God's Work Begins Where Our Ability Ends

God created each and every one of us for a distinct purpose. Many of us have several purposes. He plants these in our souls and lives, but it seems that few people find their true, specific purpose. Why? Distractions. The 'volume' of the world around them. Fear. Cynicism. The "I'm a realist" viewpoint. Pride. Over confidence in their own abilities.

How sad. Our creator infused us with specific passion, launches us with a distinct purpose, and opened the possibility of communicating with Him through His own personal sacrifice ... AND WE MISS IT!

So how do you find it? It's not as hard as you think to find it, but it takes faith, guts, and relentless persistence to follow through. You have to fight back naysayers, the cultural norm, pressure from family and friends, and sometimes what seem like impossible circumstances. But here's a dose of reality. God's work begins where our ability ends.

I'll say it again: GOD'S WORK BEGINS WHERE OUR ABILITY ENDS.

So if you are not willing to believe enough to have the faith to step past your barriers of logic ... if your faith isn't strong enough to take a risk and to step out where God has called you ... then you will never see an ounce of your purpose. If you don't truly believe in the power of the Creator of the universe, then you will complain, moan, grow bitter, fall into depression, get hooked on meds or drugs ... but you will not live a fulfilling life. You will wallow in your mediocre existence ... accomplishing next to nothing for the Kingdom of God. And you call yourself a Christian?

So where do we begin? Self Dissection. What makes you tick? You've probably heard people say that your area of genius in life is something that you would be willing to do for free. God has planted passion in you. Seek it out.

Here's the deal: Take a notebook and write on it "Study of Andy Shivers" (of course use your own name). Start with areas of life and then fill in the blanks. What subjects are you passionate about? What things on earth would you change if you could? What do you love to teach or share with others? What motivates you? I could list these forever, so I'm just going to open up my life and show you mine:

Spiritual
Daily Time with God
Spiritual Authority - The True Church
Grace (Power)
Worship and Praise
Serving
Health and Wellness Ministry
Ichthys
The Science of Creation
FAMILY
Role of the Husband-Father
Solutions for the Homeless
Racial & Cultural Reconciliation

The Science & Benefits of:
Hiking
Martial Arts
Nutrition
Exercise
Genetic Testing
Specific Diet
Fasting

Finance & Business
FairTax
Financial Responsibility
"Buzzworthy" Business
Networking w/ Give First approach
Pleasantly Persistent Sales


The list grows. This was step #1. Next? PRAY. PRAY. PRAY. SET GOALS. WRITE THEM DOWN. GET TO WORK.
In other words, what you do DAILY is who you are. Once you have dedicated daily/weekly/monthly time to your specific goals ... LET NOTHING STOP YOU!

WARNING: Once you step out on faith, spend daily power time with God and begin actively pursuing His purpose in your life, the enemy will attack ... full force. It's what Satan is scared of the most.

NOW DO IT!

God is good

God is so good!
Praise Him!
Sing!
Dance!
Worship!

Be Strong & Courageous

Moses the servant of the Lord had died. God wasted no time and commissioned Joshua to fill some huge shoes. Not only that, God told Joshua to cross the Jordan (the people of Canaan had counted on the Jordan to act as a barrier against Israeli invasion).
Then God tells Joshua what he will do (or better what he had already done) - "Every place on which the soul of your foot treads, I have given it to you."
"No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life ... I will not fail you or forsake you. (vs 6) Be strong and courageous. (vs 7) Only be strong and very courageous. (vs 9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!"

God gave his promise. He made it clear. He told Joshua what he had to do:
#1 be strong and courageous
#2 walk the narrow Way – keep the law
#3 meditate on God's word day and night

In order to receive God's promises, Joshua had to stand up and take it. No doubt. No hesitation. No turning from it right or left. He was to armor himself with God's word and go and take what God had given His people. He was limited only by the places he didn't place his foot upon.

How much our Father wants to give us – how much he's already given us and we don't receive. Doubt, feelings of unworthiness, worldly distractions, fear, hesitation, Sin ... We allow them to rob us of our promises. Why?

Brothers and Sisters, be strong and courageous! For the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.