Day 6— purpose gives purpose

Deuteronomy 11:13-21 (The Message)

13-15 From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you'll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives. He'll make sure there's plenty of grass for your animals. You'll have plenty to eat.

16-17 But be vigilant, lest you be seduced away and end up serving and worshiping other gods and God erupts in anger and shuts down Heaven so there's no rain and nothing grows in the fields, and in no time at all you're starved out—not a trace of you left on the good land that God is giving you.

18-21 Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.

Mike's Thoughts:
Did you see it? You may have to read the passage again. Let me give it to you: THIS is why we were created. Yes, we were created by God. But we were also created FOR God. It seems harsh, but when God says stay with me or I will wipe you out, it becomes clear that, without him, our lives have no purpose. If he is the creator, then by reason, he defines the use and maintenance of his creation. The maintenance almost sounds easy. Talk about him to your kids, but don’t just talk about him - help them see how their lives were created and defined by God. By the way, you don't need your own kids to communicate God's purpose in the lives of others – share this purpose with all kids and others whom you encounter.

Prayer:
God, you are great. You are all knowing, and all powerful. You are faithful and true. Thanks for creating us, and for defining our purpose in life. Help us grasp what it means to be created FOR you. Help us to live for that purpose, and to communicate that purpose to our kids and others that are in our circles.