Tag: Hope

Christian Media, Christian Radio, Christianity, Devotional, Faith

Right People, Right Place! – Part 2

Posted on by David L'Herroux

Let’s look at The Five Cs of Recruitment

It’s vital to make sure that people in the workplace are sitting in the right seat in relation to their role. Too many people today are on the right bus but in the wrong seat. And when that happens, even good people can end up toiling rather than truly working.

If we are to enjoy life to the full, that must include experiencing work as God intended, purposeful, fulfilling, and aligned.

So, let’s look together at what I believe is a godly and practical strategy for recruiting the right people into the right roles at the right time. Here at UCB, we refer to this as the five Cs of recruitment.

Their purpose, from a leadership perspective, is to help ensure that people are sitting in the right seat and able to fulfil their God-given assignment. The benefit for employees is that they are able to give their best, driven by purpose, not merely performance.

1. Calling

Calling asks the question: Do we believe we are living out our life assignment – the work God has uniquely entrusted to us?

God never asks someone to do something without also providing what is needed to do it well. In Scripture, calling is often accompanied by God’s equipping, what the Bible refers to as anointing. This is not a mark of status, but a sign of empowerment for responsibility.

David was called, then anointed, and only later appointed. God’s order matters. Calling is normally confirmed over time through character, competence, and community discernment. It is a process through which God shapes us into who He desires us to become.

2. Character

If we are to become the people God desires us to be and the kind of people others can trust and follow, we must pay close attention to our inner life.

Reputation is what others think of us; character is who we truly are.

We may not always control the situations we face, but we always have a choice in how we respond. Scripture places enormous weight on character, so much so that the Bible could rightly be described as a manual for godly living. It is filled with both positive and cautionary examples, given for our learning and growth.

God cares deeply about who we are becoming, not just what we are achieving.

3. Competency

Competency matters, even in ministry.

Competency is the ability to apply knowledge and skills effectively to achieve the desired outcome. While character is foundational, calling without competence can limit impact.

As I often say, if I needed major surgery, choosing between a surgeon with excellent character but no competence, and one with competence but no character, would not take long. This is not to diminish character, but to highlight that both are essential.

Character is who we are; competence is what we can do. And whatever we are called to do should be done wholeheartedly and excellently. If we want to grow in our assignment, we must also be willing to sharpen our skills.

4. Culture

Culture shapes behaviour.

At UCB, we seek to cultivate a kingdom culture – a values-based way of working where biblical principles shape our purpose, priorities, and practices. Jesus summarised this clearly:

Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27).

We describe this as our PPF culture – Putting People First. That means serving our audiences well but also serving one another internally as we ourselves would wish to be served.

Healthy culture isn’t just about what we believe – it’s about how we treat people every day.

5. Chemistry

Finally, chemistry matters.

Chemistry speaks to how people relate, collaborate, and function together. Good chemistry strengthens trust, improves communication, and enhances team performance. Without it, even capable teams struggle to flourish.

That’s why fit matters. Being in the right role, with the right people, enables individuals to give their very best, not just completing tasks, but becoming who God created them to be.

Let me conclude 

When people are misplaced, they may still perform, but often at the cost of joy and fulfilment. When people are well placed, work becomes life-giving rather than draining.

So, as you pray for vacancies to be filled, call them in just as Samuel called David.

And remember this pattern:

God calls. God equips. And, in time, God appoints.

May we be leaders who discern wisely, place people well, and help others enjoy their God-given work rather than merely enduring a job.

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Christianity

Don’t lose your joy this Christmas!

Posted on by David L'Herroux

We are living in a world full of joy killers, even at Christmas. The enemy’s agenda has always been the same: to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet, I love encountering people who are infectious with joy, a joy that flows from the true source of all joy, despite the circumstances they may face.

The apostle Paul understood this well. Writing from challenging circumstances, he repeatedly encouraged believers to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Joy, then, is not dependent on stability, comfort, or ease; it is a choice rooted in faith and sustained by relationship with God.

In a volatile and uncertain world, it is easy for joy to fade. When life feels unpredictable and the future unclear, holding onto joy can seem difficult. Yet the Christmas message reminds us that joy is not anchored in what surrounds us, but in who Christ is. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” Christmas declares that we were never meant to simply survive life, but to live in the fullness God intended and to experience true and lasting joy.

Joy must be rooted in personal faith. When we believe and embrace the Christmas story in its fullness, joy becomes more than a feeling, it becomes a way of living. God also calls us to be carriers of His joy. Scripture reminds us that we are helpers of joy (2 Corinthians 1:24). Every time we point someone to Christ, we partner with God in restoring joy in their lives. What a calling, especially at Christmas.

I’ve spoken with many people whose joy has been buried under pressure, disappointment, or weariness. The enemy works tirelessly even to discourage God’s people, particularly during a season meant for celebration. The Lord has reminded me that if we are to help others experience joy, we must choose to live it ourselves. This happens as we immerse our hearts in God’s Word and are continually reminded of the Gospel, that Christ’s desire is for our joy to be full (John 15:11).

So how do we guard our joy?

  • Don’t lose your smile. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face” (Proverbs 15:13).
  • Don’t lose your laughter. “A merry heart does good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
  • Don’t lose your song. “Sing for joy to God our strength” (Psalm 81:1).

Joy flows from the heart. It isn’t forced; it is cultivated. George Müller once said that the first thing he intentionally did each morning was to get his heart happy in the Lord, and from that joy came strength for everything God had called him to do.

Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship marked by joy through our union with Christ. Christmas truly is good news of great joy. In a world that often feels unstable, don’t allow the enemy to steal what God has given.

May your Christmas be filled with joy, deep, resilient, and overflowing.

Have a wonderful Christmas full of joy!

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Christianity

The power of choice

Posted on by David L'Herroux

CHOICES MADE TODAY WILL FOR SURE AFFECT OUR TOMORROW. 

As we begin 2026 new chapter, Paul’s words in Philippians 4:1–8 offer great wisdom and spiritual clarity. These intentional steps of faith affirm our identity, belief, behaviour, and ultimately our destiny.

Let’s walk through them together:

1. “Stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

Choose to be anchored in your identity. You are loved, not for what you do, but for who you are in Christ.

2. “Be of the same mind in the Lord.”

Choose unity. Resolve conflict intentionally. Never forget, division delays destiny.

3. “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Choose joy. Not circumstantial happiness, but Spirit-rooted rejoicing. Joy is resistance. Joy is warfare.

4. “In everything by prayer…”

Choose prayer. Make it your lifestyle, not your emergency calls.

5. “Be anxious for nothing…”

Choose response over reaction. Anxiety shrinks vision. Prayer expands peace.

6. “Meditate on these things…”

Choose to protect your mind. Remember your thoughts shape your beliefs. Your beliefs shape your destiny.

As we journey 2026, let’s do so with:

•  Gratitude for what God has done.

•  Faith for what He’s about to do.

•  Purpose that refuses to settle.

•  Prayer that refuses to quit.

So, let’s walk into this year with courage in our step and surrender in our hearts, united, expectant, anchored, and ready for the story God is still unfolding.

For our future is not something we wait for. It’s something we build, choice by choice, step by step, in Christ.

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Christianity

Seizing the Power of a Fresh Start

Posted on by David L'Herroux

The Flow of Time

A New Year marks the passing of time – a reminder of the ongoing flow of our lives. Each tick of the clock brings us closer to our dreams or further from our regrets. Embrace this crossing over from one year to the next, for it carries with it the lessons of the past and the promise of the future. As you step into 2025, let time be your teacher, not your enemy. Reflect on the moments that shaped you and use them to fuel your growth: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Aligning Your Priorities

A New Year is an opportunity to realign your priorities. What truly matters to you? Is it family, health, personal growth, ministry, or something else? Take this time to evaluate where you are investing your energy and ensure it aligns with your core values. Let 2025 be the year you focus on what truly makes your heart sing: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Uncovering Your Purpose

Purpose gives life meaning. As you enter a new year, reflect on what drives you. What are you passionate about? What impact do you want to have on the world? Use this moment to refine your sense of purpose and let it guide your actions throughout the year. But remember, your purpose doesn’t have to be grand; it just needs to be true to who you are: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Crafting Your Vision

A clear vision will transform your life. Think about where you see yourself by the end of 2025. Visualise your goals and the steps needed to achieve them. This is your opportunity to redefine your life’s vision, to dream bigger and reach higher. Let your vision be a beacon that illuminates your path and guides your decisions: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).

Setting Meaningful and Realistic Goals

Goals give structure to our expectations. Take this opportunity to set new, worthwhile goals for the year ahead. Whether they are personal, professional, or spiritual, ensure they are meaningful and realistic. Break them down into smaller steps and celebrate each milestone along the way. Let 2025 be a year of growth, progress, and accomplishment: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3).

Embracing a Fresh Start

The past is a teacher, not a jailer. Take the lessons learned and leave behind the burdens of the past year. A New Year is a chance to bury past mistakes, regrets, and failures, and to step into a future filled with hope and possibilities. Embrace the fresh start that 2025 offers and move forward with a renewed spirit and determination: “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

May this New Year bring you clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of destiny. Embrace the opportunities that come with the passing of time, and let 2025 be your year of transformation and unprecedented growth.

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Christianity

Going home another way

Posted on by David L'Herroux

After all we have been through in 2020, I think it is impossible to still be the same! I don’t know about you, but I want to take as much as I can from all that happened last year and allow God to use it for good.

Just before Christmas, I was reading Matthew 2:11, which tells the story of the birth of Jesus. We are told that the wise men ‘departed into their own country another way’. In other words, their plans changed and they went home a different route to the one they had planned.

The wise men travelled miles to see Jesus the King of the Jews, and when they found Him, they responded with joy, sincere worship, and abundant gifts. To be honest, it was quite different from the way many people approach God today! Many people tend to expect God to come looking for them, prove Himself to them, and give them gifts. However, we are told that after the wise men found Jesus and worshipped Him, they went home another way. What does that mean to us today?

1.  When you encounter Jesus in your life, you can never be the same again

Having an encounter with Jesus means our life has to take a different direction, and just as the wise men (after being in the presence of the Living God) were changed, so must we be changed too. After the unprecedented experience of the last twelve months, I do not believe that we can move into 2021 the same way that we entered 2020.

As I look through God’s Word, I am amazed to read story after story of people who experienced an encounter with the Almighty God and could not ‘return home’ the same way. Their lives were turned upside down and their direction changed.

Let’s look at a few examples of people ‘going home another way’.

Mark 5:1-20 — The demon possessed man

No man could bind or tame him; he had a legion of demons and was running wildly in a totally possessed state. And then after meeting Jesus, he was totally set free, clothed and in his right mind to the point that he begged Jesus to be able to travel with him. Jesus said: ‘Go home to your friends and tell them the great things the Lord’s done.’

Let me tell you: he definitely went home ‘another way’ – joyful, dancing, praising God, and telling many what Jesus had done for him.

John 8:3-11 -The woman caught in the act of adultery

By law she shouldn’t have gone home at all (never mind another way). She should have been stoned to death. But as she encountered Jesus, He said to her: ‘Go and sin no more.’ And she went home another way!

Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus  

Jesus stood still, lifted his eyes, and called Zacchaeus down from the tree: ‘Zacchaeus, quickly come down; for this very day I must stay in your house.’ Jesus knew the mess that Zacchaeus‘ house was in! And Scripture tells us that ‘Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, “behold Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”‘ Jesus said: ‘This day salvation comes to this house.’ He went home not only by another way but with Jesus. How awesome is that!

All those who met with Jesus, all went home different than they came: the woman with the issue of blood, Blind Bartimaeus, the man at the gate called ‘Beautiful’, the crowds on the day of Pentecost. I tell you that even those in the upper room – they all went home different than the way they came: full of the Holy Ghost and totally transformed.

I believe we will discover in this new year that many are entering 2021 totally transformed because of what they have experienced in 2020. But at the same time, we also have to be aware of the enemy’s strategy to ‘steal, kill and destroy’ if we do not take heed of God’s instructions.

Matthew 2 tells us: ‘So the wise men decided not to go back to Herod as he’d commanded them, but to go home by another way…’ Herod’s intention was to find Jesus – he certainly didn’t plan to worship Jesus as king but rather to kill him and destroy all what he stood for. In this there are warnings for all of us:

1. Not everyone is going to embrace your visions and dreams, hence it is wise sometimes to keep them to yourself to prevent the enemy from killing what God has given you.

2. Remember that the enemy hates your experience of transformation and will tempt you in every way for you to return home ‘the same way’ and deny what God has done for you.

3. Be sensitive to the voice of the Divine Shepherd, for His instruction is for your good: to protect you from the wiles of the enemy.

Don’t ever forget that just as God dealt with Herod – who set out to destroy Jesus and everything that He stood for over 2 thousand years ago – God dealt with Satan, who then too tried to kill him. Praise God that Jesus arose on the third day triumphant and glorious that you and I might be victorious too!

And because of this victory and this transformation experience, we can enter this New Year full of joy, full of worship, ready to fulfil the assignment that we have been given for His glory. Therefore today make sure that ‘YOU GO HOME ANOTHER WAY!’

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Christianity

Discover the many names of God

Posted on by David L'Herroux

Recently, I have been sharing with the UCB team some of my own discoveries about the names of God. I have often said: ‘If you want to know who God is, look at His names’. Throughout the Bible, God is given many names, and each of them reveal a precious truth about his qualities and character. I find it very encouraging to read these names as they help me to understand more and more about God’s ‘character’ and what He feels about us, His creation.

Jehovah-raah – The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)

In Psalm 23, David describes the Lord as ‘my shepherd’. I love the way David personalised it by saying not the Lord is THE Shepherd but MY Shepherd. Praise God that He is our Shepherd too, for God is a relational God. This picture of ‘The Lord Our Shepherd’ reveals some of His characteristics: He is good, He protects, He guides, He nurtures, He lays down his life. And in times of confusion or grief, let’s never, ever forget that He is OUR SHEPHERD too.

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14 and Philippians 4:19)

In Philippians 4:19, it says ‘My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’   We are reminded that Jehovah-Jireh knows our every need because He sees everything, including what you need. If the Lord was able to meet Abraham’s need by providing a ram caught in the thicket that was offered in place of Isaac, He’s also able to meet our needs at just the right time. Fear not, the name Jehovah-Jireh guarantees that your Heavenly Father is able to provide any need you have.

Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)

The Hebrew word ‘shalom’, translated as ‘peace’, not only speaks of the absence of noise, strife or conflict – it speaks of wholeness, completeness, trustworthiness, and happiness. True and ultimate peace is found in God alone, and this comes to us when we focus our lives on God and put our trust in Him. His Word says ‘Are you weary and troubled? Well why not place your total trust in Jehovah-Shalom, and He will keep you in perfect peace’ (Isaiah 26:3).

Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals (Psalm 23 and Exodus 15)

It was in the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites that God first revealed His name as Jehovah-Rapha. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led them into the Wilderness of Shur, where they went 3 days without water. Eventually, they came across the waters of Marah, but they could not drink from the waters, for they were bitter. So the people complained against Moses, and Moses then cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which he cast into the waters. In a moment, the waters were made sweet. The Lord does not only heal waters, He heals people too. If the Lord was able to heal the waters at Marah so that His people could drink, He is also able to heal us from any disease (Psalm 103:3). When we’re weak, Jehovah-Rapha will renew our strength the same way He did for David (Psalm 23:3 NLT).

Living in a stressful and chaotic world in these unprecedented times, the name Jehovah-Rapha speaks to us that our bitter experiences can be transformed into sweet ones, and yes, we are confronted with new problems every day that make us sometimes want to give up and give in. But we can count upon the Lord to heal and renew our strength. Jehovah is the Great Physician who not only heals our physical and emotional needs, but He also heals and restores whatever spiritual needs we may have.

Stand upon God’s promise today! His Word declares that ‘The Lord is Your Keeper/ Your Provider/ Your Peace/ Your Healer.’ Don’t ever allow the enemy to tell you otherwise.

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Christianity

How to walk in hope…

Posted on by David L'Herroux

For the past few days, I have been reading Mark 5 and looking again at the story of Jairus and how Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

Jairus was one of the rulers of the synagogues, and he was also a loving father whose daughter was critically sick to the point of dying. When Jesus saw the situation, his first words were ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’ And those simple words brought Jairus reassurance in his total despair. Instead of giving up and walking away in total hopelessness, Jairus did the unthinkable. He continued walking in HOPE, despite the seriousness of the situation. Is there a way we can capture this sense of hope too in the middle of the situation our world is facing?

Here are some steps that I believe Jairus took which helped him to experience his breakthrough:

1) Realisation – Jairus realised the gravity of his situation and he intentionally did something about it. The situation was desperate. His little daughter was not only very sick, but she was clearly dying. For me in this Covid-19 crisis, it’s important that we realise the seriousness of the situation and comply with all what we are asked to do. But it is also important that we take our fears and worries to Jesus too.

2) Desperation – Jairus became desperate. I’m sure that after having tried everything humanly possible, he sought Jesus. I think I can understand his pain and frustration, for every day as I watch reports from the media, there is only one word which jumps out at me: desperation. Today, can I encourage you that if you feel desperate, cry out to Jesus.

3) Attention – Jairus’ desperation caused him to focus his attention on Jesus. In the busyness of life, it can be easy to lose our focus, but there is nothing quite like a crisis to remind us that we cannot do this alone and that we need God’s help in everything we do. If you feel today that you have lost your attention and focus on Jesus, you can turn to him now. He is the only one who can provide whatever you need in these difficult times.

4) Position – When Jairus found Jesus, he ‘fell at Jesus’ feet’,  which was a sign of acknowledging a higher authority as well as being willing to humble himself. In whatever you are facing, I urge you to approach Jesus and change your position as Jairus did, demonstrating humility and acknowledgement of His authority. Let’s also not forget that as Christians, He has given us the same authority to deal with any situation we face.  

5) Compassion – I love the way that Jairus, in his actions and his prayer, demonstrates his compassion. You might be wondering ‘What is the real definition of compassion?’ My own definition is ‘having the awareness of the needs of others, which prompts a compelling desire to meet their needs.’ How great it is to see compassion being displayed across the UK, with hundreds of thousands of people volunteering to help the NHS, their neighbours, strangers they have never met before. These people had compassion stirred up within them, and now they are going out to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.

6) Intercession – Jairus did not approach Jesus for himself but went to stand in the gap on behalf of his much-loved daughter. I am so impressed by the many prayer initiatives emerging throughout the UK and around the world at the moment. Let’s continue to stand on behalf of the many who cannot pray for themselves throughout this time and boldly believe for healing. Jesus is still the same as He was yesterday, today, and forever.

I hope these few thoughts from my own study encourage you as much as they are encouraging me.

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Christianity

A Christian response to Coronavirus

Posted on by David L'Herroux

The news about coronavirus is all over the media and is heard in almost every conversation. This is a very unusual situation, and we can choose to respond in one of two ways: with fear or with faith.

It is very interesting to see how people around the world are reacting differently. Some people are reacting by panic buying (and emptying the shelves), while others seem to be almost indifferent. For me, the question is how should we, as believers, respond?

First of all, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this sickness: individuals, families, health services, and communities as well as national leaders and governments. They all need God’s wisdom and guidance as they deal with this situation. And for us as a nation, where do we find healing when every day, the news seems to grow even more serious?

For me personally, my only advice is to stand firmly upon God’s Word, for that is where I find my comfort and strength. God’s Word has been the anchor for my own family in very desperate times, and it is the one thing that we can ALWAYS rely on. God’s Word never changes, and it contains all we need for hope, comfort, healing, wisdom and guidance.

If you are fearful, grieving or broken today, let the truth of God’s Word sink into your heart.

But you may say ‘What if we can’t stop this virus? What if it becomes widespread in the United Kingdom or wherever I live, as some experts predict?’

Well let’s stand firm upon His Word! Psalm 112:6-8 is a great encouraging reminder as to what our response should be. It says: ‘For the righteous will never be moved, he will be remembered forever, he is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, his heart is steady, he will not be afraid.’

We all have to face bad news at some point in our life. If it’s not the virus, it will be something else. Let’s remind ourselves that we live in a fallen and broken world where suffering and even death are inevitable. To deny this truth would be lying to ourselves, but we as Christians do not need to fear bad news. It is important to not be in denial, and as a nation, we should take all sensible precautions, but we do not need to be crippled by the fear of what ‘might happen’. The psalmist demonstrates that it is possible to look bad news right in the face and say ‘You will NOT rule my heart.’ Our emotions may sway, but we will not be blown off course.

You might think that is easy for me to write, but practically, how can we rise above the circumstances when we are surrounded by fear?

Well, here are some practical responses:

Prayer

Pray in FAITH. Remember faith is not denying fear but mastering it. What you fear the most reveals where you trust God the least. Therefore, put your faith in God and watch as He starts to eradicate your fears. ‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer… believe that you have received it… and it will be yours’ (Mark 11:24).

Prepare

Prepare WISELY. Don’t deny the facts, but plan wisely and let’s be aware of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12 KJV: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ And the preceding verse tells us to be well prepared to ‘put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’

Proclaim

Proclaim HOPE. In this world of uncertainty, we can have great confidence as we hold on to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. And it enables us to ‘Rejoice in hope… be patient in tribulation… continue steadfastly in prayer’(Romans 12).

‘I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit‘ (Romans 15:13).

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Christianity

Watch your words…

Posted on by David L'Herroux

When I was a child on my first day at a new school, a teacher asked the class what we wanted to do when we grew up. When it was my turn, I told her I wanted to be a surgeon, and she laughed. She said ‘Do you realise David, that is a lot of studying? I can’t see you doing it. I can see you emptying bins.’

For many years, those words stayed with me and sometimes informed the decisions I made. Was there any point in trying if I wasn’t capable of achieving much? However, when I rededicated my life to the Lord when I was 18, everything changed! I discovered what God thought about me, and I discovered that His Word could delete the past and delete all the harmful words that had impacted my life. Although I had no educational qualifications, the Word of God showed me that man’s labels do not matter. The only labels I should be concerned with are God’s labels!

Over the years, I have discovered that while God’s words are the most important, the words we use and what we choose to believe as a result can also have an impact on our lives. Proverbs 23:7 says ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he’, and I believe it’s important to be aware of the reality of our words and our thoughts.

Our thoughts will affect what we say and our words will affect who we are. Proverbs 18:21 says: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’, and so we should never underestimate the power of our thoughts and our words to shape destinies and our own future. Words can kill marriages and relationships and destroy churches and ministries. But words can also bring life, hope, healing, and reconciliation.

In a world which seems to be more divided than ever before (especially on social media), we need peacemakers and reconcilers, believers who will use their words to reflect the life and peace that is found through Jesus. Luke 6:45 says: ‘A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.’

I want my heart to be full of God’s Word, full of praise to Him, for what is in my heart will flow out into my words and then out into my actions.

Can I challenge you today? What are you thinking about? What are you saying? What are you believing? Are they words of life and hope that reflect what God says about you and the situations you are facing? Or are they words of death and despondency?

As a young man, another person’s negative words could have shaped my whole life, but I am thankful for the revelation of God’s Word which showed me the truth.

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Christianity

What is your purpose?

Posted on by David L'Herroux

Sometimes, if I ever drive past a cemetery, I don’t think about the people who are buried there but about the purpose buried there. How many songs went unsung? How many poems and stories went unwritten? The truth is, many people leave this world not knowing or realising their purpose. And today, many more are also living without knowing or realising their purpose. Many people simply do not know that God breathes purpose into every living thing, and He has also breathed purpose into you and me.

For me personally, I discovered my purpose when I rededicated my life to God. I did not yet know what God’s plans were for my life, but I knew I had a purpose. It took me many years to discover God’s plan, but because I knew He had a purpose for me, I was just as content back then being a janitor as I am today being a CEO.

So, how do you find your purpose?

Don’t confuse plans with purpose

The definition of purpose is, the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

The definition of plan is a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something. An intention or decision about what one is going to do.

We all have plans for our lives. Someday I will do this or someday I will do that. That is not your purpose; those are your plans. And all our plans are meaningless if we do not understand our purpose. God first puts a sense of purpose into our heart. We might not know what the plan is, but He will use our lives, our natural gifts, and our sense of purpose to help move us into His plan.

If we knew the plan in advance, we might run away

In the Bible, God gave Joseph a clear purpose. Joseph knew through dreams that he was to be a leader. He did not know that to get to that point, he would face rape allegations, prison and isolation. If God had revealed the plan up front, he might have run in the opposite direction. But through all of those trials, God was shaping Joseph, making him ready for the plan of leadership

It’s not about you

When God started to reveal His plan for my life, I began to realise His plan was not about me at all. It was about Him using me to reach others. God wanted to take my passion, my gift, my sense of purpose and use them all to bring about His plan in my life and also help to release that in others’ lives. So many Biblical characters were used by God to bring about change for others. Mary was handpicked to deliver a messiah who would save the world. Paul was given the task of leaving everything behind in order to carry the message of salvation all across the Middle East. They were not ‘special’ people. They simply knew they had a purpose, and they allowed God to use them (and their gifts) to bring about His plan.

Can I encourage you today that you have a purpose. Everything God creates has a purpose, and we each have a job to do. If you do not feel that you do, ask God to plant His sense of purpose into your life. He might not show you what is ahead, but when you know deep down that you have a heavenly purpose, everything in your life will change.

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