CREATED DIVERSITY

This is a devotional from Anchor Your Life, written by Marji Kruger. I found it resonated with what I feel today. Yeah.. if He created us differently each other, we have to know what's our uniqueness and personal purposes He put in each of us in order to be fulfilled.

Oh, please read it yourself..

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (NIV) Isaiah 64:8

Sitting on a balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with my laptop in hand I am in awe! What a great setting! It always amazes me to look out on creation and see the diversity that God created. I watch the pelicans and seagulls flying around, occasionally dipping down into the water for breakfast...the fish jumping, the water is ever moving...the diversity of the trees and plant life... palm trees of different heights and shapes, bending at all different angles...saw grass, oak trees, pine trees...even trees in the middle of the bay behind me, seemingly growing without land.

God created diversity...different lines, heights, and shapes. In contrast, man has made things symmetrical, straight, and repetitive...the pilings supporting the dock are all the same heights at the same angles, spaced at the same distance...the docks are all at right angles... picnic tables, garbage cans, chairs, light posts all uniform. God created diversity, man uniformity.

That teaches me that God works differently each time He does something. His purposes and character do not change, but He is not confined to always work in the same way. And God does not create people the same. Each person is unique, different in looks, styles, personalities and purposes.

Why did God create you? What unique talents has He given you? What is His unique purpose for you? And what are the unique ways that He is and will work in you? Not sure, try asking Him!

Written by Marji "Mike" Kruger.

Has The Bible Transformed Your Life?

This is a great insight from Zondervan. I got laugh when I read this..

Has the Bible transformed your life? I heard about a converted cannibal on an island in the South Seas who was sitting by a large pot reading his Bible when an anthropologist wearing a pith helmet approached him and asked, "What are you doing?"

The native replied, "I'm reading the Bible." The anthropologist scoffed and said, "Don't you know that modern, civilized man has rejected that book? It's nothing but a pack of lies. You shouldn't waste your time reading it." The cannibal looked him over from head to toe and slowly replied, "Sir, if it weren't for this book, you'd be in that pot!"

The Word of God had changed his life — and his appetite. If you are serious about changing your life, you are going to have to get into the Bible. You need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it.

Desert Training

Once more, thank God for speaking to me through this devotional.
This devo has a really deep, deep meaning to me..

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Ps. 63:1).

The desert holds a special place in God's Word. The Scriptures portray the desert as a place of inspiration and exaltation - a place where people met God in a powerful new way. King David wrote the 63rd Psalm while in exile in the Desert of Judah. He was hiding from his son Absalom, who wanted to replace him as king of Israel.

For Joseph, a deep pit in the desert was the first stop on a 13-year journey through desolation and despair. That 13-year desert experience served to break Joseph's self-will and self-confidence. It taught him that he could not control anything and that he needed to rely on God to manage the events in his life. Joseph's desert trial prepared him by scorching the youthful pride and arrogance out of his young life so that when he was 30 years old he could rule Egypt at Pharaoh's side in a spirit of humility and servant-hood.

Before becoming king of Israel, David was a shepherd. Part of his training for leadership involved hand-to-claw combat with the beasts of the wilderness, including the lion and the bear. Elijah learned the principles of spiritual leadership while in the wilderness of Gilead. And Jesus was tempted and tested for 40 days in the desert before He began to preach.

Perhaps God has given you a dream, but now it seems that your dream has withered and died under the scorching desert sun. It seems that God has gone away and is not listening to your prayers. But I want you to know that that your dream still lives. God is with you, even if you can't see Him, hear Him or sense His presence. He is preparing you in the desert.


*Devotional from Prime Time with God


Yeah.. feel like I've been being in the desert 'till now. But I realize that probably He's preparing me to do something purposeful in my life, which is greater than my dreams or even greater than my life.

So, be it unto me, Lord.
Let Thy will be done in me..

Knowing The Risk & Reward

If you're an entrepreneur or the one who are in your journey toward your goal, there's a great insight from Prime Time with God I wanna share with you here.

We often feel confused whether we have to go ahead, take a break or even back off from the 'game' we're playing in life. But this insight -hopefully- gives you a good perspective to think about before you decide anything..

Enjoy!

"David asked the men standing near him, 'What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?'" (1 Sam 17:26).

Every entrepreneur must determine the risk and reward before entering a venture. This is not the only consideration. We must determine if God is leading us after we consider all factors. We also must consider if the timing is right to proceed.

David was a young shepherd when he was bringing food to his older brothers in the army. He had already killed a lion and a bear during his days as a shepherd. David understood the risk/reward principle. When he heard about Goliath and that no one was willing to fight him he was angry. However, he didn't just respond out of pure emotion. He asked a very important question. "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?" He got the answer he was hoping for: "The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel." (1 Sam 17:25).

Do you see the reward? He gets financial wealth, a wife, and no longer has to pay taxes! What more motivation does a young Jewish boy need? Does this take away from the spiritual significance of the story? Absolutely not.

The religious spirit always tries to make the business side of faith evil. Money and profit is not evil. It is the love of money and the pride of life that gets man into trouble. David understood the proper balance of these co-existing to accomplish God's purposes. To avoid getting into trouble simply ask this question of yourself: "What is the true motive of my heart?" If it does not have the spiritual element balanced with the business element, you may be in trouble. Ask God four questions before you proceed in any venture:

1) Is the Holy Spirit leading me?

2) Is this the time to be involved?

3) Is the risk and reward worth it?

4) Do I have what is necessary to be successful in the venture with God's help?

After you've asked these questions, go about your task with all your heart..

The Work of God

God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them because of their devotion to Him. A look at the 12 men Jesus chooses to be His disciples does not reveal a "Who's Who" in Judea. Rather, the men seem to be unknown and undistinguished.

The work of God does not depend on talent or intelligence. Different people have different strengths, but God uses all of us to accomplish His purposes. The body of Christ is made up of many parts -- some highly visible, some hidden, all useful. God makes the most of the talents and spiritual gifts He has given each of us.

This is an insight from crosswalk.com.

I absolutely agree. Sometime we think that we can't do any useful or meaningful works for The Kingdom of God. In fact, the work of God doesn't depend on our talents or intelligences. Each of us has special purpose, tasks and destiny to fulfill. We are different, but we do have one purpose in God : glorifying His Name through our lives.

I learn not to worry about who I am anymore. Yes, am still discovering myself. Am still finding who I am in Him. I also still need to know about many important things in my journey, but I learn to surrender my life to Him. Have been soo tired to count on myself and lean on my own understanding. I still haven't seen my future clearly yet, but it makes me keep hoping. And my hope in Christ won't be disappointing. All I need is just patience. Waiting for His perfect time to reveal all the best He has in store for me.

I always thought that talents, intelligence, and ability matter. I have so many regrets and disappointment buried in my heart. I tended to blame, complain, and critique anything happened to me. I'd never seen it as a God's process in my life. (Oh, how embarrassing has my life been! :)). So I thank The Lord that He has been patient and kind to me. He sent me a puppy. He surrounds me with lovely things I can enjoy. He blesses me with talents and abilities I supposed to use for His glory. He fulfills me with precious info, news, knowledge and promises He knows will be needed for my days ahead of me.

I thank God for being my Lord. In my days ahead of me, I'll do my best and let Him do the rest. I know I am basically just ordinary, but I know that He, Who abides in me is Extraordinary and Almighty, so I can cast all my cares upon Him, and He'll reveal His purpose and intention in creating me as His masterpiece..

Equality with God?

This is a devotional from Anchor Your Life, which had greatly blessed me this evening..

"You shall have no other gods before me." (NIV) Exodus 20:3

The first commandment is pretty easy to understand. There can only be one God, one true God the all knowing, all powerful, all present, creator of the earth. Doesn't it seem ridiculous when we think we can actually be God? If the truth be told, many of us spend the better part of our lives trying to be God instead of just letting God be God. We manipulate, we question, we judge and we try to control people and events in an effort to make things happen our way...or at least making things happen the way we think it should.

When have you tried to manipulate a situation so that the outcome is what you desire? How do you try to control people or events so that the life goes the way you want it to go? How are you attempting to be the god of your life?

Say the first commandment as a prayer and let God be God.

Don't Be Asleep

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." (NIV) Mark 14:33-34

Christ asked Peter, James and John to stay and watch and pray, while he faced the full impact of His coming crucifixion. Christ, who was without sin, was about to take on the sin of the world. In His mental anguish, He looked to His Father, God for strength. And He entreated His friends three times to watch and pray. . . and three times they failed and fell asleep.

What would you do if your friend spoke these words to you? Would you run to their side? Would you stay awake, keep watch and pray for them? Would you be desperate to help comfort them, ease their sorrow, carry their burden? Of course you would; you would never be caught sleeping, or would you?

Every day, people cry out to us for help. Their souls are overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. The problem is, they rarely call out verbally, as directly, as Christ did, and they rarely give us three chances to help. More often than not, you have to look closely, check for subtle symptoms of a broken heart. They may look tired and complain of a poor sleep habits. They may be "too busy" to spend time with you. They may turn to false comforts like drugs, alcohol or even sex. Sometimes, they may cover their sadness with false bravado. Often, they lash out in anger pushing you away when all they want to do is cry out like Christ did.

Ask God to show you who is crying out to you for help today. Have Him show you the signs of those who are in anguish. Reach out to them, pray for them, be there for them. Don't be asleep!

This is such an inspiring devotional I received from Anchor Your life this morning.

But, the question is, what if we apparently are the ones who feel the sorrow like what Jesus felt? What we're gonna do?

In The Beginning

This is such a great insight to start over a new year..

In the beginning God created. . . (NIV) Genesis 1:1

The story of creation gives perspective to the biblical story as a whole. And although Genesis 1 and 2 may appear to be different accounts of creation, they actually stand in a complementary relationship to one another as they reveal the supernatural and the personal natures of God.

Two different Hebrew names are used for God in the first 2 chapters of the Bible. . . "Elohim" in Genesis 1, which conveys the idea of power and transcendence. . . and "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" is used beginning in Genesis 2:4, which conveys the idea of mercy and compassion, implying His immanence and His personal concern for man. Therefore, when the 2 stories are viewed together, we see God who is transcendent over His creation (Genesis 1) . . . and God who is personally involved (immanent) in it (Genesis 2).

When was the last time that you saw God's power demonstrated in your life?
When you think about God does it bring a sense of awe of who He is? a deep reverence?
How do you see God as an active presence in your life? How often during the day do you think about Him? converse with Him?

The same God who had enough power to create and give life, has the power to change any circumstance, any impossible situation and any person! And the same God who was personally concerned with Adam and Eve, is actively concerned and involved in your life. He knows your past, your present and your future. He knows what you need right now. He knows your thoughts. . . and He still loves you with an everlasting love!

A devotional from Anchor Your Life

About Forgiveness

Have you ever feel hatred? Or anger? Someone made a mistake or touched you right on your most sensitive or painful area within your soul, so that you can't release forgiveness? And to make it worse, the mistake was repeated over and over and over again, right exactly the same way. You had tried indeed to forgive that people, but oh, it seemed not enough to happen for once or twice, but you did have to be hurt for trillion zillion times in your life.

What would you do then?

A big desire to punish? To revenge? To display your wrath? So do I. At least, it was the first idea that popped out of my mind. Oh, I always thought that I needed to do all the worst things a man can do over anyone who had hurt me, but oh please, -thank God- He has always succeeded to stop me and paused me for a while to think profoundly before doing a thing.

To be frank, it's uneasy for a bad temper like me to calm down and shut down myself, but I then realized that God has never given up with me. So I have to do the same. (It's very true that so very easy for me to give up in my relationship with other people. If one made mistake, I immediately withdrew myself and took a distance, I didn't want to talk with or even look at that people's face. Oh, so horrible, wasn't I?).

I received a devotional from Max Lucado that said to leave my enemies in God's hands. Like I wrote above, is it easy? No, it's very, very hard. But probably, it's worth it to try. (Actually, if it depends on me, I'll talk to God like Max said 'oh, God, Your punishment seems too little or too slowly, so I'll take this matter into my hands'!).

I have to realize that I'm still in this process. We are all in His process. We're not finished yet. Like my friend said, if you can't forgive someone because of a small thing, so your value was just as small as that thing.

Ough..

Here's what Max wrote that also kicked me..

Your enemies still figure into God’s plan. Their pulse is proof: God hasn’t given up on them. They may be out of God’s will, but not out of his reach. You honor God when you see them, not as his failures, but as his projects.

Even though I'm not sure whether I can consider my enemy as God's projects or not, I think it's worth it to make a try. Oh yes, I will.

(Please pray for me for this. I need your prayer. I mean it!).

How about you? :)

Perseverance for Success

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Rom. 5:2-4).

Perseverance is the key to every great accomplishment because nothing of lasting value has ever been achieved without it. Industrialist Henry Ford is one of the great success stories of American history, but he failed in business five times before he succeeded. A Ford Motor Company employee once asked his boss the secret of success, and Henry Ford replied, "When you start a thing, don't quit until you finish it."

The path ahead of you is strewn with obstacles. People will oppose you. There will be financial setbacks, time pressures, illnesses and misfortunes. Some of the biggest obstacles will be inside of you: self-doubt, insecurity, procrastination, and worry. You must give yourself permission to succeed.

When we persevere through adversity, we win the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ, who told the suffering church at Ephesus, "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. . . . You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary" (Rev. 2:2-3). That, I'm sure, is the same commendation Joseph received from God when he passed the perseverance test.

Perseverance is a refusal to quit. It's falling down 100 times and getting back up 101 times. We need to remember that perseverance is not a matter of forcing doors to open; it's standing in front of the doors as long as it takes before God chooses to open them.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The race doesn't go to the swiftest, but to those who don't give up. We need endurance in order to deal with the stress of adversity. We must maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. People give up or give out when they feel depleted?when they physically, emotionally and spiritually run out of gas.

When going through adversity, watch out for pessimists, blamers and toxic personalities. Beware of people who try to talk you out of your dreams and goals. Spend time with optimists and encouragers. Seek out people of faith.

Persevere to the end.

Source: Prime Time with God

This is a devotional that has empowered me to step up to a higher level in my spiritual condition. Oh, thank God for this message..

Build on The Rock

This is a devotional from Zondervan.
Isn't it reminding you of something?

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for those who come to me and hear my words and put them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But those who hear my words and do not put them into practice are like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete" (Luke 6:46–49).

His Very Best

Here's another devotional from Zondervan I supposed to post here, because it's very true and resonated with me ..

It seems the entire world is searching for happiness, love, and fulfillment. Yet so many of us search for these things everywhere except where they truly can be found — in God alone. Even as believers in Him, we as Christians often have a warped view of God, seeing Him as somewhat stingy, carefully doling out His blessings — a little here and a little there. Yet the apostle Paul wrote, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

In essence, Paul is asking us this question, "Isn't it absurd to think that if God gave us the very life of His Son, that there is anything He would willingly withhold from us? After all, He has already given us the very best!"

Hey, can I hear you say Amen loudly? -smile-

Stoplight Faith

Please... don't blame me if what I do is just copying this devotional. Yeah, although I may worth it, but I'm not fully guilty. I love this devotional which has brought me a big enlightenment so I supposed I have to post it on this blog.

Let's read it together and meditate it as well. This article widened my horizon also about what risk is. I've just caught the idea that sometime I have to see the way God sees life instead of keeping the wrong perspective of mine. With Him, anything risky can be a giant faith leap, and valley can be a place of springs. We have no idea about what He is providing for us, but we keep complaining and murmuring and sighing in living this life, eventhough we know that He is with us!!

Thank God He is sooo patient and full of mercy and grace..

"And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith" (Matt 13:58).

You can learn a lot about people in traffic. For instance, I observe a lot when I see 20 cars in one line and only 3 cars in another. The reason for the longer line is these people want to make sure they get to make their turn after the light. I, on the other hand, want to get through the light first, then I will worry about making the next turn. This is a difference in risk taking tolerance, or perhaps faith; or even some might argue with me that I'm operating out of presumption versus real faith.

No matter which person you might be in this situation, it is sure that faith is often spelled R.I.S.K. When the priests carried the ark into the Jordan River at flood stage there was a risk they could lose the ark to the Jordan River. However, that is not what happened. "And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap" (Josh 3:13). God changed the entire environment and made it possible to walk across without the pressure of wading through the powerful water only when they took the first step.

Risk means there is a potential for loss. However, when God leads us to take a risk, then He is there whether we succeed or fail. He is there in the success and He is there in the failure. If He leads you to take a risk it may not always succeed in the way you think. In fact, it could even fail.

The only true failure is when we fail to take the risk when God is leading us to do so. Sometimes the fear of failure is the greater obstacle than the risk itself.

Has God called you to step out in an area that requires risk? This could be the place He wants you to move. Ask Jesus to give you the courage to step out.

A devotional from Prime Time with God

Walking Through The Valley of Baca

Well, again.. I read a devotional I used to receive from Prime Time with God and felt as if God Himself was speaking directly to me through it.

Ough.

I tend to think about any bad things when it comes to adversity. I then started to compare my life with anybody else whom I basically don't know how they life goes actually, consider myself as the unlucky one, right while God is preparing something good and wonderful and beautiful amazing blessing for me. Oh my..

If you are like me, feel like entering a place called valley, desert or sort of it, please read this devotional with me. Hope you'll get courage and peace also to walk through the darkness.

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion" (Ps 84:5-7).

There is a spiritual law in the Kingdom of God. Every great leader in the Kingdom will pass through the Valley of Baca. Baca means to weep. It comes from the Hebrew word,bakah (baw-kaw'); a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.

However, Baca is also a place of springs. There is nothing better on a hot day when you're thirsty and weary than to drink water from a mountain spring. It refreshes. It renews. It gives you a second wind to continue your journey. Those who commit themselves to a pilgrimage with God will experience the Valley of Baca. But in the midst of Baca they will discover that in this valley they will also drink from a very special spring that refreshes with a different kind of living water.

It becomes the source of "secret things in hidden places" described by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 45:3) reserved only for those willing to journey on the Great Pilgrimage with God. Once you drink from this spring you will be energized in your spiritual man from strength to strength. Each Valley of Baca will result in a new spiritual spring from which you will drink. It is handmade just for you by God. But know this?it will be used to provide a refreshing drink for others you will encounter who are also on their pilgrimage.

Ultimately, Baca leads to the presence of God. There is something about being in a place with God that results in our weeping and crying out to Him. Do you find yourself in this place with God today? If so, know that His springs are also available to you. Ask him today to give you a drink from His spring only available in the Valley of Baca.

Deliverance From The Black Hole

To be honest, these few last months I've been feeling like being in a black hole, a place seems that I can do nothing about my circumstance, with any kind of problems that got me think that there's no way out. Oh, almost feel such as living in the hell!!!

But, after discovering more about my journey, and deepen my relationship with God, I've changed my world. I kept learning about many things I haven't known yet about the special purpose of my life. Glory and praise be unto God, He leads me to a new perspective. I'm sure now that I won't just be survived, but I want my life to give big contributions to other's lives. Probably my black hole experience does intend to influence and change any other people in my life. Have no idea yet about what this journey is, but I know that God has a special purpose He wants to accomplish in me, so I give Him the whole space of my life in order to be blessing and glory for His Name.

When I was checking my email, suddenly a devotional I used to received from Prime Time with God caught my attention. Oh, this insight was so inspiring, encouraging and strengthening my faith to be built in Christ. I know that He doesn't do anything randomly, but He does anything anyway to make a great accomplishment in those whoever willingly want to be vessels He can use...

Here's the insight...

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5b).

A black hole is a place of total nothingness. It's a time in our life when God removes the resources and supports that we normally rely on to feel secure - our careers, finances, friends, family, health and so forth. It is a preparation time.

When you find yourself in a black hole experience, don't just sit and brood. Take stock of your life. Take a look at your relationship with God.

First, ask God if there are any sins, habits, or attitudes that He might be judging in your life. It's important to discern whether the trial we face is the result of God's discipline for our sin?or if it is preparing us for a future leadership role.

Second, when you enter a black hole, don't trust your feelings. Trust God. Your feelings will tell you, "God has rejected you. Abandon hope. He has left you utterly alone." Feelings change; God never changes. Feelings come and go; God is always with us.

Third, remember that your black hole experience is not only intended to refine and define you; it's also intended to influence and change the lives of hundreds or even thousands of other people. Our adversity is not just for us, but others in our sphere of influence.

Fourth, don't try to hurry the black hole process along. Remember, when Joseph was in the depths of the pit, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't climb out, jump out, levitate out, or talk his way out. All he could do was pray and wait upon the Lord.

Fifth, lean on God. Even when you don't feel like praying, pray. Even when you don't feel like reading His Word, read. Even when you don't feel like singing songs of faith, sing. When you pray, don't just talk; listen. Be silent before Him and listen for His still, quiet voice.

Sixth, be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During a black hole experience, God often leads us to amazing new discoveries. A black hole can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.

From Pain To Destiny

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-5).

God often allows pain to ignite destiny in our lives. Without motivation, many of us would never fulfill the purposes for which God created us. Oftentimes a measured assault invades our life and creates a depth of pain that all we know to do is press into God with all our being.

At first, our motivation is to alleviate the pain. After a season of extreme emotional and sometimes physical pain, a second phase begins. This phase moves us to discover a new and deeper relationship with God. We begin to discover things about ourselves and about God that we never would have discovered without this motivation. Gradually, our heart changes our motivation from pain to loving obedience because there is a transition of the heart that takes place. No longer do we seek God for deliverance from the pain; we seek God because He is God. We seek His face and not His hand.

When we move to the second phase we often find ourselves moving into a new destiny and calling for our lives because God often separates us from the old life in this process. No doubt Joseph and Peter felt the pain of their individual crises. However, later they could realize God's purposes in their crisis. Like Joseph, we are able to say, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."

Today, let God move you from the place of pain to the place of destiny. Let God show you the secret things He has reserved for you as a result of the crisis you may find yourself in.

Source: Prime Time with God

Your Mission Is Not About You

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." But salt does not exist for itself. When is the last time you went to someone's home for a meal and said, "Man, this is great salt. Honey, how come we don't have salt like this at home? We gotta switch brands."

Salt's calling is to lose itself in something much bigger and more glorious; and then it fulfills its destiny. We were made to count. We were made to be salt. But the quest for significance is a delicate dance. If I do it by myself for myself, it's death. If I do it with God for others, it's life.

A devotional from Zondervan.

Your Mission Starts Where You Are

Sometimes we're tempted to think that our current position / job / situation is a barrier to our mission, but, in fact, it is where it starts. Paul said, "Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him." This doesn't mean that we should never change jobs or move, of course. It does mean that if my mission cannot start here, where I am, it cannot start at all.

This is a devotional I've just received from Zondervan. It has encouraged me so much. In some ways I often feel like what was written above. I hope that something better should happen before I can 'do my part' in life. But now I know that nothing good will happen. The good will only come if I have willingness to change my paradigm and keep strong to go that way.
Yeah, I agree with this quote: If my mission cannot start here, where I am, it cannot start at all.

How about you?

Little by Little

This is such a special devotion for all of procrastinating people in the world, including me!

Are you like to procrastinate too? If you say yes, read this devotional may help ..

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (Prov 14:23).
Is there something you would like to accomplish in life but simply cannot find the hours in the day to get started? Many of us suffer from procrastination. We justify putting our dreams aside because we don't believe we have the time or resources to accomplish the task.

Many times people tell me they believe they are called to write a book. I tell them, "Great, if God has called you to write a book, begin to write it." Sometimes the response is: "But I don't have a publisher." "That has nothing to do with it," I say. "That is not your problem. If God calls you to write a book, you are to begin to write. You may not be writing to get published. You may be writing for other purposes."

"The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little" (Deut 7:22). If God has given you a vision to do something, begin by taking baby steps toward that project. Begin to focus on the vision and take action steps toward it. Many times people ask me, "How in the world do you have time to write? You travel so much and seem to have such a full schedule." My answer to them is that I have a specific time of day in which I commit to writing. It is usually between 5 AM and 8 AM. I have found this to be my most creative and productive time. Very little can get in the way of this time if I believe God has given me a project to do.

You will be amazed at what God can do with a little each day. Do not let procrastination prevent you from accomplishing what God may want to do through your life. Make plans today to take baby steps toward the vision that is in your heart.

From : Prime Time with God

We Are Built for Meaning

We don't want to be benchwarmers. We don't want a life on the sidelines. I don't mind losing, and I don't have to be the star, but I want to be in the game. This desire is a wonderful thing. Our hunger for significance is an indicator of who we are and why we were created. Deeper than our need for food or air or water is our need for meaning, our need to know our lives count for something. That need can get distorted by our egos. It can get sidetracked into narcissism or egotism. But we are built for meaning the way Porsches are built for speed.

resource: Zondervan