This was not always easy for me, I did
not want to cook and clean for other people, but God showed me that it is not
about me. So now when I see a need at an event, or in someone’s life I try to
over come the lazy feelings of not wanting to do it and help anyway. I think we
all can do that. Not everyone has the ‘gift of hospitality’ some of us get a
little nervous that maybe we are not cut out for it but I believe God will
make a way where there seems to be no way; we will overcome the shyness, the
awkwardness, the fear of not doing it good enough. We need to put our trust in
Him to guide us though and not just run head long in to help in an area that we
have no reason to do so.
You are Gifted- In His Word
You are ‘Gifted’, did you know that?
God does! He has given each of us a
gifting; He has given us special qualities that can be used to extend and enhance
the Kingdom of God
The problem is many of us do not know
what the gift is nor what to do with it when we do. Some churches today teach a
class about ‘discovering your gifts’ and some even go as far as placing you in
an area of need in which you may use said gift.
In his grace, God has given us
different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has 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. If it 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. Romans 12:6-8
It is not really as hard as it seems at
first glance; to use a gift given to you to use is easy as putting on your new
shoes. You may feel a bit stiff or uncomfortable for a moment or two, maybe
even a few times wearing it you could get a blister, irritated because it does
not wear just right. Don’t stop there! Soon your ‘new shoes’ will be come your ‘trusted
favorites’.
One of my gifts I to be a preacher
another is a teacher. It does not mean I need to stand in a pulpit and speak, I
can speak through the written word. Though if ever given the chance I jump at
speaking in groups as well because I want to be ready for God to use me
whenever He needs me to. I want to be instant in season and out of season!
God will make a way for you to use your
gift. If it is truly the gift He gave you. Sometimes we can get confused and
think something we think we are good at is actually a gift from God to use for
Him. Well, in some ways it may be but the main gifts that He gives us are those
that we can use to further the kingdom of God, to help others know Him more and
know more about what He wants for us to do in our lives here in this world.
One thing we are all told to do is love one another. John 13:34-35
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is
wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each
other with genuine affection, and take
delight in honoring each other. Never be
lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in
our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s
people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice
hospitality.Romans 12:9-13
For the most part God wants us to have a
tender heart that is geared to helping those around us as they are in need,
including our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are actually told to be ready
to help God’s people specifically and to be eager to practice hospitality.
This is one reason I think we need to truly
connect with God on a daily basis too, because He will guide us in each day if
we give each day to Him to guide. He will show us who we are to help, and who
we just need to encourage and love.
We are to show love to everyone, but
what about those who are mean to us?
God even took care to show us this in His Word!
God even took care to show us this in His Word!
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God
will bless them. Be happy with
those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony
with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay
back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are
honorable. Do all that
you can to live in peace with everyone.Romans 12:16-18
It’s a funny thing, but
when we pray for people who are being mean to us we often find out the truth
about why they treat us this way. We usually find that they are no longer mean
people but hurting people. Once we know their hearts are hurting we can find
the compassion to pray for them more and even to encourage them through the
meanness. We just need to keep our focus on God, and all the rest falls into
place.
We can walk in our gifts,
we can walk in His presence when we remember to acknowledge that He is with us
always… even to the ends of the earth.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your gifts, to us. Help us know what to do with them, where to
use them, how to use them to the best of our ability in Christ. Help us to do
all that You planned when you gave them to us in Jesus name, amen.
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