Have you ever stared death in the face? I have.

I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in November of 2014, and it shook me to my very core. But let me also quickly tell you that what the enemy meant for evil, God certainly and victoriously used for good in my life!

As I struggled during the first few days of the fiery battle to hear God's voice and to strategize a battle plan, I happened upon a Scripture that has impacted me deeply as I determined to live again with gusto, with enthusiasm and with focus!

During that despicable battle with the vile cancer cells that had, uninvited, entered my body, I came upon a verse in the Book of Acts that changed my focus, renewed my vigor and filled me with strength beyond myself: "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep ..." (Acts 13:36, ESV).

First of all, the Holy Spirit was still talking about David 1,000 years after he lived! How impressive is that? Oh, to have that kind of kingdom impact. I long to live such a God-honoring life that the Holy Spirit is still reminding people about my life in the year 3017!

Second, David had a purpose for which he served God "in his own generation." David's purpose might have been different than mine, but we both have a purpose that is particular to our own generation. I have a purpose, as do you, that is unique to the time period in which we live.

You and I live at the first part of the 21st century, and we must determine how to serve God's purposes during this moment in history.

I have often said that, if I had lived prior to the Reformation, I would have been a scribe who wrote out the sacred Word of God with a quill and onto parchment.

I also know that if I had lived during the days of the Pony Express, I would have had one of my rich friends buy me the fastest horse we could find so I could take the Word of God over the Rocky Mountains.

I live today. I live in the first part of the 21st century, and so I will utilize every avenue, every communication stream, every new invention and every bit of technology to declare the truth of God's Word.

I will utilize the publishing industry and the airwaves of radio. I will tell the story of the kingdom on Facebook and on Twitter. I will tell the truth of Jesus through Instagram and on TV. I will proclaim the joy of His presence through blogs, magazine articles, on Pinterest and on YouTube.

What are you doing to make hell smaller and heaven bigger at this time in history? You have an assignment, just as David did, and just as I do. What is God calling you to do that will get the Holy Spirit's attention?

I have discovered an amazing way to reach people around the world with a single click of my computer. Are you using the amazing function of Facebook Live to encourage others in their journey to Christ?

I try to have a Facebook Live event about once a week, and it generally lasts for 15 to 30 minutes. I prepare a Bible teaching and share from my heart what God is doing in my life. I also ask significant questions of the listeners and have them respond in the comment section under the live broadcast.

On any given evening, there might be as many as 3,000 people joining in our anointed, Bible-focused conversation. Last night alone, we had women from Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, the Philippines, California, North Dakota, Alabama, New York and North Carolina. And those were only the ones who identified themselves!

And me? What was I doing? I was sitting in my chair in my home office while encouraging people who lived thousands of miles away. They were single moms, women with cancer, women with rebellious children, doctors, lawyers and teachers.

I didn't have to raise a massive budget in order to fly to the far-reaching corners of the earth. I simply had to log into my Facebook account.

God has a purpose for you in your own generation. Utilize it! Don't ignore the power of modern technology or falsely imagine that you must have a massive building that thousands can attend.

You don't have to own a TV studio with millions of dollars' worth of equipment.

You can reach a hurting, broken generation while sitting in your home and sharing the truth of Scripture. God has purposes for us in our own generation. Don't die until you live in God's place of purpose!

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released last August. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at justjoyministries.com.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.