Are you living up to your God given purpose?

Fred at Mount Fuji, grasping all that the Lord has ordained for his life.

Are you living up to your God given purpose, or living down to the opinions and expectations of others?

What a question; and just in time for the new year, a new challenge! During the Christmas season, a show topic on SoulProsper Radio prompted some serious thinking. On the Christmas show airing on the Freedom Through Faith Christian Radio Network, a question was asked that challenged not only listeners, but the host.

Reading from Isaiah 9:6, the prophet lists the attributes of the coming Messiah. Fast forwarding to the New Testament, it becomes clear that he is all those things. While you could simply assume that by supernatural providence He became all those things, which is an incorrect assumption.

Christ was human and divine. Though conceived by the spirit, he breathed the air of humanity. In fact, “Christ” is translated “Messiah” or “Anointed”. Jesus Christ was literally anointed to be the savior of all mankind.

Anointed: To choose by or as if by divine intervention.

Dying for the sins of the world was easy because He was anointed and made the choice to do so, right? Wrong, another incorrect assumption.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15

How did Christ survive all the temptation to veer off the path of purpose?

1. He kept purpose at the forefront of his everyday life. Lk. 2:41-52
Jesus here is 12 years old and is in the temple teaching and sharing with the elders.

2. Jesus worked the work of the Father at all times. Lk. 8:19:21
This exchange is rather bothersome to many at first read. However, a deeper glance into this text will reveal Jesus’ use of parables in teaching. In Luke 8:10, he used Isaiah’s words (Is. 9:6) from centuries earlier.

3. Even as He began his ministry, Jesus kept the final work in mind. Fasting 40 days in the wilderness (Luke 4) and even praying in Gethsemane kept Christ close to the Father.
Being a person of purpose comes with the requirement of time spent alone with the Father. It’s in this time that you are able to reconnect with the Father and be recharged in the midst of life’s challenges.

4. Jesus walked in divine authority at all times. Lk. 4:14:30
After His tempting in the wilderness, Jesus went to Nazareth and taught in the temple. After they marveled at his wisdom, they questioned His paternity and later drove Him out of the synagogue to a cliff.

Pilate addressed Him as King of the Jews as He stood in His court! Mk. 15:9.

As we all know, Jesus fulfilled His earthly task. Paul later states that because of this He is given a name above every name! Phil. 2:6-11

Following these four steps will keep us connected to the Father’s purpose for our lives at all times. Jesus knew the scripture and taught from it in the synagogue. In today’s fast moving world, it’s easy to leave the bible and communion with God out of your daily routine. Remember God’s words to Joshua, newly appointed leader of the Nation of Israel in 


Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Jesus quoted this Psalm on the cross and fulfilled yet another prophecy:

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Ps. 22:1

There will be times when the purpose filled person will feel the same way. For those moments, I refer you

 Joshua 1:5
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

There will be challenges and hardships but remember what the Lord has said: “…I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Who are you today? Are you who God has said you are? Have you let yourself, family or God down? Believe it or not, He still says the same thing about you!

In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord comforts the Nation of Israel by reassuring them that their captivity was still a part of His plan. “I know the plans I have for you…” If His plans are certain even in times of difficulty, so should our determination to do His will be!  

You can hear the aforementioned show on the Freedom Through Faith Christian Radio Network at 7:30 am/pm