You Have A Gift

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Marie

How are you using your gift?

Each of us was given a gift. Just as God chose us for a specific purpose and He gave us what we need to accomplish that purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)

There’s more to it though. We are to use that gift to encourage others in their daily walk. The gift we’re given is specific to God’s Plan for His church. Once again, let me remind you, the gifts and talents are not for our benefit but to help others become what God has purposed for them.

Are you using your gift? Do you know what it is? (If you don’t you can find out here – Spiritual Gifts Survey) I highly encourage you to take the time to find out, then share it with your local church leaders so it can be used.

Abba, Father, open our hearts and minds to Your plan for our lives. Help us all know and use the gift You have given us for the benefit of Your Kingdom.

Joy

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Marie

Quote by Paul Thigpen in Discipleship Journal

I remember coming home one afternoon to discover that the kitchen I had worked so hard to clean only a few hours before was now a terrible wreck. My young daughter had obviously been busy “cooking,” and the ingredients were scattered, along with dirty bowls and utensils, across the counters and floor. I was not happy with the situation.

Then, as I looked a little more closely at the mess, I spied a tiny note on the table, clumsily written and smeared with chocolaty fingerprints. The message was short–“I’m makin sumthin 4 you, Dad”–and it was signed, “Your Angel.”

In the midst of that disarray, and despite my irritation, joy suddenly sprang up in my heart, sweet and pure. My attention had been redirected from the problem to the little girl I loved. As I encountered her in that brief note, I delighted in her. With her simple goodness in focus, I could take pleasure in seeing her hand at work in a situation that seemed otherwise disastrous.

It is so important, especially during this busy Season, to remember that those handmade gifts, given from the heart, are much more valuable than anything else we receive.

Enjoy your gifts this year!

Marie

Gifts

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Marie

Gifts (Photo credit: Guudmorning!)

Why do we give gifts? For birthdays? Just because? Anniversaries? Christmas?

I recently really struggled with what to give my awesome husband for his birthday. This is a really big deal for me because gifting is my primary love language. I really wanted to give him a new truck or motorcycle but I don’t have the money for that. I did tell him that’s what I wanted to give him just to make him smile…He was delighted with a motorcycle print shirt, a soft eagle print sport shirt, and a hand tooled leather belt (He had worn out his favorite one.)

John 3:16-17 God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

I have received many incredible gifts over the years. Special things designed just for me. Yet, none so special as the gift of eternal life. A gift that will be mine simply because I believe without question that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God. I believe that He personally saved me and would have even if I were the only person on earth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible, undeserved gift of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Keep me always aware of Your presence. Grant me the peace that comes with knowing who You are and Whose I am. Make it so!