by Rick Warren
God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us is uniquely designed, or "shaped," to do certain things.
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building.
Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's handcrafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece.
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. He carefully mixed the DNA recipe that created you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14 NLT).
Not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support his shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16 NLT).
This means nothing that happens in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others and shape you for your service to him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.
The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You're a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises" (Isaiah 43:21 NJB).
(I was reading this devotional today and it really spoke into my heart. It is so powerful to read the word of God in a simple devotional. We are "God's workmanship", His 'handcrafted work of art', a 'custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece'.
How awesome is that?
He shaped each of us for a wonderful and specific purpose - each of abilities, experiences, idiosyncrasies can be used for His glory when committed to Him.
The pain that we go through is not wasted. The joys of our victory in Him are not short-lived but are sustained because they are true victories in Jesus that we can testify of forever.
Hope you've been blessed - have a great week ahead! =)
Does anyone have a secret ambition to be a photographer? Or maybe just have a passion for taking pictures as a hobby?
There is an exciting event coming up this Labour Day just for you!
Details are as follows:
Date: 1 May
Time : Morning to Lunch Time
Team: 7 to 10 pax per team
Cost : RM10 per person
Flag Off : GTPJ Section 13
Finishing Line : GTPJ Section 13
General rules:
1. Each team will be given a no of items to hunt and take a photo of that item within a set time at various locations. Each team is only allowed to submit One Memory Card (its not the camera that counts, its how creative your team takes the shot and whether u follow instructions properly. If you use more than one camera, please remember that u can only submit ONE Memory Card, so the team needs to think how they can put all the photos into that one stick).
2. There will be clues and criteria set to successfully complete each item.
3. A panel of judges will judge and rate the photos on a point system according to the set criteria.
4. Top 3 teams with the most point will WIN Prizes!
5. Its not about speed, its about team work, planning & creativity that will determine the winner!!
We're looking to register at least one team from our cell so please inform me if you want to join or if you have friends in your OIKOS you want to invite. I'll communicate more on it during cell tomorrow!
(The deadline for registration is this Saturday.)
is coming up!
Influence Conference 2009 is happening on 24-25 July with a very relevant theme of Challenging times.
"With this global economic meltdown, this is the best time for Christian young adults to show and prove to an unbelieving world that the Word of God is true.
The principles of the Word of God not only remain relevant but prove that it can bring prosperity.
There is no better time than to influence the market place and let them know that God means what He said in His Word 'He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage' – Pro 11:28"
Rev Clement Wong
Director Youth Alive Malaysia
Block it off on your calenders and come for a time of learning and discussion of how to apply biblical principles to face this time of uncertainty, turbulence and fear.
See you there!
God is Amazing! I’ve shared this with the worship team, and would like to encourage you all with what happened a week ago . .. . . . .. Just the Saturday before the Easter Weekend on 4th April, PGC & I were worship leading, when Ps Julie came up and took over the service whilst we sang “At The Cross”. After PJK challenged the congregation, we continued singing the song. When we hit the Bridge of the song ... You Tore The Veil You Made The Way When You Said That It Is Done .. .. it was just at that point ... when the Holy Spirit spoke into my Heart. “Daren, Nathanael’s Healing It Is Done!” Wah... it was an extremely powerful Word that came to me and tears were just running down and i was like YES LORD!!. It was the Rhema Word of God speaking so distinctly and so clearly ... It Is Done!! So after sharing that with the worship team back stage on what i experienced, i went out and share with Tiff what God spoke about Nathanael..... and guess what? Tiff was worshipping in front and just at that same moment... when we sang the bridge of At The Cross, the Holy Spirit also spoke to her that’s Nathanael’s condition... IT IS DONE! Amazing! God is Amazing! He works on a Stereo Sound effect, ... u know what i mean, God chose to speak to both the father and the mother and not just one of us. That strengthens our faith even more! And we were just giving Thanks everyday, and proclaiming the Finish Work of God over Nathanael .... and in less than one week .... Nathanael Walks! See ..... sorry for being so cheong hei ... but the above Praise Report cant be kept in, i hope u are blest! That whatever your need is... God has a plan for you and your life, and He is not slow to His promise! Just wait on him and claim His promise daily!!! Woo Hoo!! God is GREAT!!!
Received an email from Daren saying that Nathanael walked~! I was so blessed by the message. You know, I was thinking about it and I'm ashamed of myself. All I think about everyday is "Oh man, what should I do? My boss is resigning, my designer is resigning and my copywriter just disappear like that! What should I do?". What lack of FAITH!
We all have someOne that is able to do the IMPOSSIBLE. He has promised that He will not leave us even if we lost in our own ways. He has promised to grant the desires of your heart. He is the One who send His own Son to die on the cross for our sins. That is our God, our Father.
As long as you believed in Him, He will guide you through the storm. He will never put you in a position where you not able to handle the situation. So think about it, if you are thinking about questions like "what should I do in this time of uncertainty?" "What am I suppose to do?" "Will I lose my job" and etc etc. I urge you to be still and know that He is God. :) Nothing is impossible for God.
Let's all continue to pray for Nathanael's quick recovery. :) Anyway, here's the email from Daren:
Nathanael achieved a new milestone on Good Friday, he was standing up (unassisted) and decided to take few steps (unassisted) on His own in church! We are really so Blest ... and we wanna Praise God for touching Nathanael! TQ so much for all your prayers, we’ve been “wanting” and waiting for Nathanael to walk for the longest time, and amazingly ... on Good Friday he did. So so so so Awesome!! U can watch a video of him today @ school Walking –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmI_WZ58hg
http://www.darentiff.com/2
