September 1, 2025 – Purpose

Carrie’s follow up appointment is Friday; so, I have extended my stay to be here for that. That’s what mamas do…..

Utmost – “Continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. [Besides mothering!] The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness.”  1 Peter 1:16 – “Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.”  Chambers continues, “The one thing that matters is whether a man will accept the God Who will make him holy….God is not an eternal blessing-machine for men….He came to save men because He had created them to be holy….every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God. Holiness is not only what God gives me, but what I manifest that God has given me.” We don’t go to church (and small groups) for just what we get out of it. We go, in part, for God to arm us for battle on behalf of ourselves and others.

Power – Mark 11:25 – “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  Joyce writes, “Don’t waste your life being angry; instead, be difficult to offend and quick to forgive.”

Streams talks about how stones are shaped over time by natural and man-made afflictions and then are made useful – like people. All that we go through makes our service to God sweeter and more beautiful (it can, if we allow it).  Isaiah 54:11 – “I will lay thy stones with fair colors.”