Perfect Gifts

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Marie

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 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 it is much more than that.

I think our life gifts include the spiritual gifts 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 these skills to those who wanted to help with the project. In the 13th Century before Christ, (during the Exodus) He already had a plan and had given people the ability to carry out that plan. He’s been giving specific, unique gifts, talents, abilities, and skills to His people (us) ever since.

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

I want to encourage you not to get wrapped up in false humility concerning these talents. When we say to ourselves or others that ‘I’m not as good at this or that than ________________’, we deny 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!

My prayer for you is that your Christmas and the year to come are filled with GOD’s amazing grace, love, and blessings!

Marie

This post was originally written on December 9, 2020, and titled Life Gifts.

Life Gifts

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Marie

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.

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

Friday Faves

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Marie

I’ve been reading a lot in the last few days. Here are a few of my finds. You can enjoy them by clicking on the picture or the title.

PRIDE DIGNITY AND POCKET LINT Are you kept from sharing your talents because of perfectionism or self-comparison issues. As Daughters of the King we are given many talents to use in glorifying Him. We must use them!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE FAITH SISTERS YOU NEED Being intentional in our friendships, spending time with one another, and keeping God in the relationship are a few of the ways to stay connected.

THE ETERNALLY VALUABLE PRACTICE OF BECOMING A MINIMALIST Who are you serving? Your stuff or your Lord. I’ve been wanting to downsize for quite awhile and this article was very motivational toward that goal.

CHECK YOUR NECK; THYROID CANCER AWARENESS It is really important that we, women, take responsibility for our health issues. Being a cancer survivor has made me very aware that unless we insist there is something wrong our doctor may choose not to pursue the issues we are bringing them. It happened to me, which is why I’m so passionate about who my doctors are and if they will honor my reasonable requests.

BE HAPPY AND AVOID GOSSIP Gossip is a big problem everywhere. In the church where it is disguised as acceptable sin, at the coffee shop where it’s the norm for our culture, yes, even on the phone in private conversations. God doesn’t like it and we must stop doing it. Great ideas here for doing just that.