What You're Called To Do vs What You Choose

So many people get up and go through their daily, planned routine...Most of that is going to work, completing some sort of to-do list, and/or taking care of family. However, there is more to life than just a routine. Do you ever think about why you are in the place you go to daily? Do you ever stop and ask yourself why you meet the people you encounter? You are meant to reach others, and impact environments that God desires to change and influence. We are His vessels, and we were made for more than just a daily routine. Ask God today why your here, who you were meant to impact, and for more details concerning a purpose that only you will be able to carry out.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Ephesians 4:1 NKJV

Light vs Darkness

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5 NKJV

*This scripture has got to be one of the dopest because it relates to my personal life. MANY times, even right now, I feel like no gets me, or is there for me like I am with others. It is like I have a totally different way of thinking, viewing things, and being there for people while neve feeling fulfilled in that area. Yet, God reminds us that darkness is NEVER going to understand the light. Do you know why? It doesn't have the same elements, make up, nor origin of the light. So, may God send the right light into our lives in order to avoid elements that will never compliment or understand. Food 4 Thought: Are you capable of being that light for someone else, or do you try to cover the person up in order to hide what you fail to try to understand?

Level Up vs Throwing Up

https://youtu.be/8LLYfzhK5Xw

Multiplication From a Career & Purpose Perspective

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Matthew 25:15‭-‬18‭, ‬20‭-‬25‭, ‬27‭-‬28 KJV

*May we not waste the talents and resources that God has given us, especially due to fear. We have a job to do, a purpose to fulfill, and the generation of more resources to gain. We are more than a daily routine, and stagnation. Why are you REALLY here, and what should you be doing FOR REAL? What equity/blessings does God have for you???

Hope

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24‭-‬25 NKJV

*What we hope for and desire should go beyond what we see...Tap more into the supernatural capabilities of God, and believe in receiving what goes beyond your imagination. People simplify God based on what they know and have experienced...People also don't give Him enough credit. You believe for the impossible in one area, but limit Him in others. I say we must train ourselves to constantly believe for the impossible, and put our faith into action.

Adhering to Your Calling

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Psalm 51:6 NIV

*I love how the word emphasizes the difference between being called in the womb to faithfulness, and you have a choice to choose the wisdom of how to become and stay faithful. Our faith determines whether we fulfil our callings, if we adhere to the assignments that guide us in our callings, and whether we receive all God has for us through obedience and guidance. You have been called for a purpose, but it is up to you to seek the secret place in God and take the time to obtain wisdom.....

Who is Priority in Your Life?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

*When you remember to take care of God's house, even more so than your everyday job, He will take care of you. Volunteer at church by using the gifts you were given as you seek Him, and the rest will be added.. He should be first in our lives. After all, God is the one who gave you that job and those blessings.

Living for God or Humans

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 NIV

*Winning the approval of humanity is an endless task that never provides peace, or a steady conclusion. There are ups and downs, rarely contentment, or consistency in pleasing humans. However, pleasing God is consistently a pathway towards growth, always laced with love and good intentions, and the guidance behind it is well-rounded. This is what gives you the peace to deal with people. Live for God, and people will follow.. If you live for people, confusion will follow. Be who God made you to be, and see how many souls you win in the process...

Your Capabilities in Christ

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

*There have been plenty of days when I don't feel like hearing or doing anything. I have even asked myself what is really going on? However, even in bland or unclear times,  we have favor and can do all things including renew our mind to line up with godly thoughts. No matter what it is, whether you're an expert or not, we can do anything we desire with God's help and according to His word.

Blessings of the Lord

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:7‭-‬8 NIV

*Seeing people obtain what you've always desired,  by their own means, is nothing to be envious about. The best things in life,  that are sustained, come from God. These things are also a part of your purpose, instead of being achieved for temporal gain. It's better to wait on God,  and allow Him to prepare you then obtaining something prematurely that may hinder your growth and create lack because you aren't sure how to handle or maintain it...

Words of Power and Love

roverbs 11:9 ESV

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered...

*Whenever someone speaks negatively about an individual, they are showing the lack of godliness in that area.. Your words have power,  and what you say influences those around you and how they act towards you. You have the power to be loving, and be God's vessel of deliverance in order to guide them to salvation through love. Or, you have the power to tear down a person... Even if the poor discussion is done in secret, it takes your mind off the purpose of why God may have placed you in their lives. Let's work on changing or words in order to heal our hearts, and to better influence those around us.

Desires that Inspire

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

*Psalm 149:4 NIV

God loves us, and wants to see us prosper. He has no intentions of seeing anyone fail, but the prosperity through Him lies in His will for our lives.  Whenever He blesses us, there is a purpose behind it. This purpose coincides with being a blessing to others, being a testimony on His behalf,  and it is meant to aid you in the next step He has for your purpose on Earth. Consider your blessings the gate way to the next level in God no matter how big or small...Rather it be just Him showing you love to an assignment behind it,  He has many promises for us. The question is are we willing to take the time to spend with Him to see what He has for you? Go deeper in God, and the "stuff" will follow.

Distractions from Positivity

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

*James 1:21 NIV

Sometimes there are things and people in our lives that serve as distractions, and keep us from going deeper in God. Often, we have large to subtle distractions that take our mind off of God's positivity, and keep us trapped in negativity. We become so overwhelmed by what isn't there, due to the confusion of evil, that we don't accept the possibilities of what could be or what is currently occurring in our lives. Don't limit yourself to negativity or habits that hinder the vision God is trying to give you. Take a stand to remove distractions, and embrace what He is trying to show you even if it looks different from what you imagine.

Vessels of Purpose

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

*We are tools to be used by daily in order to represent Him and help His people. We are considered vessels that carry out God's will while edifying ourselves as well. We were not just placed on Earth to enjoy things for ourselves, but to be used by God and fulfill your purpose. The way listen to and follow the guidance of God will influence your harvest. Allow Him to completely use you today in order to influence tomorrow. Also, do not limit yourself to be used in accordance with who or what you know...God is trying to expand your mind and experience also.

Crooked Criticism or Straight Guidance

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 ESV

*Sometimes you have to let go and let God guide you. If we are strong in this area, allow God to work through you to guide other people and not judge them for their lack of trust. After all, we do not know what they have been through, but we do know that we are sent to be a light in a dark place...We can't look at people from the way we think we understand them, but from an angle that allows us to let go of our guessing and trust God on how to guide them. We also must work on removing self from every equation, and let God invade our day, space, thoughts, and actions. Our trust in God is measured by how much we allow Him to consume our day, or how we conduct ourselves for His name sake. Are you trusting more in people, and allowing them to dictate your behavior and moves? Or, do you trust God more?

Reflections of a Broken Glass made Whole

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV

*May our words and actions depict a true reflection of who we really are, and not someone we are pretending to be... People pretend because they are trying to impress others, but a true commitment to change is submitting to who God called you to be, and admitting the areas we need help in along with being proactive in pursuing change. What are you reflecting today that is not lining up with who you really are? How does being who you are affect or influence your calling?

Preprogrammed

Psalms 62:7 

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 

*In God is where we receive our reward and the perfect will for our destiny, should we choose it. We are preprogrammed to gravitate to our purpose, and we exhibit traits that were designed to assist us with our destiny. However, there have been things in the world that may have tainted our thoughts or led us astray, but we must fight to get back to our original programming and the belief in the process that comes with it. We must stop rewiring to fit in or understand the world as other people would like us to see it, and view it the way God has always wanted us to see things. May we help each other to open our eyes and ask God how to lovingly enlighten each other's understanding...

Service

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." 

Romans 15:1-3 ESV

*May we learn that its not just about growth for ourselves, and then doing God's work...It's about assisting those who are weak in the areas we are strong in, which will automatically come with a lesson that will help us grow further. If we learn to put others and God's will first, then our edification will automatically come. Get lost in your service and purpose, and not lost in your circle and ways that mainly fix you alone. Self was NEVER first when it came to Jesus...He grew as His service to man grew, thus clarifying and carrying out His purpose.

Love Concurs All Through Sacrifice

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 

*We all have sinned and fallen short, and no sin is greater than the other...There are just different levels of consequences that may occur. I am willing to say that I still have areas to overcome, but as long as we keep pushing forward then we can't remain complacent in our sins. God saw the potential for our faults, and still wants a relationship with us.. So much so, He made a way for us to be purified to connect with Him again through the sacrifice of His Son. There is no greater form of love that deserves to be trusted more than His. Now, imagine the love we are suppose to show...Despite His unconditional love, I know I'm working on showing love...Let's remember His sacrifice and how much He is entrusting us to either come back to or go deeper in Him. Do we trust Him in the same way? How deep is our love?

Focus on the Good

Philemon 1:7 ESV

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

*One thing God is showing me is to see things and people for what they are, and be thankful for the positive while avoiding dwelling on the negative. Much joy and comfort can be found when our focus is on the positive aspects and love provided verses dwelling on what's missing. There is always someone sent to overshadow who was not sent, and the love from that experience should refresh our minds and settle in our hearts as this is what we can enjoy verses what or who we have no control over. Let go, and let God replace who or what you thought you were missing with who or what you truly needed during each season of your life.