Tag: Divine Destiny

Person hiking on mountain trail with wildflowers and distant mountains
Tetelestai Recovery

Understanding Tests: Patience as a Path to Growth

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Person hiking on mountain trail with wildflowers and distant mountains

When caught up in a moment of testing, we must resist letting our feelings and circumstances serve as a litmus test for our faith. It is not healthy, nor is it accurate.

Tests are for the express purpose of developing patience. Whether the tests come from internal or external forces, they have a purpose. Some of the tests we face are due to our own weaknesses and might easily become our demise, but even then, God always has a better plan. Any test that activates patience is beneficial. Guilt and blame serve no purpose.

Patience tells us that tests are only temporary. Patience tells us that God is doing a good work in us, and He will complete it. Patience tells us not to judge our walk by one random stumble. Patience keeps us steady as we wait for the storm to pass.

It is patience that we lack when we throw up our hands and give up. It is patience that we lack when we question our progress. It is patience that will get us to the finish line. It is patience that will help us be gentle with ourselves.

Sometimes, our tests are random and spring up like a pop quiz. Other times, an ominous test looms far in the future, and we struggle to avoid it. However, considering our passage from James, we need not avoid tests. They all have a purpose; even the ones we fail. If the test teaches us to be patient, with ourselves, with God, or with another human being, we have passed. With God, we are always in a win-win situation.

Our tests are to develop patience. The work of patience is to develop perfection. There is no fast track from one to the other. Each test takes time. That’s where patience does its work.

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Winding mountain road with cars and sun rays breaking through dark clouds
Tetelestai Recovery

Finding Joy in Trials: Embracing Life’s Challenges

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Winding mountain road with cars and sun rays breaking through dark clouds

When the roads are easy, we feel joy in looking back to see how far we’ve come. When the roads are difficult, we seem to take one step forward, two steps back. Sometimes we slip and fall. Sometimes we just stand still and shrug. Even when we do finally get on firm footing again and start to move forward, we scold ourselves for not being stronger, more resilient, or more determined.

We aren’t sure what to call these moments of uncertainty. The word ‘backsliding’ seems way too judgmental. The last thing we need is to feel more isolated and cut off from God than we already do.

One evening without notice, a moment of grace fell on our Friday night group. One member shared a passage from the book of James. It altered our perspective about these irritating, uninspiring days when we are simply putting one foot in front of the other.

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

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Ripe and unripe tomatoes growing on a garden vine tied to a wooden stake.
Tetelestai Recovery

How Babies and Tomatoes Teach Us About Perfection

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People commonly use the word perfect to describe a newborn baby. Babies are inadequate in every way. They are unable to feed themselves, walk, read, or even roll over. Sometimes they cry or make messes. Yet, we say they are perfect. Every stage is perfect and necessary in the process of transitioning to the next stage.

A tiny green tomato on the vine is a perfect tomato, although it does not have the color, flavor, or texture of a fully ripened tomato. The tiny green fruit is perfect, but it is not yet useful for its intended purpose. If it remains on the vine, the perfect green tomato will grow into its full potential. And throughout each stage of its growth, it will continue to be perfect.

Thus, we conclude that perfection is about potential. Perfection has little to do with current behavior or ability, but a lot to do with our mindset. Perfection is a state of being which maintains continuous momentum toward progress…

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Man and woman sitting on a bench talking and smiling outdoors
Tetelestai Recovery

Can We Be Perfect? Exploring Jesus’ Challenge

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Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

We wonder why Jesus would make such an outrageous suggestion. How could we possibly ever be perfect?

Ironically, when we claim that we are not perfect, we are speaking in direct opposition to these words of Jesus. We certainly don’t want to do that!

Since we believe that the words of Jesus are our truth, His invitation to be perfect sparks our curiosity and draws us into its multi-dimensional mystery. If He said it, it must be something reasonable and attainable. At least it is, somewhere in time.

When God said, “Let there be light,” He was speaking into the darkness. Therefore, when Jesus invites us to be perfect, He is speaking into our imperfections, calling for a manifestation of our original design.

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Hiker standing on rocky ridge overlooking valley illuminated by sunrays through clouds
Tetelestai Recovery

From Struggle to Serenity: Embracing Change

lastwordrecovery

Greed, lust, strife, envy, deception, and fear were familiar to us. Generosity, honesty, loyalty, wisdom, honor, and humility existed outside of our comfort zone. These traits seemed unattainable for those of us who seemed so deeply damaged.

We sometimes felt it was impossible to be comfortable in such unfamiliar territory.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

Within these words of Jesus, we found our stability. We stopped beating ourselves up for failing to accomplish what no human could. We realized our New Normal was a gift from God. We could not force it or coerce it. We would not need to use our old manipulation techniques to con Him into giving us a new life.

We found relief in knowing that it was His pleasure to make us into the people He designed us to be.

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Skydiver in red and black jumpsuit freefalling from white airplane above clouds and farmland
Home

The Crucial Link Between Belief and Faith Explained

lastwordrecovery
Skydiver in red and black jumpsuit freefalling from white airplane above clouds and farmland

Most people can easily believe if you jump out of an airplane with a parachute, pull the rip cord, and the parachute will open allowing you to safely land to the ground.

However, it is another thing to take the next step of putting the parachute on, jumping out of the plane, pulling the rip cord, and safely landing on the ground. This does not only require belief; but it also requires faith.

This points to the major difference between faith and belief, because faith requires you to act on what you believe. You can’t just think it; you must turn it into an action.

James wrote in 2:17, that, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” 

Can you believe in God, and not have faith in Him? I don’t believe you have to look very far to realize that Christians can believe in God and lack faith in Him. I know sometimes I do. There have been times in my life when I have believed in God, but my faith in His ability to come through in the moment was missing.

The test of this was not what I thought or said, but what I did. The actions that I took showed I was lacking faith in the moment. I could probably make the case this is true of every believer.

At some point in your life, even though you knew God’s promises and could sing about His faithfulness, you struggled to act in faith because you were unsure of the results. This does not deny your Christianity; it simply reveals your humanity.

Young woman spinning glowing LED ribbons outdoors with blurred person holding lantern in background
A Date With Destiny

4/27 How to Recognize Divine Helpers in Your Life Journey

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Exodus 4:27

Meanwhile the Lord said to Aaron, “Go out into the desert to meet Moses.” When Aaron went, he met Moses at Sinai, the mountain of God, and greeted him.

You have always known that God has a special plan for your life, but the questions of what, when, how, and where, remain unanswered.

Like Moses, you have a burning desire to impact the lives of others, bringing social justice to a world filled with inequalities.

You faithfully spend your days tending to the duties of life, while watching for opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those you encounter.

When the time is right, you will experience your own ‘burning bush moment’.  It may come in the form of a dream, an event, a chance encounter, or an angelic appearance, but when it happens, you will know it.

The encounter will be powerful, surprising, and life changing.

When your burning bush moment comes, you may feel insufficiently equipped for the task God is asking of you. Don’t worry. Moses had the same response.

Thankfully, God in His divine wisdom and mercy, had already picked out a helper for him. Moses’ brother Aaron was called by God to bolster his confidence and help him succeed at the mission for which he’d been called. 

In the same manner, you too will be aided by others whom God has called to assist you in your call.

Keep watching for these helpers as you continue your journey. They may cross your path at the least expected moment, bringing clarity and confidence to your mission.

Your call is genuine, unique, and totally out of the ordinary.

God’s plan for you is exciting, terrifying, and truly satisfying.

Your life on this planet is destined to make a significant impact on the lives of many who don’t even know you.

Your burning bush moment is sure to change the trajectory of your life and give you a divine sense of purpose.

Wait for it.  Be prepared to do whatever God asks of you, even if you feel inadequate, intimidated, or unprepared.

God will empower you to pursue His call and He will give you the helpers you need to make it a stunning success.

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Small fern with glowing blue and yellow roots in dark forest soil
A Date With Destiny

4/26 From Darkness to Light: A Seed’s Journey

lastwordrecovery
Small fern with glowing blue and yellow roots in dark forest soil

Mark 4:26

Then Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is like a man who plants seed in the ground.”

From this birthday verse, you are reminded that all seeds are planted, anchored, and supported in dark, rich, soil which is filled with nutrients and hydration. Lush green leaves, hearty vegetables, fragrant blooms, and delicious fruits are sustained by a crucial process which occurs just below the surface, out of view. What looks like ordinary dirt, becomes a food and flower factory, once the tiny seeds split open and take root.

Functioning in the image of your Creator, you spend your time planting seeds of hope and promise into the world around you.

Many of the seeds you sow are done in secret and remain hidden. You are not boastful or arrogant about your charitable contributions or personal sacrifices. You attend to the needs of your family and community without recognition or fanfare.

Sometimes you may feel as if your efforts are unappreciated or even unwanted.  There are times you are tempted to believe that you are wasting time and energy because you can’t see the fruits of your labor.

Thankfully, you have the Word of God and His wonderful creation to remind you that a seed hidden in the darkness is a harvest waiting to happen.

As trees mature and produce seeds, their tiny promises of life are dropped into the surrounding soil where they remain unseen during the germination phase. In the dark, a seed breaks open and new life is begun. There is a waiting time before the shoot appears. There is another waiting time before the harvest comes.

In the same way, your good works and loving efforts may often be hidden in the dark for a time, but this doesn’t mean they will remain unfruitful.

When the time is right, God will bring your results into the light, much like the tiny plant which emerges from the dark soil. Your random acts of kindness and quiet loving gestures will not remain hidden in the darkness. The results will become visible, and each tiny sprout will deliver the promise of a bountiful harvest.

You may not always receive human recognition or praise for the contributions you make. Sometimes your good intentions may even be misunderstood. God knows what is in your heart and He promises that someday you will enjoy a beautiful harvest which far exceeds your expectations.

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Person hiking on mountain trail with backpack and trekking poles during sunrise.
A Date With Destiny

4/25 Creative Collaboration: Fulfilling Your Destiny

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Person hiking on mountain trail with backpack and trekking poles during sunrise.

Proverbs 4:25

“Keep your eyes focused on what is right. Keep looking straight ahead to what is good.”

You do not consider your life to be your own. You know that your life is set on a specific course designed by God. Your existence holds significant implications for future generations and you do not take this responsibility lightly.

This knowledge doesn’t indicate an attitude of presumption or arrogance, but rather, a position of humility. You know that your role is one of duty, rather than that of comfort and self-indulgence.

You know that without God’s gift of guidance, you would be wandering through life unsure of your purpose. Without knowing your purpose, you would be subject to life on the proverbial hamster wheel, struggling to find meaning for your existence.

You are grateful for the destiny you have been given and you know that there is nothing you lack in order to fulfill it.

Contentment comes easy to you, because God has enabled you to see through the deception of greed and envy to find the true meaning of life.

God has provided you with clarity of mind and purpose. Your work is an expression of your gifts and talents. You do not compete for other positions or titles.

You are content with what you have and enjoy working toward something greater than personal happiness.

Your deepest satisfaction comes when you confer with God in creative collaboration. You function best when you are working to improve the world you live in. You find that this is what generates your passion and creative expression.

Your willingness to follow God’s plan and timing is evident in the paths you take, and those you don’t.

God has given you a creative mind which empowers you with enthusiasm and fervor. You dedicate your days of human existence working for the greater good.

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Brown leather sandals on a dirt path with dry grass and trees
A Date With Destiny

4/24 Understanding Holiness: Beyond the Common Misconceptions

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Ephesians 4:24

“You were taught to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God – made to be truly good and holy.”

The word holy has often been misinterpreted as someone who is grim, dutiful, and devout; one who maintains a high standard of pious behavior and has little patience for those who don’t.

However, in many scriptural passages, the word holy is defined as that which is uncommon or extraordinary.

You have been declared holy by the Creator of the Universe. God has proclaimed that your existence is extraordinary, and your life is far from common.

There is significance in everything that you do.  There is nothing ordinary or common about you.

You are holy. You are wisdom. You are free to talk openly with your Creator. Your life in Christ is a spring of living water, making ripple effects on the world around you.

Every place your feet touch becomes sacred ground, because you carry the Creator of Life within you. The significant impact you make during your years on earth will pale in comparison to the lasting effect imprinted on the planet because you once walked here.

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