Tag: serve

Creativity, Part 2

Creativity, Part 2

As we discussed in the last article, God has made mankind in His own image; He has made us to be creative even as He is creative. 

Every human being has a unique personality—we all understand that fact.  In the same way, we each have a wonderfully individual mixture of talents and abilities blended in a distinctive combination. 

Whatever our talents and giftings, God has not only given them to us but He has blessed us to serve Him and His kingdom through them.  Here are several passages of Scripture that demonstrate the talents that He has given to mankind, and also how those abilities are intended to bless everyone around us.

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.  (Ex 31:3-5)

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having 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; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.  (Rom 12:4-8)

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  (1 Pet 4:10-11)

In our creativity we live, walk and work by faith, trusting that God has blessed the work of our hands.  By faith, we also understand that the Lord uses our creative work to bless, help, and to inspire other people.

Keep on creating, friend!

Walking in God’s Truth

Walking in God’s Truth

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.  (Ps 26:3, emphasis added)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  (3 Joh 1:4, emphasis added)

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.  (Ps 119:160)

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  (Joh 17:17)

How do we “walk in God’s truth”? 

Let’s consider the Scripture verses shown above, and ponder the fact that Jesus told us in John 14:6 that He is the Truth. Elsewhere, the Scriptures inform us that Jesus is the Word made flesh.  (Joh 1:14)  The Bible also states in John 17:17 that God’s Word is truth.

After reflecting upon these points, we can understand that “walking in the truth” means:

  • living our lives in obedience to God’s Word;
  • making our decisions in agreement with the values of the Scriptures; and
  • living according to the wisdom of the Bible.
  • It suggests that we would highly value God’s Word, and that we would study it diligently. (2 Tim 2:15)

There are many passages of Scripture that remind us that when we seek and serve the Lord, He showers us with His protection, His favor, and His blessings.  Have a blessed day.

(Also see my article titled “Truth & Love Are Bound Up in Jesus” posted on 02/20/2017 in this blog.)

Choose

Choose

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life, and death, blessing or cursing; therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live . . . (Deut 30:19)

In this passage of Scripture, God reminds us that He has given us the power to make our own choices.  We can choose life or death; we can choose blessing or cursing; we can choose to obey God or not.

As Christians, many of life’s seemingly inconsequential choices are simply opportunities to live as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ—or not . . . !

Think about the importance of such things.  It’s kind of mind-blowing when we view our lives from this perspective.  Each and every day, we have so many choices to make.

We must choose:

  • Whom we will serve (Josh 24:15)
  • What type of words we want to speak (Job 15:5; Pro 8:8; 21:23; Jas 3:6-9)
  • Not to be an oppressor (Prov 3:31)
  • Our friends wisely (Prov 12:26)
  • The good and refuse evil (Isa 7:15)
  • To bless God (Ps 33:1;146:2; 147:1; Heb 13:15)

We each have one life to live.  We each have millions of choices to make throughout the course of our lives. 

Take time to consider which kingdom you are serving with each and every choice that you make.  God bless you.

Power to Serve

Power to Serve

Here are a handful of Bible verses about:

  • God, who has power and uses it;
  • God gives strength and power to His people;
  • Jesus, who demonstrated his power by many mighty miracles; &
  • Jesus sharing His power with His disciples (and us).

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!  (Ps 68:35)

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  (Isa 40:29)

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  (Mt 10:1)

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power.  (Mk 3:14-15)

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  (Mk 6:7)

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.  (Lk 9:1)

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  (Lk 10:19)

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.  (1 Cor 4:20)

Jesus called His disciples together to commission them to preach and to impart power to them.  Luke 9:1 says that He gave them power and authority; and Luke 10:19 says that our power can triumph over the enemy and protect us from harm.

We have been given this power to SERVE–in order to testify of Jesus and to preach Good News to all.  We are called to serve the Kingdom of God from the moment that we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

What a joy and a privilege to serve Jesus!

PRAISE: The Fruit of Our Lips

PRAISE: The Fruit of Our Lips

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.  (Heb 13:15 KJV – emphasis added)

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.  (Ps 30:12)

Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard . . . (Ps 66:8)

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  (Ps 104:33)

The Word reminds us in many different Bible passages to praise the Lord, and to praise Him continually.  In Hebrews, we are instructed to offer the “sacrifice of praise,” which may mean that God expects us to praise Him even when we don’t feel well, and even when our life circumstances are difficult and painful to us. 

In these types of situations, praise truly feels like a sacrifice.  But praising God in the midst of difficulty is obedience to His Word, and the Lord appreciates our obedience. 

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”  (1 Sam 15:22)

Our praise to God is the best and highest fruit that our lips can produce!  We all know that words—the harvest of our lips—can be uplifting or hurtful, encouraging or critical.  It’s our job and responsibility to be sure that our words bless all who hear them. 

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  (Eph 4:29)

The test of our words is:  will they edify the hearers?  Edify means to enlighten, inform, educate, or improve.  Will our words improve the hearers?  If not, then they’re best left unsaid.

Words that praise the Lord and bring Him glory will bring us blessings and will edify all who hear them.  Let our lips and our words SERVE us, rather than harm us or anyone else.  Let us determine to guard our words from this moment forward, that we may be blessed!