I just finished day 2 of the @YouVersion plan ‘Living Changed: Purpose’. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/4q1

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/est.4.14.KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.28.KJV

Gifts from God Have you ever stopped to consider how all the pieces of your life fit together? Whether you realize it or not, God put certain things in your path and gave you opportunities to strengthen different skills, so that He could prepare you for your purpose.  As a 30-year-old woman, I remember thinking back on my cheerleading years and wondering how it connected to my adult life. For 13 years, from kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I cheered for my school and led pep rallies. As an adult, I couldn’t see the reason God had for giving me those experiences.  Not long after that, I went to a conference where I heard women speak passionately about leading others to Christ. I thought to myself, “I want to do that someday.” Right then, God connected the dots for me. Because of cheerleading, I’m comfortable in front of large crowds and able to hold their attention. In all those years, God had been preparing me for the role He created for me. Every one of your life experiences makes you uniquely you. Consider the natural talents God has given you, the different opportunities you’ve had, and the skills you’ve acquired. Think about where you grew up, where you’ve traveled, what you’ve learned. Maybe you understand different cultures and can relate to people around the world, or maybe you create art that inspires and moves people to action. The various experiences you’ve had in your life may seem irrelevant on their own, but together, they’re leading you toward something meaningful that you can use to glorify God.  We see this in the book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman who is in the unique position to save her people from mass genocide. Even as the wife and queen of the Persian King, she didn’t see herself as special or more important to God’s plan than anyone else. She was just doing her best to survive. But because of who she was, where she lived, the time she lived in, who she had influence with, and the wisdom God gave her, He used her to save the Israelites from death. There’s no question that God has given you skills, talents, education, financial power, status, or influence that is special to you. The question is how you will use it. You don’t have to be in full-time ministry to do God’s work. You can work for God in business or in the home, with many or with few. Most of us won’t be famous someday, but we all have circles of influence and unique gifts that those in our circle of influence need. Ask God to reveal how these things equip you for His purpose. God, thank you for everything you’ve given me and for every opportunity you’ve placed in my path. Show me all the strengths, characteristics, learnings, influence, and provisions you’ve given me that are unique to me. Reveal how they all come together to point to your purpose for my life. I want to use the things in my past for your Kingdom. Help me bring glory and honor to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I just finished day 1 of the @YouVersion plan ‘Living Changed: Purpose’. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/4q1

Delight thyself also in the LORD; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.37.4.KJV

Living Changed: Purpose https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/18601

Created for Purpose Each of us was born to fulfill a specific purpose in this world. Even though we might not choose to acknowledge it, or have it figured out yet, God designed every single person with an incredibly unique combination of gifts that He wants to use to grow His Church. Thankfully, God has placed clues in our hearts and, through the Holy Spirit, guides us to discover our purpose. As children, we have such big imaginations. We create characters and whole worlds where we see ourselves as capable of anything. The sky’s the limit! We haven’t learned what to fear or been told we can’t. We’re not yet confined by life’s harsh realities or worried about status. We’re confident in who we are and free to play out our dreams. I can remember playing in the front yard in my superhero pajamas with the matching top and bottom. I was Wonder Woman, rescuing the world from danger! I’d stand guard on the porch with my hands on my hips, and at the first sign of trouble, I would jump in to save the day. Even after playing all day long, I wouldn’t get tired of it. When I got older, I wondered why I’d had that particular desire when I was little. It became clear to me that even as a child, I wanted to help those who couldn’t help themselves. As a pastor, that’s exactly what I get to do today. I work tirelessly to rescue people from the gates of hell by leading them to The Rescuer. I know God put me on this earth to help save people. He put that desire in me from the beginning. Maybe you didn’t want to be a superhero. Instead, you followed a nightly bedtime routine for all your dolls, or set up a class of stuffed animals to teach. Maybe you pretended to heal the sick, report the news, or explore new worlds. Whatever dreams you had as a child, they weren’t in your heart by coincidence. God placed them there for a purpose. Even though the world may have convinced you to dismiss them as imaginary, they’re still there—woven into the fabric of who He made you to be. If you’re unsure of God’s purpose for you, look at what you’ve dreamed. Consider the things that draw you to tears, pull on your heart strings, get you fired up, and bring you to a righteous anger. He put those things in you, uniquely creating you for a purpose that only you can fulfill.  God, thank you for creating me with a specific purpose in mind. Thank you for believing in me and giving me exactly what I need to fulfill your calling on my life. Reveal to me the passions, hopes, and desires you’ve placed in my heart, and clearly show me how to use them for your Kingdom Lord. Help me to live in your will and bring you glory with everything I say and do. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 1 John 5:14 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.5.14.KJV