Living on Purpose

I must keep my life aligned 

with my purpose.

✓Because I have a purpose.

  87% of all Christians don't know their purpose. 

(Psalm 139:16) All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

(Ephesians 2:10) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

✓Because there is competition for my time and attention.

(Ecclesiastes 4:6) Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

✓ Because my time is short.

We must do less of what is not important and more of what is important.  

(James 4:13-15) Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Mastering the Habit

1. Decide what is important (my priorities).

(Philippians 3:7-8) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

2. Give calendar time 

to the important things.

(Psalm 90:12 LB) Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.

✓ Make time for rest.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.''

✓ Make time for relationships.

✓ Make time for eternal rewards  by doing something that matters. 

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV)

14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

3.Eliminate the none essentials.

  Make a not to do list. 

(Hebrews 12:1) Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

4. Regularly take inventory of your time and activities. 

(Psalm 39:4-5 NLT) LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.

Use The Rule of 5 most important things to do everyday.  

1. Send time in prayer.

2. Study God's Word.

3. Love those closest to you.

4. Make a difference in someone's life.

5. Take care of yourself.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

Video

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/habit-3

Discussion Guide

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/1-22-2017.pdf

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.