The Goal of Life

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders:

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe…”(Ephesians 1:17-19).

Knowing Christ brings the only real meaning and purpose to the human soul. Spend time today getting to know the Lord in a more intimate way. Then you will discover real meaning and purpose in life."

It's interesting how we are excited, thankful beyond description, or feel completely indebted to Christ for our salvation on the day we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Our eyes firmly fixed on Christ or are they really?

I'm not calling into question your salvation or mine, only making a point from another direction. We know Christ has filled the void of our life, placed the stopper in the hole of our life which can't be filled with stuff. Yet, we continue to seek to find fulfillment without looking daily to our source.

When we decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior for our life, salvation isn't the only thing we needed. We also need to seek His direction for our life, daily. As Christ is the only one who can provide us with eternal salvation. He is the only way we will find true fulfillment in this life.

Fulfilling the purposes and mission of Christ by glorifying our Father is the goal. This goal will provide us with the daily fulfillment we seek. Being used by God as the image of Christ to reach the lost, bring comfort to those in need and provide as we can to those who are without. These things glorify God and and bring fulfillment in this life.

God has blessed each of us with different abilities and gifts. We each touch lives and glorify God in ways that no other person can. Each person plays a specific role in the body of Christ and in the kingdom. Seek to do your part with your eyes firmly fixed on Christ.

Blessings and Peace

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Free Through Suffering

Streams in the Desert Daily Devotional, Charles Cowman, Christian Bible Devotions:

"If Joseph had not been Egypt's prisoner, he had never been Egypt's governor. The iron chain about his feet ushered in the golden chain about his neck.--Selected"

The richness of "Old English" always brings to mind heartier times. Meaning more rustic days as compared to the modern conveniences of today. Might the simpler days have been better, not really. Every person is born for their time and here's the point....

Even today, we seek the easier road. There's no doubt that mankind has always sought to make things easier, better and more efficient. If that wasn't true, we wouldn't be where we are today with technology.

Hard work produces satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Anything EASILY gained or received is just as EASILY dismissed. We have in this devotional another example that brings home this point.

Joseph, always having the dreams of an easier life where he's in charge and set above. He never dreamed what it would take or actually be like to lead.

So the journey took what appeared to be in the opposite direction. Utter failure and maybe complete loss seemed to be his lot for life. However, God ordered the events of his life in such a fashion that he would with greater faculty lead and love.

Only through great trials, he learned how to lead with the love, compassion, and heart of God. Forgiving what appeared to be great "wrongs", because he recognized God was in every step and at every turn.

We too must choose to endure the rough, ugly, and perplexing times of this life with our eyes firmly fixed on Christ. Only through the fire will we shine and glorify our Father and His kingdom.

Blessings and Peace

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The Awareness of the Call | My Utmost For His Highest

The Awareness of the Call | My Utmost For His Highest:

"If a man or woman is called of God, it doesn’t matter how difficult the circumstances may be. God orchestrates every force at work for His purpose in the end. If you will agree with God’s purpose, He will bring not only your conscious level but also all the deeper levels of your life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony."

Are we running from His call and purpose for our life? As I look back on my own life, questions and comments come to mind. While I believe all have been well meaning, I suspect the same ones have been shared with others, the thought is how has it shaped my actions?

Obedience starts with the small steps. Reaching out to someone in need, sharing Christ when prompted or saying that prayer when from nowhere someone comes to mind.

Only through following through on these "little" steps will be find our way. Our way has been set before us with great care and purpose. Only by faith in Christ alone will we discover the life God has planned and in that greater wonder than we could have ever believed possible.

Blessings & Peace

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Surrender - Not So Much Sacrifice

In my devotional today from "At His Feet" by Chris Tiegreen, the following is quoted:

"LIBERATING SURRENDER" - "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

Chris talks about there are two different attitudes toward this verse.  One of sacrifice and one of surrender.

He makes the point, and I fully agree, we must get past the "pain" of sacrifice and realize the "Liberating Surrender" that comes in following Christ.

I wish time allowed me to just reprint the entire devotion here, however I can't.  Let me leave you with my closing thought and then another quote:

Father, help me to embrace the complete denial of self so that I may fully embrace all of You with complete joy!

"Carry the cross patiently and with perfect submission, and in the end it shall carry you." - Thomas a Kempis

Blessings & Peace

The Door of Full Surrender

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders

Doors present opportunities... One door requires of us complete faith as we have ZERO control over the journey. The other door, is the opportunity as we would see our journey and provides us with the illusion of control....

Would you or I, will we choose the door of complete surrender and experience the fullness of G-d and HIS will that takes our life to levels beyond expectation?

Fullness of life, life more abundant, lightness of yoke and burden's of greater ease! These are what Christ promised and they wait for us. We also know that the best things are those things that have been greatly tested, so there will be trials and tribulation in the journey.

What a journey it will be!!! Full of Christ and life beyond measure. Life that satisfies beyond anything dreamed! This is what waits for us in HIM!

Be BLESSED Always!!!

Drink the Cup

From "Streams in the Desert"

"Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:`11)

Straight forward question, asked in different ways by so many since the fall of man.  Here, finally Christ is showing this need for man to give way to God's will and way.  As noted in the devotion for today, to "Drink the Cup" is the greatest act of faith and the greatest work we do here.

Exercising faith in all the steps of life, especially through tough times, heartache, oppression, and times of confusion are greater than everything else we do.  We must during these difficult times and days, reach deep within to hang onto our faith.  This is when we yield to the Master's hand, to whatever tool He is using in our life.

Although difficult and often a mystery to us during these times, this is when we grow in grace.  God's grace is sufficient,just ask Job or Paul.  I could list example after example, however the point is this.  Without pressure, there is no endurance.  Without the winds of trouble, there is no growth.  Without the silence of "unanswered prayers", there is no longing of presence.  Without the daily strife of this life, there is no need for our Savior.

We have a desperate need and that need is Christ!  The longing in the pit of our soul is for God and placed there by HIM.  Job said, "shall I not accept the good with the bad?"  Without difficulty, would the sweeter times and days be sweet?  The oak grows stronger by the winds.  Pebbles on the beach are made smooth by the relentless crashing of the waves.  All of the finest, greatest and most beautiful things in our life come through pressure and trials.

Welcome today, the tool in the Master's hand.  He has a plan that is greater than all our dreams.

Be BLESSED Always!!!

The Overshadowing of God’s Personal Deliverance | My Utmost For His Highest

The Overshadowing of God’s Personal Deliverance | My Utmost For His Highest:

"If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance.” Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard— we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God’s name to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6)."

Being a good steward of what God has given us is far different than what we make it when we start hanging on to it wrongly. This is exactly what happens when the accuser get us to start thinking personally about what God entrusts us to care for. "Our" family, money, property, possessions and everything we are comes from only one source, God. As such, it is all HIS, not mine and not yours. How can we make any claim to what doesn't belong to us?

Our salvation is from God and can only be delivered by God! Although you may agree with that statement, are you really giving credit and honor to the ONE who is deserving? What "thing" are you hanging onto, claiming ownership?

Father, help us to cling to You and You alone. Respecting what we have as Yours, being entrusted with Your possessions for a time. Help us to make the best proper use of all You give us, that in the end You and only You will be glorified in our purpose. In Christ's precious name we pray.

Be BLESSED Always!!!