Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's scriptures are about our preconceived calling. When God was creating the world, He also had a plan for each of us. We have a reason to be here, especially those of us who are called into the Kingdom. Before I was even thought of, God knew that I would share His Word, through daily devotional e-mails. Before Michael Jordon was 6'6 and dunking basketballs, God knew he would be one of the best basketball players of all times, because that's one of the things he was created to do. One task or journey isn't more or less important than the other, but they're all necessary to carry out God's will. We've each had the opportunity to touch lives in some type of way, whether on as grand a scale as Michael Jordon, or as minute as a parent teaching a child. We each are important and special in some type of way, no matter how we see it.

It's important for us to dream big, and be open to our gifts and talents. I look at the differences and intricacies of human beings, and different cultures, races, and creeds of people in this world. I wonder why some people have the gift to sing, or to draw or paint, while others don't. Small things like that better allow me to see that there is a God. He has given us certain answers, so all we have to do is seek them. Most importantly, we must seek our true calling, because when we love God, we’ll keep His commandments, and follow His Will. That “Will” is so very simple to see, when we're focusing Him. It's written: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col. 3:2) So many of us stay "lost" for so long, trying to find our way, but that's only because we're not focusing on the right things. That has recently been revealed to me, and my Holy Spirit let's me know, loud and clear, when I'm losing my focus.

When I'm in line with God's will everything feels right, and I feel this overwhelming sense of Peace from within. I'm smiling more, and staying open to the love of God even more. I accomplish so many things without stressing, it's like everything flows perfectly. The enemy will always throw things at me, to try to divert my attention, but God's love is so much stronger than anything my flesh may crave. It's written: The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. (Psalms 119:110) The enemy is crafty and will do whatever it takes to draw us away from God. However, God loves us so much that He sacrificed His only Son, so that we could have the opportunity to freely live. Live with a purpose, and have peace while doing it.

People often wonder why they have to live a certain way, if our lives have been “predestined” from the beginning of time. We all have a destination, and many ways to get there, and God allows us to choose the way we want to go. Do we want to take the scenic route, or the shortcut? Either way, those who love Him will receive the reward, but it’s up to us to choose how much we’re willing to endure on the journey. It's written: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom 8:28-30) This is a reason to rejoice! You and I have been called, justified and glorified in the Lord. We are more than conquers, because the one true God chose us. When He created Heaven and earth, He had us in mind. That fact alone makes the problems of this world so minimal.

Do you believe that God loves you? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Are you not sure what to believe? I wonder how many people will answer yes to the last question. If you've previously confessed Jesus as Lord, but have some doubts, then ask Him to show the truth and the way. That's something that only He could answer. He's gone through an awful lot to prove His love to you, and all He asks for is a little faith in return. It’s written: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Heb. 11:1-2) Everything is not meant for us to know all at once, but will soon be revealed to us.

All we need to see right now is the Love of Christ, because He grants us access to the unseen, by the Holy Spirit. Without Him you will not receive your inheritance. If you're reading this right now you're called, this is not an accident. Be sure to choose Him, because He has chosen you. Take some time out to take the God Quiz, which will hopefully help you make the best choice. My favorite verse today is: God ... hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

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Daily Devotional

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about our good works through Christ. We each have unique callings in life. I was listening to Dr. Stanley yesterday, and he said "God has made us in His image, and that's such an awesome privilege, because no other living creation has the honor, we are special in God's eyes". That statement helped me understand how precious and important I am in to God. We can say that one hundred times over, but it’s another thing to believe it with all of your heart and soul. The best thing about our Faith walk is that we'll receive many epiphanies throughout our life, and it's awesome. There is so much to know about God, and He loves us so deeply, that when we seek Him, we dig deeper and deeper into His love. It's written: And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16) If God is love, and we're made in His image then that's what we're meant to be. It's a wonderful feeling when we discover our gifts and talents, given by the Lord. These things give us more joy than we can imagine, and all other things in our life become quite mediocre. I remember when I first realized my love for culinary arts. While I was in school, I truly realized how much food brought me joy. I remember going to the grocery store one night after class, and before I got out of the car I was really tired, but once I got in the store, I perked up. I started dancing to the tune of the music playing over the loud speaker, and I stopped for a minute and said, "why did I just start dancing like that", and I was reminded of where I was. I was surrounded by something I was passionate about, and I was happy. I feel that same joy when I 'm writing, teaching, and through music. I know they are all talents, given to me by God, to fulfill a very important purpose. Following God's will for our life could be challenging, because we either have yet to discover our talents, or have and chosen to put those them to the side to do something that's more logical. The world tells us that the more wealth we acquire the more import we are, but we know that God doesn't work on those terms. He will provide everything we need to give us a happy and peaceful life, so those things will come. We often pick our careers because of the amount of money we'll make, and not by how passionate we are about what we're doing. Believe it or not, we have an opportunity to show God in everything we do, and people are always watching us. Our calling can also change with the seasons of our life, so expect change, and embrace it. It’s important to keep a close relationship with God, because each day is new, and we don't live by sight, but by Faith. Are you miserable in your life right now? Do you dread work? This is a sure sign that you're not doing what God called you to do. Take some time and evaluate your life, pray and ask God for wisdom and insight into what "He" wants for you (remember Jesus' example, "not my will but your will be done"). Meditate on His promises, and He'll reveal exactly what's meant for you. Thank Him for your gifts and talents, and ask Him for the wisdom to use them the way that He intended. Enjoy what you're doing, and make sure that other's know where your blessings come from. If you're still trying to find your way then the Holy Spirit can help. Jesus is the only way to true peace, and no matter what God reveals to you, embrace it with the attitude that "All things are possible through Christ", God will never give you more than you can handle. If you don't know Jesus then that's the first step to discovering your calling, I’d love to pray with you. My favorite verse today is: Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands. (Psalms 90:17)

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