We are God's Handiwork...

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. That good work (s) is to love God and to spread the Gospel which is the love of God. He is our focus, not this world. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever ~ 1 John 2:15-17.

 

Yes, we are special in God's eyes not the world's. Do we have special gifts, yes. And, those we use to battle for His Kingdom. They are the gifts of the Holy Spirit... anything else is just of the world. Can you use a talent like running, singing, building, computing, engineering...? Yes, as long as you use such a talent for His Kingdom. 

 

But Gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ There are different and are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 COR 12:4-11.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? Now, eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. ~ 1 COR 12:27-31.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. ~ 1 COR 13:1-8.

Don't take your stuff out into the world...

When Jesus told the disciples to go out, He told them not to take too much. Why? Because, we like them should be free of clutter so we can move and move quickly and freely in order to bring the Good News of His Kingdom! "These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts" ~ Mark 6:8.

It is a lesson for us in these times. Don't have 'stuff' that you must have with you and around you. Because, when people see you, they will see your 'stuff'. Stuff that you wear, stuff that you carry, stuff that you keep and all that stuff that you talk about having/keeping etc. Because, of all your stuff, they won't see His Kingdom coming through you who are called to deliver it, to be the lighthouse.

So, don't take all your stuff out into the world, it already has plenty of stuff and people tend to have too much stuff so why would they think your stuff is any different or better? The things of this world are passing away ~ 1 COR 7:31... only the stuff of Jesus Christ lasts forever! So, store up your treasure in heaven ~ Matthew 6:20.

A Godly Woman...

The head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. ~ 1 COR 11:3-12.

Renew Your Mind...

Paul told us to renew our mind... not our body. Why? Because, the body will pass away along with this world. The body is only a temporary construct. So, "put off your former way of life, your old self, (that which is engrossed in the body) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.…Ephesians 4:22-24.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. Therefore prepare your minds for action. ~ 1 Peter 1:12.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. ~ 1 COR 6:18-20.

This last scripture from 1 COR 6 is not about renewing your body as in trying to make it live longer in this world. That scripture advises us as to what we must stay away from so that the Holy Spirit can dwell within rather than the evil one who also wants to take up house and dwell within!

Good times, bad times, in sickness, in health and for better or worse!

So often we fall back into the struggle with our sinful flesh.  We so desperately seek forgiveness and make promises that we know we may not be able to keep. But, God knows the heart above all else. So, take heart and don't self condemn but rejoice in the Love of Christ. 

Its a marriage, like any marriage between a man and woman. We vow to accept each other in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health and for better or for worse. Yes, we often forget that last part. But, that is the key. Accepting each other for better or for worse. Faithful til the end. 

If you and your spouse argue, remember that vow and you will get through because you know that neither of you are perfect, and it may be you that has gone over to 'worse' rather than better. Take any negative comments as correction and see what happens. It may be you will get better or be better off than you thought you were. 

Most of our problems start and end with ourselves and our own problems in our relationship with the Lord. Don't blame others especially those whom you love and honor. And, above all, don't be self righteous as if you never do anything wrong or worse than the other person - spouse or neighbor or co worker. 

Reach out to those nearest and dearest to you and they will always be with you, it is this way with the Lord! If you run from those near and dear, thinking you will find 'greener' pastures, think again. Those planted by living water will grow and prosper... for those planted in Christ are always in the place.

One Body, Many Members...

Gifts of the spirit, what are they? 

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 COR 12:4-11.

 

What different world it would be if we lived accordingly. And, it will be a different world when the Lord Returns and we will live and reign accordingly. For now,  let us keep in mind, if we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. 

 

The greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not ~ Matthew Henry.

Trust in the Lord God Jesus Christ!

Do you believe that I am the Son of God? And, do you believe that I died for all men and women and that I rose from the dead? Then why do you continue to be distracted and anxious about your loved ones? Do they not also belong to me?

Would I refuse to work in their lives just as I work in yours? I have not put you in charge of saving them. I have already done that. Nor have I charged you to change them. Your task is to love, to forgive, to pray for them and to turn them over to Me.

Come closer to Me yourself and I will do the rest. Trust Me!