Gifts - 2

I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do the work at the tent of meeting. Numbers 18:6

I couldn't just write once about gifts as it encompasses such a huge area.  I cannot possibly do it justice but with God's help I would like to take it a little further.

As I read through Numbers recently I came across the verse above as though I had never seen it before.  The Lord said that he had selected the Levites as a gift.  How so?  They were especially designated to help with the practical work associated with the tabernacle.  God thinks of everything and has everything covered if we will all step up and do our part.....He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16.

As I thought into this I wondered if we realise what a gift we have in those who do the work of ministry in so many areas of church life. Usually it is left to a faithful few who get involved, working hard not only on Sundays but many times through the week, while the rest come as partakers on a Sunday.  That is certainly not how God intended things to be.  Look at Romans 12:4-8.... "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;  he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." When I sit in church I am often blessed by the beautiful flower arrangements which various people contribute.  I thank God for those who use this gift for His house.

Many and varied gifts are given to us individually by God's grace. And it is only by his grace that we can use them effectively.  If you are not in a church which makes way for you to use your gift then perhaps you need to ask God where and how he would like you to use it for his glory so that you too may be involved in building up the body of Christ.  He has a place for it somewhere.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift in my life.  Help me to know how to best use this to glorify you and help to build up the body of Christ.  Amen

Gifts

                                                                                                 Photo by Barry Doig
  

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

                                                                                             
There have been a few birthdays in my world lately, including mine, and birthdays inevitably speak of gifts given or received.  But last night as I drove to my study group I had the Christian radio playing in the background and it caused me to think on a different kind of gift.  I wished later I had been listening more attentively to the lovely voice because as it finished the announcer said it had been sung by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Now this is one woman you will have no doubt heard of even if you don't know of the many gifts in her life which she has shared with the world.

Joni will be 66 years old this October and has lived a remarkably giving life in spite of becoming a quadriplegic after a diving accident when she was 17.  Her story tells of her anger and her struggles but her history tells of amazing victory in overcoming her handicap.  She is a great artist, (she paints by mouth), she has written many books, spoken in scores of places, is a radio personality, an advocate for the disabled AND she sings.  Freely she has given of herself in spite of the challenges she has had to overcome to do it. Her aim has been to glorify Jesus Christ who allowed this tragedy to occur and has chosen, so far, not to answer the many prayers which have been offered up for her healing.

I found this very humbling and it certainly stirred me to get writing again.  What excuse do we able-bodied people have for not using our God-given gifts for the help, blessing and encouragement of others inside or outside of our church.  Not only that, God does not limit us to only one gift.  We see many people who are multi-gifted and I believe that as we use and explore what gift or gifts we have, God is willing and able to allow us more.  Not for our own glory and satisfaction but for the building up of the Body of Christ and serving mankind in whatever way He may lead us.  If you need more convincing.....He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16. Each of us has at least one gift for which we are responsible and accountable. If you are not sure what yours is, ask yourself, "What am I passionate about? What do I love to do?" If it's cooking, teaching, caring, helping, encouraging, leading, whatever it is use your gift to bless those God puts in your path.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you that you have gifted me.  If I am not using my gift as you want me to, would you please show me how and where to do that, so I can glorify you and do my part in building up the Body of Christ. Amen

Visual Effects

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.   Luke 12:27

Recently I became disturbed to realise that I take so much for granted.  There are so many things that God has put around me that I never really stop to consider very deeply.  After a few housebound wet days I was out walking recently and enjoying the autumn colours.  I did pause to say thank you to my wonderful heavenly Father for the beautiful pictures He paints for us in nature.  As I enjoyed the beauty I realised that my spirit had lifted considerably and the colours, and my appreciation of them, had been a real tonic.

In a world that is struggling to keep its head above water with trouble on every side by way of famine, storm disasters, earthquakes, strife and wars; not to mention political problems, riots and personal issues that plague so many people, we need to take time to appreciate the beauty around us.  If we allow our eyes to take in the woes of the world on TV, if we are facing personal challenges of our own or those in our family or circle of friends, we can lose our sense of perspective.

It is so very important that we intentionally look for beauty around us.  Visual effects are very effective and the natural world affords many for our pleasure.  Also we need to take in the word of God which comforts and sustains our spirits.  As we read the scriptures God will speak into our needs and strengthen us for the path we are on.  Finally maintain an attitude of gratitude in all things if you can.  If your situation is so difficult that you can find nothing to be thankful for then thank Him that He is with you in it.....because He is. He said, "I am with you always".. Matthew 28:20;  and "I will never leave you nor forsake you."..Hebrews 13:5.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the visual effects you have placed around me, even to the tiny miracles of nature which with our amazing technology I can now see in full detail.  Thank you for your constant presence with me  even in my most difficult times.  Help me to lean into you and make your faithfulness my focus.  Amen

The Mind

                                                                                 Photo by Jenny Williamson

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 (NLT)

When I have difficulty in sleeping, I have sometimes wondered how many lights I would see shining at 1 or 2 in the morning if I took a walk round my neighbourhood.  I know I am not alone in my wakefulness. Fortunately this only happens now and then and I haven't yet succumbed to taking a walk!  The thing I find frustrating, though, is that even lying awake, I find it difficult to focus my thoughts for very long either on scripture or to pray effectively for long. My mind just jumbles and rambles so in order to focus I need to get up, which I usually do.

I read something the other day which suggested that the mind is even harder to control than the tongue, I hadn't really considered that but of course it is true because our mind is the source of our words, good or bad (Matthew 12:34).

If our sinful nature, (that's the one that pleases itself, does its own thing, looks out for number one first and often enjoys focussing on the negative) is allowed to be in control of our thoughts, it leads to death (Romans 8:6).  For death you could read 'misery'.  We probably all know someone who is full of misery and woe.  That is because their mind is focussed on their troubles and themselves.  That is not what God wants for his people.  We have to allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of our mind and to do that we need to feed our mind the right 'food' and that is found in the Bible and good devotional books that will focus on hope which brings joy and peace in believing.

Today's world is full of negative news which breeds fear.  If we have a steady 'diet' of negative information and we don't counter it with regular input of God's word which contains instruction and hope, we will be on a slippery slide to despair.  As I look at Jenny's beautiful photo above, I see pure water which obviously comes from a pure source, but its also easy to find putrid, stagnant streams which have no life, no sparkle.  That illustrates perfectly the difference between the life controlled by the sinful nature and a life controlled by the Spirit of God. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13. We are the ones who choose what will fill and control our mind.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father please help me to draw water from your pure spring of life, which is Your Word, so that my mind will be more and more controlled by You.  Amen

Comfort

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save...... Zephaniah 3:17

There is a saying that you probably know well; 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'  In other words, make the best of what you can out of what comes your way. This satisfies our need to make sense of our situation, but sometimes life just does not make sense at all.

You will probably remember poor Job.  His dire situation made no sense at all to him, or to his wife.  Their responses were very different towards the situation.  Job sat in contrite repentance and faith for a better day when God would come through as Restorer.  And He did!  Job's wife was extremely angry about the situation in all her grief, and understandably so.  Her advice to her husband was "just curse God and die." (Job 2:9). In other words,  "Put an end to your misery, get it over with."  She couldn't bear to see her husband suffer.  Those who have watched a loved one suffer pain and anguish will fully understand her response.

Job's friends, on the other hand had all the advice in the world.  They spoke with authority but without understanding, empathy or compassion. In fact their view of God was totally different from Job's. God dealt with them later.  We must remember that it is not necessary for us to provide a reason  for someone in their suffering.  Most people would rather have loving, silent empathy than pious talk.

I tend to think that Job believed what the prophet Zephaniah wrote in the above verse, even though the words had not yet been written in Job's day.  He knew that no matter what his situation God was still mighty to save and more importantly, that God was still with him. He humbled himself before God in his pain and  suffering and continued to believe that God could deliver him and vindicate him. And He did.

In your pain today will you choose to believe that the Lord your God is with you in the midst of your trial?  Will you allow him to work it out in His time and way?  If you find that too difficult you could ask Him to help you; for strength, patience, and peace.  He is always ready to come to our aid in time of need. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter (John 14:16), one who will strengthen and help us and walk alongside us.  Let your trial bring you closer to God as you trust Him  with your future. Bring God into the midst of your trial, He alone is mighty to save.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, you see my pain, you alone understand as no one else can.  Will you send your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen me according to your word.  Amen

Confidence

As you stood on the threshold of the new year, which is already 7 weeks old, did you wonder what it will hold: dreams fulfilled or dashed on the rocks, unexpected crises, loss of loved ones, success, failure, joy sadness.  Not one of us can know what each day, let alone a year, will bring with it.  But it is possible to step into it with a confidence that the God we love, loves us with an everlasting love and his ways are good.  Not only that, he is the one who will cause ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). Not some things, but all things.  That is what his word says.  Our challenge then is to trust that word and expect that he will do just that.  We may not see it just as we don't see the legacy we leave, but remember the heroes of faith.  They looked for a Messiah who they never got to see, still they held onto the promise of God and their names appear in our Bible because they believed God's word would come to pass.

I had a little plaque that someone gave me years ago.  I kept it on my kitchen windowsill for many years until it was ingrained into my mind.  It read, "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you."   How true that is, I have proved it over many, many years and in many different situations.

A similar reminder is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13.."The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."  There is nothing that this year can bring that you and God, together, cannot conquer.  He is faithful and true, he is merciful and just and his plans, as always are to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Step out confidently into this day with a strong affirmation in your mind and your mouth, The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. Psalm 118:6

Loving heavenly Father, thank you for this new day. Thank you that you constantly watch over me and your steadfast love for me endures forever.  This year please help me to grow in confidence in your love and be a light for those who do not know you.  Amen

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Early in this new year as we neared the end of our three and a half months holiday in Australia, (two and a half of which we had been making a final holiday in our caravan), we were praying for buyers for both the car and caravan.  We had been told previously by an acquaintance who has been in the caravan business that January was not a good time to sell vans as most people already had theirs and were on their long summer holiday.  This, of course, challenged our trust as we continued to pray for buyers of both or each of our advertised the vehicles.

As it turned out we showed the van to 2 people on the way back from our holiday and the second one purchased it.  The car was sold 2 days later and this is the story I want to tell you about because it demonstrates God's goodness to his people.

The man who called us on the Friday night turned out to be a Nepalese Christian man who had served with the British Forces in Hong Kong and was there at the same time we were.  He was very keen to buy our model of car because it had 8 seats and he had already followed up 2 similar vehicles which were not suitable.  The first one was in Melbourne and because he lived in Sydney and didn't want to waste a flight if the vehicle was not to his liking, after speaking to the owner and being satisfied that the vehicle seemed to meet his requirements and had the logbooks to prove the service history, he had a friend in Melbourne check the vehicle out. The vehicle sounded good and he was told it was worth the trip.  So he flew to Melbourne but when he asked for the logbooks he found he had been misled and they were not available, so he did not buy the vehicle.  To inspect the next vehicle he travelled a number of hours into the country but found that the interior was not good.  Again disappointment.

I imagine that he had made this purchase process a matter of prayer as we always do and was probably by then wondering to himself and perhaps to God, "Why is this happening?"  Then he found our vehicle and got the prize.  A vehicle which had logbooks and had been faithfully serviced, lovingly polished and kept in great condition by my diligent husband.

This was a reminder to me that we are sometimes too impatient and too easily discouraged when we don't have our prayers answered immediately.  We can also be too quick to think that maybe we are trying to move outside of what God wants for us.  If we can patiently press in and keep trusting our loving Father we will find that delays often only mean that we haven't found what's right for us yet. I am convinced that God always wants the best for his children.

Prayer:  Loving Father, thank you for your faithful love which is willing to allow me temporary disappointment in order to bring me to the place of your best for me.  Help me to patiently trust you.  Amen