Coming Out of Someone Else’s Normal, Into My Destiny – II

Posted on June 1, 2015 by espirational1

Romans 8:29 – 30

“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified he also glorified.”

No one wants to get to the end of their live and consider themselves a failure. In fact, most people don’t want to fail at anything they endeavor to do. But, do we feel the same way about fulfilling our God-given purpose? Are we willing to fail at what God has predestined us to do in order to fit into someone else’s box? Are we willing to forego our calling so we can be liked? Are we willing to neglect our predestination in order to get along with others? Are we willing to fail God so others can feel good about us?

In every family everyone has a role. Some of us are the “go to” person. You know, the one everyone calls when things are falling apart. The one everyone expects to have all the answers and take care of everything even when it’s not their responsibility. Then you have the “baby” of the family. Not that they are a baby or the youngest in the family, they just act like a helpless, hapless baby. They expect to be taken care of by everyone else because that’s their role. And of course, you have the irresponsible one. We all have them in our families, they are the ones that no one can count on for anything, and usually, they are the lazy one that does nothing but expects a share of, or a free ride to, everything that goes on in the family.

But what if your family role was not the role God has appointed for you? Are you willing to give up the role your family expects you to play in order to fulfill your God given appointment?

Sometimes, we are called out of our current situation and into our destiny like David, but other times, we’ve got to walk into our destiny in spite of what others may think or say. We’ve got to know that if God called us to our destiny, He’s made the way for us to fulfill our call and, our gifts will make room for us.

Are you struggling with knowing you’re more than others give you credit for? Or, are you fighting within yourself to move past your fears and reach for the unknown because you know that God has ordained greater for you?

If you answered to either of these questions is “yes” then you have a bigger question to answer; Are you willing to be a failure in God’s plan for you, rather than being the success He’s already ordained you to be?

The biblical meaning of success is summed up in Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Not succeeding at our God-given task means hundreds, possibility thousands or event millions of lives will not affected by the eternity plan that is in you.

To fail or to succeed, the decision is yours.

Coming Out of Someone Else’s Normal, Into My Destiny – Part I

Posted on May 27, 2015 by espirational1

I Samuel 16:1 – 13

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”’

I Samuel 16:7

David was a shepherd boy and in the eyes of his father and his brothers that was all he was ever going to be. When Samuel came looking for the next king of Israel, David wasn’t even called to come from the fields to be inspected by Samuel until all his brothers had been rejected by God Then, God instructed Samuel to ask for David.

People judge us by how they see us; our hair, complexion, our size, height, weight, how we carry ourselves and our clothes. We are also judged by our reputations, what people have heard about us before they’ve even met us.

We judge others, and sometimes we judge ourselves, by our outward appearance. We judge other people by their outward appearance because we can’t judge the heart. We judge ourselves by our outward appearance because we don’t esteem ourselves.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 states God has placed eternity in the heart of men. In other words, God has placed, in our spiritual DNA, a desire to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. God created in our innermost person a need to reach our potential.

There are times in our lives that people want to pigeonhole us, just like David’s father and brothers wanted to pigeonhole him. They want us to conform to what they think we should look like, think and act. But God doesn’t put people in boxes. God does not require that we all follow the same formula.

Look around you and you’ll see that God loves diversity! There are singers, music composers, administrative executives, engineers and day care providers. There are secretaries, computer programmers, doctors and teachers. The list of vocations goes on and on and, in ever vocation there are Europeans, White Americans, African Americans, Asians, Middle Easterners and other ethnic groups. Some are tall, some are short, some are thin, and some are full figured.

Whatever you are, you are the right one for the purpose God has given you! Are you sitting still and allowing your eternity to eat away at your spirit person because you don’t think you measure up? Only you can answer that question.

Living Above Mediocrity,

Anita Wamble

E-spirational – Divine Inspirations

Sharing God’s Word: Motivating God’s People

www.espirational1.com

You Are the Salt of the World!

Posted on May 21, 2015 by espirational1

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

If we have accepted Christ as Savior, You and I are the salt of the world. We have the power to heal, cleanse, preserve, create thirst, keep things afloat – like the Dead Sea, enhance an experience, take away stains, repel unwanted pests and add flavor to every life, situation or circumstance we encounter.

Salt is small and seemingly insignificant but, it is very necessary if we want to change the outcome of the flavor of what we cook or the look of what we clean. The same is true with us.

We may not be a big named preacher or someone others deem significant but we can give a smile to a cashier at the store, a kind word to a homeless person on the street or a shoulder to cry on for someone who is grieving. We can make a small donation to a local charity that’s working to make our community better or volunteer a few hours a week to that same charity. These things may seem small but they can make a big difference.

Christians are the salt of the earth. Everywhere we go and everyone we come in contact with should be changed by their encounter with us. This can be a very dangerous thing if the Christian the world comes in contact with is bitter, resentful, envious, and hateful or has a bad attitude. Christians with personalities like this in like putting too much salt in your food; it ruins the food.

Every time we’re going to encounter someone we need to ask ourselves these questions:

Is my attitude going to enhance or ruin this encounter?
How can I help clean away their stains?
How can I help them stay afloat?
Am I going to do anything that will cause me to be an embarrassment to God?
Has my reputation been rightfully trampled by men?

Keeping these questions in mind will help us enhance our encounter with others verses ruining their view of Christ. We are the salt of the world. We are here to enhance other people’s lives one small act at a time.

We’ve Got to Do Better!

Posted on April 29, 2015 by espirational1

This morning during my devotions the Lord spoke to me and said, “The Body of Christ is weak and scrawny. My Word is full and free for those who choose to eat of it. No, the Body of Christ is weak and scrawny because there is a fast in the land.”

“The people of God are fasting from the Word of God. The people of God are fasting from the promises of God and the people of God are fasting from the holiness of God.”

“My Body has become “of” the world not just “in” the world. My Body is working to hate the sinner or love the sin but they are not loving the sinner to wholeness in Me while hating the sin. You all are going along to get along with a dying and fading world system.”

“Because of My Body’s refusal to keep My commandments and follow My ways, the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is only a flicker. They are no longer the candle that sits on the hill, they are just a smoldering wick.”

He who has an ear, let him hear.

Spiritual Night Travel

Posted on February 26, 2015 by espirational1

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21

Has God ever required you to travel at spiritual night? Moving forward without the full plan to use as your guide or compass? He has required me to travel by spiritual night on more than a few occasions and I can tell you the journey took some time to get used to.

I am a planner. I believe in guidelines, timelines, procedures and schedules. The first time God required me to travel in spiritual night I was rebellious. I didn’t know where He was trying to take me or for what reason. I didn’t have a plan or know the purpose of the journey so I set down and wouldn’t move. I told God, “I’ll do what you tell me to do when you tell me what the end result is going to be and give me a plan!”

God began closing doors and locking windows in my life. And if that weren’t enough, He started turning up the heat making it impossible for me to stay where I was, so I took the only way of escape He left me.

Then I realized the way He had left me was dark because I hadn’t been that way before, I didn’t have a plan nor any experience to cling to during this time. I didn’t know how to travel this path but it was the only path God had left me. Everything else was cut off.

I cried out to God but there was only silence. I prayed but there was no answer. I resolved to go back to the way I had come but I couldn’t because all roads leading back had been blocked. The only way I could go was forward, but how?

Even in our darkest times, during our spiritual night travels, God provides a pillar of fire to lead us. It may be on your coffee table or your night stand. You may have left it in your car from the last time you went to your house of worship, but it is your pillar of fire by night. It is the word of God!

In Exodus 13:21 the pillar of fire guided the people through the wilderness and assured them of God’s presence. That’s what God’s word does for us! Are you in a wilderness experience in your life right now? If so, here’s some light for you to walk in:

You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm – Ephesians 1:3

You are chosen by the Father – Ephesians 1:4

You are God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10

You are victorious – I John 5:4

You are an overcomer – Revelation 12:11

You are healed – I Peter 2:24

You are more than a conqueror – Romans 8:37

God has given you the ability to produce wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18

God hears you when you call – Isaiah 65:24

“We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light. Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world.” George D. Elderkin

Not Mine! All His! Part I

Posted on February 18, 2015 by espirational1

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” II Timothy 1:6 -10 (NIV)

In common vernacular, Paul was telling Timothy, who was timid person, “You’ve got to come out of that timidity and do what God has called you to do. Don’t allow your gifts to smolder and slowly burn out. No! Fan them into a flame so people can see them burn. You can’t hide what God has given you. Get out of your comfort zone! God didn’t save you, empower you and give you His grace so you can hide! No! You’ve got to get into the battle!

When we give God our minds, bodies and spirits we are saying we no long lay claim to ourselves. Everything about us, strengths, weaknesses, insecurities, pride, gifts, talents and even our fears are not ours anymore; they belong to God.

Nothing we call ours is ours any more. Our spouses, children, homes, jobs, all our belongings belong to God. Everything God has given us is at His disposal to teach, correct or bless us. In other words, we don’t have the authority to tell God “no” any more. Everything God says goes!

Stop fighting God! Staying in your comfort zone is not an option any more. We have to let the light of our gifts shine knowing they are going to attract good and bad attention. We’re going to have fight against our internal enemies and our external foes in order to fulfill our destinies.

It’s time for us to stop sitting on the sidelines watching others fight their fight of faith. It’s time for everyone to get into the battle! Are you ready?

Hold On – Part I

Posted on February 3, 2015 by espirational1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.” Psalm 27:1 – 2
There is an old Sam and Dave song that has a hook that says, “Hold on, I’m comin!'” Thankfully, we did not enter into our Promised Lands with Sam and Dave. If we had, when we were in trouble, we would have had to wait until they got to us before they could help.
We entered our Promised Lands with God the Father, who is always with us. In fact, Deuteronomy 31:8 states God goes before us, therefore, we do not have to be afraid nor discouraged because God is always with us. If God had a song like Sam and Dave’s his hook would be, “Hold on, I’m here!”
We don’t have to worry if God is going to rescue us from our enemies. He’s with us when it feels like our enemies are overwhelming us and God never needs to be rescued. He’s always the mighty one. There is nothing and no one greater than God and he will never leave us.
All of us had to fight to get into our Promised Land. We had to fight our past, our disappointments, our worries and our anxieties.  We had to fight our low self-esteem, our heartbreaks and our intimidation. Through all of these things, God was with us. By God’s grace and his mercy we made! Through hard fought battles, most won but some lost, we made it.
Here we stand on the soil of our Promised Land, and guess what? We still have to fight! Just like the Israelites had to fight when they marched into their Promised Land, so do we. The good news is, just like he was with the Israelites, God is with us! He is our very present help in the time of trouble.
DO NOT GIVE UP NOW! God has been and will continue to be with you. He sees what you’re going through and he’s right beside you helping you get through it. This is not the time or the place to give up! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. God is with you. Remember his hook, “Hold on, I’m here!”

Oh, What A Friend – Part II

Posted on January 31, 2015 by espirational1

From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14

In our earthly friendships there is a level of equality between friends. Not so in our friendship with God. It is through my relationship with Jesus that we have friendship with God but God is not our equal even through he’s our friend. Here’s why we not equal to God:

1. His standards are always right.

2. His word is always true.

3. His promises are always kept.

4. God has never, and won’t ever, make a mistake.

5. Gods’ will has and will always prevail.

6. Gods’ way has been and will always be perfect.

7. Gods’ decisions are based on the whole picture and not limited to a specific amount of knowledge.

No one is God except God. No matter how much we pray, how many times a week we fast or how much we give to the poor, we are not God. We are sinners, saved by Gods’ grace. We are given new mercies every day by the unmerited favor of God through Christ.

Our role model for living a life of friendship with God is Jesus. In order to have a true friendship with God, we must do what Jesus did. First, Jesus spent quality time with God (Luke 22:39 – 41). Second, Jesus counseled with God about decisions that needed to be made (Luke 6:12 – 13). Third, even though Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, he walked humbly before God. (John 5:30). The fourth thing Jesus did to strengthen his friendship with God was to think of other more than he thought of himself (John 22:42).

Jesus’ death was not about his friendship with God, it was about OUR friendship with God. Jesus knew unless he died and atoned for the sins of the world, we would never have the opportunity to reconcile with God. Jesus knew unless he died human kind would never have the opportunity to form a friendship with our Creator.

Jesus did the hard work regarding our relationship with God. He bought our salvation by his sacrifice. It is our responsibility to nurture our friendship with God and to cultivate our relations with him by following Jesus’ example of spending time with God, seeking God’s counsel before we make decisions, walking humbly before God and caring about others more than caring about ourselves.

It is a blessing to sing the old spiritual that says, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grieves to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.”

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Transition Through Discomfort

Posted on January 30, 2015 by espirational1

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18 – 19 (NIV)

I realized that the place of my greatest discomfort is the starting point for my new beginning. When true discomfort sets in, I look for a way out. A way to change my circumstances and outcomes. I look for a way to alleviate my discomfort. This is the starting point for relieve from the old to move me to a new place.

I realized that my discomfort comes after God has been trying to move me out of my old and familiar comfort zone into something new, but I have resisted the change. I don’t always like new. I figure if it’s working why change it. But I serve a God who is not stagnate nor stale. He wants to do new things in my life so I can experience the fullness of his love, peace and joy. He wants me to move unto the fullness of his plan for me.

God knows I can’t get to or move further into my Promised Land if I stay where I am. I have to move. I have to change if I want God’s best for me.

So, after I’ve done everything I know to do and can’t find a remedy to the problem or, provide a resolution to a difficult situation, I throw up both my hands and say, “God, do it.” Right then, I have entered into a new beginning.

God’s ways are not my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts. He’s not going to do it my way. It’s going to be a new way that leads me to new things. It’s going to be his way. My transition to new happened because of my discomfort.

Can I get an “Amen” for transitioning through discomfort?

Oh, What A Friend – Part I

Posted on January 23, 2015 by espirational1

From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14

There is a song by Walter Hawkins that says, “If you ever need a friend that sticks closer than any brother I recommend Jesus, Jesus because he’s that kind of friend. He will never, never forsake you. Even though he every thing there is to know about you. I recommend Jesus, Jesus because he’s that kind of friend.”

Friends have things in common. Shared interest like shopping, cooking, sports or books. There is something that causes them to be drawn together – hence they get to know each other and begin to share. Out of that sharing a friendship emerges.

Over time a simple association turns into a friendship, which turns into a closer relationship until there forms a mutual level of knowledge about each others character traits, like and dislikes. You get to know each others concerns, strengths and weaknesses.

Jesus gave us the ability to have a friendship with God. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we can have a relationship with a Holy God. Jesus gave us righteousness so we have that trait in common with the Righteous God. Jesus gave us the mind of Christ so we can understand the secrets of God’s words and live in His truths. Jesus came to give us eternal life, so we can live with our friend, God, forever.

Jesus does not lessen God so He can be our friends. When we accept Jesus as our savior, he elevates us so we can become friends of God. Jesus gives us everything we need; holiness, righteousness, peace, love, joy, self-control, etc. so that we have the traits of God and can take on his characteristics.

Jesus didn’t come to compromise God so that we can live anyway we want and still call ourselves Christians. Jesus did not come to lower God’s standards to the world’s standards. NO! Jesus came to elevate us to God’s will for our lives.

Are you living up to your friendship with God?