In today's verse 15, we're going to invite God to renew within us a true sense of purpose.

Throughout the day, I find my heart wandering to all sorts of purposes, some good and some bad. But everyday life teaches me

that the one purpose that leads to the greatest measure of life and joy is the pursuit of God.

Not the pursuit of religion, but the authentic pursuit of a relationship with the Lord. May the Holy Spirit reveal within us the true reason we were created and guide us down the path of purpose today in his presence. Welcome to the First 15 Podcast. Our scripture for today comes from John 15 verse 16.

Scripture says,

You did not choose me, but I chose you

and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.

You and I were born with a deep desire to live with purpose. As children, we dream of doing

something significant with our lives.

We dream of being a person who makes a difference in the world.

Inherent in all of us is a longing to make a deep and lasting impact.

Our longing for purpose only becomes a problem as we begin seeking out its source.

Most of us live our lives in constant pursuit of finding out why we're here,

seeking the answer to the question, what am I uniquely made for?

And we look for the answers in all the wrong places.

We look for our purpose in each other, in the ever-changing whims of society, or internally, in what seems to make us feel good in the moment.

But God has a better purpose for our lives than we could ever find in the world. He has a purpose so great, so powerful,

and so lasting that when we get a glimpse of it, we will forever be changed. God has a page in his

grand narrative written just for you, to use you to make a unique and eternal

impact on the earth.

Jeremiah 2911 says, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans for welfare and not for evil. to give you a future and a hope.

...