SESSION NOTES:

For today’s workout we added some new exercises and we utilized our gear to do station work. We did battle ropes, incline wall / crab walk, core work, sledgehammers/tire, and air squats plus our trail run. We had a new interval timer and it took a bit to figure out how to get it timing correctly, we ended up doing some pretty fast rounds since I didn’t set a rest period between rounds!

WOD:

You Have a Purpose

God calls everyone to a higher purpose. He calls us to do his will in our own unique way. And God made & equipped each of us with unique gifts for that purpose.

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

Its up to each of us to discover what that purpose is by establishing a relationship with God, having faith, asking questions and listening to God’s response.

Today more than ever its so important that we find our purpose – I saw an article the other day about ‘witchtok’ a trending theme on TikTok. Its videos where kids explore practicing witchcraft and magic. Can you guess how many views the hashtag #witchtok has?

20 Billon Views

These aren’t kids exploring their relationship with God or the bible. They’re learning and practicing to put their faith and trust in false gods & idols. This world is in trouble. I personally believe we are living in the beginning of the end of times. If there was ever a time for you to start asking God what you can do its NOW.

That said, I think the one thing we’re probably asking ourselves is “How do I know what the Lord wants me to do”, or when I have so many options “Which way does He want me to go?”

Especially in that time of waiting for an outcome these are the questions we desperately want to know the answer to..right?

If you look through the Bible there are many strong individuals who endured years of waiting, endured years of trials because – they knew their purpose and what God’s will was in their life.

King David was able to endure through all adversity because he understood that it was the Lord’s plan for him to be king of Israel. Abraham was able to be patient because God had promised him he’d have many descendants and become a great nation.

Through all the delays, trials, and adversity these men were able to endure because they had faith and could hold on to God’s assurances about their eventual blessings.

They had something to hold on to.

Those long intervals and anxious anticipation can be especially difficult when you’re not sure of where God is taking you or what His plan is for your life.

Knowing your purpose and what God is going to do can make all the difference in the world.

Here’s the thing – I truly believe that if you genuinely desire to follow God, He will move Heaven and earth to show you His will, because in order for you to accomplish the goals and do the good God has ordained for you to achieve, you HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HE’S CALLED YOU FOR.

In other words, You have to know what you are going to do and what you are doing in order to do it.

I borrowed this example from a great man, Pastor Charles Stanley – think about it like this, if you had a son who needed help with the dishes, would you wait for him to figure out what to do on his own? Of course not. You’d teach him how to properly wash the dishes. Then you’d let him know how often you want him to do them. You’d directly him carefully. And if he forgot your instructions, you’d be sure to remind him.

What a great analogy.

Well the same is true with our Heavenly Father. He prepares you to do his will. He equips you with what you need to carry it out, and then He leads you in accomplishing it.

“I will instruct you & teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)

I know this to be true, and that this is how God works because – I’ve lived it.

When God knew my surrender to Him was genuine He stepped into my life with INTENTION. He told me exactly what He wanted me to do. Recently, after I completed a vow I took for someone (to lift a burden off of their heart) that was 45 days of prayer, fasting, cold showers, and abstinence, God unexpectedly told me exactly what will happen in my life – So I know. Its pretty unbelievable trust me. I know God knew I needed this – I was at the lowest point of my faith just weeks ago, and something had to happen for me to survive, literally.

But by God’s grace this has given me a resolve in life I’ve never known before, so I understand at a very personal level that this sermon is truth. I hope that you can believe in it as well and know that God’s grace will be there for you too.

So if you are living in uncertainty right now – please, don’t be afraid that there is only heartbreak ahead. Know that God’s purpose for you will bring you contentment, satisfaction, and success. You’ll most certainly face times of adversity – I will, we all do – but you can be sure that in those seasons He will “cause all things to work together for good to those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

You can be certain that in those seasons of pain, in those seasons of waiting, that *God is leading you* and engineering all circumstances *to your benefit.*

Those seasons are necessary, and vital to God’s plan. Its in the waiting that He teaches us how to grow, to develop our spiritual muscles – our faith, our understanding, our hope, and our perseverance.

During these seasons of pain, and of waiting is when you have the opportunity presented to you by God to discover who you are and what your purpose is.

We can do this by making the deliberate decision to incorporate Scripture into our lives and having faith that God is working on our behalf. We persevere, we trust. No matter what the current circumstances are because we believe in God’s sovereign power over all of creation and he has never faltered in fulfilling His word. Its my personal belief that making vows to God and having the faith and perseverance to remain true to those vows will get you Spiritual gifts you never dreamed possible. I can assure you this again, from my personal experience – the more you can give to God, the greater He will give back to you.

God will always pay you back with more than you gave to Him.

So take courage and remain faithful there’s a limit to the delays and sufferings in your life. They will only continue for as long as is necessary for God to accomplish his purpose in you.

Remember:

• God is with you – He knows exactly where you are and what you’re facing – and He is there walking with YOU.
• There is a reason for every season of adversity you face – Because God knows there is no better way to train you in His will than the fire of adversity. Amen to that!
• During this time you are in a spiritual battle – I know this too well, the enemy is well aware of your situation and the reward you will receive. He will strike at you when you are at your weakest, in the moments of despair when you are waiting on God. Resist the devil with courage and faith and he will flee!
• Regardless of the outcome, be thankful – Always remember, no matter what happens or how unfair it seems, God always has your best interest at heart.

My closing prayer is this:

Father in Heaven, you made us, you know us. I pray that you give all of us the understanding to know who we are called to be, and what our purpose is. Give us the strength to accomplish your will. Give us the courage to persevere. Give us the faith to believe. May we forever be your humble servants, serving a purpose greater than ourselves, while we accomplish a Heavenly plan greater than this world.

AMEN!