Week 9 - Read Ch. 16 & 17

Read Chapter 16 "Lord, Guide Me in the Center of Your Will" and Chapter 17 "Lord, Protect Me and All I Care About".

I want to encourage you to write down your 2011 resolutions. Seek God, and ask Him to reveal to you His will and purpose for you in 2011 in the following areas, Personal, Spiritual, Vocational and Relational.

Habakkuk 2:2
Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

Ch 14 & 15 Reflection Questions

For me, these were great chapters to read going into the new year and declaring new resolutions and goals for yourself. We all have a purpose, we shouldn't just "go" through life. We should LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE!

Consider the following questions when reading, Chapter 14 "Lord, Move Me into the Purpose for Which I was Created":

1. Do you believe your life has purpose? Do you have a sense of what that purpose is? If yes, write out a prayer telling God what you believe your purpose is, and then ask Him to confirm that to you by giving you an even clearer understanding of how He wants to develop His purposes in your life. If no, write out a prayer asking God to show you what your purpose is.. Write down anything He reveals to you or what you see as a possible direction for your life.
2. Read Romans 11:29, 12:6-8. What are your gifts, talents or abilities? Keep in mind, it doesn't matter if your talent is developed or weather you use it much. Ask God to show you every gift He has put within you that can bless others.

Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

I love reading about humans and how we relate to one another. Being relational may not come naturally. Like myself, I am an introvert. So I am fine being myself, but I must remember its not what's best, it's not God's plan for us to be an island. We serve a relational God, who desires to have a relationship with us. God asks us to love Him, then to love ourselves, then to love others. How can you love someone without getting to know them? To know Him you must develop a relationship with Him. What is the key to a successful relationship? Communication. The communication lines with God are always open - reading the bible, prayer, worship, and just plain talking to Him. Then He reveals Himself to you through his Holy Spirit that lives in you. For me, my relationship with God is the most intimate of all my relationships, because he knows my sins/faults and loves me anyways - no judgment or condemnation, just grace and love - no strings attached. With His love I receive, I then can forgive myself and love myself, then I can love others with the love of God that lives in me. Let me point out, this is not a one time fall head over heels love or happily-ever after...Oh no, it's a daily-committed-in constant communication-accountability partner-truth in love kind of relationship. And I LOVE IT!

Consider the following questions when reading, Chapter 15 "Lord, Guide Me in All My Relationships":

1. Do you believe that you exhibit to others the seven signs of a desirable friend? Which quality is your strongest? Which quality is your weakest?
2. Read Psalm 68:6. Are you a member of a church where you are part of a spiritual family with whom you feel connected? If yes, describe what is most important to you about your spiritual family. If no, write our a prayer asking God to reveal to you the church and spiritual family where you belong.

Mark 12:28-31 

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Deuteronomy 30:16
For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

Tools and Resources

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/FreeTools/healthAssessment/PDLHealthAssessment.htm

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/FreeTools/LifeStatements/statements.htm

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=3