Purpose Driven

Scripture Reading:  Luke 4:14-29

 Main Scripture: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, Luke 4:18 (NIV)

Worship Song for Meditation:  Lord I’m Available to You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJznj1a8I1w)

February is black history month; it’s a time of reflection to remember and celebrate important events and people in the African diaspora. As I reflect, I pause and ask what caused ordinary people like Martin Luther King Jr, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks to fight for a cause that they knew was so dangerous?  They were fully aware that they could lose their lives but that did not stop them.

The answer I believe is purpose, these people lived purpose driven lives. These people lived unselfishly, they saw others with a need, they saw others being oppressed and decided that if it will cost them their lives then they were willing to give it. Some of them like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr did die fighting for the cause.

Purpose can be defined as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Rick Warren in his book, A Purpose Driven life stated that “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

The night before his assassination in April 1968, Martin Luther King told a group of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will … I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!” (King, 222-223). For King, it was about God’s will for His life. He believed “the preacher must have a kind of fire shut up in his bones. And whenever injustice is around he tells it.”  He believed that the Lord anointed him to deal with the problems of the poor.

Jesus Christ also led a purpose driven life that resulted in Him dying on the cross for all of us. In Matthew 26:42, He said “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." We also see in the Bible where many of the disciples were killed for preaching the gospel. There are also  many other great leaders who fought for various causes that they believed in, such as Mother Theresa, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Benazir Bhutto to name a few.

Ladies while you reflect today, ask God Why did he place you on this earth?  

Some of us already know the answer to this question but we tell ourselves we are too busy or we can’t do it because we are not equipped or the time is not right and so on.  However, Today’s scripture tells us that the Lord has already anointed us to go and do His will. That means the power, the will, the determination that we need to fulfill our purpose has already been given to us. It means that God will make a way.

How will you live your life after today?  Will you fulfill your purpose or will you just continue living for yourself?

Have a God filled Day

Consider the Eagle (Part 1)

Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 40: 30 -31

 Main Scripture: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30 -31 (NIV)

Videos to meditate on:  Eagles Flying

The Eagle is mentioned thirty one times in the bible and for many years has been seen as a symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination and grace. It enjoys a reputation as “King of Birds” and the North American Bald Headed Eagle is the national symbol of the United States of America.

The scripture for today tells us “but those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

Let’s consider seven attributes of eagles in this two part series:

Eagles have keen vision - The eagle's eyes can see great distances. An eagle will sit high above the tree or cliff of a stiff mountain very attentively. The body sits still and the head will be tilted side to side to observed what is happening below, around and above it. Eagles have a keen vision. Their eyes are specially designed for long distance focus and clarity. They can spot another eagle soaring from 50 miles away. As a women we should not be nearsighted, instead should have a vision and long term goals that directs our lives spiritually, financially and physically. These goals should be clear and focused.

Eagles are Tenacious (Resolute) - When other birds fly away from the storm with fear, an eagle spreads its mighty wings and uses the current to soar to greater heights. The eagle takes advantage of the very storm that lesser birds fear and head for cover. As women we are faced with challenges every day, we should do like the eagle and allow our challenges to take us to greater levels in life. Instead of fearing challenges, we should embrace them, learn from them and become stronger by them.

Eagles Never Eat Dead Meat - An eagle never eats dead meat. In other words, an eagle does not scavenge. It only eats the meat from the prey it kills itself. We might have some dead areas and negative people in our lives, like the eagle let’s not focus on those, instead find people who are who are vibrant and liberal in thinking to spend time with. Learn from them make informed decisions and take actions. There is a saying that goes like this, "People you hang around with and the books you read eventually determines the person you become"

Have a God filled Day Ladies. Soar like Eagles.

Becoming a Woman of Excellence (Part 2)

Scripture Reading:  Book of Ruth

Main Scripture: "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Ruth 3:11 (NASB)

Ralph Marston Author of the Daily Motivator said that “Excellence is not a skill it is an attitude.”  It is not something that is achieved overnight; it is something that you have to practice.

In the book of Ruth we see where she displayed attitudes of excellence when working in all she did. She was very industrious (Ruth 2:17), loyal to her mother-in-law and also volunteered to provide for both of them (Ruth 2:2). Ruth was also very polite when relating to Boaz (Ruth 2:13).

In becoming a woman of excellence it is important to practice displaying an attitude of excellence in all we do. We should display an attitude of excellence:

·         At Work – Whether voluntarily or paid, a women of excellence does her best at any job no matter what it is. Martin Luther King Jr in a speech said “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” 

In the same way a woman of excellence is a master at what she does, is punctual for her job and does it heartily as unto the Lord.

·         In Our Relationships – A woman of excellence values the persons in her life, as such she is sensitive to other person’s needs, she is tolerant of others, she is willing to admit when she is wrong and does not hesitate to say she is sorry.   Like Ruth she is polite and willing to go the extra mile for her family and friends.

·         When Parenting – The woman of excellence understands that her role as a mother is to nurture, coach and mentor her child to ensure that that the child is well prepared to realize his or her full potential as a human being.  She understands that her child is a blessing from God and she should not just parent them but develop them. She does not hesitate to discipline her child when necessary and praise her child when the child deserves it.

·         Being a Wife - Proverbs 31:10 states that “an excellent wife…, worth is far above jewels” and Proverbs 12:4 says that she is the crown of her husband. Other characteristics of an excellent wife according to Proverbs 31 are:  trustworthiness, only does her husband good, diligent, emotionally stable, fears the Lord, ensures her household has food, investor, compassionate, helps the less fortunate, wise, not idle and is praise by her husband and children.

      Have A God Filled Day Women of Excellence.

        

     For speaking engagements email petagayle.oates@gmail.com