pathway to destiny

Christians are like the facets of a diamond. We are joined together, but each one uniquely reflects the glorious brilliance of light ! As we submit to the cutting and polishing of the master gem cutter, we will reflect the wonderful light that is coming from the Father.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Its funny the places God can speak to us at! I was walking to my car in the Wal-Mart parking lot the other day. It was cold and rainy, and all I wanted to do was get to my car.

I spotted a sporty red Jeep. It was everything a person would want in a Jeep. Bright chrome rims, convertible top and a shiny red finish. But what really caught my eye, was the license plate on the front. It had this verse on it. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. This person had more on their mind that a red sporty Jeep!. It got me to thinking!

What does this really mean to number our days aright?

It seems we are allotted a certain number of days of which we are to live out our lives on the Earth. We must be keenly aware of the shortness or our days, and the fragility of life. It is wise to compare our work with the number or days we have been given. Thus making sure we will be able to carry out all that God has for us. Once we understand what God would have us to do, we will live our lives in a much wiser way.

We must go to God. Beg him for instruction and wisdom and for the grace and diligence to carry out our assignment.

This is God’s arithmetic.

Great faith is the product of great fights.

Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests.

Great triumphs come only out of great trials.

Every stumbling block must become a stepping stone,

and every opposition must become an opportunity.

Author unknown

"Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let us return to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

Welcome the quiet that only spending time with the creator can bring. It may seem like a change of pace, but we all need it to replenish our strength. Shut the tv off, and turn away from the computer. All that knowledge is only helpful a little. Then it begins to crowd out our intimacy with the Lord. "Knowledge puffs up, love builds up."

Seek his love, and seek to pass it on. There are so many hurting people out there that just need his love.

Maybe you are to be his love extended to someone else today!

Has there been a major shift or change in your life in the past couple of years? There are two kinds of changes that could happen in a life. A positive change or a negative change. Life is always changing. Life is full of changes. Nothing ever stays the same.

I experienced some major changes in my life several years ago. In my mind, I had always viewed this as a negative change in my life. While I tried to move ahead and forward, there was always the subliminal suggestion that I was a  failure because of this change. It colored everything I did!

Then one Sunday, after receiving prayer from one of our pastors about my future, the Lord spoke to me! It was the next day. I heard the words..."Change = Promotion"! I had always equated the change in my life with failure! I was stunned! Then I heard..."Your promotion was brokenness"! To some, you might say..."Thats not a word for me"! But I got so excited when I heard that! I no longer had to look at my change in a negative light! It was God promoting me. Yes, there is brokeness. But I know that out of brokeness comes the character of Christ, if you let it. We are to not stay in brokeness. But rather let Christ be built on that!

"Your ways are not my ways, neither are my ways your ways, says the Lord."

Be sure of this...if there has been a negative change in your life; you can still rejoice! Change can mean brokeness, which will translate into you being conformed into the image of Jesus! It may require a process, but be assured, God will take care of you. 

If someone has hurt you, be sure to forgive. You will not be able to experience the promotion caused by change, unless you do!

“For you created my inmost being…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139: 13, 16

Within each one of lies a purpose and a destiny; it was there before we were born. It was placed there by our Heavenly Father. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Do you know what plans lie within your spirit? Are they lying dormant within you? Have they been buried by years of hurt, confusion, or mistrust? How can you remove the barriers to reach what is in your spirit?

Let’s look at the different barriers that could be blocking our true purpose.

Hurt and emotional wounding: All of us get hurt by other people from time to time. But I am talking about the kind of hurt that goes especially deep. It could be a hurt caused by a spouse, by parents, or by someone that you really trusted. No matter what you try to do to move forward, this hurt springs up in you’re heart. Some of the signs of an unhealed wound are; anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness.

Are you still angry at the person that hurt you? This is signal that you have not forgiven. In Luke 6:37 it reads; Forgive, and you will be forgiven. I know it is not easy to forgive sometimes. But may I recommend making an effort to forgive just by an act of your will? You don’t have to feel anything, but over time, as you continue to forgive, the feelings will come. Forgiveness does not mean the person is getting off the hook. You are just making it right in your heart toward God.

It has been medically proven that many physical problems have been traced back to emotional backlogs of unforgiveness: symptoms such as headaches, backaches, digestive problems, skin problems and emotional problems can be traced back to unforgiveness. I am not saying that all of these problems are only caused by unforgiveness, but it can have a lot to do with it!

Spiritual Barriers: Let me first of all begin by saying, that if you have not believed God that he sent Jesus to take your sins, punishment and was resurrected to give you forgiveness and eternal life, than this is the first step. How freeing it is to know that God loves you and has provided forgiveness through Jesus Christ! Receive Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins and ask God to forgive you. It will be amazing how your life will change!

Are there still struggles in your life after becoming a Christian? Find a solid bible believing church and surround yourself with brothers and sisters that will love you, pray for you, and stand with you. In James 5:16 it reads, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Be tenacious for the promises of God to be manifested in your life! It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” Contend for the faith, go after the new creation that is for you in Christ! It is yours, lay hold of it by faith!

Mental Barriers: Maybe you were raised in a home where you were criticized and told you would never amount to anything! Maybe you have failed at past attempts to achieve something. Now, you cannot get passed those thoughts that keep telling you “you’re a failure, you’ll never amount to anything, and you can’t do that.” You must fight these lies with all your strength. Don’t give in to them. They are lies. “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Do not agree with the enemy. Agree with what God’s word says about you. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Michael Phelps (the Olympic swimming champion) saw himself as an Olympic winner and that is what he became! Yes, he worked very hard to achieve what he envisioned, but he succeeded.

You can succeed too! Refuse to listen to the lies no more, and believe that you can do it!

Circumstantial Barriers: Many people use the excuse that they cannot succeed because of economic hardships or they weren’t brought up a certain way. Whatever the reason, there is always an excuse why they cannot succeed. Who was it that said, “Where there is a will, there is a way?” I don’t know, but I think it is trueJ

If you want to succeed bad enough, God will make a way.

If it means going back to school; there are many programs and grants that are available to help students pay their way through college now. Seek and look for creative ways of pursuing your dream. Look for “can do “people that can help you along the way.

There is one more thing I would like to say as a Christian. The bible says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. “Isaiah 40:31 when you spend time with the Lord, you don’t have to be praying and saying something all the time; try something new; put some worship music on and just lay there enjoying the Lord. Let him fill you with his presence. Take your time. Don’t be in a rush. You don’t have to be religious to wait on the Lord.

God has a destiny and purpose for your life. Sometimes we have to fight for our inheritance. Sometimes we have to push through the barriers. “Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

"But seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

This verse causes me to ask two (2) questions.

One, how does one seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness first?

Two, what are all these things that will be added?

We must look at the previous verses to find our answers.

"Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than clothing?

Many people spend their time running to and fro from one store to the next, looking and shopping for the latest in clothing fashions and gourmet food. Even if they don't have enough cash, they pull out their credit cards because they have to have it. They have to keep up with the latest fashions. Meanwhile their souls are getting lean. There is nothing to nourish them spiritually.

Even today, in this economy, many Christians are trying to frantically figuring out ways of getting what they want. If only they would remember this promise; All these things shall be added as we seek his Kingdom first.

But how do we seek his Kingdom and righteousness first? 

 What is righteousness?

Righteousness is integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting and doing what is always right!

 If we knew  some practical ways of doing this, I am sure many would seek his kingdom first.

Many have the notion this means to get up early, pray and read the bible for an hour. Surely this is seeking his kingdom first! While it is important to spend time with the Lord, it is not the only way to seek his kingdom.

Lets consider more ways of seeking his kingdom throughout the day.

Are there decisions you could make during the day in your thought life that would put the kingdom first? Yes, I would say many, many times a day we have this choice. The choices come so fast during the day , that we might not even realize we have a choice in responding either to situations or making decisions. What if, everytime we had a choice to put the kingdom of God first in our thoughts and reactions, how would this be different?

What would this look like? Perhaps it would mean a kind word, a kind reaction in traffic when someone cuts you off ,would be rather praying for that person, instead of thinking unkind thoughts.

Or, maybe a neighbor asks you do to do them a favor of some kind. Instead of a first reaction of complaining, it would be a willingness rather to go the extra mile.

Or consider, if you are out in the marketplace. What if you came across someone that was struggling mentally,  emotionally, or circumstancially? Is there a way that you could bring the Kingdom of God to that person? Do not underestimate a kind word or smile. Maybe you could even go further and ask if you could pray for that person.

Be proactive in your life of seeking the Kingdom of God and his righteousness first!

I am sure there are hundreds of examples you can think of to do this.

I have just given a few!

"The kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14: 17

If we could seek to bring about  righteousness ( doing the right thing), peace and joy in everyday life, we will indeed be bringing the Kingdom of God wherever we go and making a difference in the world.

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the unbelievers who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already know all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." Matthew 6 : 28 - 33

Pathway to Destiny

June 09

In Malachi 3:16 it reads:

"Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name."

This powerful message in scripture tells us that the Lord listens and hears when we talk to each other, especially when we walk in the fear of the Lord! I would encourage you to talk to each other... By that I mean share with each other, tell your stories about your lives to each other; (everyone has a story)! Be transparent with one another. Its through this nurturing of relationships with one another that we build trust and love! And God hears! Isn't that amazing that the God of the universe listens and hears our conversations?

March is Women’s History Month: a time for celebrating women’s heritage and inspiring stories. Women have always had a role in keeping the history of their families and communities alive, through storytelling, handing down recipes, and keeping family treasures safe.

 Do you have any timeless heirlooms, comforting recipes and traditions that enrich your lives and homes today? Feel free to share them at the comment box. 

Now is the time to get your family bibles out and update your families history and information. Have there been new babies that have been born? Have there been any deaths? All this history is so important to document.

How about updating your photo albums? Have you ever sat down with your children and actually shared the history and story of your family? Or maybe just take a day of the week and organize your photos?

I know these types of things can take a back seat to our busy lives. But they are important. Don't put it off. Do it this month!

Embrace the past,

      Its time to be creative in our living and working. God has a plan, lets find out what it is and walk in that!

 Have the mindset that you are a steward not a consumer.

Consumers focus on satisfying themselves and taking. Their focus is on their pleasures, appetites, desires, and rights.

Rather stewards are asking the question, how does the master wish for me to use his resources?

Every human being has three basic resources to steward, they are time, talent, and treasure (i.e., money).

The apostle Paul pointed out that all of these resources have been given to us by our Creator ; hence, they are His resources.

We are  simply stewards of these resources and as stewards we do not have the right to use them as we wish.

Rather it is incumbent on us, as created beings, to use our time, talent, and treasure in accordance our Heavenly Father's wishes. Good stewards continually seek the will of the Master on every decision.

 Find your divinely ordained workplace assignment.

 Think in terms of finding your workplace assignment, rather than a job.

That is, the work that God has specifically prepared you to do . God has created you for a purpose.

Ask God to reveal His vision for your life. Be willing to do whatever He leads you to do even if it means a reduction in your standard of living.

Don’t panic. The current recession is a reality check from God. He is sovereignly working through the circumstances to accomplish His purpose. Our responsibility is to seek Him and trust Him. He will guide and direct us. He will care for us. These times may not be easy but they can be good times of growth, if we respond correctly.

May the Lord help us all to do that!