8/26/2011 Developing Your Spiritual GiftsScriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 12:31
" But each man has his own gift from God." Every Christian has spiritual gifts. Everyone has some spiritual abilities. Our goal should be to find ours and use them for the Kingdom. The gifts of God are to be used in serving others, not for enjoyments. Spiritual gifts are not: natural talents, fruits of the spirit, or titles/positions. What is a spiritual gift? Its an ability from God that goes beyond your own natural ability. Why do we need them? So that we can fulfill a specific purpose of God. You are called to develop your gift or gifts. Your spiritual gift or gifts fit you perfectly. The Bible says: "Every man hath his proper gift from God." Proper means fitted, your gift is perfect for your life stage and life style. Spiritual gifts are developed, not earned. Developing our gift opens the door for other gifts. But what if we don't use our gift? "You will not receive any more." Until you try on your gift, you do not know how it fits and you miss hidden blessings God has in store. God has given you unique gifts that are just yours, let them begin to develop in your life. 8/22/2011 God's Awesome PowerScriptures: 2 Timothy 1:7
Human beings are always impressed by power. We are amazed by the power of a jet taking off at high speeds or the great power of nature exhibited at places like Niagara falls, where the ground vibrates and the air is full of mist. We are impressed by power. The greatest power of all is the power of God. It takes away our fears. It provides us with a sound mind. Its centered in God's love for us. God's power can change anything or anyone. God's power can override all physical laws. And YOU have access to this power! Many people do not utilize this power because they do not understand it. This is a silly concept, because we utilize the power of things we do not understand all the time: computers, cell phones, radios and cars, to name a few. We take advantage of these things even when we do no understand their workings. God has great power available to those who will allow faith to work in their lives. We can not limit God to our understanding and abilites. The power of God is released when mankind accepts their weaknesses. God works in the unseen. God has given us the "spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind," and if you have a need in your life you need to utilize the power of God. Enter into His loving presence and allow His power to move in your situation. 8/8/2011 A Mouse's HeartScriptures: Genesis 19:12-13, Genesis 19:30, Romans 8:27-28
The story of a mouse: "a mouse meets a genie who grants him three wishes. The mouse is afraid of cats, so he asks to be a cat. As a cat he was afraid of dogs, so he asks to be a dog. As a dog he was afraid of lions, so he asked to be a lion. Finally the genie told him it did not matter what he was, he had a mouse's heart! He would always live beneath his potential as another animal if he kept his mouse's heart." Lot lived far beneath his privileges. He had an uncle named Abraham, who was called the friend of God. Lot lived in the wrong place at the wrong time. When given the chance: he looked towards the plains, which was the easy road. Abraham took the mountains, although daunting, they were the place of opportunity. And the Bible tells us that Lot went up out of Zoar. Zoar has many meanings: little, under privilieged, not where you could be, to settle for less, and near zero. Lot chose the effortless path! He only worshipped God when he visited Abraham's altar. Lot never built his own altar. He was always looking back, which eventually caused the destruction of his marriage and his wife. As Christians we should not settle for the little Zoar when God wants us to experience the mountains. When we choose the easy road we miss so many God ordained opportunities. When we look back we destroy all the joy and blessings of the present. Ask yourself: are you living beneath your privilege as a child of God? It's hard to accomplish things for God with a mouse's heart! Climb your mountain, what are you afraid of? |
Archives
April 2020
Categories |