Did you know that you can accomplish in your life the highest goal that any person could ever achieve? Many people in our society feel that their lives are empty, with no real sense of fulfillment or purpose. Do you feel this way?
There once was a king who had this problem. Like most modern people, he thought that the purpose of life was to become wealthy, "be a party animal," or "get a good education." So he achieved all these goals. He became the wisest man alive. He obtained wealth and pleasure beyond imagination.
But was he satisfied? He concluded that all this was "vanity and vexation of spirit." And then he discovered the real purpose of life. And you can discover it too!
Who was this king, and what did he learn? The answer is found in your Bible. The king was Solomon, and he learned that the "whole duty of man" -- man's whole reason for existing -- is to "fear God and keep His commandments" -- Ecclesiastes 12:13.
God made you. And He made you for a purpose: to serve Him all the days of your life, and then to receive eternal life when this life is over.
But can you accomplish this purpose is your life? Yes, you can! No matter what kind of life you have lived, in God's eyes you are a sinner, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. But the good news is that you can still receive eternal life. For God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" -- 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" -- Mark 16:16.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the meaning and purpose of life, how to change yourself, and maturing in Christ.
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(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
Showing posts with label David E. Pratte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David E. Pratte. Show all posts
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
God Helps You with Your Troubles
Some people think that, if you serve God faithfully, He will solve all your troubles. Preachers sometimes even promise that God will work miracles to eliminate your hardships. As a result, some people try to serve God but turn their back on Him when they continue to have problems.
With the exception of Jesus, probably no man ever suffered more than Job. Within one day's time, this man lost all his wealth and possessions, then all ten of his children were killed. Next he lost even his health as he became covered with boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Finally, his wife turned against him and told him to "curse God and die."
But why did Job suffer so? Was he wicked and disobedient to God? In Job 1:8 God Himself said concerning Job: "...there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:22 says that, even after his troubles began, "in all this Job did not sin..."
Here was a just and faithful man, yet He suffered! Yes, the righteous do suffer. Nowhere in the Bible has God promised to remove all your problems, neither by miracles nor by any other means. Acts 14:22 says "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
Then what has God promised? Does He offer anything to help us endure life's hardships? Yes, He does! In fact, the strength to endure is the very thing He offers. In Philippians 4:13 Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The Bible also shows that suffering actually accomplishes good in our lives. And especially the Bible shows that we can have eternal life when this life is over if we suffer faithfully (James 1:12).
You should serve God, not because He will remove your problems now, but because He will help you endure them and then give you life in a land without problems after this life is over.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about God helps with your troubles, the meaning and purpose of life, and solving marriage conflict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
With the exception of Jesus, probably no man ever suffered more than Job. Within one day's time, this man lost all his wealth and possessions, then all ten of his children were killed. Next he lost even his health as he became covered with boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Finally, his wife turned against him and told him to "curse God and die."
But why did Job suffer so? Was he wicked and disobedient to God? In Job 1:8 God Himself said concerning Job: "...there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:22 says that, even after his troubles began, "in all this Job did not sin..."
Here was a just and faithful man, yet He suffered! Yes, the righteous do suffer. Nowhere in the Bible has God promised to remove all your problems, neither by miracles nor by any other means. Acts 14:22 says "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
Then what has God promised? Does He offer anything to help us endure life's hardships? Yes, He does! In fact, the strength to endure is the very thing He offers. In Philippians 4:13 Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The Bible also shows that suffering actually accomplishes good in our lives. And especially the Bible shows that we can have eternal life when this life is over if we suffer faithfully (James 1:12).
You should serve God, not because He will remove your problems now, but because He will help you endure them and then give you life in a land without problems after this life is over.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about God helps with your troubles, the meaning and purpose of life, and solving marriage conflict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Purpose of Life
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Did you know that you can accomplish in your life the highest goal that any person could ever achieve? Many people in our society feel that their lives are empty, with no real sense of fulfillment or purpose. Do you feel this way?
There once was a king who had this problem. Like most modern people, he thought that the purpose of life was to become wealthy, "be a party animal," or "get a good education." So he achieved all these goals. He became the wisest man alive. He obtained wealth and pleasure beyond imagination.
But was he satisfied? He concluded that all this was "vanity and vexation of spirit." And then he discovered the real purpose of life. And you can discover it too!
Who was this king, and what did he learn? The answer is found in your Bible. The king was Solomon, and he learned that the "whole duty of man" -- man's whole reason for existing -- is to "fear God and keep His commandments" -- Ecclesiastes 12:13.
God made you. And He made you for a purpose: to serve Him all the days of your life, and then to receive eternal life when this life is over.
But can you accomplish this purpose is your life? Yes, you can! No matter what kind of life you have lived, in God's eyes you are a sinner, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. But the good news is that you can still receive eternal life. For God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" -- 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" -- Mark 16:16.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the meaning and purpose of life, how to change yourself, and maturing in Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
Did you know that you can accomplish in your life the highest goal that any person could ever achieve? Many people in our society feel that their lives are empty, with no real sense of fulfillment or purpose. Do you feel this way?
There once was a king who had this problem. Like most modern people, he thought that the purpose of life was to become wealthy, "be a party animal," or "get a good education." So he achieved all these goals. He became the wisest man alive. He obtained wealth and pleasure beyond imagination.
But was he satisfied? He concluded that all this was "vanity and vexation of spirit." And then he discovered the real purpose of life. And you can discover it too!
Who was this king, and what did he learn? The answer is found in your Bible. The king was Solomon, and he learned that the "whole duty of man" -- man's whole reason for existing -- is to "fear God and keep His commandments" -- Ecclesiastes 12:13.
God made you. And He made you for a purpose: to serve Him all the days of your life, and then to receive eternal life when this life is over.
But can you accomplish this purpose is your life? Yes, you can! No matter what kind of life you have lived, in God's eyes you are a sinner, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. But the good news is that you can still receive eternal life. For God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" -- 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" -- Mark 16:16.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the meaning and purpose of life, how to change yourself, and maturing in Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
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