The Believer's Purpose

God has a purpose for your life. If that weren't true, He'd have taken you home to heaven at the moment of salvation. Do you ever wonder why He left you here?

The Lord intends to influence others through you. Our purpose is to be a vessel through which Christ overflows to others--touching those who hurt and desperately need a Savior. Once we are saved, Scripture teaches, our involvement is threefold.

First, we love others. Jesus clearly stated that this was one of the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:38-39).

Second, we share the good news of salvation (Acts 1:8). Some travel across the world to spread the gospel, while others teach neighbors across the street. The Holy Spirit will direct us to the right people if we are willing to obey.

Third, we serve in a variety of ways, like helping those in need, sharing our resources, and lifting others in prayer. Jesus is our perfect example of all three. His entire life was marked by caring for people--both those who loved Him and those who did not. In fact, the Bible teaches that He humbled Himself and became like us, willing to give up His life for our redemption. There is no greater love; there is no greater act of service.

Scripture clearly defines the believer's purpose. Aligning ourselves with God's intentions for His children--loving others, witnessing, and serving-- bring us great satisfaction. In fact, we're still on earth not merely to hear more teaching but to act on it and share with others what we learn.

from Dr. Charles Stanley

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

Salvation -What will it cost YOU! by Jim Mazzulla

This Salvation devotion is inspired my the many years of hearing from many misled “new converts”the following statement, “I accepted Christ because someone said my life would be “better”, and my life isn’t better.” Well, in truth their life is better if their saved, but better does not mean problem free, which is how many interpret “better”. Be careful how you explain salvation to people!
I ask that you all open your spiritual ears and hearts, and please understand I am not preaching a gospel of works, or legalism, but truth that will ultimately set you and new converts FREE!
As we start this devotion let us remember that Jesus paid a great cost. Our salvation cost him his life! He bore on Himself all our sin so we could be free from the penalty and power of sin. It sure cost Jesus a lot, let us NEVER forget that!

“The Quick Fix” -No cost Salvation:
Many tell us of a quick fix no cost salvation! All you have to do is say a prayer to accept Christ and it’s done! Oh really that’s all there is to it! I call that easy believism (no repentance, no change of heart, just blessings). If that’s what you’ve heard, believed or taught then sorry to break the news to you, but that’s WRONG!

“The Bless Me Club” -No cost Salvation:
While it is true that there are MANY blessings of being saved, such as I am now a child of God, I can now commune with God, I can have joy in the midst of trials, and a peace that surpasses all my understanding, etc. BUT today Salvation has become little more than accepting Christ because they (lost person) is told all the blessings they will receive, plus they’ll get to go to Heaven and IT WILL COST THEM NOTHING! When in TRUTH is it will cost you giving Him your whole life, that’s what JESUS requires. Really we should accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR even if Heaven wasn’t promised, because He is worthy!!!!
Our main text is Mark 10:17-24: v.17 -And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? v.18 -And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. v.19 -Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. v.20 -And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. v.21 -Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. v.22 -And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. v.23 -And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! v.24 -And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

So what will it cost you?
It will cost whatever is between you and the Lord, often we don’t know what it is until He requires it.
“....Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest......” -(v.21)
Love speaks the Truth, love doesn’t water down the Truth, love doesn’t not lead someone into thinking their all right WHEN THEIR NOT! Jesus in love did not lower his requirements for Eternal Life. This man thought he was "IN", then Jesus hit the ONE area that HAD HIM more than Jesus, His Possessions. And you know what he couldn’t do what Jesus asked. So did Jesus say as the man sadly walked away wait a minute I want you to have Eternal Life just give away a little bit of your possessions. No, the MAN DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE SAVED, THERE WAS SOMETHING BETWEEN HIM AND JESUS. Jesus doesn’t change His standards for entrance into Eternal Life (Salvation), don’t you either when sharing with people, or you won’t be helping some on into Eternal Life but very possibly deceived them into a Christless Christianity, still lost and hell bound. That’s not loving someone that's deceiving someone, whether on purpose or ignorantly!
As stated earlier, there is a cost to our Salvation, while it is true there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation (Eph. 2:8,9), when you accept Christ as your LORD and SAVIOR he does require your whole life for Him! Let’s stop believing and convincing people of a watered down salvation, that ultimately either produces spiritually sick Christians or people who though they think they are saved the truth is the are not.
I would like to close with Luke 14:27-30,33: v.27 -And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. v.28 -For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? v.29 -Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, v.30 -Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.....” v.33 -So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus says there is a cross to bear or you “CANNOT be My disciple”. Then Jesus goes on to say that if you were going to build a tower, does the builder not FIRST “count the cost” whether he will be able to go through with it until it’s complete/finished. Do we tell people to count the cost when they accept Christ! It will cost the forsaking of all things that get in the way of completely following Jesus. It might cost you a job, do you own a liquor store and you get saved, say bye, bye to your liquor store. It might be your in a relationship with an ungodly person (unequally yoked) it’s bye to that relationship. (Note: This does not mean you leave your unsaved husband/wife because you are now a Christian -Read I Cor. 7:10-16). It could be a number of things (people, fame, TV, possessions, etc.), if their in the way of your walk with Jesus then say bye to them. Don’t promise people a watered down Christianity, if your saved you know there are things God has told you to forsake when you got saved. I’m not saying to tell them all they will need to forsake you don’t even know that, but there are some obvious things you do know they will have to forsake!
Let me close on a positive note by saying regarding the area of “COST”. I am very happy and honored in the things the Lord told me to say bye to when I got saved. And you know He continues to show me things that I need to let go to have a more fruitful walk in Christ. The most exciting times in JESUS have always been when I have been free from things that do not please Jesus. I guess what I’m saying is that the cost bearly seems like a cost at all when you consider the rewards of being a vessel God can use, hearing His voice, walking with Him, pleasing Him, sharing about the Lord with others, having a God given peace, joy, contentment, etc.

Bottom line is when you get saved it will cost you ALL of YOU, but in return YOU get a relationship with JESUS -GOD! Barely seems like much of a cost in that light!

No Dough Pizza

http://susanrecipe.com/2016/08/no-dough-pizza.html

For when you absolutely want Pizza but not all the Carbs!!

Crust

1 (8oz) package of full fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping

1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
toppings – I used hamburger, Canadian bacon, sausage and onions
(toppings are limitless mushrooms, peppers, etc)
Garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Lightly spray 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. With a handheld mixer, mix cream cheese, eggs, pepper, garlic powder and parmesan cheese until combined. Spread into baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes.
Spread pizza sauce on crust. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder. Bake 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

DAILY SMILE:

DOG HAIRCUT...
Animal Jokes
Submitted by HENNE

A woman took her dog to the parlor for a haircut and asked what it would cost. Being told that it would cost her $50, she was outraged.

"I only pay 30 bucks for my own haircut!" she said.

The groomer replied, "That may be true. But then you don't bite, do you?"