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“Do more of what makes you happy.”

“The less you care, the happier you’ll be.”

These common quotes give insight into the world’s idea of why we’re here.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of pursuing our own personal happiness, or trying to make everything as comfortable and as pleasurable as possible.  Satan wants to fool us into pleasing ourselves instead of seeking God’s will, and most commercials and ads seem to emphasize this focus on self, self, self.

The purpose of this month’s Bible-marking topic is to remind us to stay heavenly minded each day.  It’s a great subject for personal Bible study and also for teaching young people.  Many of the verses are very familiar, but that’s because of their significance in showing God’s will for us.  At the front of your Bible, write:

My Purpose- Prov. 19:21

There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Underline the entire verse.  This seemed like the perfect verse to start off with because it reminds us that it’s really not my purpose as much as it is God’s purpose.  In the margin, write “God’s purpose prevails.”  At the end of the verse, write Ecc. 2:3.

I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Underline “till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.”  In the margin, write “key thought.”  At the end of the verse, write “His findings:  Ecc. 12:13,14.”

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Draw a rectangle around “fear,” and underline “keep his commandments.”  I also wrote a little “1” next to “fear” and a little “2” next to “keep his commandments.”  In the margin next to “fear,” write “not meaning ‘respect,’ but real fear that brings obedience.”  In the margin next to “for this is man’s all,” write “NASV reads ‘applies to every

person’” (unless, of course, you’re already using the NASV).  At the end of the verse, write Mic. 6:8.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Go up to verse six and underline “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God?”  Draw a bracket around the rest of verse six and all of verse seven.  In the margin next to it, write “external offerings.”  Then in verse eight, underline “what is good” and “what does the Lord require of you.”  Number the three answers:  1. Do justly, 2. Love mercy, 3. Walk humbly with your God.  Circle the word “require,” and in the margin next to it, write “154x in O.T.”  At the end of the verse, write Matt. 5:13-16.

*Because of its length, this passage cannot be written out here.

Underline “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” and “Let your light so shine before men.”  Circle the words “salt” and “light.”  Draw a square around the word “shine.”  Draw a squiggly line under the purpose of our shining—“that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  In the margin next to “Let your light so shine,” write “our purpose.”  In the margin next to “glorify your Father,” write “our motivation.”  At the end of the verse, write Matt. 28:19,20.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Amen.

Circle the word “go,” and write its literally meaning in the margin next to it, “as you are going.”  Underline the command, “make disciples,” and number the two ways to fulfill that command:  1.  Baptizing them, 2.  Teaching them.  Circle the word “observe” and write in the margin “to guard or watch over.”  At the end of the verse, write Mark 12:28-31.

*Because of its length, this passage cannot be written out here.

Underline all of verses 30 and 31.  In the margin next to it, write “Jesus asks for every bit of us!”  Circle “love” in verses 30 and 31.  At the end of the verse, write Ac. 27:23-25.

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and to whom I serve…

Draw a squiggly line under “the God to whom I belong and to whom I serve.”  I love this verse, and what a great reminder!  Paul is in the midst of a literally storm at sea when he made this declaration.  Circle “do not be afraid” in verse 24 and underline all of verse 25.  At the end of the verse, write Rom. 12:1,2.

*Because of its length, this passage cannot be written out here.

Remember the use of the petition verb, “I beseech,” highlights its significance.  Underline “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” and “do not be conformed to this world.”  At the end of the verse, write 1 Cor. 10:31-33.

*Because of its length, this passage cannot be written out here.

Underline “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Also underline “not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”  This completely goes against the world’s aim in life.  In the margin, put a star next to verse 33 and write “think souls!”  At the end of the verse, write Eph. 2:10.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Every Christian has purpose.  We never need ask, “What’s the use?” or “What’s the point?”  This should comfort and encourage all of us.  Every young purpose needs to realize this great truth!  Underline our purpose, “created in Christ Jesus for good works” and “that we should walk in them.”  At the end of the verse, write Col. 3:23,24.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Underline all of verse 23.  Circle “for you serve the Lord Christ.”  At the end of the verse, write 2 Tim. 4:7,8.

*Because of its length, this passage cannot be written out here.

This confidence of Paul’s is our goal, too.  Underline all of verse 7 and circle “crown of righteousness” in verse 8.  At the end of the verse, write 1 John 4:4.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Draw a rectangle around “You are of God,” and in the margin write “who I belong to” (or “to whom I belong” for you grammar sticklers).  Circle the word “overcome,” and underline “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  Thank God for the power and confidence we have in Him!

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal Pollard, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. They have three grown sons, all married, 2 new grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! Kathy attended Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute and has a bachelor’s degree in Bible. She is the author of the book, Return to Me…What to Do When Loved Ones Fall Away. She and Carla Moore host a weekly podcast for Christian women called Looking Up. Kathy enjoys spending time with family, traveling to Israel, tending her gardens, and getting to know her new dairy cow, Peaches.

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