Thursday, August 21, 2008

Words of Encouragement

We were on our journey to take Joselyn to school.  As we looked at the mountains we were amazed at God's beauty.  What if God had not given us this beauty to inspire us and encourage us?  It is the same with our gifts.  God gives them to us so that he can inspire and encourage someone through us.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." -  Ephesians 4:7-8

So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. -1 Corinthians 14:12

God's Way. God Gives Gifts to be used to Bless Others. I have a question.  What good is it to be able to sing with such passion and conviction, but no one knows it?  What good is it to be able to pray and heaven seems to open up, but you won't do it?  That would seem quite foolish to you.  You would say, if you have a gift use it so that it can bless someone else.

However, do you know many of us do that, sit on our gifts?  We let fear or what someone might think about us stand in the way of us using our gifts to the fulliest.  Did you know they are not really "your" gifts.  Whatever gifts that God has planted in you are "someone elses" gifts.  God would not give you a gift of discernment and allow you to see dangers up ahead for you to simply brag about what you knew after the danger has come and set it.  He would give you the gift so that you can warn the people of God of the dangers.

Now if someone does not accept the gift, that is between them and God, but it is still your responsiblity to share the gifts you have been give.  If you can pray, pray.  If the gifts of healing, heal.  Whatever the gift allow it to do what it was given for, the build up the body.

Today, my prayer is Lord help us to be extreme about the gifts you have given us.  Help us to us what you have given us to bless the body.  When we all begin to function as we should with our gifts, the body will be stronger, and more able to withstand the defeats we face.  So help us to build each other up with the gifts places within the body.