September 30 – Destined to Win

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:3-5

Jessy Dixon came to Christian Retreat every year on Palm Sunday to sing and share his testimony.  He’s a dear friend and well-known for his song, “Destined to Win.” Jessy knows his destiny and exhorts everyone to have a “spirit of expectancy” in God. His very demeanor exudes this winning attitude.

You too are “destined” to win if you have entered into that new life in Christ. You have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. You cannot lose!

Jesus told his disciples to “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b) God is FOR you. He is cheering for you. He sees you as a WINNER, because He sees you for what you are BECOMING and He has already written the final chapter.

You can be confident of this very thing: “…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

PRAY:  “Father of winners, You have my destiny in Your hands. Thank You for the eternal inheritance You have promised. I will be faithful to follow Your instructions. Amen.”

September 29 – I Have a Destiny

“In love, God predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV)

“I have a destiny I know I shall fulfill,
I have a destiny in that city on a hill,
I have a destiny, and it’s not an empty wish,
For I know I was born for such a time as this.”

Singing this chorus brings a wonderful confidence into a believer’s life, and you can have confidence. You have a spiritual Father and an eternal inheritance. It is written in the Book and is yours to receive.  Knowledge of your divine destiny will motivate you to become the very best child you possibly can be. You discover your destiny through seeking God; and remember that “…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

That knowledge also makes you want to share what you know with people around you. The more you understand what YOU were created for, the better you can help others.  Think about Father God’s desires for you. Think about the special strengths and abilities He has given you. Begin to function in your divine destiny.

PRAY:  “Gracious and loving heavenly Father, thank You for adopting me. I feel so loved. Help me to fulfill my destiny in Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

September 28 – Rosh Hashanah

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: “On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the Lord by fire.”’” Leviticus 23:23-25 (NIV)

Under the Old Covenant, God ordained seven special feasts for the Israelites to commemorate every year of their lives. Rosh Hashanah is the fifth such feast and is the Jewish New Year celebration. It is generally known as the Feast of Trumpets, because the “shofar,” or ram’s horn, is blown as a call for repentance.

It is a solemn festival when the Jews pray for forgiveness and long life. It begins ten days of penitence that ends on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Some Jews take part in a ceremony where they symbolically cast away their sins in a river.

Under the New Covenant that Jesus Christ ushered in, these feasts take on additional meaning. He fulfilled all but the seventh feast when He came to earth the first time. Still, He requires your repentance and prayer before your name is inscribed in the Book of Life.

The traditional Jewish greeting on this day is: “May you be inscribed for a happy year.” Why not greet someone this way today?

PRAY: “Father of mercy and grace, thank You for providing a Way of reconciliation to You under both the Old and the New Covenants. I walk in humble repentance toward You today. Amen.”