Find Your Place: Discovering Your God-Given Calling with Derek Prince
Ever feel like you’re wandering aimlessly, searching for something more? Like there’s a missing piece in your life, a purpose you haven’t quite grasped? You’re not alone. Many Christians grapple with understanding their true calling and how to live it out.
In this post, we’ll explore the teachings of Derek Prince on how to discover and fulfill your God-given purpose. Prince, a respected Bible teacher, offers profound insights into finding your place in God’s plan. Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and purpose! This post is based on his sermon “What Is Our Calling? – How To Find Your Place”, check it out above..
Understanding God’s Call
Saved and Called
Derek Prince emphasizes a crucial point: If you are saved, you are also called. It sounds simple, but it’s a powerful truth that many Christians miss. We often focus on the salvation aspect but fail to recognize that God has a specific calling for each of us.
Prince highlights the importance of this “holy calling.” It’s not just a suggestion or a hobby; it’s a divine assignment that deserves our utmost respect and attention.
“God has saved us and called us with a holy calling…” (2 Timothy 1:9)
Derek Prince’s Personal Calling
To illustrate this, Prince shares his personal experience of receiving his calling. He was in the army when God spoke to him, revealing that he was to be a teacher of the Scriptures “in truth and faith and love.”
Looking back, he affirms that every word of that calling has proven true. What’s even more amazing is how God used him to reach millions through radio, books, and personal ministry. You can support Derek Prince Ministries to help further his global outreach.
He uses an interesting analogy to describe what it feels like to be working in your calling: like a “duck in water.”
- When you’re in your calling, you feel free and in your element.
- Outside of it, you feel clumsy and ineffective.
This analogy highlights the importance of finding that area where you thrive, where your gifts and passions align with God’s purpose.
Truth, Faith, and Love
Prince also explains how his ministry progressively developed through truth, faith, and love. He initially focused on understanding and presenting the truth of Scripture. Then, he moved into ministering faith to others. Ultimately, he realized that love is essential to effectively help people in their Christian walk.
He learned that without love, it’s difficult to make a lasting impact.
The Holiness of Your Calling
A Holy Calling
Let’s emphasize this again: your calling is holy. It is not something to be taken lightly or treated as an afterthought. It’s a sacred assignment from God.
Prince committed himself to being the best teacher of the Scriptures he could be. How did he do this? He disciplined his mind, carefully choosing what he allowed into it.
Discipline and Focus
Mind Discipline
Prince was very selective about what he read or watched. He rarely read anything unless he felt God leading him to. He also limited his exposure to newspapers and prioritized clarity in his teaching.
Athlete Analogy
To further illustrate the importance of discipline, Prince uses the analogy of an athlete. Just as an athlete must train rigorously to succeed, we too must dedicate ourselves to fulfilling our calling.
He discusses his friendship with the famous ballerina Margot Fontaine and her unwavering dedication to her craft.
To succeed, we must eliminate non-essential things and order our priorities.
God’s Pre-Planned Purpose
Before Time Began
Here’s a mind-blowing thought: God had a plan for you before the world even existed. You are not an accident. There is a divine purpose for your life that was conceived before creation.
Grace Defined
This plan isn’t based on our abilities or achievements, but on His grace.
Grace begins where human ability ends. If you can do it on your own, you don’t need God’s grace. God often puts us in positions for which we’re not naturally qualified, so we have to depend on Him.
Overcoming Low Self-Esteem
Part of an Eternal Plan
Understanding God’s plan gives you a sense of importance. You have a special job and responsibility that no one else can carry out.
Worth the Price
You are worth what God was willing to pay for you. He redeemed you with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Understanding this eliminates any problem with self-worth.
Continual Transformation
Mirror Analogy
God’s word is a mirror that shows us what we are really like inside (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we first look, we see our sinfulness. But through repentance and faith, we are cleansed.
We are then clothed with a garment of salvation and a robe of righteousness. This transformation is progressive, from glory to glory.
Looking in the Mirror
The Holy Spirit can transform you, but only when you are looking in the mirror, the Word. Spend time in God’s word, and allow Him to reveal His truth to you.
Finding Your Place: Practical Steps
Ephesians 2:8-10
We are God’s workmanship (poem), created in Christ Jesus for good works. God prepared these good works beforehand for us to walk in.
Scrap Heap Analogy
God takes scrap material (us) and creates His masterpiece. The Church of Jesus Christ is the bride of Christ. What an amazing thought!
Two Courses of Christians
1.Personally Ambitious
They pursue worldly success but miss God’s intended purpose.
2.Surrendered to God
They give up personal ambitions and ask God to make them what He wants. This often requires a step of faith, giving up what seems secure for the unknown path God has for you.
Give Up Your Life
Jesus said you must give up your own life to find the life God has for you. The story of David Livingstone, the missionary, exemplifies this. He chose God’s path over worldly fame.
Romans 12:1-8: Steps to Discover God’s Will
Context Setting
Romans 1-11 presents God’s plan for salvation. Romans 12 challenges us to apply these truths practically.
Present Your Body (Romans 12:1)
Put your body on God’s altar as a living sacrifice. This is your reasonable service, the least you can do.
Living Sacrifice
In contrast to Old Testament sacrifices, this one is alive. Give yourself unreservedly to God.
Altar Sanctifies the Sacrifice
If you have been involved in impure and sinful things, placing your body on the altar will make it holy. The altar sanctifies the sacrifice.
Do Not Be Conformed (Romans 12:2)
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Renewing Your Mind
You cannot renew your own mind, but God will renew it when you surrender. The renewed mind is God-centered, not self-centered. Then you will be able to prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
- Good: God never wills anything evil for His children.
- Acceptable: The more you discover it, the more you are pleased with it.
- Perfect: God’s perfect will includes every detail of our lives.
Think Soberly (Romans 12:3)
Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Be realistic and sober, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Holy Spirit is a Realist
The Holy Spirit is the greatest realist on earth. Don’t let your imagination run away with you. Be realistic about your faith and start where God puts you.
Faithful Example
Consider the story of the young man in Germany who started by emptying wastepaper baskets and eventually took over the business. His qualification was faithfulness: doing what he was placed to do.
One Body in Christ (Romans 12:4-5)
We are many members in one body, with different functions. Find your place in the body to find fulfillment. You can’t be a little finger wiggling on your own.
Find your job in the body, and you will discover the faith you need for that job.
Hand and Foot Analogy
If a hand tried to be a foot, it would be a failure. If a foot wanted to be a hand, it would have tremendous problems. Ask God: Where did I miss your purpose? Be sober and realistic about what you are and what God has enabled you to do.
Gifts (Romans 12:6-8)
The word is charisma, derived from the Greek word for grace. Charismatic gifts are expressions of God’s grace. They enable you to do things you cannot do by your own natural ability. It is foolish to seek gifts on their own. Seek your place in the body, and God will equip you with the gifts you need.
Deliverance Example
Prince shared his experience of being thrust into the ministry of deliverance. He needed and received gifts like a word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. Don’t apply for a specific ministry; be thrust into it.
Conclusion
Derek Prince’s teachings provide a roadmap for discovering and living out your God-given calling. By presenting your body to God, renewing your mind, and seeking your place in the body of Christ, you can unlock a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Don’t settle for a life of wandering. God has a specific plan for you, and He wants to reveal it to you. Start your journey to discovering your God-given purpose today!
YES… “Find Your Place In God’s Plan For Your Life!”
Enjoy!🔥
Chris Atkinson😎..
Find more Derek Prince resources and teachings see Derek Prince Ministries website. You can also explore their YouTube channel for more inspiring messages.
