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If you’re a parent, you know parenting is always accompanied by a multitude of hopes and prayers. With deep love for your children, you bear down during the formative years to ensure that values, training, and discipline are applied in ample measure.
Prayers are lifted daily for the ultimate outcome of your love and labors: Will they grow up to love the Lord? To follow God’s ways? To heed the Word of the Lord? To point others to the Savior?
As Paul addresses his beloved children in the Lord at Philippi, he also instructs us, like a parent, to fulfill the spiritual accomplishments that make our faith evident:
“Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)
Paul wants God’s children to shine as lights to the world. What wisdom is Paul sharing?
Paul—our teacher and spiritual parent—longs for us to be strong, faithful, and obedient children of God.
After Dr. Louis Talbot’s death, his wife, Dr. Carol Talbot, wrote a biography of her husband’s life and entitled it For This I Was Born. I loved reading about the fascinating and inspiring life of this great saint, preacher, and founder of a seminary that bears his name. I especially love the title.
Do you know what your purpose is, dear one?Can you boldly declare, “For this I was born” and know what the “this” is?
Jesus could! He clearly stated, “For this cause I was born” when He was questioned by Pilate (John 18:37). Jesus went on to say, “I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Are you living out your purpose for God’s good pleasure without murmuring and disputing? Are you studying God’s instructions and being obedient so you can discover your great purpose in Christ?
You have been given the gift of being a child of God. Your heavenly Father wants to see you shine for Him.
For this cause... for this privilege...you were born—to “shine as lights in the world.”
RESPOND
Father, what a gift You’ve given me, Your child. Your Word is filled with Your instructions and guidance as my parent. You also blessed me with spiritual parents, including Paul, who encourage and inspire me to faithfully obey and model a heart committed to sacrifice and service. Thank You. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES 
A Woman After God’s Own Heartby Elizabeth George—As you embrace God's plans for you, you will find real purpose in a life of prayer and practicing God's priorities as you become A Woman After God's Own Heart®.
REFLECT
Are you living out your purpose for God’s good pleasure without murmuring and disputing?
Who can you encourage to live out their purpose this week?
REMEMBER
Follow Christ’s example by serving others to encourage them to become believers and grow in their faith.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
My girls are 13 months apart, which means that during their early years, I often felt like I had twins. I had to really be on my toes-there was little-or-no catching of mistakes I made on the older child so that they wouldn’t be repeated with the younger one. What I was—or wasn’t—doing to love and raise my children was being done to both of them at the same time.
Most of us have no problem memorizing the lyrics to our favorite songs. Sometimes we know them so well, or they're so deeply ingrained in our minds, that they get stuck in our heads. The moment certain songs come on you'll see people rocking in the car or singing along.
