OUR PURPOSE FOR LIFE

Longing for more We all have a deep underlying longing for something that is beyond our human capacity to completely comprehend. It is an awareness of something within us that is lacking and which if realized, would make our lives complete.  We all have strong desires for things like love, power, achievement, identity, goods, and social connectedness, but none of them provide long-term fulfillment. We may feel joyful and delighted for a short period of time, but that sensation always disappears. Many people are dissatisfied with their life, even if to others they may be seen to have it all; a generally good life. They imagine that the next idealized relationship, purchase, or career will be the one that will finally and fully satisfy them. Only for the joy and excitement felt when these things are achieved to disappear with time. "Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Ecclesiastes 5:10 Our supreme satisfactio...

    SHAME AND GUILT Is guilt and shame holding you back from living to your full potential in Christ? Are you living with fears and insecurities? Is shame and guilt preventing you from fulfilling God's plan for your life? Beware of people who take pleasure in other people's problems. Some people want you to live in your shame and guilt. They will speak negatively about you. They may even remind you that you are undeserving of God's love. Some of them may even be Christians. Others may be close family.   Pray to God to guide you to people who are genuinely concerned about your well-being. Much of our guilt and shame stems from focusing on what others say about us rather than what Christ says about us. But we are not our past. We are not what we did. We are who God says we are. He says we are forgiven. He says we are redeemed. He says we are free. "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they ca...