James 4:13-17 NIV — 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.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Last week Julie encouraged us to live for today. This week I will go a step further and encourage you to focus on what matters most as you live for today. Today’s key verse says, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The Message version says it like this, “You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.” The point is, our lives are short and we must make the most of what we do with our time. What is your focus? Are you consumed by the circumstances around you? What do you do to intentionally stay focused on Christ and His call on your life?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

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Read over and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

James 4:13-17 NIV — 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.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV 

Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Matthew 6:28-34 NIV 

Philippians 4:13 NKJV — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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This week we will focus on what matters most. Let’s start our time with a country song by Cody Johnson titled ‘Til You Can’t.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV — Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

This week we have explored our purpose, as a child of God, to make disciples and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. On this Savor Saturday I am praising God for the opportunity to share the word of God with you through Water Walkers, as well as the bond and friendships I have with Julie and Ray as a result. While we may have been friends outside of our work on Water Walkers, our shared purpose to spread the Gospel and make disciples has strengthened our bond and blessed me with strength and comfort. Ray and Julie, affectionately known as Ju Ju, continue to show me what it means to be a Christian friend as they share my joys and burdens of life. They are two of the cheerleaders I call to tell about the blessings of life as well as two of the prayer warriors I call on to help in times of trouble. I savor our shared mission to obey Christ’s command to make disciples and I savor the bond we have as friends. 

Who have you formed a bond of friendship with as a result of a shared desire to serve others and make disciples of Christ? Take time today to let them know how much you savor your relationship. Intentionally thank God for the blessings of friendship you have as a result of fulfilling your purpose. 

Let’s pray. Thank You God for the bonds of friendship You have blessed me with as a result of responding to Your call to spread the Gospel and make disciples. May I always savor our times of service together and never take for granted the opportunities to fulfill my Christian purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 28:18-20 KJV — And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Take a moment to read this blog post written by Dr. Tony Evans titled Are You Living On Purpose?

Today I challenge you to examine yourself. Are you presenting a living testimony? Are you living on purpose? Are you making disciples?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes and ears to see and hear Your purpose for me. Guide my thoughts as I explore ways to fulfill Your purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 28:18-20 MSG — Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren does not spell out what vocation you should pursue. However, the book does encourage us to live life focused on Heaven. As I shared a couple weeks ago, Warren even challenges the reader to ask yourself if anyone will be in Heaven because of you. Wow! That truly puts our purpose in perspective. No matter what your vocation is, you are called by your Creator to “go and make disciples” and as a result others will be in Heaven because of you. Let that sink in. Will anyone be in Heaven because of you? Are you taking your purpose as a Christian seriously? Are you living in a way that is reflective of the difference Jesus has made in your life? Are you focused on Heaven? You do not have to go overseas to “go and make disciples.” Pray about ways you can witness to others. It could be as simple as wearing a T-shirt with a scripture or Christian phrase on it, sharing scripture or Christian quotes on your Facebook page, or even listening to a Christian radio station when others are riding in the car with you. Be ready to answer questions or share your testimony when others see your “living testimony” and want to know more. And be sure your words and actions back up the shirt, Facebook post and radio station. Your daily routines and habits will become your living testimony that will “make disciples.”

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes and ears to see and hear Your purpose for me. Guide my thoughts as I explore ways to fulfill Your purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 28:18-20 ESV — And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When searching for purpose in life, I recommend turning to the Bible. There we find this week’s featured scripture which is our supreme calling in life. This directive is called The Great Commission. Commission means an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or a group of people, or a group of people officially charged with a particular function. So you can think of it as you and I have been commissioned to serve God and our task is to “go and make disciples.” Does that mean all of us are called to go overseas as a missionary? Simply put, no. However it does mean we should actively live in a way that is a testimony to our life with Jesus Christ. Everything you say and do is being watched by others. Others are always looking and listening to see what it means to be a Christian. St Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” In other words live your life in such a way that what others see is preaching the Gospel and if necessary use words to tell them the Gospel.

What are you doing to intentionally fulfill your purpose of making disciples? How can you “preach the gospel at all times?”

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes and ears to see and hear Your purpose for me. Guide my thoughts as I explore ways to fulfill Your purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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