Your Abilities Are God’s Map for Your Life

[Your Abilities Are God’s Map for Your Life]( Current Teaching Series [Live Your Calling: What on Earth Am I Here For?]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [Your Abilities Are God’s Map for Your Life]( By Rick Warren — 08/25/2022 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd like to share a Daily Devotional from Pastor Rick with you&body= “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him." Hebrews 13:21 (NLT) Once upon a time, some animals wanted to start a school. They decided the courses would include running, climbing, swimming, and flying. Then they decided that all of the animals should take all of the courses. That’s where the problem started. The duck was better than his teacher at swimming, but he only made passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. So they made him drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his webbed feet to be badly worn, and his grade dropped to average in swimming. But everybody felt less threatened and more comfortable with that—except the duck. The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but because of so much makeup work in swimming, he caught pneumonia and had to drop out of school. The squirrel showed outstanding ability in climbing, but he was extremely frustrated in flying class because the teacher insisted that he start from the ground up rather than the treetop down. He developed charley horses from overextension, so he only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running. The eagle was the problem student and was disciplined for being a nonconformist. For instance, in climbing class he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but he insisted on flying to get there. Finally, because he refused to participate in swimming class, he was expelled. As you might imagine, the animals’ school didn’t work. Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else. It’s the same for people. God has designed each person different from all the others. When you expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure. God made you to be you. He has given you unique abilities, and he wants you to use them the way he intended. Are you wondering what God’s will is for your life? Look at your abilities. They’re your road map; they point you in the direction you should go. When you know what you’re good at, then you can know what God wants you to do with your life. The Bible says, “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT). Through your abilities, God has equipped you to do his will. As you use those abilities, you’ll start to see how he produces “every good thing” in your life. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - What unique abilities has God given you? - When have you tried to fit into a mold that didn’t match how God made you? What was the result? - When have you seen God producing good things in you because you were using the unique abilities he gave you? You can rely on God’s promise of salvation. Your sin separates you from God, and there’s nothing you can do to make things right. So, you need someone to save you from your sins and make you acceptable to God. That’s why God sent Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God the Father. The Bible says,“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Jesus, guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus. The post [Your Abilities Are God’s Map for Your Life]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. 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