USING YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS AND ABILITIES 2 Timothy 4:5
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Posted:Jun 23, 2009 1:42 pm
Last Updated:Jun 24, 2009 10:21 am 13745 Views
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USING YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS AND ABILITIES 2 Timothy 4:5
Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
For the Christian, true fulfillment in life can be summarized by the popular bumper sticker slogan, "Bloom where you're planted." Peter said it this way: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another" (1 Peter 4:10). Your greatest fulfillment in life will come when you discover your unique gifts and abilities and use them to edify others and glorify the Lord.
God allowed me to understand this vital principle before entering the ministry while I was still employed as an aerospace engineer. I knew God wanted me to be an ambassador for Him where I worked, so I started a breakfast Bible study in the bowling alley next door. My announcement about the Bible study had only been posted in our office about an hour before a Jewish fellow pulled it off the wall and brought it to me. "You can't bring Jesus in here," he objected.
"I can't do otherwise," I said. "Every day I walk in here Jesus comes in with me." He was not impressed with my response!
One of the men who found Christ in the Bible study took over when I left Honeywell to enter seminary. A few months later I went back to visit my friends in the Bible study. "Do you remember the Jewish fellow?" the leader asked.
"Sure, I remember him," I said, recalling his brash opposition to our Bible study.
"Well, he got sick and almost died. I went to the hospital and visited him every night. Finally I led him to Christ."
I was ecstatic at the realization that I had become a spiritual grandparent. The sense of fulfillment was exhilarating. And it all happened because I started a simple little Bible study where I worked in order to do what Paul said: "Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5).
Prayer:
Father, I want to bloom where I am planted and resist the defeating temptation to compare myself to others.
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Passing the Test of Your Faith
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Posted:Jun 22, 2009 9:12 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12197 Views
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Passing the Test of Your Faith
In yesterday's devotional, we saw how God desires for us to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing; but the road to that is the testing of our faith.
The natural question is, "What does it take to succeed when the test comes?" There are two cooperating forces which must be at work. James 1:4-5 shows us what those two forces are,
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The first force is patience. James' point is, "Don't quit before the answer comes. Let patience have full play, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Hebrews 10:36, says it this way,
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
You and I may actually have done the will of God, done what God wants us to do, but if we don't exercise endurance, we won't receive the promise. That is the importance of patience.
The second cooperating force at work to pass the test of your faith is wisdom. If you lack wisdom, if you can't see the forest for the trees in the midst of your trial, you can ask God and He will give it...liberally and without reproach.
God delights when you ask for wisdom. And He won't belittle you or find fault with you for asking.
So if you find your faith on trial, if you are being sorely tested, ask God for wisdom and patiently endure. Without these two forces, you will never know victory!
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You Can't Out-Give God
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Posted:Jun 19, 2009 10:09 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12158 Views
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You Can't Out-Give God
Tucked away in the pages of the New Testament is a very powerful promise to those who are generous givers. It is found in Philippians 4:18-19,
Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The Philippian church had made the financial support of the apostle Paul a priority. In these verses Paul acknowledges their generosity and also states a vital principle for every believer to grasp...you can't out-give God!
Not too long ago I came across a letter from a lady who had sacrificially given to the work of God. Here is what she said in her letter:
"My husband and I were in dire straits. He is a Vietnam War veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange. Due to his benefit claims being denied and his being unemployed for three years, we lost nearly everything. We had to put our home up for sale, but nothing was happening. During this time, I gave every penny I could get my hands on and always prayed. So one miracle after another began to take place. First, we were able to move into my husband's deceased mother's home. Then we signed papers for the sale of our former home. Next, my husband's claim for benefits was approved and awarded, and the award was backdated three years. Then he found a job! Our income has tripled, and God continues to do miraculous things for us."
My friend, become a generous giver today. Because you can't out-give God!
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Blessed to Be a Blessing
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Posted:Jun 18, 2009 11:59 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12167 Views
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Blessed to Be a Blessing
Our capitalistic society is geared toward one purpose...people accumulating wealth. While there is nothing wrong with material abundance, many Christians today have lost sight of why God has blessed them with prosperity.
They believe it is for their own good and benefit, but God's perspective is quite different. For example, here is what the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 13:16,
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Now the phrase "to share" means to share with others. One translation says, Share what you have. Another version translates this, Be generous. Another says, Contribute to the needy.
You see, God blesses us to make us a blessing! That ought to be the main motivation for desiring and praying for God's blessing in our lives. God told Abraham, "I'm going to bless you, and you will be a blessing." God says the fringe benefit is that, "I will give you richly all things to enjoy." But the main flow of God's purpose in blessing us is so we can help other people.
It is also the reason we should desire the inheritance that Christ has given to us, all of those Holy Spirit-conferred blessings, which we discussed on day 14. Why? Because we can't give what we don't have. You can't bless someone if you don't have anything to bless them with!
God is well pleased to see us walk in our inheritance as sons, but He is also well pleased to see us share what He has blessed us with.
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THE SPIRITUAL PERSON Galatians 5:22, 23
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Posted:Jun 17, 2009 9:10 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 13458 Views
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THE SPIRITUAL PERSON Galatians 5:22, 23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law
The spiritual person also has a body, soul and spirit. Yet this individual has been remarkably transformed from the natural person he was before spiritual birth. At conversion, his spirit became united with God?s Spirit. The spiritual life which resulted from this union is characterized by forgiveness of sin, acceptance in God?s family, and the realization of personal worth.
The soul of the spiritual person also reflects a change generated by spiritual birth. He can now receive his impetus from the Spirit, not just from the flesh. His mind is being renewed and transformed. His emotions are characterized by peace and joy instead of turmoil. It is our responsibility to choose not to walk according to the flesh, but to walk according to the Spirit. As the spiritual person exercises his choice to live in the Spirit, his life bears the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).
As a spiritual person, your body is the dwelling place of God. We should offer our bodies as a living sacrifice of worship and service to Him. The flesh, conditioned to live independently from God under the old self, is still present in the spiritual person. But he responsibly crucifies the flesh and its desires daily as he considers himself dead to sin.
"That all looks and sounds great," you may say. "But I?m a Christian and I still have some problems. I know I?m spiritually alive, but sometimes my mind dwells on the wrong kinds of thoughts. Sometimes I give in to the deeds of the flesh. Sometimes I entertain the desires of the flesh instead of crucifying them."
The description of the spiritual person is the ideal. It?s the model of maturity toward which we are all growing. God has made every provision for you to experience personally the description of the spiritual person in His Word (2 Peter 1:3). You will grow as a spiritual person and glorify God in your body as you learn to crucify the flesh and be filled by the spirit.
Prayer:
Loving Lord, it is liberating to know that Your Spirit actually dwells in me. I choose to walk as a spiritual person today.
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The Passion of God
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Posted:Jun 16, 2009 11:27 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12190 Views
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The Passion of God
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --Romans 5:8
I've been thinking about passion. No, not the kind of passion that is available on many of the movie screens or the type of passion far too many "Hollywood types" promote. I'm thinking about the kind of passion my surfer friend Rick has for the perfect wave. Up at 4:30 in the morning, he drives to the beach, looking for the best swell of the waves. Out in the water waiting, watching, there it is... ready, steady, take it. Oooh, it was worth the inconvenience of little sleep and cold water.
Personally, I have a passion for Italian food, vacations, my wife Cathy, my girls, walking on the beach, snorkeling, Haagen Dazs, Cookies and Cream ice cream, youth ministry, helping parents, and, hopefully, God. Sometimes I will drive fifteen miles out of the way for a double scoop of Haagen Dazs, or work extra days, weeks, and months to afford a vacation on the beach in Hawaii where I can snorkel. (Have you ever thought about what a funny word snorkel is?) Passion usually involves a deep love and a deep sacrifice for something or someone.
What's your passion? What do you think about during the day and dream about at night? What are you willing to love deeply and love sacrificially?
I wonder for a moment what is the passion of God. Then the answer comes to me. You and I are the passion of God. God has a one-track mind. He loves you. He created you. He gives you life and breath. He brings you new life through the sacrificial death of Jesus.
With His love and His Holy Spirit, He passionately pursues us. Isn't it nice to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are loved with the passion of God?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only , that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16
GOING DEEPER:
When was there a time in your life when you passionately pursued God? When was there a time in your life when you felt like God's passionate love was pursuing you?
Reread Romans 5:8. Memorize and reflect on it.
Further Reading:
Psalm 100
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The Giant That Slew David
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Posted:Jun 15, 2009 9:10 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12898 Views
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The Giant That Slew David
by Charles R. Swindoll
Joshua 1:8
During my days in New England, I heard of a teacher who quizzed a group of college-bound high school juniors and seniors on the Bible. The quiz preceded a Bible-as-literature course he planned to teach at the Newton (Massachusetts) High School, generally considered one of the best public schools in the nation. Among the most astounding findings he got from the students were:
Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers.
Jezebel was Ahab's donkey.
The four horsemen appeared on the Acropolis.
The New Testament Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.
Eve was created from an apple.
Jesus was baptized by Moses.
Seriously! The answer that took the cake was given by a fellow who was in the top 5 percent of the graduating class, academically.
The question: What was Golgotha?
The answer: Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David.
If it were not so pathetic, it would be hilarious. Isn't it amazing how pitifully illiterate John Q. Public is of the written Word of God? In a land filled with churches and chapels, temples and tabernacles, there is only an insignificant handful of fairly well-informed students of the Book of books. We have Scriptures in hardback, paperback, cloth, and leather . . . versions and paraphrases too numerous to count, red-letter editions along with various sizes of print on the page . . . Bibles as big as a library dictionary and as small as one frame of microfilm . . . yet the years roll by as one generation after another passes on its biblical illiteracy.
Our nation's technical knowledge and scientific expertise overshadow our grasp of Bible basics to an appalling degree. We are moving toward an era similar to the Dark Ages . . . when copies of the Scriptures were chained to the pulpit in the secret language of the clergy . . . when the public was kept stone ignorant of the life-changing teachings of the truth. But I see one great difference. In those days biblical ignorance was forced . . . in our day it isvoluntary. Therein lies the saddest fact of all.
Upon whom do we rest the blame? Some would say the seminaries of America. Indeed, part of the problem does rest there. Others blame the pulpits of our land. That's possible, for a mist in the pulpit will invariably cause a fog in the pew. Far too many preachers are specializing in "longhorn" sermons---a point here and a point there with a lot of bull in between.
Still others would blame this satanic, pressurized system we call the world---society---with its persuasive pleadings and so-called academic arguments against what is termed "a fanatical, foolish belief in the Bible." To embrace its truths, we have been told, is tantamount to committing intellectual suicide. The morticians promoting this lie have nothing to offer in its place beyond the grave, I might add, except a cold hole in the ground.
But in the final analysis, ignorance is a personal choice---your choice. If something is going to plug the dike, it will take your finger to stop the leak . . . and I mean fast.
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Rejoicing in God's Mercy
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Posted:Jun 12, 2009 8:27 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12313 Views
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Rejoicing in God's Mercy
We all are familiar with the story of the Prodigal . After he had wasted his inheritance, he came to his senses and returned home, hoping he could just be a servant to his father.
His father wouldn't even consider it. He put the best robe on him, put a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet, and then had the fatted calf killed for a party. The father delighted in showing mercy to his !
But what about the older brother? He stood outside the party and wouldn't come in to celebrate. He was so angry! He had never messed up and yet his father had never thrown him a party!
Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can have the attitude of that older . We can look at the lives of others and think, "That is not fair. I know he's been messing up, and God is blessing him. What's up with that? I haven't been as bad as him!"
We need to remember that God delights in showing mercy to the guilty when, from a sincere heart, they seek that mercy. He delights when you and I ask for His mercy when we have blown it.
Micah 6 -8 says,
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
God delights in showing mercy. So be a person of mercy, and rejoice when God shows mercy to someone who needs it.
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No More Stinkin' Thinkin'
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Posted:Jun 11, 2009 1:40 pm
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12156 Views
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No More Stinkin' Thinkin'
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (NIV).
Friend To Friend
Martha was so frustrated with her marriage. She had dreams of marrying her knight in shining armor who would leave flower petals on her pillow, be distracted by her beauty, and pledge his undying love on a regular basis. She dreamed of having three doting, obedient, well-mannered that she could dress-up in cute little outfits and parade down the church aisle on Sundays. Her tidy home would come with a well manicured lawn, two and a half baths, and perfectly coordinated décor. She would be the happy homemaker who joyfully mopped the beautiful kitchen floor in her size six khaki slacks, shabby chic blouse, and stylish hair cut. She could almost picture Mr. Clean winking at her from the corner of the room, giving his hearty approval of the smile on her flawless face.
But life had not turned out like Martha expected. Her knight did come along, but his armor began to tarnish soon after they said, "I do." He left his smelly socks on the floor, had a love affair with the TV remote, and hardly noticed all the work she did to keep the house clean and orderly.
Life sure has not turned out the way I thought it would. I am bored and unappreciated. Romance: that's what I want. This man wouldn't know romance if it hit him in the face. Why should I care how I look? He sure doesn't care about his appearance. Look at that gut? He complains about me gaining weight? Well, he hasn't seen anything yet. I've made a huge mistake. I just want someone who will love me and appreciate me. Is that too much to ask?
And the ? They never do what I ask. They're disobedient, loud, and messy. I don't know when I've seen a clean floor last and I'm sure not happy while mopping. And where is Mr. Clean anyway?
The enemy had slowly crept in while Martha was unaware. Unmet expectations became the breeding ground for the lies to grow. He planted the seeds of discontent one disappointment at a time. Rather than thinking how she could make her marriage better, she begins to think about how she could get out of it. Rather than enjoying her rambunctious spirited , she loathed their energy. Rather than being thankful that she had a home and family to clean up after, she complained about the dirt.
Martha just needs to give her life to Jesus, you might say. But she has! She is a Christian, so on top of her disappointment with life, she adds guilt to it all. I'm a bad Christian. If I was a better Christian, I'd be happy. What's wrong with me?
The enemy's trademark is stamped on this woman's thought life. He has taken her down a road of stinkin' thinking'. While she assumes that these thoughts are her own, the enemy makes the suggestion. She simply buys into them and they soon become her own version of reality -- her own version of the truth. But it is not God's truth. When we know the truth, the lies stick out like a two ton elephant in a herd of sheep.
Paul gave us an effective lie detector through which to filter our thoughts in Philippians 4:8-9.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Now that is a lot to think about, considering that the mind thinks about 130 words per minute. But the good news is -- we are not on our own. God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do all that He has called us to do.
Paul doesn't just leave us with the qualifying list; he gives us the means by which to implement it. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice."
It takes practice! Practice! Practice! Practice!
But look at the result..."And the God of peace will be with you."
Let's Pray
Dear heavenly Father, help me to realize when my thinking needs adjusting. I know that I cannot act differently than I think. Help me to run my thoughts through the sieve of Philippians 4:8. Then Your peace will rule in my heart.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of the litmus test for right thinking and carry it around with you today.
Ask yourself, is this thought:
True
Noble
Right
Pure
Lovely
Admirable
Excellent
Praiseworthy
If your words or thoughts don't pass the test, then push the delete button and erase that stinkin' thinkin'!
If you'd like to comment on today's devotion, visit Sharon's blog at http://bigchurch.com
More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. If you need to start speaking the truth to yourself about yourself, then this is the book for you, and if the words you speak to others need an overhaul, then you'll want to see The Power of a Woman's Words.
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Decoupling and Marriage: The Unhappy Trend
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Posted:Jun 9, 2009 1:41 pm
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2026 6:7 am 12125 Views
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Decoupling and Marriage: The Unhappy Trend
Chuck Colson
May 27, 2009
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control, 40 percent of American babies born in 2007 were born to unmarried mothers. That's up from 34 percent only five years ago.
When most Americans hear the expression "unmarried mother," what nearly always comes to mind is a teenage girl. But that's not what's driving the recent increase. In 2007, only 23 percent of the out-of-wedlock births were to unmarried teenagers. The rest were to women in their 20s, and now increasingly, in their 30s.
The increase among older women accounts for the six percentage point increase of the past five years. In 2007, 60 percent of all births to unmarried women were to women in their 20s and 17 percent to women in their 30s.
Or, as Emily Yoffe of Slate magazine put it, "the vast majority of unwed mothers are old enough to know what they're doing." Yoffe sees these numbers as evidence of "an extraordinary decoupling of marriage and procreation."
But what's behind this "decoupling"?
A significant part of the answer lies in changing ideas and attitudes towards marriage. Marriage is no longer seen as an institution whose ends have a communal, as well as personal, purpose. Instead, it is an expression of private affection whose ends are almost entirely about personal fulfillment.
Thus, getting married is increasingly something you do after the rest of your life is arranged to your satisfaction. You go to school, find a job, get established in your career, and then you think about getting married. As a result, the average age when people first get married has risen by five years since 1970.
But while our ideas about marriage have changed, our natures haven't. One thing that Christians and dyed-in-the-wool Darwinists can agree on is that we are driven to reproduce ourselves. With a few exceptions, no matter how successful we might be, many feel that if we leave no descendants behind, all the striving is beside the point.
What's more, our biology doesn't care about our sense of personal fulfillment. A woman's most fertile period is her late teens to early 30s--precisely the time when young people are going to school and getting established in their careers.
Thus, the longer we put off marriage, the more difficult it will be to fulfill one of our most fundamental instincts--have a .
Throw in the complications of meeting "Mr. Right," getting to know him, and deciding that he's the person you want to marry, and the "ticking clock" begins to sound like Big Ben.
So it seems that more and more women have decided to have while they still can, regardless of their marital status. The result is, in Yoffe's words, a "culture [that] is out of touch with the needs of ." And I would add that what a needs most is a stable, loving family with a mom and a dad at the helm.
Re-coupling marriage and procreation will not be easy in this "me-first" culture. That's because marriage and having babies--as fulfilling as they are--are not about self-fulfillment. They are about love, fidelity, and self-sacrifice for the good of the other--for the spouse, for the .
That message is a tough sell these days. But it's a message our culture ignores at its great peril.
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