This is a not spectator life. God has called us to be active and proactive in the faith, pray with passion, give with purpose, serve from the heart, and encourage one another throughout our life span. And that's a life worth living! That's an effective life.

The automatic tendency of the flesh is towards self-centeredness. To humble ourselves is not automatic, but something God calls us to do deliberately. If and when we humble ourselves at the precise moment when that action occurs, tremendous effectiveness and marvelous results come forth (1 Peter 5:6).

We are made in God's image for His purpose. God has called us to be fruitful, and has promised that our fruit would remain (John 15:16). Life is not about us. It's about putting Jesus first and seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:31 -33). It's about: "God, I submit to You." There's something so powerful about that.

God tells us that He will exalt us at the proper time. This doesn't mean all the things we think it means—being puffed-up or being a big shot. It means an expansion of effectiveness, a greater grace for a more potent impact in communicating love, life, help, and hope to this world. That is how God has designed each one of us to be.

God wants to use us to be effective in our generation. This is our job: To lift up Jesus; to make His name a praise in the earth. If we are willing vessels, obedient, and ready for action, God's purpose in and through our lives will surely come to pass. We'll see incredible change in our lives and in this world that so needs Jesus.

Live the life God has for you!
Pastor Jeff



© 2007 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.