Manifestation

Many of us long for something more and it is not that we are discontent with where we are or what we are doing, but it is more about manifesting our God give skills, talents, and gifts in a manner that allows us to be and do what we are designed to.

We have this burning desire inside that is waiting to EXPLODE... a passion that cannot be contained.

Passion is defined as “a strong feeling” or “an object of affection or enthusiasm.”

From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, God instructed that we become, which implies manifestation rather than mindless activity. We tend to just work at a job instead of actually finding and manifesting our skills, talents, and gifts. In other words, to work is not about a job, but means to release and expose our full skills, talents, and gifts.

Once we realize that we are to manifest our skills, talents, and gifts we find true freedom; a freedom that is unrestricted and uninhibited. And we begin to live without the heaviness of oppression and dread, that tends to suffocate us on an ongoing bases.

We were not designed to live and function in such a manner, but instead are to discover our purpose in life, define our skills, talents, and gifts, pursue the true freedom and never allow others to restrict or retard our God-given responsibility to experience what it means to fully manifest who He has created us to be and do.

True freedom in a since, is like watching a caterpillar go into a cocoon―to fully develop and mature its skills, talents, and gifts―and then seeing it manifest all that God has designed it to be and do as it flies freely away.

Compassion

Most of us subconsciously feel that we should be a bit more caring and sensitive, but at times it is hard to show concern or sympathy in certain life situation at best. However, we know that God is constantly showering His compassion on us.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate... and rich in love. ~Psalm 145:8

The dictionary defines compassion as “a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering”. Nevertheless, the meaning we will look at and seems to be closer to the context of demonstrating care and sensitivity in word and action, has to do with first being sensitive or rather 'sense' the feelings of others. This is done by picking up vibes from others by observing their behavior or body language. The things they say and the things they don't. All these seemingly little things are picked up and used to develop a “sense” of the other person.

This leads us to being in tune with someone’s emotions/feelings and acting accordingly. In other words, we are taking the extra effort to say and do things which also take the other person's views into consideration. All throughout the Bible we see God’s compassion woven through individual’s lives and if God is a God of great compassion than why aren’t we following in His footsteps.

Having and displaying a character of compassion is about being an extension of God here on earth towards others. Surely God's love is infinite, and surely, He longs to use us as vessels that display his love through compassion.

God desires our involvement in others lives and we, as Christian believers, are the body of Christ in the world, working to do His will, which a part of that is showing compassion. For example, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice a story of an upper-middle-class Englishwoman named Lizzy Bennet who is pursued by Mr. Darcy, a brooding and complex man of great wealth. Lizzy’s first impression of Mr. Darcy was that he was arrogant, introverted, and self-serving. So when he declares his love for her, she rejects him. Later, when she learns of his many secret acts of kindness (compassion) for others, Lizzy admits that she had been wrong about Mr. Darcy and agrees to marry him. We, as Christians, are far too often like Lizzy. We too often use our worldly eyes to focus on pettiness rather than seeing others with the eyes of God and showing compassion.

Compassion looks beyond our needs and seeks God’s heart, letting go of our own petty concerns and learning just to be vessels of true compassion.

Trust

What is trust?

The word “trust” means something slightly different to each of us.

Depending on the life experiences we have had and the beliefs we hold, trust can relate to a variety of qualities. Despite these variations, however, we know trust to be vitally important characteristic to have.

In the English language we have but one word for trust, which is "trust" and it leaves alot to be desired.

But, in the Hebrew language there are many versions to this one word trust.

In the Hebrew language there are several different meanings to trust and here are three of them:

1. Batah

2. Hasah

3. Aman

All three take on their own reality of trust, the one we will look at is Hasah.

In the New Testament the word for trust is to believe or have faith. It's not just a religious term, it's an action based upon believing in something to be true and trustworthy.

"In the Lord I put my (Hasah) trust.” ~Psalm 11:1a

Try writing the word “trust” at the top of a piece of paper and then freely write down whatever words pop into your head associated with “trust.” Take a look at your list and highlight or circle the words that resonate the strongest, such as, truthfulness and honesty.

Trust is the belief and confidence in the integrity, reliability and fairness of a person; an essential human value that quantifies and defines our interdependance in relationships with others as well. Trust is a choice we make toward someone when we are inspired that they have either earned our confidence or are by some other means worthy of it.

Trust is difficult to acquire, and when fractured even harder to redeem, so perhaps the lessons of trust are not how to earn it, but what it takes to keep it. And perhaps the greatest value of trust is not the accomplishments we make with it, but rather what trust accomplishes in us on our quest to become people who are worthy of receiving it.

Do we in our actions and words show we have a character of trust?

A Character of Honesty

"An honest life shows respect for God."
Proverbs 14:2a MSG

Whether we are 12 or 100, working or retired, in shape or out of shape, angry or dreamy, wounded or whole... a character of honesty is always a welcomed guest and is treated with all due respect.

So what is it to have a character of honesty?

What does he or she look like who is honest?

What difference does honesty make in the scheme of things?

Honesty is defined as, the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness; truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness; and freedom from deceit or fraud.

Honesty reflects a character of love, beauty, warmth, strength, forgiveness, steadiness, excellence, compassion, thoughtfulness, richness, and genuineness.

Honesty doesn't ignore unhappiness, dissatisfaction, anger, frustration, stubbornness, depression and hopelessness.

The most dignified manner of living a good, respectful, respectable life is by having a character of honesty.

It is the smiling, confident, calm face in the eye of a storm.

A character of honesty stands for what we stand for and what we stand for should stand for something.

When life is conducted properly, our steadiness and resolve make us unstoppable.

We will set goals.

We will act.

We will adjust.

We will not back down or turn back.

We will feel free able to embrace the journey that God is leading us in!

Integrity

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. And integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for our actions.

The word "integrity" stems from the Latin adjective integer-it means whole, complete.

In most cases, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, we may judge that others "have integrity" to the extent that they behave according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.

Webster's tells us "integrity" means an unimpaired condition-to be sound.

The Hebrew word for "integrity", tom, also means to be complete or solid.

So he shepherded them according to the integrity [tom] of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.

Psalm 78:72

Integrity is completeness or soundness.

You have integrity if you complete a job even when no one is looking.

You have integrity if you act in accordance to your principals.

You have integrity if you keep your promises and stand by your word.

Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy.

If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say. What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person with integrity does not manipulate others. He or she is not prone to arrogance or self-praise. Integrity even invites constructive and necessary criticism because it applauds accountability.

Integrity is:

• Sound
• Solid
• Complete

Integrity is rock-like.

It won't crack when it has to stand alone, and it won't crumble though the pressure mounts. Integrity keeps one from fearing the white light of examination or resisting the exacting demands of close scrutiny. It's honesty at all costs.

However, there are some things integrity is not. It is not sinless perfection. A person with integrity does not live a life absolutely free of sin. No one does. But one with integrity quickly acknowledges their failures and doesn't hide the wrong.

You want to shock the world?

Be a person of integrity.

It takes real guts to stand strong with integrity in a culture weakened by hypocrisy!

Principles to Potential

It is easy to mindlessly go through the motions of the day, but is this truly how we are to live life?

Take a moment to watch how you conduct yourself today... do you like what you see?

Are you doing what you would like to be doing?

Are you becoming who you see yourself being?

Are you working to reach your full potential?

When it comes to being and doing what you were created to do, principles need to be established and made the core or the heart—principles that are universal and timeless that provide a foundation and are used as a compass to guide every decision and every act—of who you are and what you do.

The principles that should be a part of our lives, just to name a few are:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Trust
• Compassion

If we deal with principles honestly, they apply everywhere and in every situation.

We are not defined by our position, title, status or rank.

We all are different and possess distinct characteristics, worth, and potential. And sometimes we need guidance to help find our own purpose and unique contribution, through our talents, skills, abilities, and creativity.

We all long for fulfillment, to experience passion and to contribute to those around us, but first it is important to know who you are, establish solid principals to live by, and to continually make choices that allow you to reach your full potential of who God designed you to be.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it speaks volumes of who you are and are becoming!