Designed

You were designed by the Creator of all.

His design demands growth, maturity and fullness of life for us to reach our full potential.

Just like the seeds of a orange tree it takes time for us to develop and become who we were meant to be.

Who did God design you to be?

You will only reach your full potential when you live according to your design.

I fear that sometimes the orange tree wants to be an apple tree. It just can’t happen.

James 3:11-12

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Silence is Powerful

When was the last time you entered into five minutes of intentional silence? We have voices constantly calling out, screaming out for us to listen to them. Yet, God waits to meet with us in the silence? God longs for you to still your soul long enough to hear His voice.

“When the Lamb ripped off the seventh seal, Heaven fell quiet—complete silence for about half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1 MSG)

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:1-2 NLT)

Take a moment or two just to be still—silent—waiting.

Dream Big with God

Romans 8:28-31

If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Before starting this section grab a blank piece of paper and a pen. You didn’t move. You’re not fooling me! Write your answer to the following question: If I could do anything to build God’s Kingdom what would I do and why? Take some time to think about that and answer it.

Seeking Godly Advice

Oscar Feucht, in his book, Everyone Is A Minister, shares a fascinating story. He describes a group of laborers who were drilling holes five feet deep in a street. Their boss did not tell them why they were doing it–just to do it. After they spent hours digging these holes he would say, “Okay fill’er up!”

By noon, the men announced, “We quit! Pay us off!” When their boss asked, “Why?” they told him, “Digging holes and filling them up only makes fools of us.” Here is where perspective changes everything. Their boss shared the bigger picture with them–the vision. He told them that they were trying to find the location of an important water main that would supply water to countless people.

It seems like I am constantly looking for direction and insight in my life. Should I work on this project? Should I let that dream go? Is this what God wants me to do? Today there are an endless amount of sources to search for information and answers to life’s questions. Thousands of people who want to tell me how to live, why to live, where to live and even whom to live for. So many conflicting choices. So many competing voices. Do you ever feel like you just need some direction for this life–this moment in time? I know I do. Thankfully we can count on God every time for direction in our lives.

WAKE UP

Romans 13:11-14

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Luke 4:17-19

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
   "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:13-14

Prayer is where the action is.

- John Wesley

Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.

- Corrie ten Boom

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.

- E.M. Bounds

Jeremiah 18:1-9

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:   “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”   So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, SHAPING IT AS SEEMED BEST TO HIM.

Then the word of the Lord came to me:   “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? ” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."

How do you determine what to do today? What steps to take? Who to call? What to say yes to and what to say no to? Do I go this way or that way? Which direction does God want me to go?

These are deep questions that we have on an ongoing basis. Today, I want us to think deeply about some verses, and ponder the implications of these passages on our lives.

Spend some time pondering these verses. There is no page two so there is no rush. Just soak in some of the verses that you have read this week. May God fill you with a deeper passion and love for Him and those around you as you meditate on His Word.

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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

-  Jesus (John 10:10-11)