A Date With Destiny

Diamond Foreheads: The Power of Resolve in Life’s Challenges

Ezekiel 3:9: ‘I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.’


Your tenacity and determination may cause you to be labeled ‘hard-headed’. While it might not always seem like a gift, this character trait is a valuable asset God has granted you for your particular journey.

When others may get discouraged or give up, you continue to persevere. You do not see quitting as an option. You find your greatest success comes from the simple practice of persistence.

There are times when life is hard, but the difficulties never get inside your head. God has protected your mind with an unyielding resolve which enables you to resist both internal and external pressures. There are times in your life when fear may seem to be the logical response. Other times, discouragement may cast its shadow across your path. But you have been designed by the Creator of the universe and He has constructed you with a supernatural ability to withstand such destructive forces.

A Date With Destiny – March 9

Tetelestai Recovery

Breaking Free: Addressing Addictions Beyond Drugs

We concluded that all humans suffer from at least one type of addiction. However, we also know that every addiction can be called out and destroyed, using the pronouncement of Jesus, “Tetelestai” (It is finished).

Last Word Recovery Ministries developed the Tetelestai Recovery program that is based on the power of Jesus declaration which offers the possibility of permanent freedom for anyone struggling with addiction.

 As the ripple effect of this program began to reach the families and friends of those who were enjoying permanent sobriety, we received requests for an expanded version of the program which could address other destructive addictions and dysfunctions beyond the scope of drug or alcohol dependence. We were intrigued by this idea and excited to pursue it. 

In this third volume, Tetelestai Recovery – Leveling Up, we address some non-drug addictions, along with other dysfunctional behaviors related to the human condition. We offer Sacred Text selections that can break these strongholds and prevent further harm.

Tetelestai Recovery is not just for addicts. It is for everyone. Jesus says, “It is finished!” to the behaviors and dysfunctions that weigh us down and hold us back.

A Date With Destiny

Navigating Conflict: Finding Peace in Turbulent Times

  
2 Timothy 2:25
The Lord’s servant must gently teach those who do not agree with him.

In a world filled with humans fighting for the upper hand using insults and clever arguments, you choose to exhibit the power of peace instead.

You stand out as a beacon of light to those who are lost in a swirling sea of conflict. You are a peacemaker.

The Spirit of God enables you to create a safe space in which differences can be addressed and forgiveness can flow. You are able to make peace when there is conflict and hold the line when peace starts to slip away.

Others rely on your logical input when settling a dispute or searching for a reasonable compromise. As you walk in the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, you are able to guide others toward common goals.

The peace you bring to a situation is often the glue which repairs broken relationships and holds organizations together.

It is one of your most intriguing gifts, and even you don’t know exactly how it works. All you know is, you are delighted to see peace win, and you are thrilled to be a part of making it happen.


A Date With Destiny

The Power of Discernment in Building Trust

  John 2:24  
But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew what was in their hearts.

You do not trust others easily or quickly.  You believe that trust must be earned, and it can only happen over time.  It took you a long time to trust Christ, and you often struggle to believe.

Fortunately, He understands trust issues better than you do. Therefore, He patiently continues, time after time, to alleviate your doubts and prove Himself to be true.

Your gift of discernment and your trust-hesitancy serve you well as a protective force- field in your faith based service.

You are able to reach out and serve those who are untrustworthy, in ministries where a more trusting person might fall victim to their dishonest schemes.

You do not reject those who can’t be trusted, but rather, you accept and love them anyway. 

Jesus ministered to the outcasts and the undesirables, yet He did not trust them all. He was still able to minister to them, because He had the spiritual gift of discernment. You too have this gift. You may have thought it was a flaw in your personality. But, based on your birthday verse, this attribute is actually a Christ-like trait which may be a valuable clue in discovering your destiny.


A Date With Destiny

Embracing Your Divine Calling for a Meaningful Life


1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, for Christ Himself left you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.

A solid connection to the Divine is the foundation of your emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. You sense a deep longing for the companionship you left behind when you entered the human realm.

You have been chosen by God to accomplish specific assignments on this earth. Your call is to change the course of history in both ordinary and extraordinary measures.

You were called to exhibit the grace of God. You have been chosen to speak, write, and live in a way that delivers light in the face of darkness, and hope in the face of despair.

You know that it is the Creator’s desire that all of His children know the safety and security found in the bonds of His unconditional love.  You share that love through your everyday life experiences and thus prove that His decision to call you was a good one!

Tetelestai Recovery

Recognizing God’s Voice in Everyday Life

Knowing that God speaks to His children in all sorts of unique ways, we suddenly recognized His voice speaking to us from the creativity of writers and actors on a movie screen. We identified with the heroes. We saw ourselves playing the role assigned to us by the God of the Galaxies. We became aware in a way unlike ever before that we were on a mission that would influence millions, change the course of history, and generate spiritual wavelengths to echo into caverns of the future.

We looked back over our life and realized that our destiny had been there all along and every step of the journey was preparation for the main event.

But still we questioned whether we could actually fulfill our mission. We knew our impulsive nature had caused us to make some terribly bad choices in the past, so we wondered if it was God’s call or just a delusion of grandeur. The thought of God calling us to something of eternal magnitude seemed a little ridiculous and really, really crazy.

We had to question whether our passionate reaction to the prospect of hearing this divine call was our love for Him or our own search for significance?

Maybe it was both. And maybe that was okay.

Tetelestai Recovery

Finding True Purpose Beyond Sobriety

It was not enough for us to simply stop using mind or mood-altering substances. We needed something more significant. We began to suspect that our primary purpose in life was not simply to stay clean and sober. While sobriety was an honorable ambition, and one we had desired deeply for many years, we found that mere sobriety fell woefully short of the abundant life promised by Jesus. We began to believe that our true purpose was to discover the reason for our existence.

We came to realize that sobriety was not the end goal. As it turned out, sobriety was simply a way of life we had grown to prefer, since clarity of mind was beneficial in our quest for true purpose...

A Date With Destiny

Harmony with Earth: A Gardener’s Journey

Then the Lord God planted a garden in the East, in a place called Eden. He put the man He had formed into that garden. Genesis 2:8

You enjoy a close bond with nature and find peace in the Great Creation. You have discovered the elusive tranquility that many others seek, by walking in harmony with the earth and its inhabitants.

You enjoy tending gardens and working with plants. You also find a deep sense of satisfaction from sharing your harvest to nourish others.  You delight in feeding birds, animals, and fellow human beings. 

Growing plants from seed and watching them mature into life-sustaining trophies of God’s goodness, is an assignment you willingly accept.

To you, the privilege of sharing the abundance of your harvest is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences.

You function in harmony with the earth, finding both spiritual and physical nourishment from this connection to the Creator.

A Date With Destiny

Unveiling the Harmony of Science and Faith

  1 Corinthians 2:7   
I speak God’s secret wisdom, which He has kept hidden. God planned this wisdom for our glory before the world began.

The secret wisdom of God’s Kingdom is revealed in nature. Many may find it difficult to comprehend the magnitude of what they are witnessing, when viewing a starry night or a blazing sunrise. However, you are fully aware that each element of nature contains vital information about your Creator.

You have a persistent drive to push past surface layer facts to discover the deeper secrets hidden behind them. You have a curious mind which seeks to comprehend the secrets of God concealed in the world around you.

You remain keenly aware that all understanding comes from the Creator, and you derive great pleasure discovering the intimate secrets of His character revealed in the beauty of nature.

You deeply and fully appreciate a belief in intelligent design. Profound revelations that you encounter, while observing the world around you, unlocks a supernatural enlightenment which reaches far beyond human understanding.

You are enamored by the evidence of God sprinkled throughout the universe. You possess great wisdom and understanding when sifting through the clues to uncover hidden mysteries.

As each layer is peeled back, through scientific research and discovery, the wonder of the universe reveals the magnitude of its Creator.

 You easily make the connection between Creator and Creation. You have been given a gift of divine understanding which enables you to live life in both the natural and supernatural, simultaneously.

A life of dual loyalties to both the scientific and religious communities is rarely an easy path to walk. These two entities are often perceived to be in opposition to each other.

However, you have the gift of divine wisdom, so you perceive it much differently. You find insurmountable evidence to the contrary.

You see a spectacular harmony between both the spiritual and the scientific realms.  You can quickly detect synchronized cooperation between these two dimensions and are equally comfortable in both worlds.

This is an exciting lifestyle that few can understand. You comprehend it well because it has been your reality for as long as you can remember.

A Date With Destiny

Mary’s Journey: Lessons on God’s Favor and Life’s Difficulties

 
Luke 1:30

“Don’t be afraid,” the angel said. “You have found favor with God!”


Your life is filled with the favor of God.  He has chosen you to be the recipient of His goodness.

Some believe your life is easy, but like Mary, you also hide many things in your heart. 

God’s call isn’t always an easy road to walk, even though it may appear easy to those who watch you move quietly and methodically through difficulties.

Like Mary’s experience, the blessings of God may not always appear as blessings at first.

 There are things God asks of you that may not seem possible or even rational. Your destiny is a path which some may question. This is because God has revealed plans to you that no one else could ever understand.