Posts with the tag “purpose”

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 There is a famous quote from Ian Simkins that says, “You live out what you believe about yourself, whether it’s true or not.” Think about that for a second. If you believe you’re not good enough, you’ll act like it. If you believe you’ll never measure u...  Read More

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 Do you ever feel like you’re just one mistake away from being “found out”? Are you worried that at any moment, people will realize you’re not as talented, as worthy, or as capable as they thought?  Maybe you struggle to acce...  Read More

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 In ancient Greek theater, actors didn’t just play a role, they wore masks. Large, exaggerated expressions were held up on poles so that even those seated far in the back could see the emotions of the character on stage. Ever...  Read More

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 There is something I want you to understand today as you read this: You didn’t just stumble into where you are today. You didn’t make the team, land...  Read More

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 You are not an accident. You’re not the result of randomness or coincidence. God, the ultimate Creator, intentionally designed you as His masterpiece. Every part of who you are – your personality, your talents, and your passions – was crafted by Him for...  Read More

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." - Philippians 3:7 In a world that constantly tells you to define yourself by what you do, what you own, or what you achieve, Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7 are a radical reminder of where your true identity lies. Paul, who had every reason to boast about his accomplishments and status, realized that none of it mattered compared ...  Read More

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17 I want you to be honest when I ask you this question, are you wasting your time? Are you holding back, waiting for applause, chasing acceptance, or fearing rejection? When you live fo...  Read More

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:10 You live out what you believe about yourself, whether it’s true or not. If you believe you’re not good enough, not smart enough, or not worthy, you’ll live that way; hesitant, unsure, and afraid to step into the purpose God has for you. But those beliefs are often based on lies, expectations, o...  Read More

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 Have you ever held back from stepping into something because of fear? Maybe you were afraid of failing, disappointing others, or not living up to expectations. Instead of taking the chance, you played it safe. You recommended someone else, procrastinated, or talked yourself out of it. Not because you did...  Read More

"Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, what am I still trying to prove? Are you walking through life wearing a mask, driven by the need to prove your worth to someone? Maybe your family, your friends, your boss, or even yourself...  Read More

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 16:25 What are you afraid of losing? Is it your reputation, success, relationships, opportunities, or even a carefully crafted image of yourself? Sometimes the things we hold onto the tightest reveal the places where fear has taken root. Fear of loss can drive us to wear masks, pretend, o...  Read More

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:13-14 Your identity isn’t something that shifts with your circumstances or changes with other people’s opinions. But if you base your worth on your acceptance by others or on your accomplishments, it’...  Read More

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." - Psalm 138:8 Have you ever been left on a cliffhanger? Maybe you’re watching a show, and just as things reach the most intense moment, it ends. You can’t help but peek at the next episode just to make sure the character makes it.  My wife and I were watching Madam Secre...  Read More

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31 When we hear the story of David and Goliath, it’s often painted as a classic underdog tale. The small guy takes on the giant against all odds and somehow wins. In the sports world, it’s the Cinderella story of the smaller team taking down the powerhouse. But here’s the truth you need to know: David was...  Read More

“But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).This series we are in is called, “Soul Detox.” We are decluttering and deep cleaning our hearts through fasting. But why is it that prayer is so essential to fasting?You see, the purpose of fasting, as we touched on in our last d...  Read More

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." – Psalm 139:14    It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. You might wish you were taller, had different hair, or looked a certain way. But God didn’t make a mistake when He created you. Every detail about you; your height, your features, your personality, was care...  Read More

"But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up." - Jonah 1:4    When God calls you to something, it’s tempting to let fear hold you back. Maybe the task seems too big, too risky, or too far outside your comfort zone. You might be tempted to run, to avoid the calling, or even convince yourself that it’s not really f...  Read More

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8    Isn’t it incredible that God knows everything about you—your past, your mistakes, your sins—and still chooses to use you? He doesn’t turn away because of the mess you’ve made. Instead, He leans in with grace, ready to do something amazing in and through you. It’s not because you’ve earned it or...  Read More

"For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." – Psalm 107:9    This world is constantly trying to sell you something. Everywhere you look, there’s a promise that if you just had this one thing, you’d finally be happy. But no matter how much you accumulate—whether it’s wealth, success, status, or possessions—it’s never enough. Yesterday, we talked about the end...  Read More

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20    Jesus never stops pursuing you. Even when you feel distant from Him, He’s right there, knocking on the door of your heart, calling you back. If you’ve ever felt like God is far away, it’s important to remember that He hasn’t left you, yo...  Read More

"For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?"- Isaiah 14:27   Are you ever overwhelmed by external obstacles and life’s uncertainties? You might look around at the challenges and setbacks in your life and wonder if they could derail the plans God has for you. But remember this powerful truth, nothing can stop God's plans from comin...  Read More

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 There is an important truth that can be found in every one of our lives, as followers of Christ. Whether it's time, talents, relationships, or material possessions, God equips us with everything we need to carry out His will and glorify Him.  Read More

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28   Life has a way of presenting us with circumstances that seem impossible to overcome. There are moments when it feels like everything is against us and there’s no way out. But the good news is that God can turn your circumstances around in an instant, no matt...  Read More

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6   God, in His infinite wisdom, has given each of us unique gifts and talents. We are all distinct, created with a specific purpose, and equipped with the abilities neede...  Read More

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11   A dream unrealized. It's a pain that will leave you questioning your purpose and direction in life. Many of us, at some point or another, will experience a time in our lives when what we had hoped for doesn’t align with reality. In those moments of devasta...  Read More

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. - Isaiah 43:2 Have you ever experienced a time in your life when God closed the door? Maybe it was a job opportunity that fell through, a relationship that ended unexpectedly, or a dream that didn't come...  Read More

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" - Matthew 16:24    In our journey of pursuing God's best, we've explored the importance of seeking it and the necessity of waiting for it. But there's another aspect to consider: the sacrifice required to obtain it. God desires to give us His best, but often, it comes a...  Read More

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2-3   Pain is a part of life. It’s a painful truth, isn't it? Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual, we all experience pain in one form or another. And in those moments, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, even de...  Read More

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." - John 6:44   Have you ever felt like you're not enough? Like you don't have anything significant to offer? It's a common struggle in a world that often measures worth by worldly standards. But what if I told you that God sees things differently? You see, God specializes in turning the ordin...  Read More

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 I want you to know something today: God believes in you even when you doubt yourself. His faith in you remains steadfast even when your own confidence wavers. Today, let's explore the profound truth that God's belief in you transcends your own self-percept...  Read More

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" - Isaiah 30:21   Have you ever felt a nudge, a whisper in your heart, prompting you to step into something significant for God? Maybe it's a calling to serve, a mission field, or a specific purpose in your life. Whatever form it takes, God's calling is not to be taken ligh...  Read More

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14   Goal setting is a practice that many of us are familiar with in various aspects of our lives, such as our careers, education, or health. However, have you ever considered the importance of setting spiritual goals as a means to become more like Christ? In Philippians 3:14, the ...  Read More

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" - Matthew 2:1-2   As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the incredible events that took place over two thousand years ago—the birth of our Savi...  Read More

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9   Life can often feel like a complicated puzzle with missing pieces. We struggle to make sense of the past, wrestle with the challenges of the present, and worry about an uncertain future. It's during these times of uncertainty that we need to remember why we should tr...  Read More

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)   Life is often filled with uncertainties, and we may find ourselves in the midst of the unseen. In these moments, our faith in God's plan becomes a beacon of hope and assurance. Today’s key passage of Scripture defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do no...  Read More

Romans 8:28 (NIV) - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."   Have you ever made a mistake that left you feeling broken, unworthy, or discouraged? The good news is that God can use even our mistakes to bring about something amazing. He is the master of redemption, turning our brokenness into beautiful testimonies...  Read More

Deuteronomy 28:2 (NIV) - "All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God."   When we choose obedience to God, He pours out His blessings upon our lives in abundant measure. Our obedience opens the door for His favor, provision, and grace to flow freely. The path of obedience is not always easy, but the rewards it brings far outweigh any sacrifice we may make. ...  Read More

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19   In the journey of life, we are faced with a crucial choice: are we going to embrace life in Christ or succumb to the grip of sin and death? Let's explore the profound benefits of choosing...  Read More

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5   The stirring within your heart, the calling that tugs at your spirit—when will you rise up and respond? God has placed a unique purpose on your life, and He is inviting you to step into it. Let's explore the challenge of answering God's calling and embra...  Read More

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." - Psalm 5:3   The way we begin our day sets the tone for what follows. Starting our day alone with God in solitude and seeking His presence can have a profound impact on our hearts, minds, and spirits. Let's explore the benefits of carving out sacred moments each morning to connect with our...  Read More