A Date With Destiny

The Spiritual Bond Between Humans and Animals

Happy Birthday 1/28

  Genesis 1:28  
God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.”

You care deeply about animals, and you understand their fundamental value to the ecosystem of this planet.

You sometimes prefer the company of animals to humans because you appreciate their non-judgmental acceptance.

You realize that the human connection to animals is a deeply spiritual bond.

Medical breakthroughs and scientific discoveries are dependent upon the animal kingdom to guide the way.

Animals play a vital role in the development of life-saving medical procedures.

Throughout the centuries, animals, both domestic and wild, have been the inspiration for  countless human inventions and technological advancements. By studying and mimicking the unique traits of other species, humanity was able to survive.

You are intrigued by the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. You hold a deep sense of honor and respect for conservationists. You admire people who preserve the natural habitats of untamed creatures who reside on this planet.

You live in harmony with creation and the Creator, because you hold deep reverence for the wild world.

A Date With Destiny

Sharing Divine Light: A Guide to Spiritual Influence


Genesis 1:27

So God created human beings in His image.

The relationship you enjoy with God as your Father creates an aura of warmth and light in the atmosphere surrounding you.

This glow of God’s reflection in you, illuminates spaces which were once dark and gloomy. People are drawn to your light and seek to experience it for themselves.

The wonderful thing about the radiance of this light, is that it can be shared freely without losing its intensity. The glow of God’s likeness radiating from you is like sunshine.  There is no limit to the number of recipients who can receive the warmth and comfort it brings.

 And as the sunshine persuades spring flowers to emerge, you too carry the ability to encourage the colorful expressions of God’s creative design to blossom in the lives of those you influence.

You carry a big responsibility, for without the image of The Father shining through you, some of His wandering children who are searching for the light might never find their way home.

Tetelestai Recovery

This is a Test. This is Only a Test.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.   James 1:2-4   

As it turns out, these times when we feel spiritually depleted or disinterested are not red flags for us to fret over. They are simply tests. These temporary times when we lack inspiration or get caught up in life’s drama have no bearing on our position in Christ or our commitment to His work.

We have come to understand that the testing of our faith can never happen during good times when inspiration flows freely, we are highly motivated, and praise songs play on a loop in our heads. Times of high spiritual energy and passion are thrilling, but they can’t do the work of generating patience. Only the testing of our faith can do that.

What is the Testing of Our Faith?

  • When our feelings betray us and tell us we don’t love God like we should.
  • When our behavior slips into an old pattern and makes us believe we have not changed.
  • When the excitement and enthusiasm we once had for God seems dull and muted.
  • When we just don’t care about trying so hard, because it’s too much work.

Previously, these difficult times had been dark and made us doubt our relationship with God. We were frustrated to find Him so distant when we needed Him the most.

However, when we begin to view these events as a process which increases our patience and equips us for the next level, we start to see their value. We no longer need to feel frustrated when God goes silent. A good teacher is always silent during a test.

Tetelestai Recovery

Navigating Spiritual Highs and Lows

Sometimes we make really good progress and are pleased with the distance we cover in such a short time. We feel that our relationship with God is in great shape, and we are motivated by our sense of accomplishment.

At other times, however, we feel as if we were trudging through mud, putting one foot in front of the other, lacking any drive or inspiration. We feel inadequate, overwhelmed, and disinterested. During these times, we don’t feel so great about our relationship with God. We assume He is disappointed with our lack of energy and enthusiasm.

These times are rare, but they happen often enough to make us question our stability and resolve. We wonder if one of these periods might last so long that we will just give in and give up.

We don’t want to lose what we have gained, and we don’t want to miss the joy of the journey, so the thought of trudging through the marshy swampland of doubt, discouragement, and disagreement feels very threatening.

We love the mountaintops and the flowery meadows, but we must face the fact that dry deserts and muddy bogs are also part of the expedition. We must make peace with both if we want to get where we are going.

A Date With Destiny

The Promise of a New Day in Christ

  Genesis 1:13  
Evening passed, and morning came.

The Lord cares deeply about you. He surrounds you with compassion when you are going through times of discouragement and exhaustion.

Although these experiences may feel like endless nights of the soul, you rest assured that morning will come. You know that  when the light breaks through the darkness, and you have had some rest, you will see things clearly once again.

God sees that some of the things you go through are difficult.  He is there to help you endure the darkness. He keeps you safe when the shadows fall and brings you through the lonely nights. As the darkness passes, your soul is refreshed by the dawn of a new day.

Knowing that God has designed nature with the assurance of a sunrise, you rest assured that after the darkness  passes, the light of a new day will drive it away.

Assured that the Creator of the universe is interested in your emotional well-being and is willing to listen as your pour out your heart, you are able to move through the stages of melancholy with calm acceptance. You know that God keeps you protected in the darkness and it will always pass.

Tetelestai Recovery

Understanding God’s Promises: Hope Beyond the Curse

One might wonder, “If God’s word is true, why are there people living without hope? Why wouldn’t His promise apply to everyone across the board?’

The answer is deeply complex. The reason God’s promises are not fulfilled is because His words rely on someone laying claim to them. These fantastic promises of God are often hard to believe for ourselves. Sure, we believe God is good, but we also know that we aren’t. We believe He does great things for good people, but it seems a bit presumptuous to expect the same blessings as someone who was busy doing great things for God while we were selfishly making a mess of our lives. We know the Bible talks about penalties for bad behavior, so it seems that if we believe in the blessings, we must also fear the curses.

That may have been a valid statement before the cross. But we live under Grace, not Law. Jesus broke the power of the curse, so we can all live in the blessing if we choose to believe it. We need not fear the curse or the consequences of our own mistakes. Those issues have been resolved. We are in a continual state of cleansing, like standing beneath a waterfall. Even a sin committed one second ago, is already washed away in the living water. We live exclusively in the blessings and enjoy firm standing on the promises. Curses do not cling to us. Blessings chase us down.

A Date With Destiny

Find Your Fearless Spirit

 Joshua 1:9  
Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. So don’t be afraid. The Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.

When faced with questions and uncertainty, you sometimes doubt your own ability to fend off the forces of fear.

However, the Spirit of God resides with you and around you. His protective bubble creates a force field which keeps you safe and unharmed while angel armies fight for you. 

As you encounter the icy chill of a society which applauds greed, violence, and distrust, you are warmed from within by the Holy Spirit’s flame.

Like a crackling fire on a cold winter night, the presence of God permeates the atmosphere and brings comfort to your soul.

God’s sovereignty is undisputed. His angels stand ready to rise on your behalf. You are therefore able to claim victory over any doubt, conflict, or difficulty which threatens to distract you from your true purpose.

Your soul is at rest, and your mind is at peace because you know the power of your position in Christ.  Since God is for you, and has promised to defend you, there is no need to defend yourself. 

Since God fights for you, the fear of inadequacy or personal failure has no place in your future.

A Date With Destiny

Joshua 1:6: Courage in the Face of Adversity

 Joshua 1:6  
So be strong and courageous, for you will lead these people.

While it is true that there is strength in numbers, there is another type of strength which is required when you must stand alone.

Your path is not always the one of least resistance. You are often led across barren deserts and through dense forests. These are times that try your soul and require strength beyond any human support system.

These are the times when you must strengthen yourself in order to accomplish the assignments God has ordained for you.

Personal and spiritual strength come from daily diligence. You have dedicated yourself to a spiritual workout each day, in order to be strengthened for the journey ahead.

Tetelestai Recovery

HAPPY NEW YOU!

A New Year –

A New Start –

A New Normal –

https://a.co/d/6QtnnH8

A Date With Destiny

Finding Clarity in God’s Expectations

Happy Birthday 12/28

   Mark 12:28  
One of the teachers of the law came to Jesus. He saw that Jesus gave good answers to their questions, so he asked Jesus, “Which of the commands is most important?”

You recognize the clues to your destiny which come to you from Jesus. Your imagination is the canvass on which He paints the portrait of your future.  However, your spiritual journey of discovery often starts with more questions than answers.

Like the teachers of law in Jesus’ day, you have questions about the expectations of God. Rather than discussing them with other humans and risking heated arguments or controversy, you take your questions directly to the Source. You aren’t afraid to ask Jesus for reassurance and clarity…