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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

If I’m Breathing, God Has a Purpose For Me

In Ephesians 2:10, it says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

I am God's masterpiece, his workmanship. My salvation is something only God can do. It is his powerful, creative work in me. If God considers me a masterpiece, I dare not treat myself or others with disrespect or as inferior work


God didn’t create anything without a purpose. Because I’m breathing, I have a purpose. In Christ, I have something to offer the world.


When God made me, he wired me in a certain way and uniquely shaped me for a contribution. Nobody has been me in the past or will be me in the future. God doesn’t create clones or copies. Even identical twins are different.


My thumbprint, voice, footprint, heartbeat, and eyes are unique. I’m not one in a million. I’m one in trillions. God custom-made me. And he wants me to be me.


I may have heard all my life, “Why can’t you be more like [fill in the blank]]?” But if God hadn’t wanted me to be me, then I wouldn’t exist.


And yet, I could be spending my life trying to be somebody I’m not. When I do that, I miss my whole purpose.


God did not make me and put me here on this planet just to breathe air, take up space, and die. I’m here because there’s a contribution that only I can make.


For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).


I am God’s masterpiece. Before I was born, God planned the good things he wanted me to do with my life. In other words, he gave me a ministry.


Everybody has a ministry. I can find my ministry by looking at how God shaped me. He gave me unique spiritual gifts, abilities, and experiences to help others.


When I see how I’m shaped and use that shape to bless others, then I’ll find my ministry. And I will find my purpose.


In summary, I am God’s masterpiece. He has created me and made me new in Christ Jesus, so that I can do the good things he planned for me to do long ago. Given this, I dare not treat myself or others with disrespect or as inferior work. Because I’m breathing, I have a purpose. In Christ, I have something to offer the world. God wired me in a certain way and uniquely shaped me for a contribution. God doesn’t create clones or copies. God custom-made me. And therefore he wants me to be me. I could be spending my life trying to be somebody I’m not. When I do that, I miss my whole purpose. I’m here because there’s a contribution that only I can make. Before I was born, God planned the good things he wanted me to do with my life. He gave me a ministry. I can discover my ministry by looking at how God shaped me. He gave me unique spiritual gifts, abilities, and experiences to help others. When I see how I’m shaped and use that shape to bless others, then I’ll find my ministry and my purpose.


Father it seems with the restrictions now from Covid-19, it's not so easy to exercise my gifts. I pray Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit that I find ways that I can serve and fulfill my ministry. Help me to hear your promptings and to step out in faith. I pray also for my future job, that I can be one where I can use my skills and talents to serve. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray for in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.


Tuesday, September 29, 2020

For Confidence, Plug in to God’s Power

In 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 I read, There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant.” (GNT)


I cannot claim to be adequate without God's help. I am not competent to carry out the responsibilities of God's calling in my own strength


Success means just being who God made me to be. Knowing this should provide me with enormous confidence. Even though I may act like I’m confident, there are things about me that I don’t like.


I lack confidence for two reasons. First, I’m trying to be somebody that God didn’t shape me to be. And that’s scary, because I can’t really be someone else.


There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 GNT).


I’ll only gain confidence when I discover my capacity, how God shaped me. That includes my spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences.


The other reason I often lack confidence is that I depend on my own power instead of God’s power. That’s a guarantee for failure! Even though God has put a certain capacity in me, he hasn’t made me able to do it all on my own. God never meant for me to go through life on my own power. He meant for me to depend on him.


A blender is designed to blend things, but it’s worthless unless it’s plugged in to power. If the blender just sits there and is never plugged in, it’s useless. It can’t fulfill its purpose.


God has given me capabilities, but they’re worthless unless I’m plugged in to his power through the Holy Spirit. With Christ, I have everything I need to live with confidence.


The Bible says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace]” (AMP).


In summary, there is nothing in me that allows me to claim that I am capable of doing his work on my own. The capacity I have comes from God; it is he who made me capable. I cannot claim to be adequate without God's help. I am not competent to carry out the responsibilities of God's calling in my own strength. Success in life means just being who God made me to be. I can lack confidence for two reasons. First, I’m trying to be somebody that God didn’t shape me to be. I’ll only gain confidence when I discover my capacity, how God shaped me. The other reason I lack confidence is that I depend on my own power instead of God’s power. Even though God has put a certain capacity in me, he hasn’t made me able to do it all on my own. He meant for me to depend on him. God has given me capabilities, but they’re worthless unless I’m plugged in to his power through the Holy Spirit. With Christ, I have everything I need to live with confidence. I can do all things which He has called me to do through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose.


Father, I do admit that I try to do things in my own power or even try to be like someone else. I pray with help from the Holy Spirit that I look to Jesus as my source for everything and the power to daily to do what it is you have planned for me to do. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.


09/28/20 - Daily Hope - (Home, Folsom)

What Success Really Looks Like

Colossians 2:9-10 

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (NLT)


All of God was in Christ's human body. When I have Christ, I have everything I need for salvation and right living. Being united by faith to Jesus, I will find personal fulfillment in him. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life because he is life


What is success? Often people think it means making a lot of money. But one can make a ton of money and be an absolute failure. Some think it means being famous. But one can be famous and totally miss the point of life. So what is real success?


The Bible tells me that real success is being who God made me to be. It means I’m not trying to be somebody else or what someone else wants me to be. I’ll only find real success when I spend my life as the person God created me to be.


If I try to be somebody else in life, I’m absolutely going to fail, because I can’t be anybody but myself. So I need to be who God made me to be. Be who I am in Christ.


For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:9-10 NLT).


God came to Earth in human form two thousand years ago so I could be made complete in Christ. That means I have everything I need through Jesus’ authority and power.


If I look around, I’m going to notice that I may not have the same gifts, talents, or opportunities as others, and that can be frustrating, if I’m thinking being a success is being somebody else.


When I understand that a successful life is being who God made me to be, then I will be amazed at the things God will do through me!


I lack nothing to be a success in life because success is being myself. In other words, being successful in life means I’m being myself, the person God made me to be. Don’t get hung up on what others think about me and instead focus on my audience of one: God. God shaped me and equipped me and, in Christ, has given me everything I need to be successful.


In summary, in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So I become complete through my union with Christ. When I have Christ, I have everything I need for salvation and right living. I will find personal fulfillment in him. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life because he is life. The Bible tells me that real success is being who God made me to be. Which means I’m not trying to be somebody else or what someone else wants me to be. I’ll only find real success when I spend my life as the person God created me to be. I have everything I need through Jesus’ authority and power. I lack nothing to be a success in life because success is being myself. So don’t get hung up on what others think about me, rather focus on my audience of one: God. God has shaped and equipped me and, in Christ, has given me everything I need to be successful.


This morning's study has reminded me that success comes from being who God made me to be. I don’t need to look for any other ways to be successful. I just need to continue to seek out and do what I believe God wants for me to do. This morning Father, I pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I also want to seek your peace, a peace that I got to feel while taking time off. I’d like for this to counter any frustrations at work and help guide my actions. I ask these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Monday, September 28, 2020

What Success Really Looks Like

In Colossians 2:9-10 I read For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (NLT)

All of God was in Christ's human body. When I have Christ, I have everything I need for salvation and right living. Being united by faith to Jesus, I will find personal fulfillment in him. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life because he is life


What is success? Often people think it means making a lot of money. But one can make a ton of money and be an absolute failure. Some think it means being famous. But one can be famous and totally miss the point of life. So what is real success?


The Bible tells me that real success is being who God made me to be. It means I’m not trying to be somebody else or what someone else wants me to be. I’ll only find real success when I spend my life as the person God created me to be.


If I try to be somebody else in life, I’m absolutely going to fail, because I can’t be anybody but myself. So I need to be who God made me to be. Be who I am in Christ.


For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:9-10 NLT).


God came to Earth in human form two thousand years ago so I could be made complete in Christ. That means I have everything I need through Jesus’ authority and power.


If I look around, I’m going to notice that I may not have the same gifts, talents, or opportunities as others, and that can be frustrating, if I’m thinking being a success is being somebody else.


When I understand that a successful life is being who God made me to be, then I will be amazed at the things God will do through me!


I lack nothing to be a success in life because success is being myself. In other words, being successful in life means I’m being myself, the person God made me to be. Don’t get hung up on what others think about me and instead focus on my audience of one: God. God shaped me and equipped me and, in Christ, has given me everything I need to be successful.


In summary, in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So I become complete through my union with Christ. When I have Christ, I have everything I need for salvation and right living. I will find personal fulfillment in him. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life because he is life. The Bible tells me that real success is being who God made me to be. Which means I’m not trying to be somebody else or what someone else wants me to be. I’ll only find real success when I spend my life as the person God created me to be. I have everything I need through Jesus’ authority and power. I lack nothing to be a success in life because success is being myself. So don’t get hung up on what others think about me, rather focus on my audience of one: God. God has shaped and equipped me and, in Christ, has given me everything I need to be successful.


This morning's study has reminded me that success comes from being who God made me to be. I don’t need to look for any other ways to be successful. I just need to continue to seek out and do what I believe God wants for me to do. This morning Father, I pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I also want to seek your peace, a peace that I got to feel while taking time off. I’d like for this to counter any frustrations at work and help guide my actions. I ask these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.


Friday, September 25, 2020

Choose Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

In Hebrews 11:25 it says,“[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (NIV)


To be all God wants me to be, I need to choose short-term pain for long-term gain. I’ve got to practice and work hard in order to play in a championship game. I can’t just walk out and compete for the title. If I’m going to be good at anything, I’ve got to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. It’s the same in finances and relationships, as well


Why is this resolution important in life? Because most problems come from the inability to delay gratification. Society teaches us to say, “I want everything and I want it now and I want it free and I want it easy.” Well unfortunately, life doesn’t work like that!


Moses made a choice: “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25 NIV).


This verse says he chose to be mistreated, to endure the short-term pain for the long-term gain of doing the right thing.


I’ll experience pain in life. But if I choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life I’ll get to benefit from all of it.


When I choose the short-term pain like Moses did, I’m going to see God deliver me so that I can enjoy the long-term reward.


In summary, Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. To be all God wants me to be, I too need to choose short-term pain for the long-term gain. I’ve got to practice and work hard. I can’t just walk out and compete. Why is this resolution important? Because most problems come from the inability to delay gratification. Society teaches us to want everything and get it now, free and easy.” Unfortunately, life doesn’t work like this. This verse points out that Moses made a choice: he chose to be mistreated, to endure the short-term pain for the long-term gain of doing the right thing. I’ll experience pain in life. But if I choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life I’ll get to benefit from all of it. When I choose the short-term pain like Moses did, I’m going to see God deliver me so that I can enjoy the long-term reward.


I need to get over the desire to want everything fast and easy. I’ll need to hold off on the short term pleasures for the bigger and long term picture. Father, I ask you for wisdom, guidance and the ability to hold off on immediate desires. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.


Thursday, September 24, 2020

Commit to Living by My Values

In Hebrews 11:26 I read, Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (NIV)


This book of Hebrews has a critical message for me. I shouldn't forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Just like Moses did, I too need to be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later.


Follow the pattern set by Moses: Choose to be who God wants me to be. Choose short-term pain for long-term gain. And choose God’s values, not the world’s.


For this reason, God was able to use Moses.


Hebrews 11:26 says, “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (NIV).


Moses had clarified what mattered most to him.


So what values matter most in my life? The top things I value are integrity, humility, serving and generosity. Since those are the things that matter the most, then they are the things I need to live by everyday. 


Moses chose God’s values over the world’s values. Why is this so important? Because if I don’t decide what’s most important in my life, others will decide for me. They’re going to push me into their mold. And I’m going to live life by their values, and not mine.


So I need to settle on what’s most important to me and then live by those values.


In summary, Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, He was looking ahead to his future reward. I should follow his example and not forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. I need to be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. So, I need to choose to be who God wants me to be. Choose short-term pain for long-term gain. And choose God’s values, not the world’s. The top things I value most are integrity, humility, serving and generosity. Moses chose God’s values over the world’s values. This is so important because if I don’t decide what’s most important in my life, others will decide for me. They’ll push me into their mold, and I’ll end up living life by their values, and not mine. So settle on what’s most important to me and then live by those values.


While I like to think these values are the most important, I have to admit that I don’t always live them out. I can get wrapped up in myself. I often wait for the right conditions to share, or serve. I’m not always as humble as I should be. Father, I pray now that with the help of the Holy Spirit and your Son Jesus, that I can live out these values more and more each day as I attempt to fulfill your mission for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance. I thank you for this time off not having to worry about any work responsibilities. I pray these things in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.