Equipped!
Ephesians 2:10 (a & b)
“For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.”
As often happens to me,
I read the first devotional
this morning in Daily Guideposts,
and I was inspired to choose
the word for my blog today.
EQUIPPED!
Then when I opened
the next devotional,
“All God’s Creatures,”
the March/April
Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers,
and the word “equipped”
showed up twice on that page.
What are the chances, you ask?
Pretty good batting average, I’d say.
There it was again:
Ephesians 2:10 (a)
“For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
for good works.”
The story in “All God’s Creatures” was about a woodpecker who was “beautifully equipped for his unique purpose in life…” as he aggravated the writer with his incessant tapping on the tree trunk outside his window.
The writer, Terry Clifton, mused that he, too, is “a result of God’s handiwork – equipped with talents and skills that have meaning and purpose for [his] life.”
What has God equipped you with?
What unique gifts and talents do you possess
that allow you to let God’s workmanship
shine through you to fulfill His purpose in your life?
On the Daily Guideposts’ page for today
Jerusha Agen wrote,
“All I have to do is walk with God
through each day,
confident He will provide
all I need to accomplish His work.”
It all sounds so theoretical, doesn’t it?
About as solid as that sand in the hand.
But, what scripture is telling us
is that our hearts are not made to be solid.
We are not expected to look at tasks
from our earthly perspective.
Tasks are formed for us beforehand
by our Maker in Heaven.
Don’t eliminate the second part
of the Ephesians 2:10 scripture:
“…which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.”
Like a skilled woodworker
Who sees the image inside the log,
God chiseled our lives and purposes
Before the world saw us.
The tasks placed before us
Are designed with us in mind.
Look at them with Jesus glasses
And see their infinite possibilities.
Do not be overwhelmed
by the world’s naysayers.
Walk with God through each day
Confident you are equipped.
He’s gotcha in the palm of His hand.
He directs your path – and hears you.
He sees your needs and equips you.
Rely on Him – and step out in faith!
What tasks are you equipped to accomplish today?
“If you see someone falling behind, walk beside them.”
Let love pour from your heart
like sand from your hand.
I’m off for a walk in faith.
Join TazE & me?
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love to you,
JanBeek
janbeek 
Care About Stats?
Do You Study Your Stats?
What do your stats tell you?
Talented musician and poet, Laura Sullivan, can look at her stats and know they spell SUCCESS.
No doubt about it! When you earn your living as a musician – and you play to be heard, getting two and a half million listeners has got to be a rush. Don’t you think?
How About You?
How about you?
Do you care how many followers you have on WordPress?
Do you count a successful post by how many likes you get?
Or by the number of comments?
Or by the viewers the stats show?
Looking at your daily stats
can reveal patterns
that give you clues
about what titles
or numbers of posts per day
can do.
BUT, they can be very discouraging.
What?
All that effort
and
only 16 likes or comments?
When I look at my stats
by the years instead of weeks or months,
Wow! How encouraging!
What a lot of improvement
I made after I decided
to post on a regular basis!
Hmmm,
do those stats
define success for me?
No! I won’t let numbers define me!
But, look at those likes and comments for this 2020 year.
Now, that can get my blood
rolling through my veins
at a quicker pace,
can’t it?
Is it Numbers?
Oh no, wait!
Are numbers why we do this?
Are we motivated by our ability to reach out?
Do our world views show us what we’re about?
Beware the Comparison Game!
When Cristian Mihai (The Art of Blogging) shows us his world map, every continent is colored in. It’s easy to play that comparison game – and decide you’re never gonna be good enough. Don’t fall into that trap!!
Define Your Purpose
Why do you blog?
Is it for numbers?
I doubt it!
Some people do it for money …
they are full time bloggers and stats mean income.
I understand that.
But, my guess is that the majority of us
are in it for the joy of
being inspired
and
being an inspiration.
That’s my purpose!
To spread positivity and optimism
and to help us all
just “Love One Another”
more unconditionally.
When I get a response
like the one below,
that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
That’s what makes my heart swell.
I want to be a “Beacon of Light and Hope.”
Don’t we all??
Yesterday I receive this comment:
Whose Light?
Yes, I want to be a beacon of hope and light …
and be unafraid to tell you where that light originates!
I can’t fulfill my purpose alone!
Only as I am connected to my source
am I authentic enough to inspire.
It’s not a candle that keeps burning on its own!
The flame is “This Little Light of Mine” and I don’t intend to hide it under a bushel!
Let it SHINE!!!
Who or what electrifies your light?
What prompts your posts?
Is it to inspire?
Let the stats speak…
But don’t let them be your only motivation.
SHINE!
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.
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blessings, blogging, Faith, Family, happiness, Love, music, self-esteem, Sharing, writing
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