Living Life On Purpose – Value the Power of Vision

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)


Introduction



Every great achievement began with a vision. Before the foundation was poured, before the team assembled, before the first step was taken — there was vision. Vision is more than a dream; it is divine direction. It’s the blueprint for purposeful living and the compass that keeps you on course when life gets cloudy.

In this first installment of our Living Life On Purpose series, we explore why valuing the power of vision is essential for living a life of meaning, impact, and fulfillment.


What Is Vision?



Vision is a clear picture of a preferred future. It’s the God-given ability to see beyond where you are to where you are meant to be. Vision is the seed of purpose planted in your heart by the Creator Himself. It’s not just about ambition or goals — it’s about alignment with God’s will.

When you have vision, you are not tossed around by every storm or distracted by every shiny object. Vision gives you focus. It fuels your faith. It filters your decisions.


Why Vision Matters


Vision Provides Clarity

Without vision, life feels like a maze. You go in circles, always moving but never progressing. Vision gives your life clarity — it reveals what to pursue and what to avoid. Vision Fuels Discipline

People who value vision are willing to make sacrifices. Why? Because they’re aiming for something greater. Vision keeps you on track even when distractions are loud and temptations are strong. Vision Invites Accountability
When you share your vision, you give others permission to help you stay aligned with it. Vision makes your life a testimony, a message, and a mission that others can support.


A Biblical Example: Nehemiah



Nehemiah had a vision to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. When he heard about the ruins, his heart broke. But instead of staying stuck in sorrow, he sought God and received a clear vision (Nehemiah 2:12). With opposition surrounding him, Nehemiah pressed forward. Why? Because he valued the vision.

Even when criticized, he said, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). That’s the power of vision. It gives you the confidence to keep building even when others don’t understand what you’re building for.


How to Catch a God-Given Vision

  • Pray for Clarity – Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life in this season.
  • Write the Vision – As Habakkuk 2:2 instructs, write it down plainly so you can run with it.
  • Surround Yourself with Vision Carriers – The right people will sharpen your vision, not distract from it.
  • Review and Refine – As you grow, so will your understanding of the vision. Stay flexible but focused.
 

Final Thought



You were not created to wander aimlessly. You were created on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose. Begin today by valuing the vision God is placing in your heart. Nourish it. Write it down. Speak it. Believe it. Run with it.

Because when you live with vision, you live on purpose.

Next in the Series: Develop the Ways of the Winner

Let’s Connect:
📍 Share your vision! What are you trusting God to accomplish in this season of your life? Leave a comment below.
🔗 Visit michaeldnash.com for more inspirational content and resources.
 

Living Life On Purpose – Develop the Ways of the Winner

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)


Introduction



Winners are not born — they are built. Behind every victory is a life shaped by discipline, intentional habits, and the refusal to quit. In this second blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we dive into the mindset and lifestyle that positions you for spiritual and personal success. God has called you to live like a winner — not in arrogance, but in alignment with His will.


What Does It Mean to “Win” in Life?



In the Kingdom of God, winning isn’t about titles, trophies, or applause. It’s about fulfilling your God-given assignment. It’s about overcoming obstacles, growing in character, and living in obedience. Winners walk by faith, not by sight. They press forward, even when it’s uncomfortable. They’re not perfect — but they’re persistent.


Traits of a Kingdom Winner


Discipline Over Emotion
Winners do what needs to be done, even when they don’t feel like it. They live by principles, not preferences.

Purpose Over Popularity

True winners don’t chase the crowd — they follow their calling. Jesus said in Matthew 7:14 that the narrow road leads to life, and few find it. Winners take the narrow road.

Faith Over Fear

Fear will always whisper, “What if?” But faith declares, “Even if.” Winners trust God’s promise more than their present circumstance.


Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul



Paul had a winning mindset. He faced prison, persecution, and hardship — yet he kept pressing. He said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul understood that the race wasn’t just about speed — it was about endurance, focus, and finish.


How to Develop the Ways of the Winner

 
  • Establish Daily Disciplines – Start your day with prayer, Scripture, and focused goals. Little disciplines lead to big breakthroughs.
  • Set God-Aligned Goals – Don’t just chase money, fame, or convenience. Ask, “What is God calling me to pursue?”
  • Surround Yourself with Champions – The people around you shape your mindset. Winners walk with winners.
  • Embrace Delays as Development – The path to winning includes waiting, stretching, and testing. Trust the process.
 

Final Thought



Winners aren’t those who never fall — they’re the ones who get up one more time. They recognize the power of consistency, clarity, and commitment. You were not created to settle — you were created to soar.

If you want to live life on purpose, adopt the habits of a spiritual winner. Run your race. Refuse to quit. Win God’s way.

Next in the Series: Thinking Right About Yourself

Because what you believe about yourself determines how you live.

📍 Leave a comment: What’s one winning habit you’re developing this year?

🔗 Read more at michaeldnash.com and stay inspired to live a purpose-filled life.
 

Living Life On Purpose – Thinking Right About Yourself

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” – Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV)


Introduction



How you think about yourself shapes everything — your faith, your relationships, your decisions, and even your destiny. It’s not enough to have vision and winning habits if your self-image is broken. In this third blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we confront the lies, labels, and limitations that keep us from becoming who God says we are.


The Battle in the Mind



The most important battlefield in your life is not your job, your finances, or even your relationships — it’s your mind. That’s where the enemy launches subtle attacks: “You’re not enough,” “You’ll never change,” “You don’t matter.” If he can distort your identity, he can derail your purpose.

That’s why Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” God wants to reprogram your thoughts to align with His truth — not your trauma, your past, or the world’s opinion.


Why Right Thinking Matters


It Affects Your Identity

Your thoughts define how you see yourself — either as a victor or a victim. If you think you’re defeated, you’ll live beneath your potential. It

Influences Your Behavior

Actions follow beliefs. You will always live out what you truly believe about yourself — not what you say, but what you think deep down. It

Shapes Your Relationship with God

If you see yourself as unworthy, unlovable, or unwanted, you’ll struggle to walk boldly with God. But if you know you’re His child, chosen and loved — your life will reflect that.


Biblical Example: Gideon



When God called Gideon a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12), Gideon responded with insecurity: “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest… and I am the least in my family.” Sound familiar?

God saw greatness. Gideon saw lack. But once Gideon accepted what God said about him, he rose up, led an army, and changed the nation.


How to Think Right About Yourself

 
  • Reject False Labels – What others said about you does not define you. Only God’s Word does.
  • Speak Truth Over Your Life – Create daily affirmations based on Scripture. Declare who you are in Christ.
  • Replace Toxic Thoughts – When lies enter your mind, challenge them with the truth.
  • Stay in the Word – The more you feed your mind with truth, the less room there is for lies.
 

Final Thought



You can’t live life on purpose if your thoughts are working against you. Right thinking is not about arrogance — it’s about agreement with God. You are who He says you are. And when you believe that truth, it will set your entire life in motion.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are equipped for purpose. You are enough — in Christ.

Next in the Series: Mastering the Art of Communication

Because how you express yourself can either build bridges or burn them.

📍 What’s one lie you’ve had to overcome in your journey of self-worth? Share below.

🔗 Get more inspiration at michaeldnash.com and continue your journey of purposeful living.

Living Life On Purpose: 
Mastering the Art of Communication

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6 (NIV)


Introduction


Words build worlds. What you say and how you say it can either open doors or shut them, heal hearts or hurt them, bring clarity or confusion. Communication is more than talking — it’s about connection, influence, and purpose. In this final blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we focus on the power of communication and how mastering it is essential to walking in your calling.


Why Communication Matters


If you’re going to live with purpose, you must also learn to speak with purpose. Whether you’re sharing vision, leading a team, raising a family, preaching the Word, or simply having daily conversations — your words carry weight.

Communication Reflects Your Character

Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). What flows from your lips reveals what’s rooted in your life.

Communication Shapes Relationships

Many relationships don’t fail from lack of love — they fail from lack of communication. Poor communication builds walls. Healthy communication builds bridges.

Communication Advances Your Mission

God gave Moses a mission — but Moses doubted his speaking ability (Exodus 4:10). Still, God empowered him, and Moses led millions with his words and actions. If your mouth is surrendered to God, He can use it to fulfill His purpose.


The Elements of Purposeful Communication

 
  • Clarity – Say what you mean. Avoid confusion. Be direct, but not harsh.
  • Grace – Speak with kindness, even when correcting or disagreeing. Grace doesn’t make you weak — it makes you wise.
  • Truth – Be honest and grounded in Scripture. Don’t compromise truth to be liked.
  • Timing – Not every moment is the right moment. Discern when to speak and when to listen. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
 

Practical Steps to Master Communication

  • Think Before You Speak – Filter your words: Is it true? Helpful? Necessary? Kind?
  • Listen More Than You Talk – James 1:19 says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak…” Listening is a form of love.
  • Study the Word – Scripture helps us shape our speech with wisdom, depth, and spiritual discernment.
  • Practice With Purpose – Every conversation is an opportunity to build up, not tear down.
 

Final Thought



Your words are tools. When handled with wisdom, they can guide, inspire, and transform. Don’t waste them. If you’re going to live life on purpose, then speak life on purpose. Be the kind of person who communicates with clarity, compassion, and conviction.

Master the art of communication — because someone’s breakthrough may be waiting on the words that come out of your mouth.

Series Recap: Value the Power of Vision Develop the Ways of the Winner Thinking Right About Yourself Mastering the Art of Communication

You were made to live intentionally — to build, lead, speak, and grow on purpose.

📍 What’s one area of communication you’re working to improve? Drop a comment and let’s grow together.

🔗 Visit michaeldnash.com for more purpose-driven inspiration and resources.

Living Life On Purpose – Evaluate and Eliminate What Must Not Dominate

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)


Introduction



You can’t run freely while carrying what’s unnecessary. One of the greatest barriers to purposeful living is not the lack of desire — it’s the presence of distractions. In this fifth installment of the Living Life On Purpose series, we’re taking inventory of our lives and courageously cutting off what holds us back. Purpose requires focus, and focus requires elimination.


The Power of Evaluation



Purposeful people live with intentional awareness. They don’t just go with the flow — they constantly ask: Is this helping me or hindering me? To evaluate means to weigh the influence, cost, and fruit of everything in your life — habits, relationships, media, priorities, and even thoughts.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.” Just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it’s beneficial.


What Must Be Eliminated?


Toxic Mindsets

Self-doubt, comparison, fear, and guilt are mental weights that choke your spiritual momentum. Renew your mind daily with God’s truth (Romans 12:2).

Unfruitful Relationships

Not everyone assigned to your past is meant for your future. Relationships that drain your faith, distort your identity, or distract your focus must be re-evaluated.

Sinful Patterns

Ongoing disobedience clouds your purpose. You can’t carry secret sin and expect public victory. Confess, repent, and walk in freedom (1 John 1:9).

Time-Wasters

Social scrolling, endless entertainment, or even “good” things that aren’t God things — these can crowd out your calling. Steward your time wisely (Ephesians 5:15–16).


The Example of Jesus


Even Jesus made time to withdraw (Luke 5:16). He didn’t allow public demand to dominate His private devotion. He evaluated every opportunity through the lens of His mission. He said “no” to many so He could say “yes” to the Father.

If Jesus, full of power and wisdom, needed to eliminate distractions, how much more should we?


How to Evaluate and Eliminate

 
  • Ask the Hard Questions: What’s robbing my peace? What’s draining my energy? What’s distracting me from my calling?
  • Be Honest With Yourself: Don’t excuse what God wants you to confront.
  • Cut Off Strategically, Not Emotionally: Use discernment, not just feelings.
  • Create Boundaries: Purpose requires protected spaces — mentally, spiritually, and relationally.
  • Replace the Waste: Don’t just remove what’s wrong — replace it with what’s right.
 

Final Thought



You were never called to live entangled. You were called to run your race with endurance and clarity. But you can’t do that if you’re dominated by distractions, burdens, or unproductive patterns.

Take time this week to evaluate and eliminate. Be ruthless with what robs your purpose. Because when you let go of what must not dominate, you make room for what must grow.

Next in the Series: Never Allow Small Thinking to Master Your Dreams

Because your thoughts are either the ceiling or the springboard of your destiny.

📍 Reflection Prompt: What do you need to eliminate today to make room for God’s best?

🔗 Stay inspired at michaeldnash.com and subscribe for updates on this series.

Living Life On Purpose – Never Allow Small Thinking to Master Your Dreams

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)


Introduction



Big dreams don’t survive in small minds. Your thoughts are either building your future or blocking it. In this sixth entry of the Living Life On Purpose series, we confront the inner ceilings of doubt, fear, and limitation that try to shrink what God has placed in our hearts. You were not created to play small. You were created to dream boldly, think greatly, and walk confidently in purpose.


The Danger of Small Thinking



Small thinking is a subtle enemy. It masquerades as caution, humility, or realism, but in truth, it often springs from fear, woundedness, or spiritual laziness. It limits what God can do through you because it restricts what you believe aboutyou.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” That means your internal dialogue is shaping your external destiny.


Signs of Small Thinking


Limiting Self-Talk

“I’m not qualified.” “What if I fail?” “This is too much for me.” These thoughts don’t come from faith — they come from fear.

Settling for Safe

When you stop dreaming because it’s “too late,” “too risky,” or “too costly,” you’ve surrendered your future to fear.

Jealousy Over Others’ Success

Small thinking compares instead of celebrates. It believes there’s not enough success to go around.

Doubting God’s Power

At the root of small thinking is often a diminished view of God — not just ourselves.


Biblical Example: The Twelve Spies



In Numbers 13, Moses sent 12 men to scout the Promised Land. Ten came back with small thinking: “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (v. 33). Only Joshua and Caleb believed big. The ten’s small thinking delayed a nation’s destiny for 40 years.

Don’t let that be your story.


How to Break Free from Small Thinking

 
  • Expand Your Faith with the Word – Let Scripture enlarge your perspective of what’s possible.
  • Surround Yourself with Big Thinkers – You become like the people you’re around. Dreamers fuel dreamers.
  • Dream with God in Prayer – Ask boldly, imagine freely, and listen closely.
  • Take Bold Steps – Big thinking without action is fantasy. Start moving in faith, even if it’s one step at a time.
 

Affirm What God Says About You



🗣️ “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
🗣️ “I can do all things through Christ.”
🗣️ “I am the head and not the tail.”
🗣️ “Greater is He that is in me…”

These aren’t empty phrases — they are your identity statements for bold living.


Final Thought



Don’t let the size of your past define the scope of your future. God placed something big inside of you — and He wants to do immeasurably more than what you can imagine. But to live on purpose, you must think on purpose.

Dream big. Speak big. Believe big. Because you serve a big God.

Next in the Series: Exercise Your Own Ax

Because no one can swing your purpose for you.

📍 Reflection Prompt: What is one small thought you need to replace with a big, faith-filled truth today?

🔗 Visit michaeldnash.com for more purpose-driven inspiration and updates.

Living Life On Purpose – Exercise Your Own Ax

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NIV)


Introduction



There’s a purpose that only you can fulfill — and you must be the one to pursue it. In this seventh blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we turn our attention to personal responsibility, intentional preparation, and spiritual ownership. God has given each of us an “ax” — our unique gifts, tools, and calling — but it’s our responsibility to exercise it. Nobody else can swing it for you.


What Does It Mean to “Exercise Your Own Ax”?



It means to take ownership of your growth, your calling, and your spiritual development. Just like a lumberjack sharpens and swings his own ax to cut down trees, we must sharpen and use the tools God has placed in our hands. Purpose doesn’t manifest by wishing — it manifests by working.


The Danger of Neglecting Your Ax



Solomon warns us in Ecclesiastes 10:10 that using a dull ax requires more strength but brings less success. In other words, if you don’t invest in yourself, your purpose will take longer, feel harder, and produce weaker results.

Many people are spiritually exhausted not because they lack calling — but because they haven’t sharpened their edge.


Three Keys to Exercising Your Ax

Sharpen Your Skills

Growth isn’t automatic. Read, study, pray, train, and repeat. Your gift is only as useful as your commitment to developing it.

Own Your Assignment
Stop waiting for permission to be who God has called you to be. No one else can obey God for you. You must say yes and go all in.

Cut Where God Sends You
Every ax is meant for specific ground. Don’t envy someone else’s calling — swing yours where God has planted you.


Biblical Example: Elisha and the Floating Ax Head



In 2 Kings 6:1–7, a prophet loses a borrowed ax head in the Jordan River. He cries out, and Elisha performs a miracle to make it float. The lesson? You can’t work effectively if you’ve lost your edge. And if you’re using someone else’s ax — a borrowed calling, a borrowed vision — it can sink. Purpose must be personal.


How to Keep Your Ax Sharp

 
  • Stay in the Word – Scripture is your whetstone.
  • Feed Your Spirit – Worship, rest, and spiritual disciplines keep your edge strong.
  • Practice Your Craft – Use your gift often and with excellence.
  • Accept Feedback – Allow mentors to sharpen your perspective.
 

Final Thought



You’ve been equipped with everything you need to do what God has called you to do. But it’s your responsibility to pick up your ax and use it. Don’t waste time waiting on ideal conditions. Exercise your own ax — swing it with faith, sharpen it with truth, and let God guide your hand.

Because when you live life on purpose, every swing counts.

Next in the Series: Taste the Results of Total Focus

Because undivided attention yields undeniable fruit.

📍 Reflection Prompt: What is the “ax” God has placed in your hands, and how are you sharpening it today?

🔗 Read more purpose-driven content at michaeldnash.com.

Living Life On Purpose – Taste the Results of Total Focus

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” – Matthew 6:22 (NIV)
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” – Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)


Introduction



The power of total focus is often underestimated — yet it is one of the greatest keys to purpose-filled living. In this eighth installment of the Living Life On Purpose series, we look at how laser-sharp focus produces supernatural fruit. Success in your calling isn’t just about activity — it’s about intentionality. The difference between distraction and destiny is focus.


The Value of Focus



Focus is the discipline of directing your full attention to what matters most. In a world filled with noise, options, and shiny distractions, staying focused is a spiritual superpower.

Jesus lived with total focus. He didn’t chase every opportunity, meet every need, or appease every crowd. He stayed aligned with the Father’s will. In John 17:4, He said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” That’s focus in action.


What Total Focus Produces


Clarity of Direction
When you focus, you stop living by reaction and start living by vision. You know what to say yes to — and what to walk away from.

Increased Productivity
Focus helps you accomplish more by doing less. It channels your energy toward what truly matters.

Supernatural Peace
Focus silences internal chaos. When your eyes are fixed on God’s assignment, peace follows — even in pressure.

Powerful Results
A magnifying glass can start a fire when focused. The same is true for your life — focused effort sets things ablaze.


Enemies of Focus

 
  • Distractions – Emails, notifications, and “urgent” but unimportant matters can hijack your attention.
  • Comparison – Looking at someone else’s lane will cause you to swerve in your own.
  • Double-mindedness – James 1:8 says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
  • Lack of Purpose – When purpose is unclear, distractions become attractive.
 

Biblical Example: Nehemiah



When Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall, his enemies tried to pull him into meetings to stop the work. His response? “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). That’s the voice of total focus. He refused to be distracted — and as a result, he finished the wall in 52 days.


How to Develop Total Focus

 
  • Set Clear Priorities – Know your top three assignments and give them your best.
  • Protect Your Time – Guard your calendar. Block time for prayer, planning, and execution.
  • Eliminate Distractions – Create boundaries. Log off. Say no. Close the door if you have to.
  • Keep Your Eyes on Jesus – Hebrews 12:2 says to fix our eyes on Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
 

Final Thought



If you want to live life on purpose, you must focus on purpose. Don’t just be busy — be intentional. Don’t just try everything — do the right things with full intensity. Taste the fruit that only grows from deep, focused roots.

Because when your focus is firm, your fruit will be full.

Next in the Series: Let the Reproofs of Instruction Be Your Way of Life

Because correction is not punishment — it’s preparation for greatness.

📍 Reflection Prompt: What area of your life is in most need of greater focus? What’s one step you can take this week to realign your attention?

🔗 Continue your journey at michaeldnash.com and stay focused on your purpose.

Living Life On Purpose – Let the Reproofs of Instruction Be Your Way of Life

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” – Proverbs 6:23 (NKJV)


Introduction



Correction is not rejection — it’s redirection. In this ninth blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we confront the uncomfortable but life-giving reality that growth often comes through correction. Those who live on purpose understand that instruction, feedback, and reproof are not to be avoided — they are to be embraced. Why? Because they are the way of life — not the obstacle to it.


The Purpose of Reproof



Reproof is correction grounded in love and wisdom. It’s God’s way of adjusting our course so we don’t crash. We often pray for promotion, clarity, and breakthrough — but ignore the very correction that leads us there. You cannot grow in maturity while rejecting accountability.

The wise don’t resent correction; they welcome it.

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV)


What Reproof Does for You

Sharpens Your Character

Correction helps expose blind spots, refine behavior, and align you with biblical standards.

Prepares You for Greater Responsibility
If you can’t be corrected, you can’t be trusted with more. God uses discipline to shape leaders.

Protects You from Destruction
Reproof often comes before disaster — not to shame you, but to save you.

Keeps You Humble and Teachable
A teachable spirit is fertile ground for divine wisdom. Reproof keeps your heart soft and open to God.


Biblical Example: King David



David was a man after God’s heart — yet he failed gravely in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. When the prophet Nathan reproved him (2 Samuel 12), David didn’t excuse, argue, or deflect. He repented.

David’s greatness wasn’t in perfection — it was in how he responded to correction. Psalm 51 is a record of that broken, humble cry for mercy — and God restored him.


How to Make Reproof a Way of Life

 
  • Listen Without Defensiveness – Ask God to help you hear correction without pride or offense.
  • Invite Accountability – Don’t just accept correction — seek it from trusted voices.
  • Examine the Source with Humility – Even if it stings, ask, “Is there truth in this?”
  • Apply What You Learn – Correction unheeded is wisdom wasted.
  • Thank God for Loving You Enough to Correct You – Hebrews 12:6 says, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves…”
 

Final Thought



Correction is not a curse — it’s a gift. It is God’s way of pruning us so we can bear more fruit. If you want to live life on purpose, let the reproofs of instruction be your constant companion. Growth is not possible without guidance. Maturity doesn’t come without submission.

So don’t run from correction. Walk in it — and let it lead you to life.

Next in the Series: Execute Your Power as a Fighter

Because purpose requires spiritual grit, not just grace.

📍 Reflection Prompt: When was the last time you grew because of correction? How did it shape your next step?

🔗 Grow deeper at michaeldnash.com and receive fresh insights for purposeful living.

Living Life On Purpose – Execute Your Power as a Fighter

“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…” – 1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” – 2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)


Introduction



Purpose is not handed to you — it’s fought for. In this tenth installment of the Living Life On Purpose series, we turn our attention to the fight. Not a physical one, but a spiritual one. Living on purpose means refusing to be passive in the face of adversity. It means rising with faith, endurance, and resolve — not just to survive, but to overcome.

You have power, but you must execute it. God has equipped you, but you must engage the battle. Purposeful living is not just about vision — it’s about victory.


The Reality of the Fight



Many believers think that if they’re in God’s will, everything will be easy. But in truth, the path to purpose is often paved with pressure, pain, and perseverance. The Apostle Paul didn’t just run his race — he fought the good fight. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Purpose doesn’t come without opposition.
Destiny doesn’t arrive without resistance.


What Kind of Fight Are We In?


A Fight of Faith
The enemy targets your belief — your faith in God’s Word, your identity, and His promises. When life contradicts God’s truth, your weapon is faith, not fear.

A Fight Against Flesh and Lies
We battle against thoughts, habits, temptations, and emotional fatigue. Ephesians 6 reminds us that the battle is spiritual, and we must be fully armed.

A Fight to Keep Going
Weariness is real, but quitting isn’t an option. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good — because the harvest is coming.


Biblical Example: Joshua



Joshua was a warrior. After Moses died, he had to lead a generation into the Promised Land — a land that wasn’t handed over, but had to be taken through battle. God said to him repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1)

Joshua had a promise, but he also had to fight. He fought with strategy, obedience, and trust in God’s power.


How to Execute Your Power as a Fighter

 
  • Put On the Full Armor (Ephesians 6:10–18) – Daily clothe yourself in truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer.
  • Fight From Victory, Not For It – Jesus already won. You fight with the mindset of a conqueror, not a beggar.
  • Stay Connected to the Commander – Soldiers don’t freelance. Stay close to God for orders, timing, and strength.
  • Speak Like a Warrior – Your words matter. Declare truth even when you feel weak.
  • Don’t Fight Alone – Join with others in prayer, accountability, and encouragement. Purpose is a team effort.
 

Final Thought



You were not created to live life defeated. You were created to fight — not in your own strength, but with spiritual power, divine authority, and unwavering faith. Living life on purpose requires grit. It requires resolve. It requires the boldness to say, “I will not back down.”

So rise up. Execute your power. And fight the good fight — because purpose is worth it.

Next in the Series: Let Go and Let God

Because sometimes the most powerful move is surrender.

📍 Reflection Prompt: What fight are you currently in that requires faith, not fear? How are you executing your spiritual power?

🔗 Find more tools for purposeful living at michaeldnash.com.

Living Life On Purpose – Let Go and Let God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God…” – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)


Introduction



You can’t live life on purpose if you’re trying to control what only God can. In this final blog of the Living Life On Purpose series, we come to a place of surrender — the sacred, powerful act of letting go. Not letting go of purpose or responsibility, but letting go of control, anxiety, and the outcomes we cannot manage. Some victories are not won by striving, but by trusting.

Letting go is not weakness — it’s worship.


Why Letting Go Is Necessary



Living on purpose doesn’t mean we have all the answers or understand every detail. In fact, sometimes clarity comes after we release our grip. God can’t fill what we won’t release. Surrender creates space for peace, direction, and divine movement.


Signs You’re Holding Too Tightly


Constant Anxiety – You’re always thinking, planning, and re-planning — without rest.

Delayed Obedience – You’re trying to negotiate with God instead of submitting to Him.

Burnout – You’re drained because you’re carrying what God never asked you to.

Frustration Over Uncertainty – You feel stuck, not because God is silent, but because you won’t move until everything makes sense.


Biblical Example: Abraham and Isaac



God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac — the very son of promise (Genesis 22). This wasn’t just a test of obedience, but a test of surrender. Abraham obeyed, trusted, and released. And in the moment of surrender, God provided the ram.

Purpose often reaches maturity when we lay what we love most on the altar.


What Letting Go Looks Like

 
  • Releasing Control – Say, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself.”
  • Obeying Promptly – When God says move, you move — even if the outcome is unclear.
  • Praying Without Manipulating – You give your concerns to God and don’t snatch them back with worry.
  • Trusting God’s Timing – You stop rushing what God is still writing.
 

The Fruit of Letting Go


Peace – Philippians 4:6–7 promises peace that passes understanding when we release our requests to God.

Clarity – Once you release the outcome, God can show you the next step.

Power – Surrender is not the end of action — it’s the beginning of divine power at work.

Rest – True rest comes when you trust the One who holds it all together.


Final Thought



Letting go is not giving up — it’s giving over. It’s saying, “God, You know better. You lead better. You love better. I trust You.” When we let go, we step into the freedom and fullness of purpose.

So live. Trust. Obey. And let God be God.

Series Recap: Living Life On Purpose
  • Value the Power of Vision
  • Develop the Ways of the Winner
  • Thinking Right About Yourself
  • Mastering the Art of Communication Evaluate and
  • Eliminate What Must Not
  • Dominate Never Allow Small Thinking to Master Your Dreams
  • Exercise Your Own Ax
  • Taste the Results of Total Focus
  • Let the Reproofs of Instruction Be Your Way of Life
  • Execute Your Power as a Fighter
  • Let Go and Let God


📍 Reflection Prompt: What area of your life are you still trying to control? What can you surrender today so God can move fully in your purpose?

🔗 Discover more faith-building content at michaeldnash.com.