Life Gifts

During the Christmas season, we are often focused on gifts. Giving and receiving. Let’s look at gifting in a little different way today.

What is the one thing you’re passionate about and do better than anything else?  It could be your life gift.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s creation and that He has specifically given us talents and gifts, that He ‘prepared in advance’, to use for the good of all. Although we want to connect this verse specifically to the Spiritual Gifts of Romans 12:3-8 and 1Corinthians 12: 1-11 it is much more than that.

I think our life gifts include the gift(s) of the Spirit as well as talents, abilities, and skills that are part of what makes us unique.

In Exodus 35:30-35, we are told that God gave two men specific skills and talents for building the temple. They were to teach those who wanted to help with the project these skills. In the 13th Century before Christ, (during the Exodus) He already had a plan and had given people the abilities to carry out that plan. He’s been giving specific, unique gifts to His creation ever since.

Among the life-gifts God gives are many that help the local church function. Talents and abilities such as musical abilities (composing, singing, playing instruments, performing), crafting (painting, building, sewing, designing, needle arts), home skills (cooking, cleaning, arranging, gardening)… There are so many and God wants them used for His glory!

I want to encourage you to not get wrapped up in false humility where these talents are concerned. When we say to ourselves or others that ‘I’m not as good at this or that than ________________’, we are denying what God has given us to use in our worship of Him.  It is good that we recognize the talents of others but we have special gifts, talents, and skills of our own. God wouldn’t have given them if He didn’t expect us to use them.

Your life gifts are needed! Use them!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

God Delights and Sings

It’s interesting that this verse appears in the Advent list I’m using for these Advent postings. At first, I wasn’t sure how to ascribe it to the Season but the more thought I give it the better this one fits.

Mighty Warrior – This term sent me back to the story of Gideon. The Midianites had been harassing the tribe of Gideon for years, attacking them and stealing their food when it was time for the harvest. Because of their fear they hid in caves in the surrounding hills. They had been begging God for help for 7 years. Finally, God sent an angel to Gideon telling him he was a mighty warrior and that He would save his people from the persecution of the Midianites. (This people group was descended from Abraham and Keturah. After Sarah’s death he fathered 6 more sons with her.)

Jesus is the Mighty Warrior of the New Testament. Unlike Gideon, He, too, would save His people. Certainly, in a different way than Gideon, but He was, and still is, considered Mighty To Save!

He delights in us – First of all, this is a two-way ‘street’. He delights in us when we delight in Him. When we choose to do His will, practice integrity, talk with Him regularly (pray), know His Word (His instructions), we show our delight in Him.

He will no longer rebuke you – When Jesus came to earth His one purpose was to save us from our sins. At the cross, He did just that. As believers, we have the privilege of being totally forgiven because of His grace and mercy.

He sings over us –  This is the only verse in the Bible that says God sings. We are created in His likeness and we carry His characteristics so as we sing, so does He. I can hardly wait to hear His perfect pitch. (Smiley face, here.) The angels sang praises at the Birth of Jesus, the shepherds sang praises, we continue to sing praises, and I believe God is joining right in.

This little verse, in one of the obscure books of The Old Testament that is rarely studied had a lot to say to me about Advent and the person of Jesus. How about you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

Image

 

You and I are the image of God!  We have been given, His ‘looks’ and His characteristics. Why? To show Him to the World and help them understand that we’re not a chance, roll-of-the-dice, experiment. God created us to be like Him!  He gave us the choice to do so.

Jesus portrays the characteristics of God. He came as a tiny, human, baby to save us and show us who God really is. God sent us His one and only Son to help us understand His great, incredible, merciful, grace-full, never-ending love for us.

In His image, we have ALL of His characteristics. We are creative, authoritative (over all of Creation – Genesis 1:28). We can reason, communicate, and love. And so many more… And one more thing, we look like Him!

Man and woman are equal. Although He gave us different genders we are equal in not only His sight but His thoughts. (1 Corinthians 11:11)

I am humbled that He chose to create me in His image. Aren’t you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

The Word

This verse is one of the most powerful in all of the Written Word. It verifies the I AM, the One and Only God of all that is, was, and always will be. 

God was first!

Jesus is/was the Word!

Jesus is/was with God!

Jesus is/was God!

It is such a simple verse with so much meaning. I highly recommend memorizing it. Think about it. Let it frame your picture of who God is. Let it frame your picture of who Jesus is. One does not exist without the other.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

 

In The Beginning

 

 

In the beginning:

God knew every single thing that would happen on His creation.

God knew He would have to send His Son to save us.

God knew the people who would be faithful and those who wouldn’t. (The unfaithful had already broken His heart.)

God knew Adam and Eve would fall. He gave them choices.

God knew life wouldn’t be easy. He had a plan for that.

Yet, He went ahead and created it all anyway. He already loved us and wanted to give us the best of all that’s His. Which is everything.

Oh, How He Loves Us!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie