7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy)
by Cheryl Lacey Donovan
Today I begin a series entitled 7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy). There are seven steps you can follow to reach the abundant life that God has purposed for you. The first step is to "Be Yourself."
Many of us spend most of our lives conforming to what society says we should be. Yet, even the Bible says we should not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2. Remember, Jesus wasn't put to death for going along with the program!
Being yourself, what God has called you to be, is essential to walking in your destiny.Being who and what God has called you to be is as natural as breathing. Yet, many of you are fearful, lacking confidence in the Word of God and what it promise for you.
Therefore, you yield to social pressure and use it as an excuse for not being yourself. Denying who you are according to God's design, will cause you to live a life of frustration and discord. Supressing who you are in hopes that "man" will reward you will leave you coming up short everytime. Instead, you should be listening to what God has to say about you while living a life that is pleasing to HIM.
The steps of a good man are ordered by God. Where is He leading you? Will you follow?
Living according to God's plans for your life will not always be popular. In fact, some people, even your family, may disapprove. The bottom line is our thoughts are not His thoughts and our plans are not His plans, therefore, it is not ours to question His will but to follow it. Not being who God called you to be will lead to unrest.
Recognize that people's perceptions of you matter far less than what God has to say about you. Be "you" consistently. This will allow you to be honest and open with others as well as yourself. Be open to change if you are not aligned with God's Word understanding that not being in His perfect will can draw you further from Him. You want to be everything that He has called you to be.
Don't allow your faults to overwhelm you, but don't ignore them either. Keep in mind no one is perfect, so self improvement, in alignement with God's teachings, will help you walk in God's destiny.
Being yourself begins with understanding and accepting yourself for who and what you are. Concurrently, you must yield yourself to God's power and will for your life understanding that He can make perfect all things about you when you abide in HIM and He abides in you.
You were fearfully and wonderfully made in God's own image. Therefore, He who has begun a good work in you is able to complete it. Don't rely on your own understanding , rely on Him.
Believe in who God has called you to be.
Join me next week when I move to step two (Love your neighbor as" YOURSELF") of the 7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy).
Cheryl Lacey Donovan is an author, talk show host and inspirational speaker. Her captivating messages are presented with passion and conviction as she connects with her audience through her conversational style. Her new book the Ministry of Motherhood (Peace in the Storm Publishing) will be released May 2009.
To learn more about Cheryl visit: http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com
Categories: Christian Articles
7 Lessons for L.I.F.E.: Lesson 2: Be Grateful
ReplyDeleteLast week I began a discussin entitled 7 Lessons for L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith and Expectancy)
Lesson 1 was to be yourself.
Lesson 2: Be grateful.
With jobs, children, spouses and the wear and tear of everyday life, it's easy to forget all of the blessings God has given us. We can lose our perspective on God's control of our lives when the physical, mental, and emotional demands or our many roles and responsibilities take their toll.
Our perspective becomes somewhat convoluted and ungratefulness creeps in if we focus to heavily on material things while taking what we have for granted. We become complacent and our tendency is to forget that all good things come from God. Our security is no longer in Him but in what we possess. We congratulate ourselves rather than glorify Him.
We must be careful not to see God as a "Sugar Daddy" or someone we call on only when we need Him; neglecting to commune with Him when life is going well. Our relationship with God during the good times shows where our sense of security really lies.
If we are to truly have a relationship with God, include Him and acknowledge His presence even in the good times.
Be grateful.
Cheryl Lacey Donovan is the author of the upcoming release The Ministry of Motherhood (Peace in the Storm Publishing), inspirational speaker, and talk show host.
To learn more about her or to have her speak at your next function visit www.cheryllaceydonovan.com.
Lesson # 3 Be a Faithful Steward over God’s Greatest Creation: “You”
ReplyDeletePsalm 8:3-9 (New International Version)
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!It can be easy to feel unimportant in a world so full of people, places, and things. To feel small is a healthy way back to reality. But, God does not want us to dwell on our smallness. Instead, He reminds us in Psalms that He has given us dominion and crowned us with glory.
Humility means proper respect for God not depreciation of our self worth. How could God be concerned for a people who constantly disappoint Him? The answer is simple. God considers us highly valuable because we bear the stamp of the creator.
Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not out peers’. Other people evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve, and how we look. But God cares for us because we belong to Him. So we can face life without fear.The next time you question your worth as a person, remember, Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God has declared how valuable we are to Him. Because of His affirmation, we can be set free from feelings of worthlessness.
How do you treat God’s greatest creation, “You”? Use your resources wisely because God holds you accountable for your stewardship, even over yourself.
Cheryl Lacey Donovan is an author, inspirational speaker, and talk show host. To learn more about her or to have her speak at your next event, visit her at www.cheryllaceydonovan.com