LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, July 24, 2024

I trust the time you spent yesterday considering the purpose of rest and recreation was beneficial to you. If so, we are ready to start the evaluation process of how the mission of Jesus impacts our daily lifestyle choices and decision-making. 

First, do you understand what the mission of Jesus is for your life? While each of us is unique, and uniquely equipped for various roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ, each one of us starts with the same marching orders. Our identical mission is this – “Go into all the world and make disciples.”

We could spend weeks upon weeks studying all the individual ways we are prepared, equipped, and gifted to do that, but unless we truly accept the primary mission itself then all the methods will be meaningless. There is to be nothing in our lifestyle choices more significant than glorifying Jesus, and He is most glorified when we abide in Him and accomplish His mission – the salvation of souls. There can be no higher priority than people.

Second, we must carefully prioritize all areas of our life under Christ’s mission. Some of our chosen activities can remain. Some might have to go. Let’s use some of our evaluation questions again today to examine our priorities considering God’s mission for our life. Ask these questions about every choice you make. 

• Does this word or activity support my understanding of the mission to which I have been called in Christ Jesus?
• Does this word or activity represent the Gospel message of the transforming power of Jesus Christ to change my life?
• Does this word or activity prepare me in some way to fulfill Christ’s mission for me?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with another person?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to make a disciple?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to teach others to obey Jesus?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to encourage and build up a brother or sister in Christ?

If the answer to any of the questions above is “no”, then ask yourself, while remembering ground rule #2 about no shame, why that activity is permitted to remain in your life. Of what value is it in accomplishing the mission of God?

My friends, we are people of purpose. Everyone wants to know their purpose. We are blessed to be children of God, who get to experience the one true and fulfilling mission of all life – serving the Savior. Let’s unite together to serve Him according to His mission, not ours. 

Pastor John