God, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized… Acts 2: 36-41

You need to turn from your sin! You need to come to grips with your rebellion against His Authority and Lordship. He is the Living God who created you, and your sin violates Him. Get very honest and think about who you are and what you do. Be “real” with yourself and be “real” with God, too. No repeat-after-me prayers or religious rituals. Don’t think that you can get “moral” and be a nicer person and then God will just whisk you off to heaven when the show’s over. My friend, it ain’t that way! PLEASE hear me!

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified [by your sins], both Lord and Christ.”

He said to repent from the sin in our lives. You know what those things are—inside and out. Consider that snarl of jealousy, envy or hatred towards someone else? What about the pent-up frustration and impatience over petty inconveniences? Or the ugly feelings and words you had with someone who’s cheated you or hurt you. Maybe you blew up at your spouse last night. Or you fill your mind with immorality on TV or internet pornography. Or you drink or do drugs. Whatever it is, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Turn away from your life as it is, that hurts you and hurts Jesus, and turn towards Him! He loves you! Declare to Him that you want to be done with your sin and that you are terribly sorry and that you want Him to be the rightful Ruler of your Life—now and forever. He’ll do a much better job of ruling than you! You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain! Look Him in the eyes and ask Him to show you who Jesus really is. Ask Him to forgive you and set you free from the bondages of sin. “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed!” (John 8:36)

Start by being real and talking to God and opening your thoughts and heart to Him. Trust your past to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. Trust your future to Him—the ridicule you might face, the letting go of the security blankets of pride, materialism, bragging, anger, physical violence and yelling, cursing, family idolatry, and independence that hardens and keeps you from being vulnerable before God and man. Trust Him with all of these things. He loves you! He made the Galaxies—He is well able to “keep that which you have entrusted to Him until that Day” when He comes back for those who are His to take them Home! Turn to Him and tell Him that you’ll trust Him and walk with Him no matter what, forever. You’ll not regret it—and the next billion years will be truly secure for the first time in your life.

As was once said to a man in pretty bad shape, but which applies just as much to you… “Here’s the way it is—you’ve tried everything else and so have I. Jesus is enough for anybody, anytime—and you, too. I offer you nothing but the risen Lord. I offer you nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That’s it. It’s settled. That’s all. If that is not enough for you, then nothing ever will be. I’m not dangling anything in front of you. I proclaim a risen Lord, forgiveness of sins, and Life in His name. He’s standing in Glory at the Father’s right hand and the trumpet is at Gabriel’s lips—and you better be ready.”

From Our Heart to Yours

Many thousands of years ago, God extended an offer to those who would listen. He gave them a choice and said:

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods [such as jobs, families, money, entertainment] and worship them I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 30:15-18, 8:17-19

That same choice is yours today. Out of His Love and Kindness, God has provided for the forgiveness of your sin by the Blood of His Son, Jesus. That is some very precious and incredible provision. He loves you! But He won’t force your hand. It’s up to you to reach out and find Him and relinquish all of your life into His very reliable Hands. It’s up to you to search for Him like for a rare treasure and give up on all of your own “treasures.” It’s your job to turn from your sin and begin to look and search and talk to Him. It won’t be without some pain. And it won’t be without needing some serious courage and honesty. But what God gives in return is unbelievable! The golden chance of a lifetime knocks on your door. If you know you were made for more than how you’re currently living, come on! And even if you’re not convinced, and don’t care at the moment…as your friend, I plead with you also to seriously consider what you’ve read today—because this applies to you too, whether you “feel it” or think so or not! : )

AND…God’s Plan involves building your New Life with others who have also died to their first life and are now born a second time into His Family! Give your life away, every day, with others who are passionate about loving Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. And never, never let anyone convince you that this is about “attending services” or “mass” or joining a program or listening to speeches in dress-up clothes at some predictable time and place. If the REAL Jesus was anything, He was not that! But WAY beyond that, He gave His Life away every day for others, and joined His Life to the lives of those who were totally, radically willing to lose all for Him. You do the same!

Please…Give The Lord of Life—your life. Right away! It’s great. Forever.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”Hebrews 4:7

For You…

Some of the words of Jesus and those who lived with Him and knew Him very closely when He was on the earth, are captured in the Scriptures. Talking with God and searching the Scriptures is a great place to go. He’ll open your eyes as you truly ask Him and seek Him…

Search for Him

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus Gave Himself for Us

“…the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” 1 Corinthians 15:3

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28

“…Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus’ Lordship and Supremacy

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17

“…His mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet…” Ephesians 1:21-22

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” Hebrews 1:3-4

Repentance

“From that time on, Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17

“…he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Acts 3:19-20

Practical Obedience

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-27

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

Why Were You Born?

As David once wrote:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14

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