Todd Bailey Ministries

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Finding Your Place

Todd Bailey

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What is my purpose in this life?  What am I here for?  What is God's will for my life?  Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  I am sure most of us have.  I am certain when we were young we were asked the typical questions:  What do you want to do with your life? What do you want to be when you grow up? Have you decided what profession you would like to study in college?  When we were young we dreamed about what the future held for us and the possibilities that lay ahead. It seemed we had our whole lives in front of us and there was nothing to stop us.  

Now that some of us are older, we may have accomplished what we had planned to do in our youth and reached those goals that we ventured out to achieve. Others might be regretting not going to college or pursuing the dream they had in our hearts or pondering why they didn't at least take a chance.  

The Apostle Paul wrote, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14 KJV)  

In other words, “Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note but today is what you spend.”  

We can't change the past, but we can surely shape our future. It really doesn't matter how old or young you might be.  It is a decision you have to make today of what you want to do, not for yourself, but God.

I believe we are here for God's purposes and to be about the Father's business. I understand many need to work a job to provide for their family and pay the bills, but life is more than working 40-60 hours a week and trying to participate in every school and social function that is offered. 

Sometimes, I think many people just do what everyone else is doing so they will feel accepted in the society in which we live.  They almost become like robots in their daily lives.  There must be more to life than that. Wouldn't you agree?  

I believe that when we were born, we won the jackpot. Just the chances of being born are astronomical. So no one should feel like they are a born loser. I realize some are born with disabilities and challenges, but they have life!  They can still make something of their lives and make a difference in this world.

That brings me to my point. I believe God has a plan for every person in this world.  I know some people might be perceived as the scum of the earth, but if that person sincerely turns from their sins and gives their life to God, He can use them for His glory.  

Michael W. Smith wrote a song called, "Place in This World."  I believe we need to begin (or continue) to find each of our places in this world.

We all have a purpose to do, something to give and accomplish for God in this lifetime. But it will take a choice, effort, faithfulness and many more attributes to get to that 'place.'  

In Romans chapter 12, the apostle Paul encourages Roman believers throughout the entire chapter to offer up their lives to God as a living sacrifice.      

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.     

I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.    

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.    

If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.    

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.    

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.  (Message)

I know many of us are so busy trying to just keep up with our daily duties, but let’s take time to receive from God our daily bread.  Some make the excuse they can't do anything for God, because they are working two or three jobs and they have so much 'on their plates.'  That may be so, but busyness can become a great place to hide from doing what God has planned in their lives. One day while driving between meetings, I heard the voice of God say to me, "Matthew 6:33 still works."  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT) I knew He wasn't just saying that to me, but to the body of Christ.   

How long are we going to be about 'our business' instead of being about the 'Father's business?'  I am not judging anyone, but I believe when we stand before God we won't be judged on what we did in life, but rather on what we were called to do.  

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 tells us that we don't even belong to ourselves! What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (KJV)  

There are so many people that have stopped going to church for one reason or another. After a period of time it becomes so easy to stay home that they haven't even entered through a church doors in years.  Now, I understand that going to church isn't going to make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's is going to make you a hamburger. But going to church will make you a stronger Christian. Hebrews 10:24, 25 shows us that this would happen to believers.   

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,   Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. (Amplified)  

I want to challenge those of you who haven't been attending church to find a good church, start attending and get involved.  There are some things the Lord may have told you do and you haven't done them in years. Pick those things back up and do those desires He put in your heart.  

Each of us needs to TAKE OUR PLACE in the body of Christ.  We are important to God and His plan that He has for this earth and for those who live here.  John 3:16 shows us how much God loved the world; He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.  God gave the best thing He had to offer for us and it is Jesus.  Shouldn't we at least give Him our best?   

Last year, I was sitting in my office and the Lord spoke to me.  He said, "I am not interested in your ability as much as your availability. You might not be the best at doing something, but that should never hold you back from giving your best to do it."  

Don't make the excuse that you don't have the education, even if you have regretted for all these years that should have went to college, or that you don't have the resources that others have.  It may not seem important to you, but it might be to God.  Some look at their cultural background or skin color as a reason for not pursuing God's will for their lives.  I know many people in this world are prejudice and it isn't right, but what is important is what you have in your heart and not the skin color on your body.  We are the BODY of Christ!  Man may look on the outward appearance, but God ponders the heart.  

Ephesians 4:14-16, states how important each individual’s part is in accomplishing God's will, so it can be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.  

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (NASB)  

In the book of Romans, we all have been given a ministry. We might not be called to a five fold ministry as mentioned in Ephesians 4:11,12 (And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. KJV)  But everyone does have a ministry of reconciliation and it so wonderfully expressed in Second Corinthians 5:17, 18, Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. (Amplified)

Also, notice that in Mark 16:15-20, it doesn't say signs follow those who preach, but those who believe!   Every one of us in the body of Christ are believers.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV)  

Don't feel as if you have wasted your life and the years have slipped past you. If you are 90 years old and you are reading this article, God needs you and He needs your help!  You have a place in His plan for mankind. I pray that no one becomes 90 years old and asks themselves the question one day, "What if."  Regret is a harsh thing to live with, so start redeeming the time.  

Start somewhere, but FIND YOUR PLACE! 

Saying a kind word to someone is a great place to begin.  Anyone can be a demolition expert with their words and tear people down, but it takes a special person to become an architect with their words and build someone up! 

Proverbs 25:11, Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. (NASB)  

Be friendly to others and your family.  

Proverbs 17:17, Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. (MESSAGE)  

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  I have wonderful neighbors, and my love for them isn't based on what they may or may not do for me and my family. It is based on what God’s Word says I am supposed to do for them.  I want to be in MY PLACE, so they won't see me, but God in me.  

Visit the elderly, call a relative you haven't spoken to since you were kids and tell them how much you appreciate them, teach a Sunday School class and be an example that those children can look up to, encourage a teenager, volunteer to go to Church camp, pat a friend on the back and tell them how much you appreciate their friendship, pray for your pastor and his family, support a missionary with your prayers and finances, be available to help out in your local church in any area.  

Recently, I heard a song called "I'll Say Yes” by Dewitt Jones that I believe will sum up what this article is all about.  

I’ll say yes to You Lord
I’ll say yes to You Lord
I’ll say yes to You Lord
To Your will for me
To my destiny  

I’ll go where You want me to go
And I’ll do what You want me to do
And I’ll be what You want me to be
And I’ll say what You want me to say  

I’ll say yes  

Say yes to Him.  FIND YOUR PLACE, run your race and you will find His grace is sufficient.