Tending the Embers

2 Tim 1:6

 

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

NKJV

 

Have you ever been good at something? Really good? Like a sport, piano, singing, fishing, art?  If so, have you ever taken time off from doing it and went back to it?  Did you find that your skill had become rusty and your body less able to perform at the same capacity?  The saying "use it or lose it" holds true in many areas of life.  No matter how good we were in the past, we have to "steward" our gifts, talents and abilities.  This is only done as we take the time needed to keep our skills and endurance up.

 

This is no less true in the things of the Spirit.  Prayer warriors who do not pray, just become pew-sitters.  Teachers and preachers who do not dig deeply and feed in the Word of God, become dry, dusty and thimble-deep.  People with the gift of wisdom or knowledge, who fail to flow in the Spirit, become dull and lose the "edge" that it takes to hear God's voice and be used effectively to help others.

 

Why do we let our spiritual gifts go unused and underdeveloped?   Possibly for the same reason we do more carnal giftings.  We become busy; we get bored, discouraged or hurt.  We get our eyes off of the prize and became distracted by things that are not ours to pursue.

 

When God gives us  gifts and abilities, it is not an unconditional endowment.  Just like the story of the talents in our Bible, those who are faithful, are given more and bear more fruit. Those who hide their talents or neglect them do not receive the same level of favor or blessings from the Lord. 

 

Talking to others in the ministry (and in my own experience) it is easy to see that the church (universal) is filled with called and gifted people who are choosing not to use their gifts.  Or perhaps they are choosing to only use them minimally.  People who adore children are choosing to  volunteer in city league sports, but not at church.  People who are gifted musically, choose to only sing or play at special holiday events.  People gifted in administration and generosity, use their gifts vocationally, but not in the church.  When God gifts us, in many ways we can dually use those gifts in everyday life and ministry.  For instance, a person with a strong teaching gift may not only teach Sunday School, but be an instructor on their secular  job. A person with an administration gift may serve on the church finance committee as well as manage a corporation.

 

What has the Lord gifted you in?  Are you using your talents, or are you choosing to "shelf" them instead?  Let me encourage you to "fan into  flame" the gift that God gave you.  Do not let the embers die out!  Tend your gift develop your gift.  Not only will you find yourself unashamed when our Master returns, but others will be blessed by your faithfulness.

  Dear Lord, show me the areas that you have entrusted gifts and talents to me.   Forgive me for selfishly choosing to use them at my own desire or discretion.   Restore my zeal and eagerness to serve you in the areas you have gifted me.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

  "The Lord  will give strength to His people;

  The Lord  will bless His people with peace. " Ps . 29:11 (NKJV)

 

It was a balmy spring evening in 1991.  I was being honored as my due date for my firstborn drew near.  A group of about 40 ladies were gathered around me in a circle, watching me as I opened each present.  Sleepers, blankets, diapers, booties, so much  great stuff that I needed.  And then I opened the one bag... In it was a beautiful peach crocheted...??? Heaven help!  I  did not recognize the item at all.  It was certainly beautiful, and I quickly schooled my  features, "oohed, ahhhed" and asked if it was handmade.  The lady proudly admitted that she had, in fact made it.  I had hoped her description would move on to tell what the item was.  But alas, that was not the case.  I believe that she likely found out about the shower and at the last minute grabbed something out of her "last minute gift" closet.  I later determined that it was probably a table topper.  Nevertheless, I felt I had succeeded in appearing duly pleased with her thoughtful gift.  But when the film was developed (yes it was the last century) there is it was in full-color glory.  My face caught in bewilderment as I held it up in front of me.  Busted!  Anyone could see I had no idea what the gift was!

 

I  love that the Lord never gives us dorky gifts that we cannot enjoy.  He gives us just what we need, just when we have need of it.  He gives strength to His people and blesses them with peace.  These are timeless classics.  Perennial gifts.  No matter how much strength or peace we presently have, we need an ongoing supply to sustain us. 

 

When life throws us curveballs, we can lose our peace as our mind runs amuck with fear and worry.  Walking in the Spirit allows us to quickly adjust and regain our peace and confidence that the Lord has it under control.  His strength is like that as well.  As soon as we need more to meet a demand, He liberally infuses us with more.

 

This verse has no hidden nuggets of truth.  It is just straightforward facts about our kingdom benefits.  But on days like today, I need the reminder that He will meet my need.  His blessings are perfect and sure.

 

  Dear God, thank you for the gift of peace and of your strength.  Please increase my peace to meet the challenges that have met me today. I need your strength, to keep me from fainting in the fight.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

The Gift of Love

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God  is love. This is how God showed his love: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him" I John 4:1-9

 

 

In Gary Chapman's Book,  The Five Love Languages, one of the five "love languages" is giving and receiving gifts.  And let's be honest, who doesn't enjoy a gift?  It does not have to be expensive to be heart-warming.  While we were dating, my husband would often bring me a little brown bag of red hot jaw breakers.  It just cost a few cents- but it  made a big impression on me.  Since then, there have been a few times he has surprised me with a little gift bag of red hots, and it made me feel as giddy as a school girl!  We just like to be thought of; we enjoy being singled out for personal attention.  In fact, the more personal the better!  If we know someone well, we can usually think of several gifts we can get for them.  A person in love becomes fluent  in their lover's language, that they may express their love in a meaningful manner.

 

I have known of husbands and wives who send flowers for no occasion at all, just to show their love.  These gifts often mean a lot because they are surprised at work by a delivery man, and everyone comes flocking to see who got the flowers!  In turn, they feel special and important...

 

When God had you on his mind, he began  to ask, "What can I send Belinda to show my love?" Or perhaps,  "What can I send Tony that will show him I am for him and not against him?"  And then God thinks, "I have the very thing.  It is my most prized possession.  I will send my only son.  Surely then they will know I love them!"

 

God loved us so much he sent his precious Son.  As a parent, I wrestle with this thought.  It is hard to understand how he could love me enough to send his own child for me.  And then I remember.  I am his own child.  Created in his image.  Made for his glory.  I am a sinner. I am so flawed; but to him, somehow I am precious.  Doesn't that just boggle your mind that he traded his very best for the likes of you (and me?!)

 

The other beautiful side to this coin is that Jesus willingly came.  He willingly laid down his life for us.  No one required it of him.  It was a free-will offering.  Why?  Because he shares the heart of the Father and saw our need.

 

He came and died that we might live.  He was rejected that we might be accepted.  He was despised that we might find favor.  He "so loved" us that in order that we may find a way to love him!  What a beautiful gift.  What a sacrifice.  A gift that is both thoughtful and pragmatic!  Thank  God that his love language includes speaking the gift of his son to us.

 

Imagine  you were on a waiting list for an organ and someone died and left it to you. Wouldn't you feel an obligation to somehow pay them back by making your life count?  He died so that you might live.  Is there something you could give to Jesus?  Is   there a sacrifice that you could make for him?

 

Thank you, God, for the gift of your son.   Thank you, Jesus, for being a ready and willing substitute.  Help me to bring you a return for your investment.  Help my life make a difference to others.    In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri

 

 

Bagged Gift

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11

 

My four year old has been on a tear for a few days.  He has been misbehaving, disobeying, and displaying other worrisome behaviors.  This is not my first rodeo- he is my third child. In my heart of hearts, I know this is just a phase and is bound to turn around.  But in the meantime, I spend so much of my time correcting, scolding, disciplining and praying to treat him as God would have me to.  He is not a bad child.  In fact, he is very precious and as sweet as the day is long.  But he is testing his boundaries.

That same child loves baseball.  In fact to say that he loves it may be the understatement of the year.  For a long time now he has wanted catcher’s gear (he calls it crotch-down catcher).  Because it is expensive and he has not yet started t-ball we have put him off.  But this week his aunt brought a surprise for him-some catcher’s gear.  I could hardly wait for him to get home and see it.  Then the report came.  He was ugly to his brother on the way home from his Granny’s house.  I told him he had a surprise but would have to be sweet to get it.  The bad behavior and correction continued.  Then the next day he went to my Mom’s.  When he came home, I was informed that yet again, he had gotten into trouble off and on all day.  So sadly, he could not get them that day either.

As a Mom, it hurts my heart to deprive him of something I know will cause him so much joy.  But there is no way I can reward the way he has been acting.  He does not have any idea what a great surprise awaits him if he will only begin to behave in the way that he had been trained and in the way that is required of him.  I was venting to God about my frustration, and then it hit me.  How many good gifts does my Father have in store for me, but I cannot receive them because of my behavior?  Because of my disobedience, because of my rebellion…What treasures have we forfeited?

God has good gifts for you and me.  But as a good Father, he has to withhold them until we prove we can be trusted with it.  Consider your ways.  Are you asking for blessings, but walking outside of his will?  It is not going to happen.  Seek the Lord and I know you will be amazed with what he will do for you, his precious child.

Dear Lord, thank you for all of the gifts you have given me.  Forgive me for the ways that I sin against you.  Help me to be aware of the times that I displease you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

The American Gift

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

 Happy Independence Day!  As you gather with your family today, whether it be at the beach, by the lake or on your patio, take time to appreciate the gift of freedom we enjoy here in America.

Many people say that America is no longer a Christian nation, and in fact, there are many convincing proofs of that.  But as Christians, we must recognize that the freedom we enjoy here is a gift from God.  And as such, it is a sacred trust to be treasured and protected.

As we recall those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us to be “one nation under God”, let us answer the call to pray for America.  Let the church in America rise and be salt and light, God’s hand extended in this nation.  And let us be ever grateful for God’s perfect gift of liberty. 

Thank you Lord, for the freedoms we enjoy in America.  Thank you that it is still my right to worship you.  Thank you for granting us so many gifts in the form of our nation.  Help us be faithful stewards and people who are willing to stand in the gap and pray for our nation.  Bless our leaders and turn their hearts and the hearts of our people back to you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri