Comments on: Created for His Purposes

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 18:02:56 +0000

Love the direction you went on the theme - purpose.

Discussion questions: My Confession - staying at home. Being a wife and mother who cooks and cleans the toilets (not at the same time) (and if I’m really being honest the cleaning the toilet part, not so much) that is where God has called me and that is where I never desired to be. I always wanted to be married with children but my hope was to have someone else do all the work and I would pay them. But I’m doing what God called me to do (yeah, except for he toilet part remember) and God has changed me, my thinking and my family through it. Thank goodness He never says, “I told you so.”

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:23:12 +0000

Great post! It has always been encouraging for me to know that God uses us even in our weakness, not only in our strengths. I’ll have to think about that discussion question!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 03:56:45 +0000

usually, when i have strongly felt God leading me a certain way - i have reacted with fear. paralyzing fear. but then a still small voice in my heart will give me just enough faith to walk…even if it is the smallest step.

often i will say to myself, “if i am not obediant in this particular thing I believe God is leading me through and too then I cannot go on the the next thing…”

That would give me grace and vision to dive in….

By: tricia

tricia — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:57:40 +0000

One thing I never ever thought I could do is work with the children & youth at my church. When I first got involved with the youth, I came saying I couldn’t teach but I wanted to help handle administrative behind-the-scenes things for them. Now I lead both ministries, teach almost weekly and love it. God had a totally different plan and I am so very blessed by it.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 23:14:00 +0000

Thanks for putting our personalities and gifts in perspective with God’s sovereign plan. Well said.

By: Erna

Erna — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 21:56:27 +0000

I appreciated the thoughts above. I like learning about myself too but like how you put the need to look at what God desires of us above all other things. I have had to speak in various situations and am usually nervous about it beforehand but God has carried me through. I think I’ve also run myself out of the race on tasks I didn’t feel I could do . . . yet, I’m also not sure the Lord was truly calling me to them. I think I sell myself short sometimes. I don’t always feel like the capable one to do things but I know that God uses the simple to confound the wise . . . I’ll have to keep an open mind at our new church and in opportunities around us. :0) Thanks for this post on purpose. :0)

By: Laurel Wreath

Laurel Wreath — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:15:39 +0000

Oh yes, this is the story of my life. I remember after I was coming out of the “fire” God had just put my husband and I through. I was asked to give my testimony to some high school girls. I said “sure”. Then I walked away and realized what I just agreed to and went home and about threw up.

I practiced and practiced, I did not eat, THIS WAS SO NOT ME (getting in front of people and talking). Why did I agree, I don’t think it was me, God answered for me (because right-thinking me would have never agreed).

I went in there, (feeling like fresh meat) and as soon as the first word came out of my mouth I litterally felt God carry me through.

I “floated” out of that room, I don’t remember what was said I was in such a daze. I did it, I could not believe it. BUT WAIT… I did not do it. GOD DID IT. I litterally felt the Holy Spirit carry me, and I could not even go to sleep that night because I was so “juiced up” =)

We can give praise in our own efforts, but OH how much more powerful are they when you are called to do something YOU would never had dared or dreamed of doing. FOR ALL GLORY IS GIVEN TO GOD THEN, because you know YOU would have never been able to do that!!

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:33:31 +0000

Great thoughts here! It’s funny, because I do feel like my gifts line up on the “big things” I have felt like He has asked me to do. However, there are little things that I have to be willing to do, and not lay aside because it’s not my chosen area of service. It’s a constant reminder that I have to be available to do what He wants me to do when He wants me to do it.

By: Susanne

Susanne — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:10:13 +0000

Very interesting discussion question. I would have to answer yes He has and yes He does lead some to do things that seem totally beyond their gifts and temperments. When I first was saved we attended a church where the pastor was a very powerful preacher and teacher. But it wasn’t always that way. He used to be petrified to speak in front of people. When he first became a pastor, he’d get so scared when he stood up there were times that his wife had to take over because he just couldn’t do it. But he felt the leading of God, and persisted when his head and circumstance was saying quit. And now he preaches all over the world.

In my own life, I know I’ve been asked to do things that I think are way not me. But sometimes someone sees something in you that you yourself cannot see. And if you are obediant to God in His asking, that gifting could develop.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:42:55 +0000

Discussion: Have you ever felt God leading you to do something that seemed completely at odds with your temperament / personality / gifts? How did you respond? What did God do?

Faith Lifts was one of those “leadings” that I just so sure He had picked the wrong person for. I still sometimes look at the women who have joined up with us and think “Wow, You really were serious, werent you!” Im amazed at how He has formed this group, and this site to minister to so many women.

Thank you for being part of that!
-H