DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - 3 THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW. The Conclusion.

I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field. - John Wesley.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24.

Christians without goals are a little like Alice in the fairy tale ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ In a conversation between her and the Cheshire Cat, Alice asked, "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat. - Source Unknown.

Yesterday in Part 2, we discussed the second of the 3 things that we NEED TO KNOW, and as we studied this we realised that ‘WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE.’ We conclude today with the third one...

WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING

Many Christians don't know where they are going, and they will get there in record time! Let us try and answer these questions...

WHY DID GOD SAVE US?
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
HOW MUCH HAVE WE MATURED IN THE LORD SINCE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR CHURCH?
HOW IS OUR CHURCHES AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITIES?
WHERE DO WE EXPECT TO BE 5 OR 10 YEARS FROM NOW?

We need to seriously sit down and take time to answer these questions. We, as the Church, want people to come and imitate us, but it is hard to imitate a parked car! Jesus said... For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' - Luke 14:28-30.

The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder -- waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you. - Thomas Carlyle.

We need to get going in our purpose in God, knowing, that we have the full power of the Holy Spirit behind us! As long as God's people think of Church service as SERVE-US, we will never impact our world for Christ... And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Rom 8:28.

Mark Twain shortly before his death wrote, "A myriad of people are born; they labor and sweat and struggle; they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow;

those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last, the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them, and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever." - Source Unknown.

We are a blood bought, heaven sought, devil fought, Holy Ghost taught children of God! We need to dedicate our lives to God, with the purpose of advancing His Kingdom! Live as He intended us to live, for His glory and purpose!

Loving Father, Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to realise my purpose in Christ. Fill me again Lord, with your love, your compassion, your wisdom, your power, and for your glory. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen.

GBYAY