June 2014
Welcome! It is always such a blessing to share my heart with you. God is doing such an amazing work in my life and in those around me. The apostle Paul said,
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”1
PASS IT ON…
What a joy it is for me to be able to pass on to you things that mean so much to me. It doesn’t cost me a thing to be a blessing in that way. The healthier we are internally, the more we desire to share it with others.
This could be called the gift of ‘helps’ mentioned in 1st Corinthians 12 verse 28. Since we have the Holy Spirit (our Helper) living in us, He has birthed a desire in us to be a help to others.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2
DESIRE GIFTS…
It will take more than your natural ability to be a blessing to those around you. Who really wants to be a blessing to that person who is at least complaining? God does, and He will gift you to be a blessing. You are His hands and feet as the Body of Christ today. Listen,
“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives – especially the ability to prophesy.” 3
You may not be one to prophesy, but there are many other gifts to discover in God’s Word. Study 1st Corinthians chapters 12-14, and Romans 12. You may find many gifts that are already working in you.
FAN THE FLAME…
It may be that you already know your gifts, but you need to “…stir up the gift of God.” 4 This means to be set ablaze, to kindle afresh or to fan into flames. You may not be using what God has already given you.
“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has been given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. It if is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” 5
It helps to spend lost of tine in God’s word, because “…faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” 6 Then, you will be compelled to share your gift with othes. And as you pray, the Lord will use you more and more to be a blessing.
WHAT A JOY…
Many of us remember what it was like living in our selfishness, bound by hurts, resentments, fears, depression and anger. It is such a joy to now be free and the ability to help those bound like we once were.
“Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, 'you are truly my disciples if you remain faithfully to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” 7
Those bound are busy hurting one another, so when someone like you are there to help, it is a shock to them, but in fact a blessing. You who are a free have a special ability to reach out with the Love of God that the world so desperately needs. Won’t you be used by God today?
A PRAYER FOR YOU…
Heavenly Father, I want to be a blessing to those around me. I repent of not doing more, since I have been blessed to be a blessing. I ask that You reveal to me those gifts that are mine, so I can share them with others. I commit to studying Your word, fanning the flames, so that I might be set ablaze to affect the lives of those around me. Use me Lord to be a blessing, I pray in Jesus NAME, Amen!
Scripture References (NLT):
1 2 Timothy 2:2
2 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
3 1 Corinthians 14:1
4 2 Timothy 1:6
5 Romans 12:6-8
6 Romans 10:17
7 John 8:31,32