God's Purpose - No Limits!

If you think you're not worthy, you're right...none of us are.  That's totally the point of why God sent Jesus Christ to us...to bridge that gap between us and God that WE have created.  God uses the meek, the flawed and the broken to do all sorts of beautiful things.  Things that those people never thought they could possibly accomplish.  In fact, without God they wouldn't have accomplished them at all. 

You know, it doesn't matter where you've been, the thing that truly matters is where you're going.  What is your direction today?  If you need to make a change - then make it!  Don't think that in order for you to make a change you must first wait for the perfect time.  God's timing is the ONLY timing that's perfect...and if the change you need to make is a positive, God driven change then wait no longer.  If you feel He's speaking to your heart right now, then don't delay and have no fears, because when the change is from Him, you know it's going to be AWESOME!!!! Hugs & Love friends. 

The Artist

The artist approaches his blank canvas with complete freedom.  He has full control and creative liberties to make something precisely the way he envisions it.  He has no guidelines or rules to follow and from nothing he begins to create.  Onlookers would be hard pressed to draw conclusions as to the direction he plans to take.  But the artist is God and he knows.  You...you are his creation.  Isn't it wonderful to know that the perfect artist made you exactly how he planned you to be.  You are God’s masterpiece, crafted by his hands with love and perfection.  Where the world sees flaws, God sees beauty and draws us closer to embrace what his love has created.  Where the world sees chance, God sees purpose and has put us here at this very moment for a purpose.  You see, the world sees people with short-term vision, but God sees us with eternity in mind.  You are an intricate work of art made for greatness…let no one tell you other wise.  Hugs and love friends.

Ephesians 2:10  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.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 1:11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

The Fence

Just wanted to stop in and say HI and share with you Jim's past devotional.  I thought it was a cool new way to talk to you about perspective...I hope you like it:

While I was on my break the other day, I was walking outside along a fence.  I noticed quickly all of the debris and trash on the ground.  I kept walking and all I could see was broken, rusting metal and scattered trash.  It was dusk, and the sun was just about down.  In that moment when everything around me looked so bad, I happened to look up to see the sun and its rays cutting down through the clouds appearing as pillars of hope.  The sky was full of color and pureness…it was picturesque.  In that instant I had to choose what I was going to focus on, the garbage or the light.  In life you will have many fences and will need to choose.  You can focus your mind on the bad stuff or you can focus yourself on hope and keep your sights set on the beauty and goodness in your life.  I chose to look up and to look to the Son.     

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

You're amazing!

You are an amazing person with amazing abilities! “Wow”, you may be thinking, “I am not amazing in the least. What kind of abilities do I have that  makes me so great?” God’s view of you is the only one that matters, and from where he’s sitting, you are a masterpiece. He knows, much better than you do,  just what you are capable of. You’re amazing because you were made by an amazing God. He blessed you with abilities that are specifically designed for you and you alone! God never messes up when it comes to the things that he creates. Friends, he definitely made you with a purpose in mind; a purpose that is something that only you can do with your God given abilities. You may feel like you don’t matter, but to God you’re the most important person in the world. Ask God to show you what you are capable of, and how you can make a difference in this world for his kingdom.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sons of Thunder!

“Sons of Thunder” was the name given to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, by Jesus. He gave them this name because of their boldness and borderline rash nature. Their zeal was sometimes misplaced, but their commitment to Christ was obvious. I don’t know about you, but I would love to hear Christ say that about me. To be someone that is bold, quick to share, and have a zeal that is undeniably for Christ, is something that we all should strive to become. To be a believer that doesn’t settle for a lukewarm life is something that would make God proud. Sometimes we may mess up while living a life that is on fire for Christ. Perhaps we will be so proactive that we will forget to seek Gods will and direction. However, I believe that God would be pleased with us despite those mistakes, knowing we learn from our errors and knowing that our desires are to live out loud for and through him. I know he seeks for us boldness, not a life of blandness.

Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”).

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Acts 28:31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Romans 12:11  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Get back behind the line!

WE have to protect our eyes and ears and be careful with our words. Actually that is something that I've taught my children...the Devil knows how to trick us. He draws a line that's just a little out of your comfort zone and if you're not aware and ready to be strong, you may fall or plain ol' cave. Then he draws another line and that deed or thought doesn't seem so bad because you've already lowered your standards from the first incident. Before you know it, the Devil has you so far away from the expectations and morals you once started with...and you find yourself so gone that you don't recognize yourself.

Ultimately, when we allow this to happen, he has tricked us from the life God has planned for us. In a short amount of time, but slow enough we can't recognize it's happening, we can find that we've stepped so far away from our starting point where we have God centered that we can see and feel the distance between us. Because it's so slow and sneaky, we didn't even realize it was taking place. We have to guard our hearts, even if the world says something is OK we must stand firm. Yes, stand firm even when it seems to be just the smallest of things...things that are just out of character for us or just south of our morals. Keep watch, for he lurks!!!

Labeled

A label is a badge that is placed on us usually at a young age. The labels  that hold us back are ones that are negative or something that was said that  limits our confidence in a certain area. Most of us let this label stick with  us our whole lives. Negative labels stop us from living out the life God had planned for us to live. Let’s say, for demonstration sake, that you’re a can of  unopened food with no label. Would you let someone else label you? Of course  not! People will make guesses, but only you and God knows what’s inside of you  and what you’re capable of. The time is now to tear off these man given labels  that are keeping us from living a life of victory. It’s time to put on the label that God himself wants for us. A label of confidence and joy, while living in his will.

Ecclesiastes 7:21Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant
cursing you--

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary,
they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every
pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Peter 1:10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling
and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,

Bad Influence

Sometimes it only takes one person with a negative attitude, bad intentions or a complacent mind set, to influence a group or a team for the worse. A person that is always trying to get the team to take short cuts or to underachieve can steer a group down the path to failure. However, someone that is always uplifting the team or encouraging them to strive to do their best and continue their awesome work ethic can lead the group to positive outcomes and build the team’s confidence. We are Christ ambassadors! It’s important to strive to be a positive influence to those around us, both at home and at work.

Be determined to not allow peer pressure and bad influences distract us from continuing to have a great work ethic. We take pride in our efforts, our team and we need to continue to encourage one another to do the same. You see, we have a “Biblical World view”, we simply think and act differently and doing this comes natural but can be hampered by bad influences. Yes, you may be looked at funny sometimes or get an occasional remark. But that’s ok, because being a positive influence is good for our self esteem, it builds teams up instead of tearing them down, and because we did the right thing in God’s eyes. So don’t worry what others may say or think about our positive words, actions or work ethics. The only opinion of us that matters…is His.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers
harm.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.