Last night an amazing thing happened I was channel flicking and ended up watching GOD tv, just before I flicked on to another channel the man talking caught my ear. It was a guy called Rick Warren he was talking about Moses and the question God posed him about "What do you have in your hand"
He explained about his massively best selling book called "Purpose Driven Life" not a book I am overly fond of in fact I started to read it and gave up. The word "driven" is a real turn off for me, anyway I hung in there. Rick talked about how he takes no money from the profits of the book, how he reverse tithes (gives away 90% and keeps 10%) how they work with trying to find solutions for HIV and support orphans, how he paid the church back everything they had ever paid him, he wasn't showing off, just talking. At one point the crowd started to clap he just stopped them and said "I am not telling you this to impress you, I am telling this to teach you" I loved it.
He then talked about how this declaration he made with his church, personally I am going to try to memorize it, it's good:
"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”
Good old GOD TV!!!!
2 comments:
hehe
I don't like the word driven either.. but that was certainly a GOOD TEACHING! Thanks for sharing. Something to think about. Giving 90% away!!!
Isn't that something? I heard about that a while ago.
It's funny... because I really didn't like that book either but others swear by it. In the end... who we are is sometimes so much more important than what we do
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