You Are a World Changer

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He made a mark in history that is known throughout the world! I am grateful to God for His courage to fight for equality among all people during the civil rights movement. We may never be known on a level as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, but we too can make a mark in history that “can not be erased.”

The part that God has for you to play in establishing His will on earth will shape the course of history! We often don’t view our destiny with such magnitude but your part is needed and significant.

1 Corinthians 12:14-20 TPT 14 In fact, the human body is not one single part but rather many parts mingled into one. 15 So if the foot were to say, “Since I’m not a hand, I’m not a part of the body,” it’s forgetting that it is still a vital part of the body. 16 And if the ear were to say, “Since I’m not an eye, I’m not really a part of the body,” it’s forgetting that it is still an important part of the body. 17 Think of it this way. If the whole body were just an eyeball, how could it hear sounds? And if the whole body were just an ear, how could it smell different fragrances? 18 But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. 19 A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all! 20 So now we see that there are many differing parts and functions, but one body.

Each of us together makes up the body of Christ and the body of Christ accomplishes God’s will when we are all functioning in the part we were designed to operate in. What is your role as a part of the body of Christ? Whatever it is that God has designed for you to do, WE NEED YOU! Let your light shine! It is my prayer that you will do everything with such integrity and excellence that men will recognize you and, in turn, you will bring recognition and honor back to our heavenly father. Remember, it is through your life and light that God will be able to draw men unto Him.

Prayer for the Journey

God, it is only through you that I can fulfill the destiny you prepared for me. Help me not to view my part as small or insignificant. I declare I will fulfill my part as a functioning member of the body of Christ. Thank you for choosing to use me.

In Jesus name, Amen!

Discipline Not Abuse

It is impossible to reach your destiny in life without Godly correction and discipline. When you have the wrong perspective of God, discipline and correction are viewed as tools God uses to MAKE us yield and obey His will. Submission will always be by choice. God, who loves us unconditionally, uses discipline and correction to conform our hearts with purpose and responsibility. Discipline is not God using abuse or pouring out wrath upon those He loves, yet it is His way of confronting the evil in our hearts with a better way of life.

Discipline often comes as a still voice leading us to operate in love and the consequences we experience in life. Consequences are the results of our actions that give us space in time to reexamine our ways and bring about correction. Remember, God is not the source of the bad that happens in our lives! There are natural laws on the earth, that if broken produce effects here on earth. God uses those moments to help us get back on a path in which He knows will help us fulfill destiny.

People who have not dealt with their own issues in life abuse discipline and for this reason, there is a negative connotation associated with this word. Hebrews 12:7-11 TPT 7 Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? 8 We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons. 9 And isn’t it true that we respect our earthly fathers even though they corrected and disciplined us? Then we should demonstrate an even greater respect for God, our spiritual Father, as we submit to his life-giving discipline. 10 Our parents corrected us for the short time of our childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects us throughout our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share His holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.

There is a great task that God has destined for you to fulfill and you will not reach that destined place without God's loving discipline in your life.

Prayer for the Journey

Father thank you for loving me enough to correct the ways in my heart that will lead me down a path of destruction. Thank you for reminding me that the bad I experience as a result of poor decisions doesn't come from you. Jesus took the punishment for my sin but I realize my choices do have consequences. Thank you for using these consequences to give me space in time to shape my heart for fulfillment of your will. I need your correction to help me fulfill the plans you have destined for my life. Thank you for not giving up on but yet choosing to correct me.

In Jesus name, Amen!

What's Next

"What's Next," is a question I often posed before the Lord after I had completed a long-awaited goal. There were times when I didn't even enjoy the success because I was so focused on what I would do next.

I have discovered that "NEXT" will always be known through an intimate relationship with Christ.

When you were recreated in Christ Jesus, you were given desires to do the good works God planned and prepared ahead of time for you to walk in. There is a good life God prearranged and made ready for you to live. (paraphrased - Ephesians 2:10)

The key to discovering God's prearranged plans for your life or "What's Next," will always be through a relationship where you walk and talk with the Lord. Stay focused on Jesus and He will always LEAD you to "NEXT."

Prayer for the Journey

Heavenly Father, thank you for your continual guidance in my life. Thank you for reminding me that I can keep my eyes on you and not always looking for what I am supposed to do. As I remain focused on you, you will guide me into the plans that have been prepared for my life. Help me to slow down and enjoy life and the successes that come with it! Help me not to live life rushed, always trying to get to the next assignment. As I live in a close relationship with you, help me to realize that you are leading and guiding me on a path that will always bring me to "NEXT."

In Jesus Name, Amen!