This is a deep question and perhaps one of the major questions everyone one wants answered for their life and the lives of those around them. Look how clearly Jesus tells us the answer to this question during His Sermon On The Mount....
Let me tell you why you are here.
You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
Matthew 5.13 (MSG with emphasis added)
You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
Matthew 5.13 (MSG with emphasis added)
As Jesus continues in this famous teaching on being salt and light, I want you to focus on your purpose and day-to-day activity by focusing on what I am going to call the
"Illumination Principle"
The "Illumination Principle" is based on three focus words: Light, Shine, Bright....
As we continue to read, Matthew 5.14-16 (MSG), Jesus adds to His answer of why we are here....
Light+Shine
1. We are here to be light, bringing out the God-Colors in the world
2. Jesus has made us light-bearers
3. He has put us on a light stand
4. Why has He put us on a light stand? So that we can SHINE!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
"Illumination Principle"
The "Illumination Principle" is based on three focus words: Light, Shine, Bright....
As we continue to read, Matthew 5.14-16 (MSG), Jesus adds to His answer of why we are here....
Light+Shine
1. We are here to be light, bringing out the God-Colors in the world
2. Jesus has made us light-bearers
3. He has put us on a light stand
4. Why has He put us on a light stand? So that we can SHINE!
God wants for you to Shine for Him in order to help others open up with Him.....
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Bright
Here is the cool thing. I want you to think of The Life of Jesus and His purpose. Jesus Prays to God a Prayer that is parallel to Shining for God, shining so that others would see His good deeds and Praise God The Father in Heaven...
Look at The Words of Jesus as He Prays for His Followers....
Here is the cool thing. I want you to think of The Life of Jesus and His purpose. Jesus Prays to God a Prayer that is parallel to Shining for God, shining so that others would see His good deeds and Praise God The Father in Heaven...
Look at The Words of Jesus as He Prays for His Followers....
Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
From John 17.1-5 (MSG with emphasis added)
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
From John 17.1-5 (MSG with emphasis added)
This sounds a lot like The Salt and Light passage from Matthew. Take a look at it from the NIV...
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5.16 (NIV with emphasis added)
Matthew 5.16 (NIV with emphasis added)
Prayer To Shine
You may be saying, "This sounds great, I want to follow the Illumination Principle. So How do I going about shining?" Here is what I want you to do. In order to find out how to shine for God and in the process know the way in which to do so, Pray the following Prayer of Purpose!
Raise your eyes to Heaven and Pray.....
You may be saying, "This sounds great, I want to follow the Illumination Principle. So How do I going about shining?" Here is what I want you to do. In order to find out how to shine for God and in the process know the way in which to do so, Pray the following Prayer of Purpose!
Raise your eyes to Heaven and Pray.....
Father, it's time.
Display the bright splendor of your servant
So that I in turn may show your bright splendor.
Lord God, make me a light-bearer and place me
on a light stand so that I can SHINE for Your Glory.
Father God, I want to bring out The God-Colors in the world.
Strengthen me to open up to others so that others will open up to You.
Lord, make me this person and take me to the places so I can Shine for You.
Father help me discover what this means for my life, because I know that the only way for me
to discover my purpose is to be in Your Plans and therefore
Reveal You to others!
So that I in turn may show your bright splendor.
Lord God, make me a light-bearer and place me
on a light stand so that I can SHINE for Your Glory.
Father God, I want to bring out The God-Colors in the world.
Strengthen me to open up to others so that others will open up to You.
Lord, make me this person and take me to the places so I can Shine for You.
Father help me discover what this means for my life, because I know that the only way for me
to discover my purpose is to be in Your Plans and therefore
Reveal You to others!
Your Assignment
Jesus had an assignment to make God known. This is your assignment as well. If you earnestly seek God in Prayer He will show you the what, when, where, and how He wants to use you, but you must know that it is all rooted in making His Name Famous. Once you understand this, everything else will fall in to place.
Jesus understood this. After He prays to God for his brightness to be displayed, He goes on to say....
Jesus had an assignment to make God known. This is your assignment as well. If you earnestly seek God in Prayer He will show you the what, when, where, and how He wants to use you, but you must know that it is all rooted in making His Name Famous. Once you understand this, everything else will fall in to place.
Jesus understood this. After He prays to God for his brightness to be displayed, He goes on to say....
And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
That they may know you.....Say this as a one sentence Prayer before you do anything during your day, because your life is all about bringing Glory to God. Pray To God, ask Him to reveal to you how He wants you to apply the Illumination Principle to your life for His Glory. When you do this, you will be able to Pray to God with these same words as Jesus, Words of Prayer that will ROCK your world.....
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
