Enjoy the Journey
Kingdom Assignment Series
As you go through life, learn to use your experiences as a teaching tool. Don’t look at them as wasted time rather consider them a time of information gathering. While you are waiting get busy with Kingdom work. Don’t sit around waiting for the glamour and the lights. Some of your most effective Kingdom work will be done away from the eyes of the public.
As you go about functioning in your daily life, God will use you. The obstacles you encounter along the way will bring you to the place God is taking you. There are valuable lessons to be learned in the process. Learn to use every experience good or bad to proclaim the message of the Gospel.
Our experiences can sometimes be our best teachings, not only for us but for those we share them with. You are called to fulfill His purpose in the earth. We are called to a place of service in His Kingdom. God sees you as who He has destiny you to be. You’re not just an anything; you are the righteousness of God, called to be holy. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) Our sins were placed on the One who knew no sin. In return the righteousness of God is credited to all who receive Him.
The road that leads to fulfilling our purposes maybe different but the end result is the same. Our assignment is to fulfill His purpose in the earth. Each of us have been uniquely crafted by God to impact the lives of others.
Whether you find yourself in the place of a stay at home mom, do it to the glory of God. If you can train your children to love Jesus you have accomplished something that is eternal. If you are head of a corporation, lead as unto the Lord. The focus of our calling is to God first and everything else follows. Seek God in prayer, asking Him how He can best use you to fulfill your Kingdom Assignment?
Evelyn Johnson-Taylor Ph.D.
Easter is about new beginnings, there is a feeling of renewal and freshness in the air. My late husband Scott often told me about how Easter was a wonderful time for him. He received salvation, his call to ministry, and other memorable spiritual encounters with the Lord were during the Easter season. In our twenty-seven-year marriage, I witnessed many of those mountaintop experiences with him, all happening during the Easter season.I also love Easter. Remembering and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a reminder of God’s great love for me.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
The word “whosoever” includes me, you, and anyone else. God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for the sins of humanity. Because of His sacrifice, eternal life is available to everyone who believes.
This Easter, as I reflect, remembering Scott and how much he loved Easter, I am comforted knowing physical death is not the end for those who believe. Because of everything that Easter represents, I have hope and you can too.
If you don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life, pray this simple prayer.
Dear Lord, I confess my sins, and I repent. Please come into my heart today.
If you prayed that prayer and trust Jesus by faith, you are a new creation. Reach out and connect with me so I can rejoice with you in your decision to follow Jesus.
Happy Easter! And welcome to the family of God.
Weighty Last Words
by Kathy Howard
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24 ESV).
We don’t always know when the last conversation we have with someone will be our last. My father’s death was unexpected, so the last time we talked we discussed casual, every day topics, nothing terribly significant.
My mother’s passing was different. She had a long, brutal battle with Alzheimer’s. For the last three years of her life, Mom lived near my brother in Tennessee. The journey was almost one thousand miles for me, but I went regularly. I visited them in February 2020, then the COVID lockdowns hit. Due to the disease, Mom could not Facetime or even talk on the phone. And she continued to decline.
In October 2020 the hospice director gave me special permission to visit her. God graciously provided this just two weeks before her death. Mom could not talk to me, but I told her how much I loved her and what a wonderful mother she’d been. I filled her in on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Our last moments together were sweet. I sang her favorite hymns, held her hand, and kissed her cheek. After reading Scripture, I reminded her how much Jesus loved her. These, my last words with her, were significant. Meaningful. Weighty.
Paul knew the importance of last words, the urgent obligation to say what needs to be said. On his way to Jerusalem, near the end of his third missionary journey, Paul had a burning message for the leaders of the Ephesian church. But knowing a visit to Ephesus would require too much time, he sent for the leaders to meet him along the way. These “elders” were the pastors and teachers of the church, the ones responsible for the spiritual formation of the believers.
First, Paul reminded them of his ministry in Ephesus. He poured out everything to proclaim the Gospel and to minister to the believers. He financially supported himself. He endured persecution. He humbly, but boldly taught everything they needed. Next, Paul warned them to be on guard against false teaching. Even some of these leaders would distort the Word of God for their own gain.
Paul left nothing unsaid. He held nothing back because he did not live for himself. Paul’s greatest desire was to complete the work Jesus gave him. To finish well. In his last known letter, the second to his spiritual son Timothy, Paul reflected on his life and ministry:
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:6-7 ESV).
Paul’s last words describe a life lived all out for the Lord Jesus. No regrets. Nothing left undone. When the end of my race draws near, I pray I will be able to say the same.
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live all out for You. To hold nothing back. To leave nothing undone. Amen.
This post is adapted from “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.”
Available now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rEiYRf
Kathy Howard is a treasure hunter. She hunts for the creamiest chocolate, richest coffee, and cherished stories of faith. She also digs deep into Scripture, mining God’s eternal truths. Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education and has taught the Bible for more than 30 years in a wide variety of venues. Kathy is the author of 11 books, including “Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith” and the “meaty” devotional series “Deep Rooted.” Kathy and her husband live in north Texas. They have three married children, six grandchildren, and two accidental dogs. Find free discipleship resources at www.KathyHoward.org. You can also connect with Kathy on Facebook and Instagram.
Fulfilling your Kingdom Assignment has much to do with timing. God’s timing is different from man’s timing. David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse. Bible historians say he was between the ages of ten and fifteen when he was anointed king by the Prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 16:10-13 KJV)
“Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. ”
David had to wait before he could move into his anointed position. He was about thirty years old when he became king. (2 Samuel 5:4). You would think once Saul was dead that David would automatically become king, but it was seven years after the death of Saul before David would reign as King of Israel.
The Scripture records that the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from the day he was anointed by the Prophet Samuel. Even though the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, he was still a shepherd boy. What if David had sat around waiting for his appointment? He would have waited a long time, but instead he continued to work taking care of his father’s flock. During his waiting period David kills a giant named Goliath.
It seemed so unbelievable that this shepherd boy would become a king with all the cruelty he endured by King Saul. When people looked at David, they only saw a shepherd boy, not a king. When God looked at David, He saw more. God looks at the heart while man look on the outward. God saw David’s destiny, the warrior king who would one day rule a nation.
You may still be working a job you don’t really like but that does not mean that you have not been anointed by God. You may wonder when God when? Let me encourage you to keep moving forward. You may not be on the throne now, but you can function in your Kingdom Assignment right were you are. In your home, on your job, in your community, in your local church. God is using this time of waiting to build you. There must be a time of preparation, development, maturing, and character building.
Reposted from 2017
Evelyn Johnson-Taylor
My years as caregiver for my husband were some of the most challenging years of my life. Not because of the physical labor, because there were very few times I had to assist him with any kind of personal care. The emotional strain I experienced watching my strong, vibrant, independent husband slowly deteriorate affected me greatly. Standing by watching him struggled day after day in pain as we desperately searched to find something that would bring him some comfort.
A wife caring for her husband faces a unique challenge. She must care for her husband in a way that helps maintain his independence while doing what is best for him. I was a caregiving wife for a decade and it was tough.
My husband Scott, one of the gentlest men I know, loved doing things for others. When he needed care, it was difficult for him to let me do things for him. I constantly tried to balance how much was enough and what was too much.
My years as his caregiver taught me so many things and I’d like to share with other wives. It is possible to care for your husband in a way that helps him maintain a sense of worth and to take care of yourself. I will official launch the virtual Caregiving Wife Empowerment (CWE) this month. Visit my event’s page for more information.
Comment on this post to have your name entered in a drawing for The Heart of A Caregiver Journal.
Several years ago, I wrote a book titled Seven Blessing Blockers, Discover How You Can Overcome Hindrances to the Abundant Life. In this book I shared seven things that can hinder us from moving forward: one being Self- Image. When asked which blessing blocker I felt was most important, it was a hard choice because I believe they all are. What I realized from the many women I’ve connected with over the years is that self-image is a big blessing blocker.
How we see ourselves is vital to how we show up for life. God created us with everything we need for forward movement. Of course our gift need to mature and be nurtured. Depending on what your goals are, you may require coaching and or educational training. Your skill set can always be sharpen.
When we don’t see ourselves as God sees us, it can cause us to not recognize the blessings that come into our life. When we think we don’t deserve the good things that come our way we can end up sabotaging our future.
In the book of Genesis we see the story of Eve, how the serpent came to her. In Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” I believe the serpent appealed to her feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence. In Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” If Eve had known her true value based on who God created her to be, she would have recognized that she was already enough. That she had everything she needed right there in the garden. That she was already everything God had created her to be.
One thing we learn from Eve is that when we doubt our worth, and second guess who we are, it opens the door for negative talk and or thoughts. This can also cause us to forfeit some of the great things God has planned for us. Adam and Eve had to leave the garden because of their decision to disobey.
When the enemy tries to tell you that you are not enough, counteract it with positive talk. Take the promises from God’s Word and declare them over your own life. Repeat them aloud until you get them in your spirit. You are enough and you have everything you need to be all that God plans for you. Don’t let the enemy cause you to doubt your value.
What lies from the enemy have you combated recently?
For my February blog post, I’d like to share this article I submitted to Today’s Caregiver newsletter and Caregiver.com website
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