Living an All Purpose Life Text: Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Introduction: There’s an all purpose cleaner that is used to clean almost anything. This cleanser has replaced sprays that have only one purpose. God created us for many purposes, and our brain proves that fact as the human brain has different components such a passage for emotions, love, anger, directions, figures, reading, comprehension and even your motor skills etc. We were all created for God’s purpose; we are not our own we were bought with a price. (I. Cor. 6: 20)
I heard this week about a story of a lady named Tamer Lee Owens who celebrated her 104th birthday; she credited laughter, the Lord, and the little things for keeping her going. She still finds enjoyment in talking with people, taking a walk and reading the Bible as she has done since childhood. She say’s, “I don’t know how long He’ll let me stay here, I just thank Him for what He has given me already!”
Listen to what Paul say’s in vs. 1 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Vs.2 do not conform to this world… (Don’t think as the world thinks) but be transformed by renewing your mind… (God can’t and won’t renew your mind daily. You have to!)
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Listen to what 104 year old Tamer does, she laughs, loves the Lord and Loves the little things of life! What’s the opposite of laughter? What the opposite of loving the Lord? What’s the opposite of enjoying the small things in life?
Listen it’s the little things that we do daily that mount up! The book of Proverbs has one theme running through out the book and it is the value of God’s wisdom for living. Proverbs 15: 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.
Happiness isn’t a destination, but it’s a day-to-day journey! It’s time that we live an “All Purpose Life!”
Proverbs 15: 13-33 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred. 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. 19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway. 20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly. 22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. 23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, ho. w good it is! 24 The way of life winds upward for the wise that he may turn away from hell below. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud; But He will establish the boundary of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant. 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked; But He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy.31 the ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
DO you see it in these verses: A merry heart, loving and fearing the Lord, and enjoying the small things in life? The only way you can be an all purpose person in life is to laugh, love, and enjoy the small blessings in life!
