What is Your Calling?

Dear Reader,

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Have you been called to teach children? To cater to the less privileged? To work with teenagers? To raise awareness for a cause? To go to the mission field? WHAT IS YOUR CALLING?

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things you will never stumble,…” (2 Peter 2:10)

“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

Both verses talk about my calling.

Who has called me?

To what life have I been called to?

Why must I be sure of my calling?

All these are questions that arose in my heart after reading both verses.

Who has called me? JESUS has called me. He has called me because He has a purpose and plan for my life that I can only fulfill when I have answered His call. He cannot force His plans and purposes for me, on me.

To what life have I been called? In Ephesians 4:2, there are listed some characteristics that I must possess which are proof of the life I have been called to. Some of them are humility, gentleness, patience and bearing with others in love. These are the characteristics of the life that God has called me to. And these are not characters that just anyone can possess. Only through the help of the Holy Spirit can I exhibit such qualities. This also means that the calling I have received is not a trivial one. It demands a change from my nature of sin, to a new life of Jesus that is uncommon in this world of sin and perversion. My life must match my calling. If I claim to be called of God, then my lifestyle must prove that indeed, I am of God. What man claims to be a soldier yet is timid, fearful and lazy?

Why must I be sure of my calling? I must be sure of my calling so that I will remain strong and steadfast. I must do all I can to confirm my calling and election as the Bible says. For me, this means that I must make every effort to know for a fact what God wants me to do with my life, what purpose He has for me, what ministries He has called me to and how exactly He wants to use my life for His glory. This means that I must desire a sense of understanding so I know what God wants/demands of me. When I know what God’s will and purpose for me is, I will not be confused. Neither will I travel the wrong path for my life which will be filled with unnecessary obstacles (I do not mean there will be no obstacles) because I am on the wrong path and have no understanding on how to navigate it. This is where I will stumble, and woefully.

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When I am walking in purpose and understanding, I will be able to navigate my path of travel very accurately. Therefore, I must desire to really know my calling and when I do, I must strive to live a life worthy of that calling. I must be careful not to try and fit myself into someone else’s calling. God has a special plan and purpose for me that I will fit perfectly into like a puzzle piece. All I need to do is to ask Him to reveal my purpose to me and help me live it.

Dear Lord,

Help me to live a life of purpose. Grant me understanding of the calling You have given me. I cast aside every distraction, pride, selfishness and other things that would keep me from entering into all that you have for me. Help me to forgo the past and begin to live for You from this moment. Show me if what I am doing now is what I am supposed to be doing. If it is not, then please realign my life to Your will and purpose. Please show me clearly what gifts and talents You have placed in me and how I can use them for You. May my life count for eternity.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen. 

In Christ,

Shanpepe

God Remembers Seeds

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 – “Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.”

    Generosity is an investment. And what does an investment do? It yields returns for the investor. What is generosity? In my simplest way of putting git, it means giving freely, without expecting anything in return. This is how NIV puts it: “Cast your bread among the waters…”

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    For some of us, it is so difficult to share what we have with others. We cannot bear to let go of the ‘little’ we have or the ‘much’ we have for another to benefit. But do you know that when you give to others you are actually doing yourself a favor? You may think that you are the one sacrificing your money or material things for another but the Bible says that “your gifts will return to you later.”

How? You may ask. The answer is simple.

What goes around, comes around.

What you sow, you will reap.

Do unto others what you want them to do to you.

Get it now?

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    When we give to others, God remembers and when we also need to be given, our gifts make a way of provision for us. Verse two teaches another great lesson. We must not be afraid to give. No. Give recklessly! You do not know where your gift would get to. You do not know who will be helped by your gift. You do not know the risks that life before you.

YOUR GENEROSITY IS AN INVESTMENT.

    And from what I know, investments are usually made for rainy days abi? People invest in order to have something to fall back on a rainy day. This is also applicable here. I must learn to give freely to others because it is really for my own benefit.

GOD REMEMBERS SEEDS.

    God never forgets the sacrifices that His children make for the sake of others. He remembers seeds and honors them.

Give and it will come back to you.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

FFN - Fine For Nothing!!!

Proverbs 11:22 – “A woman who is beautiful but lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.” (NLT)

“Beauty in a woman without good judgement is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.” (GNB)

Dear Reader,

     I have been pondering on this verse for a while now, particularly because my mom keeps hammering that I must learn to be discreet with money. I can hear her voice saying, “Christine you must learn to be discreet with money oh…” I love the way the Good News Bible puts the verse. “A woman without good judgement…” What is good judgement? This has to do with being able to make right and proper choices, thinking through the consequences of my actions and acting upon wisdom. This means that I must be able to weigh my decisions before I take them. I must be guided by the Holy Spirit in making decision so that I will make the right decisions based on God’s wisdom.

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     When I lack good judgement or discretion, I will live and act carelessly without “want of care” as the law would put it; recklessly. And the Bible likens a woman; in fact, a beautiful woman who lacks discretion to a gold ring in a pig’s snout. What?! Like realy?! First off, this means that beauty is not the ultimate oh. You can be fine and foolish at the same time. As a dear friend of mine would say, you can just be FFN (Fine For Nothing!!!). This is critical because we all know that gold is precious. Now, why on earth would I take gold and put it in a pig’s snout? Like really?! What a waste! A pig’s snout is what it uses to sort out rubbish and garbage oh. Yuck! What a devaluation of such a priceless jewel. This means that I must be careful not to lose my position and identity because of a lack of discretion. I am such a valuable and priceless jewel, but if I lack good judgement, it will lead to poor choices which will lead to wrong destinations (pig’s snout) and also a loss of my identity!

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     Outward beauty is not enough. Good judgement is what keeps me in my place of value. I must also remember that “Beauty is fleeting…” (Proverbs 31) A pig will not value a gold ring because it does not know its worth. Ladies!!! Don’t be a woman who lacks good judgement. Poor judgement will lead to poor decisions and for us ladies, we will end up in relationships with ‘pigs’ who don’t know out value and who will trample and devalue us. Beware of such relationships! I (You) deserve more because I am (You are) of great value to God.

Dear God,

Help me to be a woman of good judgement in every area of my life. May I not fall into the hands of a ‘pig’. Amen.

#selah

I do hope you have been blessed.

In Christ,

Shanpepe

The Wise vs. The Foolish Woman

Proverbs 14:1 = “A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears her down with her own hands.”

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 This verse brings to mind that the preparation for my future begins now. Most importantly, the survival of my home depends on me as well. Most homes today are held together by women. This is not to say that the man plays no role. NO. It is just that if a home fails, blame it on the mother of the home. She is the mover and the shaker, the one who controls the powerhouse of the home. The Bible says it is a wise woman who builds her house. What is wisdom? To me, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge, and wisdom comes from God. The ability to apply the truths of God’s Word is what qualifies me as a wise woman. right now is my time of training, and I must not play about it because marriage/homemaking will be the true test of everything I am learning now.

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WILL I BE A WISE WOMAN WHO BUILDS HER HOUSE?

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  Or will I use my own hands to tear down my house? To build is more difficult than to tear town. A lazy person will never be willing to take the pains to build something that will last. A wise woman builds her house upon the Solid Rock, which is Jesus Christ.

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  The success of my home greatly rests on my shoulders. Make I no use my hand destroy my home in Jesus’ name, amen. Deliver me from the spirit of the foolish woman oh Lord. I am a wise woman and will build my home and not destroy it. 

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I hope you have been blessed.

Sincerely,

Ishanpepe.

Leader or Slave?

Dear Friend,

Would you rather be a leader or slave? The choice is yours. I hope you are blessed as you read.

Proverbs 12:24  

“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” (NLT)

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” (NIV)

     The NLT version puts this truth in a very captivating way which reveals a whole to me as a person who especially values of hard work. For me, the phrase that took my attention is “and become”. This is like the consequence of whatever action a person chooses to take. The principle is quite simple.

HARD WORK = LEADERSHIP

LAZINESS = SLAVERY

     These are like two opposites. One leads to the top, and the other leads to the bottom. I choose to see it this way. I am simply Shanpepe. No identity of any sort. I am simply just a person. I am just a girl. However, it is in fact like a blank cheque given to me. Whatsoever I do has its own result. If I choose to work hard and be diligent, I will most definitely become a leader. However, if I choose to be lazy, I will become a slave. Therefore, my fate is sort of in my hands. Becoming a leader or a slave is actually a process; that is why the NLT version puts it as “and become”. The question is, what destination do I have in mind? Laziness will never take me to the position of a leader. Therefore, if I must leader, I must be a diligent and hardworking woman.

LEADER OR LOSER?

     The choice is really mine. Am I willing to pay the price of hard work to become a leader? I think I am. This also reminds me that a leader is more made than born… leadership is a process and the fuel of the journey to the top is HARDWORK AND DILIGENCE…

“Seest thou a man…” Proverbs 22:29

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Let us pray:

Dear Jesus,

     Help me to be diligent and hardworking in every area of my life. may I never run out of the fuel of hard work and diligence on this journey/process to becoming a leader. Thank You for grace to excel.

Amen.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

Did God Choose Some People to be Christians?

Romans 8:29-30 – “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.” (NLT)

I grew up hearing people often ask this question: ‘Why did God choose some people to be Christians and heaven-bound and then chose the others to remain unsaved and hell-bound?’ It made God look like an unfair and unjust God who played favorites with some of His creation. It also made it look like those ‘chosen’ ones must have done something extraordinary to be chose, thereby underestimating the power of GRACE which we never deserve.

Some days ago, I came across Romans 8:29-30 and my heart could not contain the excitement about what I had found! Two verses changed my entire perspective. Guess what?????!!!

EVERYONE HAS BEEN/IS CHOSEN!!!!!

God has called everyone! Okay so lemme back up so we understand this together. The Bible says that God already knew His people in advance and He chose them so that they could become a part of God’s Family. Now vs 30 is the crux of the matter. “And having chosen them, he called them to come…” This is the call of salvation. God has chosen each and every person to be His sons/daughters but YOU must yourself accept His invitation. Once you accept His invitation and come to Him, He will give you a right standing with Himself. Before I go on, the call here is the same as His call in 1 John 1:12 saying that “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (KJV)

When I accept God’s salvation, He will show me His glory as well. God does not select those He wishes should enjoy salvation and sonship. NO. He has chosen everyone. What is left is your response to this call. God is a fair and just God, He does not desire that anyone perish and thus He chose everyone. The offer to enjoy salvation, sonship and God’s glory is open to all!

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What choice will you make? Will you answer to His call now?

Dear reader, if you know you have not answered the call to salvation and a Christ filled life, pray this prayer with me:

“Lord Jesus, thank You because you desire that everyone be saved. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I choose to answer Your call to salvation today. Come into my heart and dwell in me. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior today. I am committed to following You forever. Thank You for accepting me into Your family. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

Created For God's Glory

Dear Reader,

YOU have been created for God's glory. YOU have been created and equipped to bring glory to God. I hope this post blesses you.

Exodus 31:1-11 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! 6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

7 the Tabernacle;[a]

the Ark of the Covenant;[b]

the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;

all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;

8 the table and its utensils;

the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;

the incense altar;

9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;

the washbasin with its stand;

10 the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;

11 the anointing oil;

the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.”

This is one of those Old Testament passages we pass up on when reading our Bibles but which really carries some mind blowing truths in it. first off, we can see that when also equips such a man for a task. He chooses Him AND also equips such a person for the job, adequately. This also reminds me of the fact that I have been made to bring glory to God. Everything I do is to bring glory to the One who made me (1 Corinthians 10:31). The skills, talents and giftings which he has blessed me with are not for mere decoration oh. They are to be used by me to fulfill His purpose. In this passage, God had a desired list of things that He wants for the TABERNACLE (v. 6-11) and so He endowed some men with the necessary skill to get those things made according to His taste. Not that He was handicapped to make them oh. No. but God still chooses us to His work through mere men. Also, when God endows you with a skill or a gift, He gives you the ability of a master of such skill (vs 3). Just like the Bible says that His blessings maketh rich and adds no sorrw to them. God’s giftings are always complete. God is the Master Craftsman and so as a child of God, my artistic expressions are simply a reflection of my Father. 

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The question now is, have I discovered my God given skill and talents? If I have, what am I doing with them? It is important for me to discover how and where He wants me to utilize them so that they will not waste. When I use my skills and talents for the honor of God’s name, that is the best way I can truly be appreciative it. I am CREATED FOR GOD’S GLORY.

Let us pray:

Dear Jesus,

Help me to use my skills and talents to honor You. Thank You for them because I know that You have equipped me with them for a divine task. Help me not to miss that task in Jesus’ name. Amen. May I always remember that I am created for God’s Glory.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe