Tag Archives: purpose

Spiritual Roots Produce Real World Fruit

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Spiritual Roots Produce Real World Fruit

I am grieved by the world. I desperately want to change it, but…

Spiritual roots produce real world fruit.

The suffering I see in the world is due to bad spiritual roots.

If I don’t get the spiritual right, all that I hope to do in the world will just produce more bad fruit.

Therefore, nothing is more important than seeking, establishing and strengthening roots into what is good and perfect.

I believe God is what is good and perfect. I believe Jesus is The Way. I believe when I focus on Him, good fruit in every area of life (government, community, enterprise, family, relationships, physical health, mental health, understanding and resources) will follow*.

*To distinguish this from false health-wealth prosperity gospel or name-it-and-claim theology, (which I hate) these are not things I believe to get but byproducts of the fruit that I produce, by the grace of God, as an effect of believing. The fruit is Love.

I cannot put effect before cause.

For now, as a sapling in Christ, I weather the storm, seeking to be a tree planted by the water, using adversity to drive my roots deeper and deeper into God, trusting Him to make me a mighty tree, that I may shelter others from the stormy blast and feed them with fruit from The Tree Of Eternal Life who’s leaf never fades and is always in season.

I am grieved by the world. I desperately want to change it, and this is how.

I seek to put down good roots and from that bear good fruit.

This is a caution to myself to not allow the pain of the world to distract me, to constantly pray and to maintain the proper order of operations.

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
James 1:16-18

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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True Riches

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - True Riches

God is doing a wonderful and difficult work of tearing down and building up in my life.

He’s making an all out assault against things that separate me from Him (many of which I’m still clinging to, but day-by-day am learning to let go) and He is building up those things that make for my peace.

Here is a beautiful and unexpected revelation from Luke 15-16 that cuts me deeply. I pray it blesses you and draws you nearer to God as it is presently doing for me.

Family reunion.

This is what makes God happy.

The heart and desire of the Father is to be with His children, regardless of how they were lost:

whether they were lost because they wandered (Luke 15:4-7),
whether they were lost due to a failure of those who were supposed to keep them (Luke 15:8-10),
whether they were lost because they rebelled (Luke 15:11-24),
whether they were lost because their hearts were hardened due to self righteousness (Luke 15:25-32).

The heart and desire of the Father is to be with His children (Luke 15:20,32).

Everytime even one is restored, there’s a party in heaven (Luke 15:7, 10, 22-24).

This is what makes God happy.

Then Jesus makes a point about leadership and the religious establishment (Luke 16).

We can make God happy by pointing His children to Him, but we won’t because we’re lost!

We won’t commit ourselves to the work that pleases the Father because we’re enslaved to another master: our love of money (Luke 16:1-13).

As a result, we embezzle the resources the Father gave us for His work and spend it on ourselves to our own hurt, forfeiting the “true riches” (Luke 16:1-13).

Even in that there’s grace. In this series of parables, Christ is being about the Father’s business. He is working to please the Father and His admonition is to restore us to Him!

He is teaching what makes for our peace (Luke 19:42).

What I’m learning is that I’d be richer, more at peace, by laying down my life (possessions, power and position) to secure brothers and sisters in Christ, resulting in me having less materially but us having everything together, sharing Christ in God forever –gaining the true riches (Luke 16:9-11).

Jesus clearly teaches:
to love God, I must hate money (Luke 14:26, 16:13),
that we are to trade in our earthly treasures for heavenly treasures (Luke 12:33),
that we are to use money for eternal purposes (Luke 16:9).

But what does the scripture say of Christ?

The Father loves the Son because He lay down His life for the sheep. (John 10:15-17)

Consider Christ.
Repent.
Follow Him.

This is the journey I find myself on in the footsteps of Christ. I am striving to finish the race and endure to the end.

Please pray for me.

#TrueRiches #PerfectOurLove

The Point Of Everything Is To Glorify God

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com The Point Of Everything Is To Glorify God

The point of everything is to glorify God.

When we glorify God, we don’t give God anything, rather we simply recognize the truth of the eternal and unmatched glory of the Ancient of Days. Then our lives stop teetering on lies and began to align with the truth of that reality.

Glory is spiritual mass and like an incomprehensibly massive star, God’s glory makes Him central. It draws everything into right relationship relative to Himself (righteousness). It puts everything in its proper place with the proper orientation which results in more abundant life and well-being.

But life and well-being is not the point, God’s glory is, which creates, sustains and gives meaning to everything.

If people (those who are being saved) are pointed to God, they will flourish because He alone makes all things right.

When the demonic (those who are of the evil one) are pointed to God, they perish and rightly so because they prefer darkness (John 3:16-19, 2 Corinthians 4:1-7).

In either case we do a good work by pointing everything to God.

Glorify God.

So, the point to everything is to glorify God, but how do we glorify God?

What He purposed, He will perform. It is the work of God. Any part that we have in the matter is completely by grace.

The Father is sending forth the Holy Spirit, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness and judgement. (John 16:8)

Do not resist or harden your heart. (Proverbs 8:33)

Receive what He reveals about God’s holiness, our wretchedness without Him, our powerlessness to correct it and our need for deliverance made available exclusively through Jesus Christ. (Mark 10:15, Matthew 11:27, 16:16-17, Acts 4:12)

Do not be proud, knowing more than God and harden your heart. Be as a child. If you think you are wise, become a fool that you may be made wise (e.g. I don’t know. Please teach me). (Hebrews 3:8, Romans 1:18-26, 1 Corinthians 3:19)

Receive the Holy Spirit’s revelation of Christ, hear Jesus and follow Him. (John 5:39)

Trust Him to make us what we need to be to fulfill God’s good and acceptable will. (John 6:29)

Seek His heart’s desire. Reject the flesh and its worldly desire (Kingdom of God vs kingdom of men). (Matthew 6:23, Galatians 5:24)

Obey by loving as He loved us, giving Himself for us. (John 15:12, 1 John 4:11)

When we love as He loved, we fulfill the law, are known as His disciples, yield Oneness and we testify that the Father sent the Son, resulting in the glory of God. (Matthew 22:37-40 John 12:26-28, 13:34-35, 17:23, Romans 13:10)

Everyday this is the purpose before me, to glorify God. The work is believing His only begotten Son and walking according to the guidance of His Spirit with the power He provides. His glory is the result. (Romans 8:11, 2 Corinthians 4:7)

What He has purposed, He will perform and will allow me to be a part of it when I believe (trust) and yield (obey). (Philippians 2:13, 1 Peter 4:10) #grace

The fruit will be love –the standard of righteousness, the bond of fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ all to the glory of God.

“This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” -Psalm 118:23

So that I can easily remember this and stay on task I summarize it as:

Receive Love
Give Love
Trust Love

It is God through and through because “God is love”. -1 John 4:8

He is worthy of the glory.

Glorify God.

#purpose #grace #faith #works #love #perfectourlove

The Futility Of Trying To Make It All Fit

You know what’s funny?

But, don’t laugh.

I’m a grown man that still gets frustrated about not being able to fit everything that needs to be done in one day.

We learn very early on that each day has twenty-four hours. And as an adult we understand that finite resources must be managed through budgeting –most importantly that is, in order to say “yes” to one thing requires saying “no” to another.

The frustration often comes when I’ve not taken the time to be deliberate about what I’m saying no to and am somehow caught by surprise by what hasn’t gotten done and disappointed by violated expectations (mine and others I’ve made promises to).

In those moments I have to grow up, to:
1. remember that it’s unfeasible to get everything done at once, therefore,
2. to take an account,
3. to choose based on my priorities what I’m saying yes to today,
4. to understand what I’m saying no to for today,
5. to evaluate if or when the “nos” may get a “yes” in the future and
6. communicate accordingly to stakeholders so that the appropriate expectations are set.

I shouldn’t just barge into the day hoping to please everyone.

I can’t.

So, I need a plan and to make sure I’m letting the right people down.

The goal is to express my life in a manner that is true to who I am and consistent with my values like how a fruit tree expresses fruit after its own kind, providing sustenance and shelter to other living things.

So, the goal is being authentic and fruitful, not being liked.

I often overcome dissatisfaction with how my day has gone by beginning it with a realistic understanding of the limitations of the time available to me, resulting in being deliberate about how I’m budgeting my time so at the end of the day I know I’ve spent my time in ways that are consistent with who I am and what my priorities are.

I am Christ’s.

And, my priorities are enjoying life in Christ and imparting it to others, all for the glory of God.

So, everyday, how I’ve spent my time should reflect that and then, assuming I have actually identified my authentic who and why, I can enjoy the satisfaction of having expressed and invested toward that.

It’s almost embarrassing how often as an adult I have to be reminded of how to function within constraints. But, I’m human and sometimes circumstances and emotions overwhelm my critical thinking, so I put this here as a reminder and in case it can help anyone else!

#Thriveday #planningday #adulting #timemanagement #productivity #fruitfulness #purpose

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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Jesus is Clarity

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com Jesus Is Clarity

Have you ever been at work and weren’t exactly clear on what you should be doing or why it even mattered?

Jesus, from the beginning, makes His call to His disciples crystal clear and there may not be a verse that captures it better than Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17.

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

In one infinitely packed statement Jesus provides the purpose, the process and the product of our calling.

“Follow Me” – This is the purpose: to fix our eyes on Jesus and to walk as He walked (Hebrews 12:2, 1 John 2:6). And, like Peter who walked on the water toward Jesus, it should be apparent from the start that it is impossible to take one step unless we have supernatural help. And, not if, but when we fail in our walk and cry out to Jesus, He will save us (Matthew 14:25-33).

“And I will make you” – This is the process: as we step out in faith to follow Jesus, He does a work in us that makes us fit for the work. No experience required (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Faith in Christ is not a do it yourself project.

The world attempts to make Christianity like every other religion or system of thought and reduce it merely to a philosophy for living but Jesus won’t allow it. He says firmly, “Without Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5. Authentic faith in Christ demands the ongoing involvement of a real, living God.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We follow after Him and depend on His supernatural power to make us what we need to be, to give us what we need to have to do what He called us to do and to keep us until the end (John 10:28-30, Jude 1:24-25).

“Fishers of men” – This is the product. God wants the people (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:3-4). Jesus gives us life in Him so that we may draw others to Him so He can give them life in Him. Christ in God, Us in Christ, They in Us, being made One together by the Holy Spirit all to the glory of God is the point of everything (John 10:10, John 17:20-23).

The people are the point.

In my home: the people are the point.
At my job: the people are the point.
When I’m choosing where to live: the people are the point.
When I’m choosing what to buy: the people are the point.
When I encounter a stranger pumping gas: the people are the point.

God wants the people. And, when we follow Jesus, He will make us into people who can get them, so we can all be together in Him.

Jesus is clarity. Follow Him.

NOTE: Believe it or not, I’ve written hundreds of what I believe are glimpses that God has given me that I’ve never shared. This particular one was written last month.

But, to show you how God works, a friend and sister in Christ, Alethea Burton forwarded me a podcast to listen to yesterday that echoed certain themes that matched what I had written previously and have shared today. It was so forceful, it felt like the volume of those parts were amplified.

And then, I attend Man Church last night and almost the exact phrase, “I will make you fishers of men” are echoed again by two different independent people! After three times in the same day, I was like, “Ok, yes, Lord. I will do it now.”

So, I am sharing this “glimpse” this morning with absolute confidence that it’s not only a Word (logos) for someone but it’s a Word that will make a significant shift and turn the tide for someone right now (kairos). I don’t know who that is or what that will look like but I praise God for it. Glory to God!

#JesusIsClarity

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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The Ministry Of Work

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com The Ministry Of Work

NOTE: This is a stub. It’s a raw outpouring of what came to me in a moment. There were points that were deeply helpful to me and I felt compelled to share it at this time, so I’m posting it before it is finished and will fill it out as more about “The Ministry Of Work” comes to me.

Ugh, another work day.

I found myself in a place where I was completely disenchanted with my work. I didn’t have any motivation. I didn’t want to do anything. I simply didn’t have the energy.

I felt bad for feeling bad. Am I being lazy? Am I depressed? Am I burned out?

This feels familiar. I’ve been here before. Experience teaches me to execute James 1:5.

So, I share my struggle with a fellow believer. I seek wise counsel. I pray.

My petition is singular, “I’m completely unmotivated. I don’t want to do anything. I’m not sure if I’m being lazy or if I’m depressed. What am I supposed to do?”

Then, I rest, not just rest from my tasks but I rest in the Lord, waiting, listening for His guidance.

The answer comes to me in that quiet place.

“Not what [you should do], who.”

Whatever matter we’re seeking the will of God for, we can know with certainty that the Father wants us to be like Him, to have His heart.

Everything good is in Him and His perspective on everything is perfect, so who is our Father and what is His heart as it relates to to work?

God is a giver.

God gives abundantly.

God gives so there is more than enough for everyone.

God in His wisdom creates means and mechanisms for the provision of all living things.

The means are His creation –natural resources and the mechanisms are the systems He’s ordained for the extraction and conversion of natural resources into provision for the care of His creatures.

And, one such mechanism God has given us to care for His creation and provide His abundance is work.

Lack, insufficiency, hunger and poverty are all a result of man’s corruption, exploitation and mismanagement of God’s creation.

When we fail to work for the benefit of others we steal, we rob the world of God’s loving provision through us.

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” -Ephesians 4:28

Lies block love.

Show me suffering of a man’s soul and I’ll show you a lie.

In the light of the truth of who God is and who I should emulate, I can see the lies that I allowed to creep into my heart and cause my dis-ease:

1. Work is just about getting rather than giving. (Salaries, titles, status)

2. We get our fulfillment or value from our work.

3. If I can’t do what I want to do, I’m not doing anything.

Work is more than just a means of feeding ourselves, it is also a means for expressing Christ (the heart of the Father), it’s an opportunity to minister His character to others, it’s a means of communicating who He is.

I don’t typically enjoy physical labor but there’s a work I do with delight –washing my wife’s car. I do the work with diligence, excellence and attention to detail. I love conveying the truth of God that she’s cared for and it gives me pleasure to think of her constantly riding around in a tangible reminder.

We should also look for the ways others are seeking to convey His person through their work and be co-laborers with them, especially when we’re unclear about or do not yet have any of our own.

We should be driven to make ourselves useful and be productive as God is productive.

“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.'” -John 5:17

Sometimes, lethargy is due to causes less sinister than lies and disobedience, sometimes it’s due to being overwhelmed with complexity and decision fatigue, not quite knowing which thing to do or choosing which task would be the most profitable. But, what we know for sure is that some labor, any labor is more profitable than none. So choose something and get moving because it’s in the process of walking in faith that God provides for the next step.

Though I’ve hinted to it, I would be remiss in not emphasizing that a part of who the Father is and what His heart is as it relates to work is rest.

When we fail to properly rest, we fail to properly express who God is.

We should either be working or resting in preparation for work (which includes enjoying the fruit of our work). When we do it properly, we glorify God, we are revealed as sons of God and become vessels God uses to pour out His abundant and manifold grace in the world.

This newfound perspective of work not just as a task (what) but as a means to express God’s character (who), to be a giver as He is a giver and to be His vessel for His provision and care of His creation deeply encourages and revitalizes me. It places a high and challenging calling on all that we do.

Therefore,

“whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” -Colossians 3:23

Work.

Posted by Paul Luckett.

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Maintaining Focus

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com Maintaining Focus

I am grieved by the brokenness of the world and the suffering it causes.
I am often tempted to try to “save” or change the world.
But, that is not my charge.

The world will remain broken and grow worse as long as there is evil in it, that is, any way of thinking besides God’s.

I have one focus: to attend to my Lord’s house,
to see to the provision for those who are in it,
to maintain it as a safe place
and to seek His beloved, declaring everywhere the good news of His salvation from sin whose infection has caused a broken and dying world.

And, as we who are being saved enter His house, we wash each other’s feet so not to bring the filth that is outside inside.

My goal therefore is not to save the world but to lift up Christ and see people saved out of it:

To invite everyone to the courtyard of the knowledge of Christ,
To minister them into the sanctuary of relationship with Christ,
To lead them into the Holy of Holies of the Love of Christ,
To serve the House of God as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Practically, that means to make the Love of God known not only in word but also in deed and truth (alḗtheia -sincerity): in how I serve, how I work, how I relate to everything –in how I live (1 John 3:18).

May I be found so doing until my Lord returns,
when “all enemies have been put under His feet” and evil is defeated completely (I Corinthians 15:25).
Then, by His power, there will be no more destruction, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9

I have decided to make all that I do in service to this: my Lord’s house. As Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.

If it doesn’t further this, I have no part in it. #kingdomfocus #focus

Originally posted by Paul Luckett to Facebook here.

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The Meaning Of Life

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com The Meaning Of Life

The meaning of life is life: to gain it, to grow it, to give it future generations. -John 1:1-4, Malachi 2:15
What gives life? Love. -1 John 4:7-11
Who is Love? God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, revealed By The Holy Spirit. -John 10:10, John 6:68-69

We are created to be caretakers, not consumers who destroy and devours. -Genesis 2:15, Matthew 20:26-28

Creation should rejoice under our dominion, not groan. -Isaiah 11:1-9, Romans 8:19-21

It is more blessed (nearer to, more like God) to give than to receive. -Acts 20:35

The children of darkness think in terms of what they can get. Everything is a means of gain to them, even faith.

Beware.

Children of Light think in terms of what they can give.

Our orientation is an indication of whether we have any life in Christ at all. -Philippians 2:3-13

If I’m more concerned about what I’m going to buy rather than what I’m going to bestow, I may be one of the walking dead, infecting everything I touch. -1 Timothy 6:3-10

The good news is that there is life in Christ. If you believe Him, He will give you a new heart, His heart to be a caretaker rather than a consuming devourer, His heart to rule well rather than destroy. -John 1:9-13, John 6:47, Ezekiel 36:26-27

Believe Christ and be saved from the slavery of Death. -John 8:34-36, Romans 8:2

Choose life. -Deuteronomy 30:19

The Deceitfulness Of Riches

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com The Deceitfulness Of Riches

For weeks, I’ve intended to:
visit a loved one,
sit with a dear brother,
put in quality family time,
write that note,
make that call,
share that word.

Why haven’t I?

Because I’m occupied with what I have to do to make the money to keep what I’ve got.

And, I’m preoccupied with what I have to do to get more.

“what I have to do…”

I’ve been in bondage.

The world says I can attain the good life if I somehow manage to get the right combination of things. But, Jesus teaches that the things that make for my peace are in knowing the Father and following Him, forsaking all else.

“And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'”
— Luke 12:15

I know the truth, but at some point I again embraced the lie.

This deception offered me fool’s gold, robbing me of what matters most: precious time loving people who are dear to me and dear to God, in exchange for the worthless: a nirvana I might experience some day if I manage to get and do all the right things. (Spoiler alert: It’s a lie. Fulfillment never happens this way.)

Working for more stuff and living more life are in opposite directions. And, I’ve been going the wrong way!

My focus should not be on how to keep what I have or how to get more. My heart should be set upon attending to my Father’s house rather than seeking my own interests and pleasure. When I have the same heart as the Father (as demonstrated by Jesus, His only begotten Son), then my pleasure comes from seeing His house provided for and prospering.

So, I pray “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with in me!”.

I’m on a journey now
to lay aside that which ensares me,
to divest myself of what weighs me down,
to sell what I have to share with those who lack,
to live with less so I have more to give:
to follow Jesus.

I repent.

What Is The Point?

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com What is the point?

As a believer, my purpose, as I currently see it, is to promote Oneness in God through Christ, with everything bound securely together by His unfailing Love -a bond stronger than any other in the universe. (Romans 8:38-39)

To this end, I, by the grace of God, labor first to be found squarely in Christ (Philippians 3:8-9) and then, with His Love, draw everything in my sphere to where He is (John 12:32), that, this being committed to collectively by the entire body spanning every generation, all of creation might be redeemed and reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

To be clear, this is God’s work and what we do He does through us (Philippians 2:13). And even what we see about the goal, He showed us. So, it is 100% His grace, not our works, that any man should boast.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21