• His life purpose is to serve.
In our modern education system we have analyzed everything about the learning process. People are always looking for new theses to write to get their degree! One area of neglect has been the motivation of learning. I do not mean that there are no studies on motivation or getting students motivated. I mean no one seems to write about getting students motivated to do what God has given us to do: to care for the needy.

My learning and gifts must not be rooted in serving others not myself. God has given each of us the ability to inquire so that we can advance our knowledge and abilities for the sake of other people. I am astounded that so many Christian parents have given themselves over to the pursuit of ungodly goals. Anytime the motivation ends up serving my own ends, then one can see that we are perverting the learning process.

• His motivation for training is service.
Frankly, the success of our times with God will have everything to do with our purpose in life. If we are self-focused then we simply have not died to ourselves. If we focus on "I want…for me, "then we have committed ourselves to using (misusing) all that God has given us in a perverted way. God does not want just your tithe. He wants your heart.

Each one of us must pursue an examination on the reason God has so gifted us. We need to understand it is ultimately for others and not for ourselves. We see this in Jesus. He died to Himself. He lived for others. When the Father asked to give His life, He went back to His purpose of living – to do my Father's will' and gave what it took. Do you remember what Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 1? Paul takes the example of Christ and from it draws the conclusion that because our purpose is to serve, so that our experiences in life need to be rigorous and tough at times so that we can become effect ministers of comfort to others.

• We focus on strengthening weak ones.
Jesus was like the doctor who went to the sick. He went to the ones that needed help. If we find those we are ministering to do not want our help, turn your head. God will arrange those that do.

"But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer."

If we have not identified our purposes, then it is probably wrong. You might wonder how can I have 'other' motives for something like a undergrad or grad degree? Let me give you two positive goals.
• I am studying Electronic Engineering so that I can use my skills to advance the economic lives of those who have little.
• I am studying Music to enable the discouraged to be able to meet and hear God's Word.

Once you transform your degree goals into serving , then all of a sudden your life becomes a mission. You wonder, pray and seek God in His Word and in the world to make a difference for others out there. It incorporates not just our knowledge skills that we are acquiring but our whole lives. It has to do with the size of my savings account, the kind of car I have and the way I spend time and money.

• How much time have you really spent in prayer and reading to understand God's place for you in this world? 5 minutes (just now hearing you speak); 1 hour – some conference; I am going to start tonight. Oh that we might take the precious gifts God has given to us and transform them into gold, silver and diamonds for others!
• Tell the Lord that you are willing to suffer if it would help others.

C.) The Discipline of the Disciple	A disciple communes with God early each day.
"He awakens Me morning by morning"