Tag: Purpose

Tetelestai Recovery

Recognizing God’s Voice in Everyday Life

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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.

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Tetelestai Recovery

Stepping Out in Faith: Leaving Your Comfort Zone

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It only takes a little faith for us to get out of the boat and trust Jesus to keep us afloat.

Sure, we want to stay in the safety of the boat where everything is familiar. We also want to experience smooth sailing with no waves or winds.

However, there is a little seed of faith inside that tells us there is so much more to life what we have known. We are certain that we have a destiny to fulfill. We know it starts with a single step; out of the comfort zone and into the unknown.

We take a deep breath, whisper, “It is finished!” to our fear of change and take that first shaky step toward the sound of His voice.

  • Think about a time when fear has kept you from getting out of the boat: (making a life-altering decision; going back to school; starting a new job; taking a risk, moving forward, etc.)
    • Think about a time when you have taken a risk to move forward despite the presence of natural fear? How has that experience empowered you?
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    A Date With Destiny

    Harmony with Earth: A Gardener’s Journey

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    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.

    More about February 8

    A Date With Destiny

    Unveiling the Harmony of Science and Faith

    lastwordrecovery 
      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.

    More for February 7

    A Date With Destiny

    Living Testimony: How Your Story Can Inspire Change

    lastwordrecovery 
      
        1 John 2:6  
       Whoever says that God lives in him must live as Jesus lived.

    The story of what God has done in your life is a profound message of hope which will change lives. It cannot be kept quiet. It is not meant to remain private.

    The exhibition of Jesus’ healing, deliverance, and renewal in your life will be shared as a lasting legacy long after your days in the human realm of space and time have ended.

    Not only are you a living display of grace, through your kindness and compassion, you are carrying the teachings of Christ within your own being.

    Your message from God is one of forgiveness, love, and empathy for those who struggle.

    God has revealed this to you in such a personal way; it seems as if it is simply part of your personality.

    Your ability to follow the unique level of Christ’s teaching is a special gift that not many possess. Despite numerous wrongs done to you, forgiveness and the refusal to carry a grudge, is the deliberate response you choose.

    The teaching and actions of Jesus concerning forgiveness are part of the mysterious message of truth that God has called you to communicate to his hurting children.  His message of mercy is one that most people find difficult to receive until they see it in action.

    You are given amazing opportunities to share this mysterious message of the healing power of forgiveness with those who seek what you have found.

    Your living example of Jesus’ teachings speak volumes to those who interact with you during your allotted time on this planet.

    Additionally, your written words will influence those you never meet. As a lasting legacy, your writings will offer God-given insights to those who enter the human realm long after you have lived out your days.

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    Tetelestai Recovery

    Discovering the Power of ‘It is Finished’ in Your Life

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    Whether your it is a little problem or a big one, the proclamation of Jesus, “It is finished!” gives you the power you need to move out of this prison and into the open space of grace.

    Like a blank check, Jesus gave us, “It is finished!” His words have the power to put an end to anything that is an obstacle to your best self. 

    When He said, “It is finished!” He knew it would be specific and unique to every person on the planet. To identify your own, it that may be causing issues, try asking yourself these questions:

    • What consumes your thoughts and energy?
    • What worry keeps you up at night?
    • What behavior makes you feel powerless?
    • What thought paralyzes you with fear?
    • What things about yourself make you cringe?
    • What secret struggle do you keep hidden?
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    Tetelestai Recovery

    Sometimes Anger is Appropriate

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    We felt certain that we could justify anger when it came to certain evils in the world. When we checked the Sacred Text, we found proof that anger can sometimes be appropriate; perhaps even righteous.

    Jesus went into the Temple. He threw out all the people who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables that belonged to the men who were exchanging different kinds of money. And he upset the benches of those who were selling doves.
    Jesus said to all the people there, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple will be a house where people will pray.’ But you are changing God’s house into a ‘den of thieves.’  
    Matthew 21:12-17

    So, after reviewing some of Jesus’ moments of fury, we concluded that there may, in fact, be times when anger would be an entirely appropriate reaction.

    His reaction was more than simply a display of righteous indignation. It was a display of self-restraint. The Son of God, with an army of angels at His disposal, simply flipped over a few tables and ran people out of the temple. He could have whistled for an asteroid to hit the coordinates where they stood. He could have summoned a flesh-eating bacterium to consume them or an earthquake that would bury them beneath tons of rubble. He could have destroyed them in a million different ways, but he chose rather to use words, with a controlled show of force for emphasis.

    We came to understand that when Jesus was angry, His methods were measured and restrained.

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    A Date With Destiny

    The Promise of a New Day in Christ

    lastwordrecovery 
      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.

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    Tetelestai Recovery

    Leveling Up: Embracing Purpose and Power

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    Leveling up means we are advancing in position, power, purpose, and experience. We are being promoted.

    God is powerful and purposeful. All authority has been given to Jesus who is exalted over all things. He has bequeathed this status to us. However, He does not empower us just to make us powerful. He empowers us so we can be effective in taking care of each other and accomplishing His goals in this world.

    The Christian faith assures us of eternity in Heaven at the end of our human experience. Most believe that our religious traditions and practices cause us to become better people. We believe we can find comfort, peace, and purpose through spiritual enlightenment. We trust in the comfort of our Creator as we encounter the difficulties of life. These beliefs serve as the pillars of our faith.

    However, as we level up, we find ourselves not only looking inward at what God is doing in our own lives, but we are also looking outward to see what He is up to in the world around us. We notice a distinct sensitivity toward spiritual vibrations and are intrigued about what role God might want us to play in the grand scheme of His design. We stop focusing on our own performance and begin asking God, “What are you up to right now, and how can I help?”

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    A Date With Destiny

    Joshua 1:6: Courage in the Face of Adversity

    lastwordrecovery 
     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.

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