Use the Gifts that You’ve Been Given

Each and every believer has been given gifts from God. The Lord gives us the grace that we need in order to use each of these gifts. Gifts are given to us for the advantage and the salvation of other people which is why it’s so crucial that we USE the gifts that God has given to us.

. . . for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor 12:8-11)

There are various gifts, but they all come from one God (our Father), one Lord (Jesus), and one Spirit (the Holy Spirit). God is the giver of all spiritual blessings. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any ability to make it known, we must give all of the glory to God.

Whatever gifts that God wanted each one of us to have were the ones that He bestowed upon us. As we mature in the life of faith, He may give us additional gifts.

The purpose for giving the church the gift of prophecy was to edify (build up), exhort (encourage) and to comfort the church. (1 Cor 14:3) We’re also to use our various, individual gifts to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. (Eph 4:12)

In unity and dependence upon one another, we are taught to speak the truth in love and thus, we will mature into the full stature of Christ. (Eph 4:13) Hallelujah!

When Did We See You, Lord?

. . . for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ ³⁷“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Mt 25:35-40)

Jesus is making a point in these teachings. He wanted His followers to realize that mercies shown to His people are considered by God to be the same as if they were shown to Jesus, Himself.

In the Lord’s view, by showing kindness to the poor, the sick, and the needy, we demonstrate that we possess the spirit of Christ. Jesus also showed His kindness to the poor, sick, and needy. He gave us a perfect example.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mk 9:41)

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (1 Joh 3:14)

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 Joh 3:17)

We need to have eyes to see the world and all people in the same way that the Lord sees them. The Lord sees a field that is rich and ready to be harvested.

The Lord sees people in deep need of the salvation that He has already provided, and He wants us to introduce this Good News to the spheres of influence in which we individually reside. As we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the needy, provide homes to the lost, and visit the sick and the prisoners, we’re doing it all as unto God, our Savior.

As we serve and treasure other people, in the same way that Jesus did while He was on earth, our Father God lays up our heavenly rewards for us. Glory to God!

As a Little Child

Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. (1 Kgs 3:7, emphasis added)

This verse in 1 Kings reflects the wisdom of Solomon—who considered himself as a little child in comparison to the wisdom and the eternal knowledge of God.

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. (Mk 10:15)

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:3-4)

What do you think are the characteristics of a little child that Jesus is referring to in these passages? Here are some ideas to consider. Very young children were, in ancient, biblical times:

Humble and not envious of each other;
Did not think about advancing themselves to a place of power;
Didn’t have status or rights; and
Were completely dependent upon the good will of others to care for them.

Jesus humbles Himself in identifying with the little child. Jesus came to meet the needs of all those who are marginal, needy, and powerless. He came to save the lost—and there are many ways to be “lost.”

Jesus says that the way that WE should respond to such marginal, needy people is the same way that we respond to HIM. (see Mt 18:5) If we love Jesus, we should show love and concern for the lost. Jesus wants to remind us of the spiritual nature of His kingdom, and desires that we be heavenly-minded.

The Bible says that we are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth (Heb 11:13) because our King is a heavenly King, and our country is with our heavenly King.

As we submit our lives to the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit, we shall suddenly move from earthly life into eternity—into humility and total dependence upon God. (1 Cor 15:51-52)

Stumble?

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. (Ps 119:165)

What does “stumble” mean as used in the Bible?

It means: 1) to err; to slide into a crime or an error; 2) to have a moral failing; or 3) to place a blockage in someone’s way causing them to sin.

As the verse in Psalm 119 above says, when we have the peace that Jesus has given to us and we love God’s Word, then nothing has the power to cause us to sin. Hallelujah!

My son, let them not depart from your eyes—keep sound wisdom and discretion; ²²so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. ²³Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. (Prov 3:21-23)

As we keep the wisdom and discretion that comes from reading and memorizing God’s Word in our hearts, those words are life itself to our souls. They provide grace to our behavior and character; they give us strength and sure-footedness. And they prevent us from stumbling.

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (1 Joh 2:10)

When we love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in the light where all of our actions are open to view. And in our actions, as we live for Christ and serve the Kingdom of God, there will be nothing for someone to see as an invitation or a cause to sin. This is just one of the many blessings that living a holy life, committed to serving Jesus Christ gives to us. Thank You, Lord!

God Knows You

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. ²You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. ³You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. (Ps 139:1-4)

God has explored and examined humanity. He knows each one of us better than we know ourselves.

According to the Bible verses above, God knows where we’re going; what our plans are; when we will sleep; and all about our individual personalities. He even knows what each one of us is about to say! Wow!

Jesus is our Savior and Intercessor. He intercedes and even pleads for us before the throne of God continuously. (Rom 8:34; 1 Tim 2:5)

Jesus always lives to make intercession for us. (Heb 7:25)

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Rom 8:27-28 MSG)

Everything that we do out of love for God and in serving God, He has promised He will work out for our good. Glory to His name.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (Joh 15:5)

In the above Scripture, we’re reminded that as the vine and branches are one entity, even so we’re united with Jesus Christ into a unique, spiritual entity. Since we are united with Christ, we also have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16) We can know His will and plans for us.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Cor 12:27) Even though we are members or individual parts of the body of Christ, we are still unique and individual. God uses every matchless part of His body to minister in distinct and irreplaceable ways.

Rejoice in the truth that God knows you very well.

King of Kings

Back in the 70s, there was a sweet worship chorus that said, “Oh! Let the flag fly high on the castle of my heart, for the King is in residence there.” Since we serve Jesus who is the King of Kings, it is fitting that our hearts be portrayed as the castles where the King mercifully reigns in love and righteousness, in power and glory.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Mt 6:10 ESV, emphasis added) Every kingdom has a King, and Jesus is our Redeemer King.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world … (Mt 25:34, emphasis added) Our King has prepared a kingdom for each one of us.

And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner … (Ex 17:15) The Lord Jesus is our banner: His image is on the flag that flies high over our lives; He is our standard—the rallying point for all spiritual power and resources in battle against the forces of hell.

“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” (Isa 11:10, emphasis added) This verifies that Jesus, a descendant of Jesse, is our banner.

The King whom we serve is filled with love and compassion; mercy for the lost and the wounded; and health and healing for those who are sick. He is good all of the time, and His plans for us are good and give us hope and a future. (Ps 34:8; Jer 29:11)

He brings reconciliation to relationships and to families. (Jer 31:17; Rom 5:11; 2 Cor 5:18-19) All glory to His name.

Jesus is a King whose grace humbles us without ever demeaning us, and who exalts us without causing us to puff up with false pride or ego. Walking in a consistent relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God, will mature us and grow us into mercy-filled, loving servants of the Kingdom of God. Praise the Lord!

Treasures

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mt 6:19-21)

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. (Pro 10:2)

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Ps 19:9-10)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, ⁴⁶who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Mt 13:44-46)

. . . that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:2-3)

We may think that wealth and riches profit us in this life. In some ways, that is true. However, we should remember that any so-called treasure that is a result of dishonesty or sinful pursuits will not bring us the joy that truly satisfies. Such treasures will never profit us in eternity.

But the righteousness that is born of faith in Jesus Christ will deliver us from many evils in this life as well as from eternal death in the next.

The Bible is packed full of precious promises (treasures) for the believer. There are promises concerning health, healing, prosperity, the blessings of children, and the joy of relationships. There are promises about every area of life; and all we need to do is to study them, meditate upon them, and to claim them for ourselves. Here are several examples:

Children are a blessing from God. (Ps 127:3-5)
Great wealth is in the house of the righteous . . . (Prov 15:6a)
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Ps 103:5)
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. (Isa 48:17)
For I am the Lord who heals you. (Ex 15:26)
. . . who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Pet 2:24)

These are the true treasures of life and of eternity in Jesus Christ.

What Are Idols?

You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you. (Deu 6:14)

Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. (Deu 8:19)

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 Joh 5:21)

What is an idol? An idol can be a statue, a god or deity, a symbol, a hero, or an obsession. Hollywood and movie industry stars can be idols for people, as can a certain model of a car, or a favorite brand of watch or any number of other things.

The key is, what is the most important thing in life to you? What do you talk about the most? What do you think about and dream of daily? Around what are your goals centered? Are you determined to achieve riches and fame? Influence? Do you dream of becoming a political influencer?

Any of these things, and more, can become idols in a person’s life. But God’s Word warns us strongly to stay away from these things. Therefore, we need to take stock of our thoughts and to acknowledge what we value in our hearts.

A follower of Jesus would value their relationship with their Savior more highly than any other thing in their lives. Equally, Jesus’ followers would highly value the Word of God. And of course, we also choose to honor and to consistently obey the teachings of the Bible.

We may each joyfully pursue our relationship with our Lord, and endeavor to mature in faith in our Redeemer. Life is all about Him—not about us. Our true hero is Jesus Christ, our Savior. Glory to God!

Choose Boldness & Endurance

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Tim 2:12) We must sustain our faith throughout our lifetimes, and when we do, the Lord promises that we will one day reign with Him.

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Mt 10:33) Let us be watchful that we never—in any way—deny the Good News of Jesus Christ. It takes the grace of God to boldly and persistently pursue a life of faith in Jesus.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Lk 9:26)

To deny Christ means to reject Him and His claim to be the Son of God and savior of all those who believe in Him. This denial is a life-long denial, where there is no repentance and no acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those whose lives deny the Lord, the Lord will also say to them one day, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” as we read in Matthew 7:23. (Source: http://answersfromthebook.net/jesus-said-that-if-you-deny-him-before-men-that-he-will-deny-you-before-his-father-peter-denied-the-lord-does-this-mean-that-jesus-will-now-deny-peter-before-his-father)

We need to be bold and brave in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. We aren’t all called to be preachers, pastors, missionaries, or evangelists, but we are ALL called to let our light shine in a dark and pain-filled world. One way to do that is through good works that bring glory to God.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Rom 1:16)

Each one of us can be courageous in living our life as a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. We may do that quietly and without fanfare, but all who know us should perceive that we have been with Jesus. (See Acts 4:13)

For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus. (Rev 19:10, emphasis added)

Another way to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel is through telling others about our own, personal testimonies of God’s goodness to each of us, and of His miracles and wonders.

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You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Month: August 2020