Isaiah 43:21, “This people I have formed for myself; they shall declare my praise.” 

Not one of us is here on this earth by chance. God has purpose for our existence. He created and formed us for Himself. More than that – He loved us.  Even more than that – He redeemed us.  And He has called us and chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. (Isaiah 43:1,4,7; 44:1,2,22,23; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:9) When we understand this truth, there is no room for disillusionment or discontentment with life. It is the enemy of our souls who tells us that we are “good for nothing” or that life is not worth living.

Let’s continue looking at the specific things for which God has created us…

2. We have been created for God Himself.

We were not created for our own pleasure but for God’s pleasure. Revelation 4:11 tells us that everything thing that God created was created for His pleasure. That includes us!  We are the work of God’s hands. (Isaiah 60:21) The J.B. Phillip’s translation of 2 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us, “You are not the owner of your body.”

This takes a lot of the frustration out of life. We understand our purpose. We are not here to live for ourselves but to bring pleasure and delight to the One who created us. What greater purpose could we find in life than to please our Creator and Redeemer? The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” *

When you wake in the morning, tell God, “Lord, I thank you that you created me for your pleasure. Here I am, Lord. I am available to serve you today. I want my life to bring pleasure to you.” This purpose affects every moment and every aspect of our lives. As you bring pleasure to your husband and your family in your home, you will also pleasure to the One who created you for this task.

God calls our children the work of His hands too, and it is important to remember that they also were born for His pleasure. Isaiah 29:23 says, “For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name… and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” Only God can create a life, each one different than anyone else who has ever lived, each one with a different personality and gifts. When we see each one of our children growing in the Lord and honoring Him, it causes us to praise and stand in awe of Him. Every newborn baby is the exquisite work of God’s hands and renews the face of the earth with the presence of God. (Psalm 139:13-16; 104:30)

The Living Bible and the New Living Translation give an interesting light on this Scripture, “When they see the surging birth rate and the expanding economy, then they will fear and rejoice in my name… and stand in awe of Him.”

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh Lord, help me to become more and more aware of the glorious truth that I am created for your pleasure. You created me for your enjoyment and fellowship. Please help me to bring joy to you in every aspect of my life, in my home and in my relationships. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am created for God’s pleasure!

Isaiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I have created for my glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

These wonderful words were spoken to Israel and they will be fulfilled in God’s covenant people. However, these words also speak to us who have been brought into God’s family by the blood of Jesus that was shed for us. Before we can accomplish all that God has for us, we must first know His basic purpose for our lives.

1. We were created for His glory.

Isn’t this amazing? You were actually created to reveal God’s glory. This gives wonderful meaning to life, doesn’t it?

Look at 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

Not only are we to glorify God by revealing and gentle and quiet spirit but we are to glorify God in our body. We cannot align ourselves with “a woman’s right to choose” because it is God’s right to choose. Our life is not our own. Our body is not our own. It was made for His glory. How can a lawnmower give glory to its maker? By functioning as the designer planned it. How can a sewing machine give glory to its maker? By working according to the way it was designed. When it breaks down, it certainly doesn’t glorify its maker. The designer gets a bad name!

In the same way, we give glory to God in our body by keeping it in good health and working order so that it can function according to the glorious way our Creator designed us. We do not glorify God by cutting off some function of the body that He has designed and created. Sadly many do this today by sterilization. The Living Bible says, “God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because He owns it.” I am sure that “every part” means every part!

But there is more yet! God says that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “temple” is not “hieron” which represents the whole temple, but it is the word, “naos” which refers to the Holy of Holies, the place where God’s presence dwelt! Oh this is too incredible! God wants your body to be a dwelling place for His presence so He can be revealed and glorified in this earth. The Knox translation says, “Surely you know that your bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you… glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of His presence.”

When Jesus died, the thick veil hiding the Holy of Holies from the eyes of man was torn apart. God has now chosen the human body to be His “naos” where He dwells. He is no longer confined to one temple but dwells in “naos’s” all over the world. This is how God is able to fill the earth with His glory – every believer a shrine for the indwelling of His presence so He can walk, live and be revealed all over the earth - in every body, every home, every city and every nation!

And think of this. The more children that we bring into this world, the more bodies there are for God to fill with His presence. Therefore the more of God’s ways, His light, His truth, His love and His righteousness will fill the earth. What a vision!

We must remember of course that God cannot fill our “naos” unless the blood is shed. The high priest could not enter that sacred place without the blood. The blood makes the way for God’s presence in our lives. Live in the cleansing of the blood as He forgives you of the sins you confess to Him. Live under the protection of the blood as you acknowledge the power of the blood of Jesus to save you and deliver you.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh Lord, please help me to comprehend your amazing purpose for my life, that my body is a sacred place for your presence. Please cleanse me from every evil sin in my life that I will truly be a holy temple to reveal your glory in this world. Help me to reveal your glory in my home, in my kitchen, in my daily relationships and wherever I walk. Amen.”

 

AFFIRMATION:

Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

 

Is your burden heavy, is it weighing you down?

Do you no longer smile, all you wear is a frown?

Are you feeling stressed out? Your body’s in pain?

Are you confused, tormented, feel like going insane?

Hang on a minute! You don’t have to bear this strain,

There is a Burden-bearer who will carry your pain.

He left the glory of heaven to come and die for your sin,

And carry your burdens, your anguish and sorrows on Him.

Give your heartache to God, He’s promised to carry it all,

To try on your own, you’ll only stumble and fall.

He’ll not only carry your burden, but sustain you too,

Holding you up in His arms to see from His point of view.

All you have to do is come to the foot of the cross,

Hand over your burden and all that is dross,

Give up your rights to do it your own way,

Trust your life to His hands and He’ll lead each day.

He is your Savior, Deliverer, your Resting Place,

Your Fortress, your Shield and your Hiding Place,

Your Sustainer and Helper with stretched out arms

Who’ll carry your through storms and bring you to calm.

He is your Fountain, the fresh Eternal Spring

Who takes your sadness and makes you sing.

He is your Comforter, Healer and He is the Dew

Who comes with His mercies each morning anew.

He is your Hope, your Refuge, your Song,

Strengthener and Shepherd who carries you along.

He is Almighty God who will carry your sorrow,

Give it to Him today, don’t wait ‘til tomorrow.

I love how The Message Bible translates this Scripture, “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – He’ll carry your load, He’ll help you out.”

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“How I thank you, Lord, that you are my Burden bearer. I give my burdens, sorrows and worries to you today. They are too heavy for me to carry. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I have given my burdens to the Lord and I will not take them back.

 

2 Chronicles 29:15, “When they had… consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the temple of the Lord, as the king had ordered, following the word of the Lord.” And Nehemiah 13:9, “I gave orders to purify the rooms…”

It is beneficial to frequently de-clutter your home of the junk that accumulates. It is even more important to regularly go through your home and check for anything that could defile your home. Check the magazines. Go through your bookshelf. Inspect your music. Check your children’s rooms too. What about ornaments, pictures and gifts that you have accumulated? Are they glorifying to the Lord?

A good way to check whether to throw it out or keep it, is to line it up alongside Philippians 4:8.

1. Whatever is true.

This means someone or something that cannot lie. We must allow no deception in our homes. We must be transparent with one another – no hiding or deceiving.

2. Whatever is honest.

The Greek word is “semnos” which actually means that which inspires respect and reverence. It has majestic and awe-inspiring qualities. Everything in our homes - pictures, décor, music and atmosphere should promote majesty and reverence.

3. Whatever is just and right.

We do not allow things that are on the borderline of righteousness. We stay well to the right! If it is questionable, throw it out! 

4. Whatever is pure.

The word is “hagnos” which means freedom from defilements and impurities, especially sexual sin. Do not allow anything in your home that promotes lust or impurity. Guard your TV. Veto every video and DVD that comes into your home. Guard your computers. It is too dangerous for children to have computers in their bedrooms, or husbands for that matter. They should be in the living room, in the open, where all can watch what appears on the screen. 

5. Whatever is lovely.

Is your home light and sunshiny? Is the atmosphere lovely? Are your pictures lovely? I have noticed dubious and sensual pictures on the walls of some Christian homes. Your children will be influenced by the pictures you have on your wall. I remember the story of a mother whose sons all chose go to sea for their living. When someone asked them the reason, they pointed to the pictures on the walls, which were of ships on the ocean.

I stayed in the home of one young mother and her walls were decorated with beautiful pictures of mothers and babies. Her six children are surrounded with these lovely pictures that promote tenderness and maternity.

6. Whatever is of good report.

Everything in our homes should be good – good words (throw out all negative, back-biting, morbid and discouraging words), good clean fun, good books and good music. 

7. Whatever is excellent.

This word, “arête”, is the same that is used in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says “we should show forth the praises (excellencies and virtues) of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Everything in our home should show forth the excellency of our holy God. It should reveal the beauties of His character. Remember, we have dedicated our home to be a holy place unto the Lord.

8. Whatever is worthy of praise.

Everything in our homes should uplift us and cause us to praise the Lord – décor, books, videos and music.

God’s Word is very strong to us about what we have in our homes. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 says, “You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire, you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you are snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it; but you shall utterly detest and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.” Read also Matthew 21:12-13 and Acts 19:19.

Set aside some time to de-clutter your home of all that does not line up with Philippians 4:8.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh God, help me to remember daily that my home is a place for your glory to dwell. Help me to consistently cleanse my home of all the things that subtlety enter in to defile it. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION: