Author: David LaFrance

This last week, I read day thirty-three of our On Purpose study, and the phrase “measure of stature” from Ephesians 4:12-16 was unpacked. It made me go to my basement, where we have our three children’s marks on the wall to measure their height the last few years.  It is truly a blessing and excellent to see your kids grow in front of your eyes. (Always way too fast.)  

Ephesians 4:12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The connection between Day 33 and our reading for today in Romans 5-7 is that Paul reminds us how we are saved from our sinful nature. Paul goes on to remind us of how we should live once we have been saved. Now for me, that divine transaction occurred back in May of 2014.  The physical showing of surrendering my will for His.  I wish I could say that from that point forward, I was submitting to Him daily. I have had mountain top experiences and many valleys.  The reminder for me in today’s readings is that this transformation does not equal perfection.  Our transformation is a lifelong process until He decides the day He will bring me to my eternal home.  

 I had a recent conversation with a colleague about our physical life: she recently went to the Dr where they said she had a heart problem.  We talked about the shortness of life and God’s timing/purpose for everything. While this conversation was sad, it helped me remember the importance of how we live every day. 

I know and understand that more important than their physical growth is their spiritual growth. For myself, I know that my spiritual growth will have an impact on others as well. Paul embarks on an excellent discussion of the doctrine of salvation by grace through the work of Jesus. 

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

It is exciting to see my kids when they stand against that wall.  Making a mark and showing them where they were and where they are today is incredible. How much more awesome will it be as we grow daily closer to God?   What if I stood against that wall and measured my spiritual growth? Where would I be? Have I grown? Like I tell my children what it takes to grow physically, do I equally or more stress the importance of consuming what it takes to grow spiritually? 

I know my recent measures are not where they need to be. Where would a measure look like for you today?  I can make excuses about things that can get in the way, or I can grow closer to Him each day. 

Romas 6: 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Athens was a city that was spiritually lost.  As I read about the city of Athens and the Athenian council called Areopagus, I read how, at this time that Paul was on a second missionary journey where there were around 10,000 people.  The hard part to believe was there were twice as many idols as there were people.

16 While Paul was waiting in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. (Acts 17:16-18)

Paul is amazing.  He is brave. He saw the situation he was surrounded by and took action.  Paul inspires me to want to draw closer to God.  In our world that have idols surrounding us always.  I’m convicted and repent for the times I take my eyes off God and focus on the idols of the world.

The Lord was able to show Saul what a genuine relationship is with the only true God we have.  Paul did not hold back the truth.  There are moments when we need this ourselves.  Often we need, even though it is not always warm and fuzzy, to have accountability partners.  After Saul, who was living life for himself, became Paul, who then lived his life for Christ, he understood God’s purpose for his life.

Eternal life will not be measured by the length of time; the quality will measure it. Paul saw a need and said something. I’m sure there were mixed reviews.  Some kept following idols.  Some found eternal life that day.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24-25)

I pray that we will all draw closer to the Lord this week.  That we will grow in our love and knowledge of Him so that when we are standing on the hill, we can share the gift of eternal life.  We can set aside the idols of the world and look to the one who is standing by our side always.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 This is what the Lord says: ”

Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

Live eternally today.

http://https://youtu.be/8M_bJM7F6y8

This past weekend I was able to attend a funeral for the mother of my youngest sister Dakota.  This celebration of life for Sue was in the hills of Avoca, New York, near the same place where my father, Ronald LaFrance, was buried many years ago. At the service, the pastor referenced Psalm 89 that reminds us how short our lives are.  He also connected Psalm 23 and the comfort we can find in the loss of a loved one.  In the less than 48 hours I had with family, we literally and figuratively experienced mountaintop and valley moments.  Conversations included physical and spiritual loss.  On the other side of these conversations, we experienced moments of hope and trust in the hope in the Lord. Special prayers for the family of Sue Johndro.

Today’s Reading of Acts 1 and 2 made me think of these conversations in addition to the On Purpose study we are focusing on at Eastview Christian Church. The Apostle Luke writes the book of Acts.

Acts 1:1-2 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

I was once asked what my ministry was? I’ve reflected on this question often.  The conclusion I come back to is to finish the work God has called us to.  The book of Acts reminds us that Jesus began this work, and through giving us the Holy Spirit, we get to finish it.  Sharing the hope we have in the Lord is living On Purpose.  Jesus has given us everything we need to do this.

These connections the Holy Spirit helped me to see this last weekend pointed back to the following;

• Evaluate my time. How am I spending it? 1 Peter 1:17
• The time we have is short. Psalm 89:47
• Maximize the use of our time.  Ephesians 5:15-16
• We don’t know when He is coming back. Luke 13:32

Live life On Purpose every day. Finish what the Lord began. He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide our days. Our life testimonies share what we have seen, heard, and felt. Go to the ends of the earth and share today. 1 John 1:1

Thank you to my family and brother in Christ Chet who made this visit possible!

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Click here to start or continue your journey on purpose.

Psalm 23  – People & Songs

Today’s Reading: Psalm 142

When I was a child, I used to run from our neighbors, the Anderson’s to my house.  It was in the country, and you had to pass by some woods and often a cornfield before you made it home. ( I once snuck downstairs and watched a part of a movie my older brothers were watching, Children of the Corn, bad idea…) I would literally run full sprint for 3/4 of a mile screaming for our dog to meet me halfway. In addition to pure fear, I felt alone and afraid.  As a boy, I would often feel alone as I hung out with friends who seemed to have their home life together as I witnessed our household fall apart. Even as an adult, I can speak of a time where I was afraid, alone, and a little insecure about what the future would hold.

We can all feel loneliness at times. David was feeling this way as he stayed in a cave hiding from Saul.  I think there is a difference between being alone and loneliness.  Alone can be more of a physical state of being, where loneliness can occur even when you have others around.  Have you ever felt this way? Deserted, depressed, defeated? David shares some instructions here on what he did to work on healing.

• Cry aloud to God. Let Him know how you are feeling.  I’ve realized through the years I can’t fake it all the time and pretend everything is all good.  I’ve also realized the answers I’m looking for don’t come from any of my ideas.  They are all His.  He is the One who knows us best.  (Verse 1-2)
• Remember that He is watching over us! The noise of the world can muffle the Lord’s voice.  Everything wants our time and attention. The world can give out a beating on your emotional state and leave you struggling.  (Verse 3)
• Allow Him to be your Refuge. David was being fearful, abandoned, and feeling like he had lost everything. Still, God is above it all and
• Remember – Problems will fade in His Presence. God will show us his Goodness just like he showed David.  (verse 7)

Are you dealing with feeling alone? Depressed? Feeling imprisoned by your surroundings?

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.

Take a moment to refocus on Him.  Take the cares, worries, and problems and turn them over to Him. Heavenly Father, help us turn to you when our emotions get the best of us, when we feel alone, afraid, imprisoned, or scared.  You will grant us comfort.  Please help us to trust in your plans for our lives.

Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

Have a blessed day!

http://https://youtu.be/8kvFtXphmMU