Use Your Gifts!

I've always liked this passage.  

Romans 12:4-8(NKJV)

4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 

5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 

7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 

8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The reason is that it acknowledges that we all have different gifts, different abilities if you will.  Realizing that the gifts that we have are the ones chosen for us by God, we should never feel bad about gifts we don't have.  That takes a lot of the pressure off for the things we aren't good at.

However I will remind you of another of my beliefs.  When God calls, answer the call.  And the more uncomfortable the call, the more important it is that you answer because God has identified a new area of your life that He would like you to develop.  In other words, He is about to bless you with another gift if you'll let Him!

The other thing I like about this passage is the simple command in verse 6.  "Let us use them".  God gave us those gifts for a reason.  We are to use our gifts in serving God.  I truly believe this is one of the issues we will be judged on in Heaven.  We will have to give an account of how we used the gifts God gave us in His service.  Are you comfortable with how that will work out for you?

"Oh, the depth of the riches…"

Ran across this verse today and loved the beginning of it.

Romans 11:33(NKJV)

33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

The riches of a life seeking God's wisdom are awesome!  It's hard to believe without experiencing it.  The more you seek God's wisdom, the more He reveals to you. 

Now notice that seek is an active verse.  It implies more than casual looking.  As an example, contrast someone who believes but only stops by church occasionally and they never read their Bible on their own.  In my mind that is someone who is casually seeking.  Contrast that with someone who is in the Bible almost daily, reading, praying, and studying on their own.  To me that is someone who is seeking God's wisdom.

So where do you stand?  Are you a casual Christian or are you seeking God?  As long as you believe in Jesus you'll get to heaven either way.  It's just that in my opinion you will have a richer journey if you actually SEEK God.  Give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.

Zeal Is Not Enough!

 

Romans 10:1-4(NKJV)

1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for £Israel is that they may be saved. 

2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 

3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 

4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Not sure why this has been on my mind lately.  We all have friends that say something like "I believe in God, just not the Bible."  Or that they like to take the best from all religions which I wrote about the other day.  These are even people that say they are on fire for God, it's just in a non traditional way.  They are zealous if you will.

I think the above Scripture speaks to people like that.  They have zeal for God but not according to knowledge, that is not according to Scripture.  As the above Scripture says, "they are ignorant of God's righteousness" and they try to replace it with their own.  Instead of doing things God's way, they decide that they know best.

Unfortunately for them it doesn't work that way.  God has laid out His plan and it has to be done His way; if you want the results He promises.  And what is His promise?  Eternal life!  Jesus coming into your life and leading you! 

If you aren't familiar with the exact steps then read on.

Romans 10:5-13(NKJV)

5For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” £ 

6But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” £ (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 

7or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” £ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 

8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” £ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 

9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” £ 

12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 

13For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” £

It really is that simple.  Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess or say out loud that you believe Jesus is who He says He is, the Son of God. 

Ready?  Have a conversation with Jesus.  Invite Him into your life and let Him know what you need.

"Dear Jesus…."

God Hated Esau? I thought God didn't hate!

One of the things I enjoy about Facebook are all of the pithy little sayings that people post.  You see a lot of them related to faith.  One of the things that drives me nuts though are pithy little sayings that sound Biblical but have no actual basis in Scripture.  Here is one of them.

"Faith is not a Christian value."

Sounds good but is not Scripturally correct.  How can I say that?  Follow along.

Before I continue let me make perfectly clear that I am not suggesting that we go around hating people.  I think the Christian faith is still a faith predominantly about love.  But I don't believe that it is necessarily un-Christian to hate something or someone. 

Malachi 1:2-3(NKJV)

2    “I have loved you,” says the Lord.      “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’     Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”     Says the Lord.     “Yet Jacob I have loved;

3    But Esau I have hated,     And laid waste his mountains and his heritage     For the jackals of the wilderness.”

Scripture clearly tells us that there are things and people that God Himself hated.  Here is one example.  Many will say "yeah but that is Old Testament stuff.  Jesus is all about love." 

Jesus doesn't cancel out God.  Scripture tells us that God and Jesus are in 100% agreement.  Therefore Jesus is OK with God hating certain things and people.  Now if Jesus is OK with it, how can we say it isn't Christian?

Now again, I'm not saying that we should make a habit of it.  But it isn't necessarily un-Christian.

Do We Ask For It or Just Let God Decide?

This is an issue that I wonder about.  Do we need to ask God specifically for things or can we just say "God I'm good with whatever you want to send my way"?  I can show you Scripture that points both ways.  I ran across this one today.

Romans 8:26-27(NKJV)

26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession £for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

On the other hand I think it was Pastor Beth who did a sermon recently and talked about the need to be specific in our prayers and she backed it up with Scripture.  So where does that leave us?

I don't know about the rest of you but here is how I handle it.  I still subscribe to the Solomon approach.  God just please give me wisdom and knowledge and guide me.  I've asked God to guide my life and use me in any way He would like.  I have such a strong faith and belief that God is on it that I almost feel like asking for anything specific is showing a lack of faith in God being on the job. 

God knows what I need before I do.  He doesn't need to be reminded of it.  I don't need to plead with God.  I don't need to cajole God.  If He wants me to have it, do it, or whatever, I have no doubt that He will let me know.  Does that make sense?

I'm not saying that this is the way that everyone should do it.  It's just what works for me.  My suggestion is let the Holy Spirit be your guide.  How do I know that this is the right way for me, at least right now?  Because I am at peace with the issue.  The Holy Spirit is letting me know it is OK.

Does that mean it will always be like this?  Maybe, maybe not.  I am always listening and if God wants me to change directions, He'll let me know.  Until then I'll continue with the Solomon approach.  

To Those Who Think They Can Combine "the Best From All Religions"

I've always thought that idea was a bit arrogant.  Each religion claims that theirs is the way.  I believe that belief in Jesus Christ is the one and only way to an eternal relationship with God.  Others believe differently.  For a human to say that they know better than God and that they can pick and chose I think is arrogant.  Well intentioned maybe, but arrogant.

Let's see if the Bible speaks to this subject. 

Romans 1:18-23(NKJV)

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 

19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 

20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 

21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 

22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 

23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Seems like God doesn't care for it much either.  Hmm. 

Is This The Way God Sees Us?

Job 25:1-6(NKJV)

1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

2    “Dominion and fear belong to Him;      He makes peace in His high places.

3    Is there any number to His armies?     Upon whom does His light not rise?

4    How then can man be righteous before God?     Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?

5    If even the moon does not shine,     And the stars are not pure in His sight,

6    How much less man, who is a maggot,      And a son of man, who is a worm?”

Do you think this is the way that God actually sees us?  As maggots and worms?  I'll bet there are a lot of people that still see God in an Old Testament way who would agree with this.  But let's look at the evidence.

When you see a maggot or a worm, do you go out of your way to make sure it is safe, that it has life?  If it is on the sidewalk getting fried in the hot sun do you pick it up and move it to a nice grassy area in the shade?  Probably not.

Let's see, what God did for us.  He sent His only son to die for us so that we would have eternal life.  Does that sound like something God would do for those He considered maggots or worms?   Sure doesn't to me.  It sounds more like God finds us really valuable and He treasurers us.  In fact Scripture tells us that once we accept Christ we become heirs with Him. 

Folks, God values greatly all those who believe in His son Jesus.  Have you accepted Jesus yet?  Why not do it right now?  Just ask Jesus to come into your life and guide you.  "Dear Jesus…." 

The Living Book

It never ceases to amaze me the way the Bible can continually speak to me over my lifetime.  I've lost track of how many times I have read the Bible all the way through.  And yet each time through I get different revelations that are needed at that point in my life. 

I believe that is the discernment that the Holy Spirit provides when we continually seek God's wisdom.

The point is really being brought home this time through the Bible because in the past I have not been a big fan of Paul's.  All of a sudden, this time through, Paul is making a lot of sense.  Amazing.  Did he come back and rewrite some of his stuff since the last time?  :)

Motivating Spiritual Gifts

At church we recently did a thing called the Gift Quest Report.  The purpose is to identify and quantify how much of each of the 7 motivating spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 we possess.  I have mixed feelings about tests like this.

On the one hand they can provide some valuable insights.  Years ago when I was on the Trustee Board of the Kalamazoo Covenant Church we did a test called the Meyers Briggs test.  Turns out the whole board was made up of ENTPs. 

What that meant was we had a whole board of people who where great at thinking up great plans and we had no one on the board who's strength was seeing things through.  Consequently not a lot ever got done.  So the insights of that test were helpful.

On the other hand it seems to me that some of these things are so general and boiler plate as to be almost meaning less.  While at first blush they sound right, after you dig into it a bit you find that it is really about as personalized as the daily horoscope in the newspaper. 

Here is what I mean.  At the back of the report is a list of the top 20% of local church ministries that are matched to my gift-aptitude.  What is funny is that for anyone who knows me, you will see just how unlikely some of these things are. 

VBS Director

Jr. High Assistant

Children's Arts and Crafts

Drama Team Director

Not only are these things not likely, they are not even remotely likely.

The other thing that was really funny was some of the scores I got.  It is often joked in my house that I am missing the compassion gene.  It's not that I don't care, I do.  But my caring takes a more direct route like just going and fixing things.  I have very, very little empathy for excuse making. 

So the spiritual gift of giving was my highest rating at 82% followed by Admin/Leadership at 77%, Teaching at 73% and to round out the top 4 Prophecy/Perception at 70%. 

Where was the spiritual gift of Mercy?  5%!

Now do I feel bad about this?  Not a t all.  Why?  Here is why.

Romans 12:6-8(NKJV)

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 

7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 

8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

 Who gives us the grace of these spiritual gifts?  God does.  He gave them to each and every one of us in the exact measure that He wanted us to have them.  Who am I to second guess God?

Can a man be profitable to God?

 

Job 22:2(NKJV)

2    “Can a man be profitable to God,      Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

Interesting question isn't it?  In the book of Job, the guy who makes this statement seems to think that, no, man cannot be profitable to God.  His reasoning seems to be that God is so much greater than man that we can't be profitable to God.  (at least that is what I got out of it)

I respectfully disagree.  Let me illustrate first in a general way and then specifically and then I will end with a question and a challenge.

First the general.  Let's use the example of me and the ownership of a gold coin.  In the context of what we are talking about here I think all would agree that I am much greater than that gold coin.  I can think, I can reason, I can build things, I can create things.  What can the coin do?  Nothing but sit there until I do something with it.

But just because I am greater does, that mean that I don't get value from owning that coin?  Not at all.  The coin counts as one of my assets.  Therefore it is profitable to me.

Now let's look at the specific.  There is no denying that God created everything.  But does he own everything?  No.  Could he own everything if He wanted to?  No.

No?  I'll bet you are wondering how I can say that.  Because God has given man free will and God being a just God doesn't change the rules mid stream just to get what He wants.

What is the thing that God most desires?  According to Scripture it is that the lost be saved.  And here is where free will comes in.  Each and every human on earth has the free will to say no and many do.  So no matter how bad God wants it, He doesn't have to power to get it.

So how do people become saved?  For many it is through the testimony of others who are already saved.  I know that technically it is through accepting Jesus but what I am talking about here is the method through which many people are brought to the point that they accept Jesus and it is usually through the influence of others.

So here is how I believe we are profitable to God.  We are one of the biggest  means by which God increases the number of people in His Kingdom.  We help increase God's assets if you will, which makes us profitable to God.  Make sense?

So here is my question?  Would God consider you profitable to Him?  Are you testifying and leading others to Christ? 

"But it's scary."  "But I would know what to say."  "But," "But," "But."

It doesn't have to be.  No one is asking you to memorize the Bible first.  No one is asking you to get up and give a sermon to a 1000 people.  As I have written many times, I think the most effective way to lead others to Christ is to just share in a heartfelt and honest way what Jesus has done in your life.  That doesn't even really take a single bit of Scripture memorization.

You never know the impact you will have if you just honestly share.  This lesson was brought home to me over the Christmas holidays this year.  I had a friend pull me aside at church and thank me.  I didn't really know what for.  Well last year after getting home from church on Christmas morning where we helped make Christmas dinner for a couple thousand people, I posted on Facebook how proud I was of my church for doing something like that.

 My friend and his family were unhappy with their current church and feeling disconnected from God.  He said that post caught his eye and he thought to himself that that was the type of church he would like to belong to.  A church that was actually reaching out and making a difference.  They came to our church and have been coming ever since.  He said that have never felt more connected with God and with each other as they are now.  He just wanted to thank me for being a part of making that happen.  I am humbled to have played a part.

Do you think God counts that as profitable to Him?

So you see folks, you don't have to preach at people to be profitable to God.  Just share in a heartfelt way what God is doing for you or what you are doing for him and you can be profitable to God as well.

Now the challenge.  Let's all go out and try to be more profitable for God than we have ever been before!

For God Is My Witness

 

Romans 1:9-11(NKJV)

9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 

10making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 

11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

That's right.  God sees it all.  Are you ever criticized for your spiritual beliefs and actions, even by other Christians?  Does that bother you?  Here is a simple quick down and dirty test to see if it should.

First have you accepted Christ and received the Holy Spirit?  If not then why not do that right now?  Ask Jesus to come into your life and save you.  Ask Him to lead your life.  Tell Him what you need.  Have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus…."

Once you have accepted Jesus and received the Holy Spirit you have your central guidance system in place.  Now remembering that God sees all, ask yourself, "Am I in the Word and praying daily and am I doing what God has instructed me to do?  In other words, am I following God's will in my life?" 
 

Why is being in the Word and praying part of this question?  Because to know God's will for your life you need to be in communication with God.  Two of the primary ways that God communicates with us is through His Word and through prayer.  If we want God's guidance it is our responsibility to seek it.

Now back to the question and remember God sees all.  Are you following God's will for your life as you understand it through your communications with God and through the revelations of the Holy Spirit who resides in us?  If you can answer with a confident, guiltless YES knowing that God sees all, then you are good to go in my opinion.  I don't believe The Holy Spirit will let you lie to yourself or God on this issue. 

So don't listen to the nay sayers, listen to God!

Can't think of many things more evil!

We all know that Paul was not one of the good guys before he had his moment on the road to Damascus.  Of all the things that he did to the early Christians I can think of few things that were more despicable than compelling them to blaspheme.  

Acts 26:11(NKJV)

11And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Why do I think it is so despicable?  Because it totally breaks a person.  And remember that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the one unforgivable sin according to Matthew.

Matthew 12:31-32(NKJV)

31“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 

32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

That means that Paul probably condemned some people to hell.  Can't think of much that is more wicked than that.

And yet God was still able to use him. 

Well guess what.  No matter what you or I have done in our lives, God can still use us too! 

What kind of things is God waiting to do in your life?  What are you waiting for?  Ask Jesus into your life to get the blessing started and then hold on! 

How do you ask Jesus into your life?  Simple.  Just have a conversation with Him and ask Him for his guidance in your life.  Share with Jesus what you are looking for.  "Dear Jesus…." 

"But Who Are You?"

Acts 19:13-15(NKJV)

13Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, £“We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 

14Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

There is great power in the name of Jesus, for those who believe in Him.  Does that same power flow to those who call on Jesus when they don't believe in Him?  According to the Scripture above, apparently not.

So here is a quick down and dirty gauge of your spiritual life.  If you were in the situation above, would the evil spirit recognize you as he recognized Paul?  That is would the evil spirit instantly and without doubt recognize you as a follower of Jesus with all the rights and powers that come with that association? 

If not, would you like it to be that way?  It really is simple.  Just ask Jesus to come into your life and lead you.  It's a voluntary step that is there for all who wish to take it.  Jesus would like nothing better than to bless you like He has blessed millions of others.  Just have a conversation with Jesus and let Him know what is on your heart.  "Dear Jesus…."

"My spirit is broken"

Job 17:1(NKJV)

1    “My spirit is broken,      My days are extinguished,     The grave is ready for me.

That sentiment is hard for me to even imagine.  Does the utter despair of that statement hit you like it does me?  The total surrender.  The total giving up on life. 

I know there are many people in this world that feel like that.  Why is it that I can't imagine myself ever feeling like that?  It's not that I never go through tough times.  That would be unrealistic.  We all do.

I'll give you one work that makes the difference.  HOPE!

The eternal hope that we receive through Jesus Christ.  Hope both in our salvation in the future as well as hope for a better life today.  Not just some wishy washy hope.  "Gee I hope I win the lottery". 

No, a real bedrock hope.  A knowing deep within your soul that Jesus has your back.  That no matter what I am going through and how bad things get, as long as I keep my hope in Jesus, it will all work out for the best.  Not it might, it WILL.  That is the certainty that I have in my hope in Jesus.

Would you like to have that same bedrock hope.  It all starts with simply asking Jesus to come into your life and lead you.  Just have a conversation with  Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."