“You’ve accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him.” Colossians 2:6 (CEV)

“If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you’ll be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

“Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick.” 1 Peter 3:16 (MSG)

“Hate what’s evil, and HOLD ON to what is good.” Romans 12:9 (TEV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

“Those with clean hands will grow stronger and stronger!”  Job 17:9 (NIV)

“If you keep yourself pure, you will be a tool God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you’ll be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)

“Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.” Psalm 105:4 (MSG)

“Wise men and women are always learning, and always listening for fresh insights.” Proverbs 18:15 (MSG)

“Brothers, be united in imitating me. Keep your eyes fixed on those who act according to the example you have from me.” Philippians 3:17 (NJB)

“I pray that the eyes of your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called.” Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)

“You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)

TENACITY: The ability to keep on when you feel like giving up!

RESILIENCE: The ability to bounce back when put down

“God’s plans endure forever and his purposes last eternally.” Psalm 33:11 (TEV)

God’s 5 Purposes for My Life

   1. He wants me to know him and love him             (Worship)

   2. He wants me to belong to his family                            (Fellowship) 

   3. He wants me to grow spiritually to be like Jesus         (Discipleship)

   4. He wants me to serve him by serving others             (My Ministry)

   5. He wants me to invite others to know him                  (My Witness)

“Give yourselves completely to God—every part of you. You want to be tools in the hands of God, used for his good purposes.” 

Romans 6:13 (LB)

A truly successful life not measured by: Pleasure; popularity, possessions, power; position,

It’s measured by this: Did I fulfill God’s purposes for my life?

“David served God's purpose in his generation."  Acts 13:36a (NIV)



“Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (LB)

“Always give thanks for everything to God our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 (LB)

“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ.” 1 Peter 3:15 (MSG)

“In all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.” Philippians 4:6 (TEV)

“Keep on praying. keep on being alert, and keep on being grateful!” Colossians 4:2 (CEV)

WHY ARE WE GRATEFUL EVEN IN HARD TIMES?

• BECAUSE GOD WILL GIVE ME STRENGTH

“God will strengthen you with his own great power. And you will not give up when trouble comes, but you will be patient. Then you will joyfully give thanks to the Father!” Colossians 1:11-12 (ICB)

• BECAUSE BAD TIMES CAN’T CHANGE GOD’S PLAN!

“Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God!” Hebrews 12:28 (MSG)

• BECAUSE OUR LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED!

“All of us…can reflect the glory of the Lord. As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and we reflect his glory even more!”    2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore! A new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (LB)

“This is what happens in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; and when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land! That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means!”  Romans 6:3 (MSG)

“Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. The moment he came out of the water, the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, came down on him.” Mark 1:9-10 (MSG)