This morning as I prayed about a theme and a Scripture in celebration of our 40th anniversary of church and pastoral ministry, and after some research, I happened upon Psalm 33:11; 

David wrote “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

I remember that early in my life as a Christ follower and early in ministry, I often read scriptures with a sense of hope and expectation of seeing the promises come to pass. At this point of life and ministry, I have seen God's promises fulfilled! As David wrote, "The plans of the Lord stand firm." Everything and everyone comes and goes, but God's plans continue to unfold .

Then we read, "The purposes of his heart through all generations." God is a God of purpose. This is a great word that more accurately describes what life is about. One of the themes of our ministry is "Equipping People of Purpose."

Now, I'm the first to recognize that as a church, we have not done all that we could have done, and I have not become all that I could have been. But I'm very sure that God's will has been done and His purpose fulfilled.

At some point in life, we all discover that the true measure of success is faithfulness to God, integrity, and loving people with everything within you.