#175 - Divine Sense of Purpose

Good morning! Hope you are doing well. If you are feeling a bit down or out of sorts, the Word is there to encourage, lift up, and give you answers to whatever it is you may be going through. The Word truly does have the answers we are looking for! Let's get going.

Eccl. 3:1, 3b, 11a - TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: .... a time to break down and a time to build up... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy]...

Where are you at in life right now? Are you happy? Are you sad? Are you experiencing frustrations and valleys? Or, are you on a mountain top of success & accomplishment? Debt? Or financial abundance?

Ecclesiastes begins with the Preacher talking about the great abundance of wisdom & material things in which he was living. He decides to apply himself to seeking out what appears to make others happy. In chapter 2, you'll see that he builds houses, vineyards, pools, brings on servants, gathers silver & gold, wine. He acquires great substance, and even remained wise is says in verse 9. Whatever he desired, he acquired. At the end of his pursuit for happiness, he concluded that it was all vanity and amounted to nothing.

A man of such great substance, but joy did not come from the acquiring. Joy did not fill the home filled with so many 'things.' Chapter 3 then dives into talking about the 'seasons.' There is a season for everything. Sowing, reaping, mourning, dancing, peace, war, etc. Seasons. Seasons do not last forever. Seasons pass. Praise the Lord! Are you tired of the cold winter? Spring & life are coming! Buds on trees, flowers in bloom! Summer is coming! Beaches, pools, sand, grilling out. Summer is coming.  Seasons last for a period and then the tide changes.

Have you been in your season for awhile? Are you ready for the change? Have you been in a time of 'breaking down' and you are just thinking, "When is it time to build up? When is it my time to win? When is it time for joy, abundance, fulfillment?" Your season is coming! Your season to win is upon you! Wait it out. Don't quit.

Make sure your motives are right. We see this preacher pursuing every material thing, yet it did not bring fulfillment. Eccl 3:11 answers a question, and brings clarity to what our focus should be, let's re-read it: "He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy]..." A divine sense of purpose has been placed in YOUR heart & mind! A DIVINE sense of purpose! Nothing but God can satisfy that yearning you have in your heart & mind. God Himself, has placed a divine sense of purpose on the inside of you. In the flesh, you may yearn for the house. You want to move from an apartment to a house, you want to upgrade your vehicle, you want bills and bill collectors not hanging over your head, you think that just to accomplish and move up in those areas, you will be happy. Only to arrive to that place and there be something else, something new.

A divinely implanted sense of purpose which only GOD can satisfy. Success in your business, will be futile. Success in your job, futile. Success in your finances, futile. Unless the underlying focus for ALL you and I pursue is to fulfill the purpose and calling that God has placed on our lives! To purge the underlying things that we "think" will make us happy, and pursue with fervor His purpose. Helping people. Changing lives. Drawing people to His Kingdom. Pursuing with excellence the calling He has placed on our life, the specific way He has called us to make a difference for the Kingdom. We were ALL put here as a piece to the puzzle of God. God's big master-plan, and WE have a part to play. We have a job that needs to be done.

An unhealthy focus on "acquiring things" can pervert our ability to pursue with purity of heart. In our purity of heart, in our pursuit of God, the other things will eventually follow. His desire is to bless His children! His desire is to provide. He is a good God! But we must not stray from our first love. We must not stray from the pursuit that only God alone can satisfy. Pressing in to Him. Pressing in to the One who makes all things possible, the One who gives us life, air to breathe, love.

A divinely implanted sense of purpose. What is yours? Are you pursuing it? Go make YOUR eternal difference in the world. God accomplish YOUR purpose! It is YOUR SEASON! The tide is changing for you! Take a deep breath. It's your season! It's your time! 

#65 - The Clock is Ticking

Buenos dias! It's a great day! I almost needed a jacket on while sitting out on the porch! I was out here a bit earlier than normal.... I postponed one thing I do before I write this because Tyler Jr has his MyGym class this morning! It will be early rising for him.... but then, he will probably take a good nap this afternoon... so that is great! Ok... let's roll!


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 31:10-31 Proverbs 9, Psalms 9, 39, 69, 99, 129

Proverbs 31:20 - She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

Psalms 39:4 - Lord, make me to know my end and [to appreciate] the measure of my days--what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].

Psalms 69:32 - The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live.

Psalms 99:5 - Extol the Lord our God and worship at His footstool! Holy is He!

This morning I was reminded.... though I knew I was on a time schedule, after I read the chapters for today I almost just jumped right into writing what I felt led to write. Then, I was reminded. Reminded to just take some time and listen and journal what I the Lord was telling me. He really summed it all up. His desires. His wishes. His wants for His children. So... check out HIS words to me. I believe they are for you too. 

The clock is indeed ticking. Though the 30 year old may have a long life yet to live, there is urgency on their obedience. The man or woman living in the world needs to know about me. Each day in disobedience adds to those who will die & spend an eternity in hell. Yes. I want My children to hunger for & crave after Me. My desire is for our fellowship to be long & sweet. Daily, constant. All the day long. Like you were spending the day with your best friend. Sometimes you talk. Sometimes you laugh. Sometimes you just sit in their presence. My desire is that My precious children would long for Me. Their time would reflect that I am more important than the TV or internet. Prove to Me, My Child, that I am #1. 

Well... what more needs to be said after that? He just summed up the 4 verses above to perfection. And do you notice how much shorter HIS "devotion" is than what mine usually is?! Wow! He is good! 


The clock is ticking. Though, my belief on my life (according to scripture) is that I will have a LONG life! I believe that is a promise we have as believers. Time is still ticking. The most important thing I can do every day is be obedient to my calling. My lack of obedience may not put me in the right place, developing the right relationships, meeting the right people, being the right example for the lost  who NEED to meet Jesus. My obedience is all part of His plan! 


I realize that the more obedient I am, the more time I will desire to spend in the Word. And... vice versa. The more time I spend in the Word, the more obedient I will be. It is as if I am drowning out the urge or craving for sin. Since I am filling myself up with Good, the bad does not have room to stay. The temptation for sin is diluted until it is gone completely. 


Take some time to meditate on the verses above. For me, I am meditating on especially Psalms 69:32. It is my desire to get more in that place... where I am "requiring Him as my first need". With all that I am, I REQUIRE my time with Him! I REQUIRE a Word from Him. Where upon my waking, my passion is drawn into my time with my God. Where my passion for my relationship with Him urges me on. Draws me in.  


An army. An army of passionate people worshipping the Lord. Eyes lifted up, praising the Father. It starts with Me. It starts with You. The clock is ticking. People are lost. Let's be obedient to our calling. 

#45 - A Fixed Gaze

Good morning! WOW! If you could feel the South Carolina morning today! Blue skies, light breeze, birds chirping, dog barking.... but the BEST of it is the temperature! It feels like it might be only in the high 80's or low 90's! WOW! SO refreshing compared to the summers 105-109 degree temperatures! It feels GREAT out here!


Well... got some good stuff this morning. And THEN the boy and I get to go to his first "gym class" @ MyGym. Should be interesting. Obviously I'm not to thrilled about the whole "Wednesday" class thing since it's usually my DOR.... but today it not my DOR.... only 2 Wednesday's of gym class, then he will switch most likely to Thursday or Saturday. Yippee! :) (Even though those are morning classes... which, all ya'll who have been following know that "the boy" frequently doesn't wake up for his day til about 11:30-12:00. But, it will be worth it! :) ) And yes, "ALL YA'LL" would definitely classify me now as a Southerner! I said it out loud! All Ya'll! You'in's. Or as they say up north in the good ole corn country of Indiana, You Guys. So, ya'll, let's get started! :)

Proverbs 4:25-26 - Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.

Proverbs 31:25 - Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) - She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. 

Fix your eyes. Goals. Plans. 


I remember vividly the days of High School cross-country season. My sister Kimmi & I ran together and created a lot of fond memories during those years. My dad was a pretty stout runner in his day, so for him to coach us & give us tips came very natural to him. I can still see the runs on our old cross-country course back at the High School. The first 1/2 mile was out in the open, and then, we entered the wooded area. The next mile would be back through trees and trails, around a pond, some small hills, tall grasses accompanied by the dry pollen in the air. As we ran, branches hanging across our trail, but just tall enough where our head could duck under without hitting them. The air was dense. The weeds & grasses by Rouch's pond seemed to suck the air right out of our reach, leaving our breathes short, and wanting more. One step, in front of the other. One step, then the next. Right, left, right, left. Our rhythmic pace was quiet, and our breathing was steady. Arms moving strong, positioned at a perfect 90 degree angle, hands at a relaxed open cup. "Don't choke up your arms," we would hear if our form got lazy and our 90 degree angle began to tighten. The more perfect the form, the less energy it would use to give more energy to speed, to endurance. The quieter that we could run, the better with our competition as we approached from behind to pass them. And where were our eyes? Where was our head? Our heads were fixed in a steady, but straight position, our gaze fixed forward about 25 yards. The common "rule of thumb" for all good runners was this, "Keep you head up, keep your eyes focused ahead." Sometimes laziness would pull our eyes down to 3-4 feet in front of us. Looking at each step as we took it, until someone, our dad, a coach, someone invariably shouted reminding us to pull our eyes up, focus on what was ahead. Rough terrain brought us scoping out the next steps, but always about 25 yards ahead at a time. But mostly, if an opponent was close, our eyes were FIXED on her back. Our eyes were fixed on the center of her back as we quietly closed the gap between her and us. She would not even hear us coming. All-conference. Conference champs. Semi-State runners, our team missing the state meet. 4 great runners on a team.... that is one short of a State team. It's hard to go real far without 5 good runners. because 5 scores come into play. 


The Cardinal Rule for ALL good runners, all competitive runners: FIX YOUR GAZE AHEAD. FIX YOUR GAZE FORWARD.


Planning. Where is your gaze fixed? Our Proverbs 31 friend has looked at what the future holds. She has prepared for the future by what she is doing now. Her "NOW" is preparing for her "TOMORROW." Her "NOW" is preparing for her future. Her daily agenda regularly is setting up her SECURITY in tomorrow. Her SECURITY in what's to come in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years down the road. Her NOW. Her TODAY. What she does in her daily agenda is setting herself up for a comfortable future, a confident future. 


Does your life consist of just the "day to day", "come what may", "I'll deal with it when it gets here", "Que Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be", "fly by the seat of your pants?" Do you operate without a plan? Is your GAZE FIXED at your feet? Is it fixed only 3 steps ahead? Is your gaze fixed with your head down? That "today only" mentality often yields a "fear of the future" life. It also yields a lack of passion. When you are looking down at your feet (aka: lacking goals, direction, purpose), you miss the view. When you looking down, you can not see the beauty all around. You can not see the birds flying, the beautiful sky, the amazing sunset, the mountains, waterfalls, the hot air balloon ascending, the ocean waves. All of which, is in front of you. When you are only focused on your feet, you MISS your future! You miss what COULD BE. You miss the opportunity to experience, to go, to explore, to travel. When your gaze is fixed at your feet, you are lacking direction, you can not see where you are going because your gaze is confined. 


A fixed gaze FORWARD consists of goals. Consists of plans. It has too. To run from here to there, it takes a plan of getting from point A to point B. Not a self-directed, selfish plan, but a God-directed, others focused plan. A plan that includes serving others. Providing a service. A good, a product, a word of encouragement. It includes checking back in, "Hey Lord, am I still on track? Am I still going the right direction. My gaze right now is fixed ultimately at that big pier up the way. I'm now headed towards the tree up ahead, but ultimately I'm going to curve around on my way to get THERE! Am I still going in the best direction to get to my destination? My destiny? Just wanted to check in." ....... pause, quiet yourself, stop talking and listen to His response.


Goals. Direction. Plans. Do you have any for your life? Or... are you just living day to day? Whatever comes your way? Begin today. Brainstorm your passions. Brainstorm your dreams. What would bring ultimate love and passion into your eyes? What would bring a twinkle like Christmas morning? The twinkle and excitement that wakes you up early every day? Before your alarm clock even sounds its hello. Begin to dialog with your Father. He will give you direction if you ASK Him and LISTEN. 


Live your dreams on earth! Begin living them now. Establish excitement for your future. Establish excitement for your NOW. 
____________________________________


Need Help? Here's a book recommendation:

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

#33 - Fairytales Do Come True

Good Morning! Today is a very special day.... I'll tell you why in a minute. In the meantime, let's check out our verses....

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

July 13th, 1998. Today is a very special day. Both of the verses for today took place on July 13th. Let's rewind... let's have story time. It was twelve years ago on July 7th that a girl traveled across the country on a mission trip that would extend over the next 3 weeks, until July 27th. She traveled all the way to London, England, Gatwick airport. In the middle of her greatest low in her short Christian life, she felt sad, dirty, unworthy. She felt like a great screw up. How could she even be worthy to be on a trip to share the gospel with anyone. Someone who had messed up so greatly. Someone who just a week prior had really ruined her testimony. Had allowed a non-Christian friendship to escalate to a relationship that went against everything she stood for as a Christian. Standing in the Gatwick airport, with 50 other young people from around the United States and Canada, she most definitely felt unworthy. 


Meanwhile, a small bus drives up, dropping off about 20 other young people who had just traveled France & the Czech Republic for the previous 3 weeks. Loudly singing... and laughing, they joined the 50. The 50. Quiet, new, alone, unsure what to expect, a bit lost. The 20 had been together, had established friendships over the last 3 weeks. So around walks "Mr. Congeniality" introducing himself, shaking hands, finding things in common with the 50, trying to make others feel welcome and warm. 


In the small town of Ashford, England the group begins to minister. From sports clinics, school auditoriums, street ministry, street drama & acting, large evening events with bands, and a gospel message, the 70 minister. One by one, salvation's begin to take place. 


July 13th, 1998. The girl, accompanied by Mr Congeniality walk through the park in Ashford. Rose bushes everywhere, sidewalks, fountains, finely trimmed grass... a perfect picture of an "English Park." Walking to their next event, they talk as they go. Then, there, in the park he stops and hugs her. A simple hug, but one long enough for her to see it. With her eyes closed, she sees a vision.... a large green chalk board, white chalk and The Hand. The Hand simply writes, "This is him. This is your husband, this is the man you are going to marry." 


"How could it be?" she thought. "I have just experienced the greatest low of my spiritual life. I just had the greatest mess up. I am still in the middle of the feelings of unworthiness, disgust. In one hand I held a choice. My God. In the other I held a choice. A Non-Christian Relationship. Though I chose my God, I still messed up so much, messed up my testimony. How could THIS be my husband? How could God be revealing him to me now, at my greatest low?"


The mission trip came and went. She got home and daily prayed, begged, sought the Lord pleading, "Please let this man know he is going to marry me. Please let him know I am his wife." Two years of pleading. Two years of hope deferred making a heart sick. Every day, wondering if he would call, wondering if he would email. Maybe this would be the day. 


Through a series of events, rather amazing events, God revealing to him that this could be the one. His list of 30 plus qualities he wanted in his wife allowed him to check off as each quality was discovered. Athletic, virgin, loves the Lord... and with a few qualities left to find out, she landed in his town for an entire summer. Mission trip #2, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. LT - Leadership Training with Great Commission Ministries. Now, officially dating, officially together. And one evening in the midst of possible physical temptation, the last of the qualities checked off. In a moment of potential "flirting with impurity" or "remaining pure," she began to sing. A beautiful singing voice, the last quality was checked off. She was the one. 


July 13th, 2000..... the scavenger hunt occurs. Unbeknownst to him, 2 years prior, God had most assuredly shown her that he was her husband. July 13th, 2000..... the scavenger hunt for "Lifegroup Leaders" led her on a trip that would end in a garden, roses surrounding it, a fountain trickling....the garden would end with the question she had waited on for 2 years. She had pleaded, cried about, dreamed about. 


As she strode across the garden, she saw a card propped up on a small box. A box just small enough where there had to be a velvet box somewhere. The card went on to say, how special she was. How God had chosen her just for him. It went on to say how much he loved her qualities and her heart for the Lord. She knew through conversation that "I love you" would not be a phrase that would occur in their relationship. The only time "I love you" would occur would be if it was followed by "Will you marry me?" And at the end of the card, for the first time there it was, "I love you. Turn around I have something to ask you."


There he stood. As he walked up, a suit, tie, a smile and a heart that you could see from the outside. His heart was so big. So full of love. As he grabbed her hands, he got down on one knee, "Amy, I love you. Would you be willing to be #2 in my life for the rest of your life? Amy, will you marry me?"


"YES! YES! YES!" 


July 13th. One of the most special days in my life. God told me Tyler was going to be my husband, and a long 2 years of waiting and pleading with God. Crying. The vision did become a reality. That has been 12 years ago that God told me. Fairy tales most certainly do come true! The man I have loved for twelve years just gets better every day. The desire has been fulfilled! 


Single ladies.... he is looking for you! The man that you have always wondered is out there. He is looking for you. You were made to complete each other. You were made just for him. In amidst of your pursuit of God, in your pursuit of the Lord... being obedient to Him, even maybe at your greatest low.... there is where you may find him. He may not even know that he is looking for you.... but he is looking. God will reveal it to him... at the right timing, God will show him. It is your time to pursue God with reckless abandon. To pursue God with fervor! With passion! I remember Tyler asking a question on the mission trip, "What should a girl do to get a guy to notice her?" Answer...."Absolutely nothing. If she is seeking out and pursuing the heart of God, the man who is meant to marry her WILL FIND HER!" She doesn't need to dress to get noticed, flirt to get noticed, pursue the "guy" to get noticed. She needs to do one thing and one thing only, SEEK AFTER THE HEART OF GOD!


More than you could ever imagine, more than you could have ever dreamed is waiting for you. Get your eyes focused on your purpose. On GOD's purpose for you. As you are pursuing that, great things are in store! 


Single guys.... know what you are looking for. Know who YOUR Proverbs 31 woman is. As you pursue God, he will reveal her to you. Be a gentleman. How would you want a young man to treat your daughter? When you find her, treat her with the utmost respect. Do not violate. Do not pervert purity. Treat her like a lady. Treat her like the princess you have always looked to rescue. But first, you must know who she is. You can pray for her before you even meet her. You can pray for her even now. Purity, safety... that she would be developing into this Proverbs 31 wife for you. It could be at her greatest time of struggle, in her greatest moments of temptation, YOUR PRAYERS that save her for you! YOUR PRAYERS that reserve her to be all you have written on your list. YOUR PRAYERS are important. 


Married ladies.... Married men.... Do the same! Is your marriage not turning out the way you thought? Not all you had dreamed? God can restore it too! God can make it into the marriage you had one day dreamed it could be. He can make every day into a day you feel like you have to pinch yourself. A love that just continues to go deeper and deeper. One that gets greater and greater. Where you will fulfill your destiny together, you will create a legacy together. Seek #1 to pursue the NUMBER ONE! Put your God where He belongs, first. If you put God first, above everything else, your spouse will be the most loved and cared for spouse imaginable. Their needs will be met to such a degree that YOU didn't even know you were capable of fulfilling. BECOME that man or woman God is calling you to be. It is there, in the middle of a passionate pursuit, that you will find happiness in EVERY area of your life. 


Fairytales do come true. I am living proof. 

#16 - Pursing your Purpose in Peace

Good morning. :) Sometimes I am curious when I wake up.... "What is the Lord going to teach me this morning." In my own knowledge, I have no idea what it's going to be. I don't even know the direction He is going to take. I keep waiting on Him to have a devotional on fitness (see the latter part of Proverbs 31:17).... but as of yet, He just hasn't led that way. That would be something easy for ME, because of the knowledge "I" have.... but can anyone say, "PRAISE THE LORD"... when we get before the Lord, it is not about what WE know, but about what HE knows and how HE directs us. This morning was good & HE had a lot to say about the subject we are going to talk about, so let's dive in. 

Proverbs 14:30 - A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body...

Proverbs 31:17 - She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]...

Before we really jump into things...let me make mention of a couple of areas in regards to your time with the Lord. There have been seasons of my life when my quiet time consisted of 15 minutes in the morning, or when it did seem a little rushed, I was running out the door to get to a meeting on time, to see a client, to help a banker. I have not always enjoyed a nice morning, just me, the Lord, my Bible & a cup of coffee. I want to encourage you, wherever you are & whatever the time constraints you have, do not feel pressure. Whatever you can give God as far as "time", he can bless it. I was reminded of this at church yesterday as Pastor Jenkins mentioned, "Even if it's just on the way to work, turn the radio off & just spend time with the Lord." Beginning last June, that is what I was doing. My "quiet time" consisted of my 20 minute drive to work.... this is what I did. I had Proverbs 31:10-31 saved in the "Memo Pad" of my blackberry. Each morning, I would pull up the "Memo Pad" choose a scripture, copy it, make a "memo" just for that scripture, and I would drive to work meditating on the verse. I would read it, several times over, I would say it out loud, I would ask the Lord: "What is it you would have me to know about this verse?", I would pray, and thoughts and ideas would just come to me. I would jot these thoughts and ideas in the "memo pad". Sometimes the Holy Spirit would bring a story to my mind that related to the verse. Sometimes just ONE word would jump out at me. But, I can tell you this, the 20 minutes that I spent meditating on the Word, the Lord DID have things to say. He DID show up! So, whatever time you may or may not have, don't feel pressure, just use your time wisely. Give God some part of the beginning of your day, even if it's just 5 minutes. The time will compound & you will truly be blessed. 


Ok, let's jump in. 
The "undisturbed mind", "mental strength".... that's what I want to talk about today. The thought or picture that comes to my mind, which I'm sure has been a picture of me at times, is this: A person, a lady, frazzled, hair a bit disheveled, a look of partly frustration, partly fear & partly like tears are getting ready to burst forth. She even yells at herself as she puts her hands on her head, fingers in her hair and says outloud, "Get it TOGETHER! Get it TOGETHER!" She is definitely a bit on the "stressed out" side. 


Tangent....that reminds me of a quick funny story... my little nephew Karson who is 4 years old was walking down the hall looking for my sister, his mom... as he walked down the hall he was yelling (like most 4 year olds may), "Mom! Mommy! Mom! Mom! MOMMY!" He continued down the hall in search of "mom". In the meantime, my sister stood in her dark closet, no light on, not answering the call of her boy. "Mom! MOMMY! MOM! MOM!" As she stood there she thought, "Can I just get five minutes of quiet by myself? Just 5 minutes to change out of my work clothes & not have to cater to someone?!" She stood in her closet, still remaining in silence. The bedroom door opened, "Mom! MOMMY! MOM! MOM!" Karson didn't see her in the bed, walked to her bathroom, no mom there either. Didn't bother the closet, since the light was out. So, Karson leaves the room and heads back down the hallway, "MOM", hands flailing out in frustration, "MOMMY", hands flailing out bigger, "MOM! YOU'RE STRESSING ME OUT! WHERE ARE YOU!??" LOL. 


Stress. It's a bit obvious, Karson had heard that before. But, I'm sure a lot of mom's can relate, "Can I just get ONE minute to myself?" 


Our Proverbs 31 woman is mentally stable, and she works on it! The dictionary spoke of "gird" as the following: to encircle or bind with a belt or band, to surround, enclose, hem in, to prepare oneself for action, to provide, to equip, to invest. Our Proverbs 31 woman is INVESTING in mental stability. She is PREPARING HERSELF FOR ACTION in regards to mental stability, she is STRAPPING mental stability on as with a belt. She is EQUIPPED with mental stability. 


What are some signs, or red flags that you may NOT be mentally stable...or at least that it is something you may want to work on? 

1. Do you snap at people when they ask you a question? 
2. Do you cry often?
3. Do you feel like you can not get a handle on yourself? Your schedule? Your life?
4. Do you lack peace & often feel pressure or stress? 
5. Do you feel like sometimes you don't know which way you are going? You don't know heads from tails? 
6. Can you sometimes not see the forest through the trees. You feel surrounded, but don't see the light to know the direction to get out?

Did you answer "yes" to any of those questions? Mental stability may be something you want to work on. 
This is what the Holy Spirit said to me on the subject: 

I want you to enjoy the "now" as you pursue what I have designed for you to do. YES, your GOD-GIVEN TASK. You can pursue in peace. Pursue with passion but without being "frazzled" without being "caught up", without letting stress or pressure be the leader. Satan will try to "help" as you pursue your calling. It will look like a form of help, but in all reality he will try to pressure you into making premature decisions. His help will come in the form of pressure, stress & urgency to do it NOW. It will push you with deadlines versus the ease of following peace. DEFY Satan when pressure comes, DEFY Satan by walking slowly, by not being in a hurry. When pressure comes, "Cook an egg" as Pastor Jenkins says. Show him you will not be RUSHED, and just to prove your point, move slower than normal. Mental stability while pursing your purpose. 

A calm & undisturbed mind is LIFE & HEALTH to the Body. Have you ever almost felt sick when you have been stressed or running or too busy. Has your body ever almost started shutting down in areas causing you to be more tired than normal, more touchy than normal, light-headed, headaches, almost sick? In whatever area, arena, or decision... the biggest thing that I keep in mind is keeping PEACE as my Umpire. Peace comes from God, Pressure comes from Satan. Even if I'm having a hard time listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, I can still listen to whatever or wherever the "Peace" is deep down inside. I can be led in the direction that gives me peace & have faith that I am being led by my Father. 

Your GOD-GIVEN Task. Do you realize you were created for a purpose? You were created to complete an assignment. You were made for a very specific task. If you are not sure what that is in your life, here are some bullet points given to me by the Holy Spirit to figure it out:

• Your purpose is what you were born for & created to do.
• Your purpose has always been in you.
• In the back of your mind, you have always thought it would be cool to do or accomplish your purpose. 
• At one point, you may have even included your purpose in a list of goals for your life. 

Instructions: 

• Get the LISTS back out.
• Put them on PLAIN TABLETS, in front of you. Write them on paper. 
• RE-AWAKEN to your dreams. 
• PURSUE your PASSIONS!
• Many of those thoughts on YOUR LIST are GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENTS and YOU are needed to complete them!
• Too many people have brushed them off. It is simple. If they would begin to get quiet before Me, meditate on MY Word, Listen to MY Voice, I, I AM, will lead them. I will bring them to a place where they will NEVER "work" a day again in their life. When people are operating in their "GOD-GIVEN" assignment, it is as if time stands still because they are enjoying pursuing their assignment. It brings them alive. It is their passion.

So, today.... I encourage you to seek it out. Get out your LIST! If you don't have one, MAKE ONE! What is your passion? What makes you come alive? What have you swept under the rug but know with all your heart that you were MADE to do this very thing? It is what you are good at, it is what makes you happy. I encourage you to get before the Lord, seek Him, follow the instructions above. He will guide you. And who knows this, you can't loose with the Lord! :) 

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Additional helpful resources: 

If you are searching out your purpose, check out a few video's that discuss "Finding your Purpose" & "Seasons of your Purpose", I believe they will be very helpful to you. http://www.youtube.com/tylerhmccart 

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What was something that jumped out to you? 

Has anything been swept under the rug that came to your mind?