Doing what you were told to do

Many times when God has already told us our purpose we keep on saying, "I want to do more". We feel like we did not do enough especially if we are so used to the hectic life doing this and that "for the ministry". 

In Luke 17:5 it talks about the apostles--Jesus disciples asking Jesus to "Increase our faith" if you will look at the verses before it Jesus was talking about how they should live as followers of Christ. So their remark meant they are asking Jesus to help them be able to do what they needed to do as He is instructing them. Then Jesus comes telling them if they had that small faith they will be able to achieve what they needed to,  “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you." Jesus then goes explaining through an illustration of a person commanding a servant to do something and that servant does it then definitely the master thanks the servant for doing what is asked of him to do. So Jesus is saying that as long as they do what Jesus told them to do. "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Relating the two passages both talks about faith in Christ. The disciples felt incapable what Jesus asked them to do but Jesus is implying "just do what I told you to do" and I will thank you. 

 

Like the disciples we need to pay attention to what Jesus--the master says on what we must do. When we follow carefully Jesus' instructions even if we have the faith like a mustard seed Jesus will be grateful that we obeyed. Do not go beyond the boundary of what Jesus told you to do just because you feel like your not doing enough. Always be in line with His will for you. He knows your capability and would not place you in a position you cannot handle. Ask Him what He wants you to do.

Before it Even Started

"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." -Psalm 139:16

I used to think I didn't really matter to anyone from my experiences growing up when I found it easier to find enemies than to find friends. Dramatic as it may seem, it does happen and did happen not only to me but to a lot of people. When people seem to hate us more than anybody else because on how they treat us we feel like getting smaller and smaller and our self-esteem gets destroyed little by little. This happens especially when we find it our purpose to please people to be able to live a good life. We want people to like us that is. If then our self-esteem becomes completely destroyed we get crushed and feel that our life doesn't matter and will never matter. Some wish they weren't even born and if worst comes to worst end their lives because thye seem to be better off dead than alive. Some try even harder to do something that will please people and make themselves feel importance.

Being one of those whose self-esteem has been crushed I was one of those who tried a lot of things to please others and be commended--to "matter". But today is a totally different story because I have found my significance in God's eyes. To matter to the ruler of the Universe and creator of it all is more than enough that I do not need to get anybody's assurance or commendation.

The psalmist David shared a very good reflection on how each individual matters to God. Even before He created us He "saw my (our) substance, being yet unformed". Can you imagine before He even formed us in our mother's womb He already valued us? If you will follow through the verse, "the days were fashioned for me (us), when as yet there were none of them". God knew and fashioned (designed) our days even before it existed.

But it's not only your life that matters but every life from the very beginning. Life starts in the womb of a mother and no matter how hard it is to protect those lives we must protect them. We must not think of these lives as another "burden" or mouth to feed but view them as another wonderful gift from God--of great significance to Him.

Before it even started every life matters--our life, the lives of the people around us, and the lives of the babies in the mother's womb. Even if it was "unplanned" by the mom, God had already planned everything for the baby. Each one of us started as babies in our mothers womb--all wonderful gifts. Save a life--your life, the lives of the people around you, and your baby's life. Give life a chance to be enjoyed and lived as according to how God fashioned it.

Called to Pray

We often forget the significance of prayer in our daily activities and in fulfilling our purposes for God. As every performance needs practice and every battle needs preparation we too, as Christians need to pray. Prayer is the key to a fruitful and wonderful day. Prayer is our preparation for the battle and struggles we are to face each day. Prayer is acknowledging the need for God's covering and is dedicating the day to the Lord; it is trusting God to guide us each step of the way.

Growing up, I can remember many sleepless nights or being awakened by dreams. These were the moments I knew that God is urging me to pray for someone or something. Many if not all of the dreams that awakened me are dreams that caused great fear in my mind and the refuge I always find is to come to God in prayer for refuge and comfort that He is there with me. I wouldn't have imagined getting through my fears whether in dreams or in every trial or problem I face each day without asking for God to help me through. Having felt for myself the importance and the help of praying I have increasingly found myself in the desire to pray for others--the sick, the lonely, the lost, the leaders, and everyone else that God stirs me to pray for. I am a witness to the hundreds if not thousands of His answers and the blessings that come along with praying.

I believe that each of us are called to pray. We are to pray for one another and for every situation. As much as prayer blesses us it is also a way we could bless others beside us or from afar. Jesus has set the example for us by getting up very early in the morning to pray. He prayed not only for Himself but also for others,
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. " from John 17:20. All throughout His life on earth He has prayed for the bread to be multiplied to feed the five thousand, for the sick to be healed, and for many things.

We pray not because we are holier or more righteous than anybody but because we are in need of a Saviour. We pray because we need His grace to help us live the life He has called us to be. We pray because we are called to consider that as much as we are in need of a Saviour others also need Him. We pray that the windows of heaven will be opened and bring joy to the gloomy. We pray not because we are just following through with a routine but because we love. We love God and desire to communicate with Him continually. We love people and therefore desire to draw them closer to Him through our prayers. We pray because it is one of the most wonderful privilege we have through Jesus Christ.

We are called to pray and it is not only for those who have beautiful words but for those who communicates from the heart. Desire to pray and be passionate about it. With the desire and passion to pray God will help us wake up early and set up a perfect time of dedication to Him. We are called to pray to exercise our faith in the one and only God we serve.

Boldness to do the unpopular

You had to make a decision to choose from two things. These things will determine what happens next into your life. In making this very important decision you try to analyze the possible results from the decision you will make.

Making decisions are part of our lives. We cannot run away from it. In finding out our purpose in life we have the chance to choose between different options and in making the choice it's either we let others decide for us or we take the boldness to do the unpopular decision. When God calls you to make a certain unpopular decision--something you know the people around you won't understand; it takes boldness to do it. Sometimes it could not only be unpopular to others but also to yourself. The decision is not something you ever dreamed of doing or something you ever dared of making. But then you heard the call and you know taking the boldness to obey is better than pleasing the people around you.

I can understand that BOLDNESS means they may not understand you but you take the step anyway. Boldness is doing something with great courage no matter what happens or what people may say. No one ever said taking the step of boldness is easy but it is what you should have in order to obey God's purpose for you.

The good thing about BOLDNESS is the joy you have in your heart because you know you've made the right decision. You know when you take this step you have an advocate alongside you willing to help you, to strengthen you, to provide for you, and to protect you. God never calls us into something and then leave us behind. Oftentimes He just gives us the privilege to join Him in the work that He has already started.

Maybe the decision meant you had to let go of something, someone, or some place but it's all going to be worth it. But the bigger steps you take in following your purpose the more you see the blessings that comes with following God. He can always give you something greater than what you had before, new friendships to be blessed with, and more beautiful place to encounter. And as you continue with that mission you know God is smiling at you encouraging you to keep stepping forward until your purpose has been fulfilled.


Dare to be BOLD. Dare to do the UNPOPULAR.

(I wrote this out of my inspiration from a Minute with Maxwell's talk on BOLDNESS, http://johnmaxwellteam.com/boldness/ and experiences.)