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Even If You Are The Only One

Filed under: Creatively Speaking, Focus, Uncategorized — Leave a comment

April 16, 2023

by DJ. Martin (Singlefocus ®)

‘LIGHT IN THE NIGHT’ by D.J. MARTIN

Have you heard your child, or you say as a child, “But Mom, everybody is doing it!” Teenagers, of every generation, have the desire to be accepted by their peers. So, to be popular and not shunned, they dress according to the trends and do things their peers do (good or bad). Unfortunately, for some, that kind of craving continues into adulthood, the good or the bad. Thankfully, one day my mom replied, “You are not everybody!” That clicked inside of me. It was a revelation that it was okay to be me. I did not have to be a clone of the best-dressed or most popular. Who I was, and my preferences were fine.

With all that aggressive attempt to fit in and be in step with the custom of your generation, have you ever thought about being the best at being all that is good in you so that others would desire to emulate you? That’s what some celebrated singers are trying to do (more bad than good). Have you ever considered yourself becoming a trendsetter (Romans 12:2)?

You know the murder story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8). Cain went into exile after killing Abel, leaving Eve with no son. After one hundred and thirty years, God provided Eve with another son named Seth (Genesis 4:25). Then, men began to worship God through seven generations. Noah was the product of the seventh generation. At some time, within the five hundred years of Noah’s life, unearthly beings began marrying the daughters of men, creating giants and wicked offspring (Genesis 6:2). The world grew increasingly sinful and caused God to regret that He created man (Genesis 6:6). However, there was one man who found grace in the eyes of God. One man righteous in the entire world. Noah had a wife, three sons, and three daughters-in-law. But the scripture says that only one person found grace, Noah. Noah did not crave popularity from people or beings. Noah did not regard the world’s customs, changing trends, religions, or traditions. He continued the pursuit of God’s good pleasure. Since Noah deliberately chose to be different, God and his family were probably his only company and friends. The wicked didn’t hang around him, and he didn’t socialize with them. Noah was okay with being Noah and not one who imitated the world. In the whole world, Noah was the only one that reverenced God, His will, and His ways. One man (Genesis 6:8)!

Amid the evil going on in the world, Noah continually walked upright before God. The unholy mating produced offspring who carried unrighteous DNA (Genesis 6:4-5). Therefore, God told Noah of His plan to flood the earth, destroy the world and its inhabitants, and start over with him and his family (Genesis 6:13). The mandate He gave Adam He would now give to Noah (Genesis 6:18; 9:1). He told Noah to build an ark that would house his family and the animals as shelter from the flood. So, Noah began to build the boat. Though it had never rained, Noah believed God. As five years went by, ten years went by, Noah kept obeying and honoring God even though it didn’t rain. Certainly, he was ignored and ridiculed but did not waver from his faith and trust in God. I imagine that he didn’t shop at the same shops for clothes. He probably didn’t play the world’s music but sang worship to God. He remained different and faithful in his walk with God. Noah, though it was now hundred years passed, did not compromise nor stop doing the work of the Lord. All indications are that he did not seek reasons to stop building the ark or dismiss saying what God said. I imagine the giants laughed because they believed they were high enough that no mist from the ground or heaven could drown them. Noah never stopped being the one righteous man. He didn’t say, “Oh, this is a nice custom of the world; let me try it.” Years passed, but he didn’t start looking, acting, or talking like the world. He persevered, not as a reflection of the world but of obedience and trust in the living God. Noah never wavered. He was a single light in the darkness of the world. Noah was okay with being Noah in an increasingly wicked world.

There are Christians in the sports world, but they, like Noah, don’t conform to the world. Unfortunately, some Christian athletes do mimic the world. Noah spent hundreds of years in a wicked world, but he did not emulate the world. There are different Christians in the entertainment world, but then there are those who compromise and walk and talk like the world. There are Christians in the world of business or politics, etc. And those Christians are different and deliberately do not blend in with the world culture, morally or ethically (Ephesians 5:1). But then there are Christians who are the spitting image of the world.

These are crucial days of decisions: whether you will pursue the favor of God or the favor of the world, whether you will walk with God or walk with the world. Noah chose the way and favor of the living God (Hebrews 11:7). The world did not, and the world did not survive. The world you pursue more than the pursuit of God will falter and not be able to save you nor desire to save you. God is looking for some Noah’s in every genre; families, government, media, sports, arts and entertainment, religion, business, education, etc., even if you are the only one. (1Peter 2:9)

We know how the story ended. We are a part of that ending. Men live because God found one man righteous in the entire world. Thankfully, there is now more than one man who has found grace in the eyes of God. It is tremendous because the only living God, from the beginning, decided to make the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins and take the punishment for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross. And whoever confesses and believes in Him and His sacrifice “shall be saved” (Romans 10:9). One man, perfect in all His ways, gave His life so that we might become saved.

Whatever world you are a part of, persevere in the pursuit of the favor of God, even if you are the only one.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

That’s Today’s Single Focus

The Truth about Women, Seeds and Snakes

Filed under: Focus, Overcoming, True Story, Uncategorized — Leave a comment

March 25, 2016

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

In the Beginning:

woman handsWsnake Adam said, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me of the forbidden tree, and I did eat.” Then the LORD God said unto the woman, “What have you done?” And Eve said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” The LORD God said unto the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and every beast of the field; upon your belly you’ll go, and dust you’ll eat all your life:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:12-15

Seed of the Woman:

The angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary as your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Then Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had said, and made Mary his wife: but, knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS. Matthew 1:20-25

Bruising the Heel:

The chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. When they had bound Him, they led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor. When He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He said nothing.

Pilate went out unto the Jews, and said unto them, “I find in Him no fault at all.” John 18:38.

At this time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, “Whom do you want me to release unto you; Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? They said, “Barabbas” Then Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, “Let Him be crucified.” And the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified.” Then Pilate took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person…

They crucified Him, and set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

From the 6th hour there was darkness over all the land unto the 9th hour. And about the 9th hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me? Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. That very evening, a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple, went to Pilate, and begged for the body of Jesus. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, hewed out of the rock: and he rolled a great stone over the door of the sepulcher, and left. Matthew 27:1-61

Bruising the Head:

The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember that deceiver, while He was yet alive said, “After 3 days I will rise again.” Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the 3rd day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, “He is risen from the dead…” So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards. Matthew 27: 62-66

At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the 1st day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. And the angel said unto the women, “Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come; see the place where the Lord was laid.” And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there shall you see Him…” The women departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples the news. As they went to tell His disciples, Jesus met them. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him. Then said Jesus unto them, “Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.” The 11 disciples went into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth… lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:1-20

The End?

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:17-18

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1Corinthians 15:55

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Tags: a son, accusation, Adam, ange, angels, Arimathaea, Barabbas, Bruising, chief priests, child, Christ, Corinthians, counsel, cross, crucified, darkness, death, earth, elders, Emmanue, Eve, evil, feet, firstborn, firstborn son, Galilee, God, Gospel of Matthew, governor, grave, heaven, heel, hell, hewed out of the rock, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, I am innocent, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jews, John, Joseph, keys, linen cloth, Lord, loud voice, Mary, Matthew, Matthew 1:20, My God, notorious, notorious prisoner, over His head, Pilate, Pontius Pilate, power, prisoner, put Him to death, Revelation, rolled a great stone, Sabbath, save His people, Savior, seed, serpent, SingleFocus, sins, snake, sting, the blood, the body, the door, the first and the last, the prophet, their sins, they had bound Him, Today's Single Focus, tomb, victory, virgin, washed his hands, water, why have You forsaken Me?, woman, you are cursed

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SPITTING IMAGE

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — Leave a comment

October 14, 2014

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

People are always saying that I look like my Aunt and they’re always telling my niece that she looks like me when I was here age. We’re frequently commenting that my nephew looks like his daddy when he was his age. One day my nephew mistook a photo of his granddaddy for his dad.

No doubt someone is always remarking that you are the image of your dad or your mother. At one time or another, we’ve all probably been mistaken for someone else by a stranger.

I ran into a woman at the entrance of a bookstore and mistook her for someone I hadn’t seen in months. She looked so much like her, but when I looked a little closer, it became obvious that I didn’t know her at all. On another occasion, I walked up to an older lady in a grocery store and expressed how happy I was to see her. I proceeded to try to remind her where we had met. She worked with a missionary that ran Summer Bible School where my parents had sent us every year. She was instrumental in my acceptance of Christ as my Savior. Before I could continue to tell her that, the lady smiled and said, “You have mistaken me for my sister, I’m her twin.” She was the mirror and truly spitting image of her sister, who had led a room full of kids to Christ.

According to Genesis 1:27 God (Elohim) created Adam and Eve in His own image; “…in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them…God created man, in the likeness of God made He him (Genesis 5:1).” Obviously, according to the scriptures, God told us once and told us twice that Adam was the spitting image of God. Then it goes on to say that Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and Eve bore him “a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth (Genesis 5:3).” So, conclusively, Adam looked like God and Seth looked like Adam.

Then Immanuel (God with us), Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), walked this earth and lived among His creation. He gathered to Himself disciples and chose 12 Apostles to whom He gave power to preach, cast out evil spirits and heal the sick. He proceeded to give them instructions on what to carry and how to behave. Then He said unto them “He that receives you receives Me, and he that receives Me receives Him that sent Me (Matthew 10:40 ).”

Just before Christ was to present Himself as the sacrifice for our sin, He washed the feet of them and said, “If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you (John 13:13, 14, 15). A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:34,35).”

Christ (Immanuel) taught and walked the image of God. He said to Phillip in John 14:9 “He that has seen Me has seen the Father.” In other words Christ was the spitting image of God. Not only that, but Christ, all that time with His disciples, was teaching them, and empowering them so that they might become a spitting image of Himself.

Apostle Paul put it this way in Romans 12: 2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8). For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).”

Consider your ways and your walk. How diligently do you study His Word and how much do you believe and practice His Word? Every Sabbath you talk a good talk, but your co-workers, Church members, strangers, children, spouse, family, friends and acquaintances; who do they say you are the spitting image of: the world, the devil or the Christ?

We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18

That’s Today’s Single Focus…

Tags: 12, acceptable, acquaintances, Adam, Apostle Paul, Apostles, Aun, believe, Bible, Bible School, bore, born, cast out, children, chose, Christ, Church members, co-workers, commandment, conformed, Corinthians, cousins, creation, devil, disciples, earth, Elohim, empowering, Eve, evil, face, family, Father, feet, firstborn, friends, Genesis, glass, glory, God, God with us, heal the sick, hundred, image, Immanuel, instructions, instrumental, John, lady, love, Matthew, men, Ministry, mirror, missionary, Pastor, perfect, Philippians, Phillip, power, practice, preach, predestinate, renewing, Romans, Sabbath, Savior, School, scriptures, Seth, sister, smiled, son, spirits, spitting, spitting image, spouse, stranger, strangers, study, Summer, teaching, thirty, time, Today's Single Focus, transformed, twin, virgin, walk, wash, word, world, years

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New Year’s Resolve: Day 7!

Filed under: Focus, Have You Thought About?, Searching For Purpose?, Uncategorized — 3 Comments

January 7, 2013

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I’ll let Him speak in His own Words…

This is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” Jeremiah 7:23

“Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:24

“They and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to Your commandments, Nehemiah 9:16

They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion, they appointed a leader to return to their bondage.” Nehemiah 9:17

“If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the one who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you.” 1 Samuel 12:14-15

“But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 12:17

“If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” Job 36:11

“A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: Deuteronomy 11:27

and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:28

“Until You disciplined me, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67

“Therefore you shall

Obey the voice of the LORD your God,
And observe His commandments and His statutes today.” Deuteronomy 27:10
“And return to the LORD your God and
Obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul” Deuteronomy 30:2.

“Now therefore,

Amend your ways and your doings, and
Obey the voice of the LORD your God;

Then the LORD will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you.” Jeremiah 26:13

“Obey My voice according to that which I command you.” Genesis 27:8

“My son,

Keep My words, and
Treasure My commandments.
Keep My commandments, and live, and My law as the apple of your eye.
Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, Colossians 3:23

Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23

He who does not love Me does not obey My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” John 14:24

Peter and the other apostles answered and said; “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Act 5:29

Jeremiah said, “They shall not deliver you. Please, obey the voice of the LORD, which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.” Jeremiah 38:20

This New Year we should resolve to obey the voice of the Lord. Unfortunately many times we find ourselves obeying the dictates of the ungodly world rather than God. We flock to the countless self-help groups and “How to be successful’ seminars, but how often do we measure their advice against the Word and commandments of the Lord. I don’t know about you, but someone is always approaching me with some scheme to bypass the law. I have no doubt that before the cunning approaches you with their devilish scheme, God has already told you what to do. I can’t tell you how many times after ‘falling on my face’, I have had to say to myself, “ I should have obeyed God instead of listening to that man or that woman.”

Let’s face it, we are Children of Eve. I remember a time when I needed finances. God told me what to do, but somebody told me of another way. Foolishly (failing to discern) I thought it was wisdom. Needless to say their way failed and I had to go back and do things God’s way. Listening to the voices of others and not God, just delayed my victory. I felt like someone had given me a kick in the gut. I finally got tired of that and decided to listen carefully to God and strive to obey His will. There have been times that God has given me clear instructions, but I always had a “better idea,” because the world has always done it my way. My way always led to embarrassing failure. I can’t say that I am completely cured, but I resolve to be more discerning and obey Him and not man. It just saves a lot of time, headaches and heartaches.

I’m a firm believer that God’s way is best. Therefore, let us resolve to obey God without hesitation. If you observe the successful and victorious people written about in the Bible, you see that they all had several things in common: they obeyed God and because they were obedient, God was with them; God exalted them, and He gave them the treasures of their enemies. It’s a good thing to obey God! It could be that you are not experiencing victory because of disobedience. Just because the world has made sin lawful or acceptable, doesn’t mean that His children should participate in sin; like gambling for example. If you fall for living a life of disobedience and not walking in the Word or not obeying the Word of God, then your destiny will be as those who are not followers of Christ. Destruction and defeat will be your meat, and those who obey Him will feast upon the treasures God has taken from you.

What has God told you to do? Why do you hesitate? I know that it isn’t what the world is doing or the way the world is doing it, but the power of the world is limited to what God will allow. The power of God covering His obedient children is limitless.

We have to study His word and talk with Him so that we can be discerning and able to distinguish between His voice and that of the devil or this world. I like the way Jeremiah put it: “Please obey the voice of the Lord” But we cannot if we don’t recognize His voice or His word.

May we resolve this New Year, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to God and His Word. Having resolved to obey God, may we be discerning and experience exceedingly abundant victory, health and well-being, loving relationships and prosperity according to the promises of God. We must allow Christ to be our Lord and diligently seek to be known as His obedient servant.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…

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Suppose My Husband Has No Purpose or Goal?

Filed under: Hope for a struggling Marriage, Searching For Purpose?, Staying Together — 2 Comments

October 18, 2012

DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I would venture to answer, “Impossible!” It is impossible for any creation of God to have no purpose! Unfortunately it is possible to not be operating in that purpose. Admittedly, there are men who misconceive or limit their purpose and neither do they pursue that purpose. They tend to think that going to work everyday is the totality of their purpose to the point of becoming a workaholic. There are many reasons for this mindset. One may be that they don’t spend time with Christian men in church or informally at lunch or dinner. With all these books on knowing your purpose, you would think that it would be impossible that any human being would lack the knowledge of their purpose. Is your husband a Christian? Well, let’s assume he is. Because irregardless, many men define their purpose according to what the world dictates. They get a sermon during the commercial when they watch Sports on TV; they get a sermon during lunch talks at the job; and their boss gives them a sermon. By the time they get home to you, their wife, they express negatively what they think their purpose is. They think that their purpose is to go to work, come home and read the newspaper or watch TV. They might express that their purpose is to eat the dinner you have hot and ready when they get home from work; or to support their hobby with their overtime money! They might behave as if they think their purpose is to dictate to you what your purpose is relative to making them happy. They may express that your purpose is to be under their authority. You would assist him in his purpose, but once a car is parked, there really isn’t a need for assistance to a parked car (I wonder if this is one of those irreconcilable differences that they put on divorce papers)… But then there are the husbands that go to church and have lunch with men of God and they think the same way as afore-mentioned. They may never mention the word ‘purpose’. You love him, but his lack or misunderstanding of purpose is making your marriage like a ship on a stormy sea. Because you spend time in Bible study with women of God, you believe that you know your purpose. You have a dream, but your spouse does not or if he does, he hasn’t expressed it nor is he working on it.

Well, we have to work in order to eat, especially the man of the house with a family to take care of. After all God did put Adam to work, immediately. Of course after their sin, work would become a burden (Genesis 3:19). As we clearly see, work has become burdensome in more ways than one. It can become a resource or weapon in the cunning hands of the adversary (1 Peter 5:8). Your husband has a job, yet you say he has no purpose. We all must understand that purpose is given by the Ultimate Authority, which is the True and Living God. Is he interested in knowing his purpose, which is beyond going to work everyday? If he is, then he should be asking the Ultimate Authority. You have to seek wisdom from God. Whatever you do, you don’t want to get worldly advice on what his purpose is. Your girlfriends don’t live with him or you, so they don’t know. You don’t want to make the mistake that Eve did (Genesis 3:4); taking the advice of a snake. Because, then not only your husband, but you also will be living out of the purpose and will of God.

Let me ask you, “Do you really know your purpose?” Do you really understand purpose? Does your spouse understand purpose? Every human being is a product and is created to be a conduit of one purpose and that’s God’s good pleasure. It could be that you and your spouse have mistaken ‘purpose’ for ‘ambition’. Your question may really be, “suppose my husband has no dream?”, because, we all have the same purpose. Perhaps you have a passion for using your gift to accomplish that purpose and your husband shows no passion or signs of using any kind of gift to reach that God-given purpose. So let’s identify purpose and you will see that your husband does indeed have purpose, but we must pray and encourage him to use his gift to carry out that purpose. Look at Genesis 1:26. God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Then He gave them purpose in Genesis 1:28;“Be fruitful and multiply.” God charged mankind to multiply His physical image throughout the world. In Genesis 2:24 He designed the way this purpose would be accomplished; “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Growing the population was ordained to be done in the context of marriage. Multiplying the image of God or growing the population is the purpose God gave to man. The world leaders and politicians need to make note of that as they spread this demonic doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1) of abortion on demand and complaints about world population growth. They are very much on the wrong side of God’s purpose and will. Look at creation. God said, “Let there be” and vegetation, seas, stars, animals, etc suddenly appeared and was in existence at His word. However, with His hands, He personally shaped Adam and then this Great and Powerful God, bent down and breathed into his nostrils and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). God is not only physical (John 1:14), but He is also Spirit. Our purpose, your spouse and your purpose is to be fruitful and multiply the image of God, both physically*through marriage and spiritually through the word of your testimony. Multiplying His physical image is easy; it’s the spiritual image that is tricky. This is where ‘passionately using the gifts’ comes in. Conclusively, your spouse has purpose, he just doesn’t exhibit the ‘passionately use of gifts’ in order to accomplish that purpose. Are you passionately using your gift to carry out that purpose?

It may boil down to the fact that neither of you see the true purpose. Your purpose is not to open a Bookstore or cut a Gospel CD. This is just the method by which you are to accomplish your purpose. Agreeably your husband can’t achieve the purpose by watching TV or be worldly logical by trying to stop you from pursuing your God-given passion. If you both clearly understood purpose, then you both would pursue everyday life with passion. Actually going to the job everyday would become a mission. Going to the job everyday would become a spiritual passion. Not to just get paid, but to touch lives so that the spiritual image of God would be multiplied. The struggle is getting your spouse to comprehend that. This will necessitate much prayer.

Your life, his life, all our lives is about the Glory of God. How can you know your gift and use your gifts? How can you develop a passion to grow the kingdom? The first thing God did after establishing their purpose was to develop a relationship with Adam and Eve. Apparently God customarily walked with them in the cool of the day. This is where developing a passion, being gifted and given a dream starts; with a relationship with God. I’m not talking about a simple believe in your heart and confessing with your mouth, “Sunday go meeting” faith. I’m talking about being full of the spirit, consistently walking with, talking with God, and ‘feeling His embrace’ kind of relationship (John 3:7). The kind of personal relationship that discerns His righteousness, hates what He hates, and passionately seeks His glory and will! Just think about the conversations God and Adam had in their walks through the garden. Not only did God give Adam direction but He spent time with him. Adam spent time in His presence.

I guarantee that as soon as that personal relationship develops you will clearly understand purpose and God will reveal to you how to use your gift to achieve the purpose (Ephesians 4:1-12). He will give you a dream and a passionate pursuit of that dream by using your gift for the Glory of God (Matthew 4:19)! You will then discover that ‘Purpose’ is more than a pursuit. It is a walk; a lifestyle; the air we breathe.

No creation is without purpose. True purpose is the product of a personal relationship with the True and Living God.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Ephesians 4:1(KJV)

That’s Today’s SingleFocus…

A Book that might be helpful is: ‘The Kingdom Agenda’ by Dr. Tony Evans
'What A way To Live'