Matthew 28:18-20 NIV — Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Why am I here? Why was I born? What does God want me to do with my life? What direction should I go? How many of you have ever asked one of these questions? I imagine at some point we all have. Years ago I participated in a study on the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. While many of us would have liked it if the book had spelled out the right vocation for us it in fact helped to define our real purpose in life. If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it.

This week we will explore God’s purpose for each of us. I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you read. May God give you a new resolve for His purpose for your life.

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Take time to read and meditate on the featured scripture for this week about purpose.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV — Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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.”

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.”

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

@biblegateway @youversion

This week we will ponder and define our purpose. Let’s begin our week listening to Place In This World recorded live by For King and Country and Michael W. Smith.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

This week has been devoted to prayer. This past Monday our twins, Trevor and Kendal turned 21. We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. Many prayers have been surrendered at God’s feet over the years. In today’s key verse, Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Let’s face it, whether excited, nervous, or fearful, those feelings can produce an anxious mind. I think back to the time I prayed to have children. I prayed for a set of boy/girl twins. Yes, God has a sense of humor. Pregnancy was an exciting, yet anxious time. Over the years the needs and prayers have gotten bigger. Each time we would watch God answer with a yes, no, or not yet. 

We celebrated with family over dinner at Alfresco Italian Bistro. I enjoyed eggplant Parmesan. The morning of their birthday, our daughter requested M&M sourdough pancakes. You are never too old for pancakes. I will savor this birthday celebration for years to come.

Of course just because our children become adults does not change things. We will be praying for our remnant and future remnants for years to come. I encourage us all to take a moment to stop and pray for someone we love.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

This week is devoted to prayer. When making sourdough, you only need a remnant to make it grow and multiply. Just like I don’t want to waste a remnant of sourdough, I don’t want to waste my opportunity to live as God’s remnant. I also don’t want to waste the prayers that have been said before me. In Draw The Circle, Mark Batterson writes, “when we live by faith, we will harvest prayer seeds that have been planted for decades, for centuries, for millennia.”

By fixing our eyes on Jesus as God’s remnant, we live by faith and harvest those millennia prayers as we read in ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Earlier in the week I had us examine our prayer habits. I pray for all our readers, that you will harvest prayer seeds that have been planted for decades and desire to plant new ones.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I fix my eyes on You. Thank You for the prayers that have been planted before me. I seek to harvest those prayer seeds and plant new seeds for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

This week is devoted to prayer. In today’s reading, the Prophet Elisha asks God for the servant to see an army protecting them in the spiritual realm. Wouldn’t this be amazing to see today!

Tara-Leigh Cobble in The Bible Recap says, “our prayers are a tool in God’s hand to accomplish what God has planned for us.” This goes along with what Pastor Mark Batterson says, “the greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.”

In my thoughts, God’s plan unfolds no matter what but when we pray and get answers (yes, no, not yet) we have the blessing to see God move. So if we don’t pray, it’s like we are walking around in the dark and don’t see God move. Reread today’s key verse. Take a moment to think about the Spiritual realm all around us. Do you desire to be in constant communication with God?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for direct communication with You through prayer. I love our relationship and that I can share everything with You. I desire to see Your glory unfold. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.

This week is devoted to prayer. In today’s key verse God formed us and called us by name. Although we don’t hear an audible voice, when we have a close relationship with God, often we know when He is speaking to us. 

In Pastor Steven Furtick’s sermon message, When God Gives You A Thought, Elevation Church 7-27-25, he talked about 3 ways God speaks to you, through impressions, instructions, and interruptions. I love that God can speak to us in so many ways. I especially love that we have His word, worship, and prayer to communicate with Him. I encourage us all to position our hearts and minds as we go to God in prayer so that we can be ready and open to hear Him call our names.

Let’s pray. Dear, Heavenly Father, thank You for Your impressions, instructions, and interruptions to guide me in my daily walk. I seek to hear You call my name. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion