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…."