Purpose — Pastor's Desk — Grace Church | Loris, SC

Join us this coming Sunday for our Sermon Series “Awake!”

Purpose

Vision and Purpose—Seeking God’s Vision for Our Lives

Have you ever wondered if you’re truly walking in the path that God has prepared for you? It’s a question many of us wrestle with at different stages of our lives. We sense that we’re made for something more, yet we’re unsure exactly what that more looks like. The good news is, God has a vision and purpose for each of our lives, and He delights in revealing it to us as we seek Him.

Why God’s Vision Matters

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision gives us direction, hope, and a reason to press forward when challenges arise. It anchors us to God’s promises and keeps us from drifting aimlessly through life. When we have a divine vision, every day becomes an opportunity to take a step closer to the destiny God has in store for us.

Aligning with God’s Purpose

  1. Prayerful Surrender
    To discover God’s vision, we must first surrender our own. In our culture, we’re often encouraged to dream big and pursue our personal ambitions. But Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10 to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” Before anything else, we must place our plans at His feet, asking Him to guide and shape our desires according to His will.

  2. Studying Scripture
    God speaks to us through His Word. Passages like Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” remind us that God’s thoughts toward us are hopeful, purposeful, and loving. As we spend time in the Bible, we align our hearts with God’s truth, positioning ourselves to discern His guidance more clearly.

  3. Obedience in the Small Things
    Sometimes we look for grand, life-changing signs, but God often starts by asking us to be faithful in the little things. Luke 16:10 says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” When we obey in the small steps, we cultivate a heart posture that’s ready to receive bigger assignments from the Lord.

  4. Seeking Wise Counsel
    God has placed us in a community of believers for a reason. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Surround yourself with people who love Jesus and desire to see you grow in Him—mentors, small group leaders, trusted friends. Their wisdom and prayer support can confirm God’s leading in your life.

Practical Steps to Pursue Vision

  • Set Aside Quiet Time: In the noise of our busy routines, scheduling intentional moments of solitude with God can create space for Him to speak.

  • Journal Your Prayers: Writing down your prayers and the impressions you sense from the Lord can help you look back and see His guiding hand over time.

  • Take Incremental Steps of Faith: Once you sense God nudging you toward a particular direction, trust Him enough to take the first step—even if it feels small.

Living Out Your Calling

When we begin living out God’s vision, we experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. Each act of obedience becomes an act of worship. The overflow of this purpose pours into our relationships, our church, and our community. It’s in living out His plans that we not only bless others, but also encounter the abundance Jesus promised in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Friends, remember that God’s vision and purpose for your life isn’t about perfection—it's about pursuit. It’s about daily seeking Him, daily trusting Him, and daily stepping out in faith. As you do, you’ll find Him faithful to lead you every step of the way.

With hope and anticipation,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Church
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Purpose of the Gift

From the Pastor’s Desk: The Purpose of the Gift

As we journey through this Christmas season, I’ve found myself reflecting on the gifts we exchange and what they truly represent. Gifts are expressions of love, thoughtfulness, and sometimes sacrifice. But more importantly, gifts remind us of the ultimate act of love—the gift of Jesus Christ, given by God to the world.

In John 3:16, we read these familiar words: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse captures the heart of Christmas. The purpose of God’s gift wasn’t to impress or overwhelm—it was to save, restore, and bring us into an eternal relationship with Him.

The purpose of the gift of Jesus is rooted in love. God didn’t send His Son out of obligation or necessity. He sent Jesus because of His immeasurable love for you and me. The birth of Christ in a humble stable reveals that God’s love reaches into the ordinary places of our lives, transforming them into something extraordinary.

The purpose of the gift is also reconciliation. Sin created a barrier between humanity and God, but through Jesus, that barrier was torn down. His birth, life, death, and resurrection bridged the gap and made a way for us to walk in fellowship with our Creator.

Finally, the purpose of the gift is hope. In a world often marked by uncertainty and pain, Jesus brings the promise of a future filled with His peace and presence. The angels proclaimed it best on the night of His birth: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

As you unwrap presents this year, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the gift that was unwrapped in a manger over 2,000 years ago. That gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, is the greatest gift you could ever receive.

May the purpose of God’s gift fill your heart with gratitude, inspire you to share His love with others, and remind you of the hope we have in Him.

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"