God’s prepared in advance good works for me and my team to perform for the sake of at-risk youth in the foster care system and for His glory. To make sure the team is ready we need to prepare our training to help the new people learn and the returning people remember. So today as we prepare to check out the facilities and plan out how it will work and determine the setup, I look to God for His wisdom and discernment to help us be ready to serve in ways that will glorify God and bless our campers.
As week 2 is drawing to a close, I still have 2 positions applied for as possibilities for God to open up the door. One role has come and gone, one just got applied for and the other is still showing in review. God has blessed me with friends who have been able to reach out and provide me with referrals on positions of interest. I am giving each role up into God’s hands because I don’t just want any job but rather the one He has prepared in advance for me to accomplish. As trust God by having received the message of Genesis 31 to get out and go back, I find myself in the middle, kind of like Jacob who was making His way back. As I learned and remember from the story, I am leaning into God to help me be prepared mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV):“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse emphasizes that we are God’s masterpiece, intentionally designed for good works. These works were prepared beforehand by God Himself. As we prepare to serve at-risk youth and glorify God, remember that you are part of His divine plan.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
As we navigate job opportunities and seek the roles God has prepared, trust in His wisdom. Surrender each application into His hands, knowing that He orchestrates the details. Just as Jacob returned to the land of promise, trust that God is leading us toward the right path.
Today’s Reading:
My Notes:
As we hop into God’s Word today we need to each take time to read or hear God’s Word and capture what He is saying to us. Use the links above rather than just limiting your reading today to my notes. God’s Word is active and alive, sharp enough to cut to the core of any situations and get through emotions, desires, and consciousness. The Word judges not only our actions but also our innermost thoughts and motives.
Deuteronomy 13
Discerning True Guidance and Remaining Faithful
God provides guidance on discerning true prophets from false ones and emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to Him alone. This chapter underscores the significance of staying committed to God’s commandments and not being led astray by false teachings or idolatry.
Key Takeaways:
- Discernment: God instructs His people to discern between true and false prophets. True prophets will lead people to worship and obey God, while false prophets will lead them away from Him (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).
- Application: As you prepare to serve at-risk youth and navigate job opportunities, seek discernment from God to recognize His leading and distinguish between His will and other voices.
- Faithfulness: God demands wholehearted devotion and faithfulness to Him alone (Deuteronomy 13:6-11).
- Application: This commitment is crucial as you seek to glorify God in your service and career pursuits. Stay steadfast in your trust and reliance on Him, knowing that He will guide you in the paths of righteousness.
- Worshiping Other Gods
Deuteronomy 14
Embracing Holiness, Stewardship, and Compassion
God provides instructions regarding clean and unclean foods, tithing, and caring for the less fortunate. This chapter emphasizes the principles of holiness, stewardship, and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
- Holiness: God calls His people to holiness in every aspect of life, including their dietary choices (Deuteronomy 14:1-21).
- Application: Just as God desires His people to maintain physical purity, He also desires spiritual purity in their thoughts, actions, and motives. Seek to live a holy and set-apart life as you prepare to serve others, reflecting the character of God in all you do.
- Stewardship and Compassion: God instructs His people to tithe and care for the less fortunate (Deuteronomy 14:22-29).
- Application: As you prepare to serve at-risk youth and await God’s direction in your career, remember the importance of stewardship and compassion. Use your resources wisely, generously giving to support God’s work and extend help to those in need.
- Clean and Unclean Food
- Tithes
Deuteronomy 15
Practicing Justice, Generosity, and Trust in God’s Provision
God commands the Israelites to practice the Year of Jubilee, forgiving debts and releasing slaves. This chapter highlights God’s principles of justice, generosity, and care for the vulnerable.
Key Takeaways:
- Justice and Generosity: God emphasizes justice and generosity in dealing with debts and caring for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:1-18).
- Application: As you prepare to serve at-risk youth and seek employment opportunities, embody these principles in your actions. Advocate for justice, show generosity to those in need, and extend compassion to the marginalized.
- Trust in God’s Provision: God assures His people that He will provide for them as they obey His commands (Deuteronomy 15:4-6).
- Application: Trust in God’s provision as you wait for His timing in your career endeavors. Surrender your desires and anxieties to Him, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises and lead you in His perfect will.
- The Year for Canceling Debts
- Freeing Servants
- The Firstborn Animals
As you meditate on these passages and seek God’s guidance, may you find wisdom, discernment, and peace in His presence. Trust in His plans for you and continue to walk faithfully in His ways, knowing that He is with you every step of the journey.
Today is a day that thanks to Jesus is filled with inspiration. So let us make sure we receive the gift of grace through Jesus by faith in Him and step up and out to accomplish all the good works He has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not choose today to be the day your life is transformed and you become a new creation and start the journey of becoming everything God created, purposed, and planned for you to be?
Let’s pray:
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 