What Were You Given?

EACH person is given something to do that SHOWS who God is! This gifting  God has given each one of us is an OUTLET for the OVERFLOW of GOD’S LOVE in our lives for others.

1 Corintians 12: 4 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. 5 God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. 6 God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. 7 Each person is given something to do that SHOWS who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! 8 The variety is wonderful:
Verse11 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.(Message)

You’ve likely heard leaders in various ministries at your church pleading for men and women to get involved. Mission trips. Small groups, Youth groups, Bible studies. Building maintenance. Fatherless children who need a mentor. Is service like that really such a big deal?
Yes! It’s a big deal to God, because you are a big deal to him! He’s placed you – in your physical body – within another “body”, his Church.
***YOU need an outlet for the overflow of HIS LOVE in your life!
The apostle Paul writes (1 Corinthians 12:27): “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it”.

It’s also a big deal because God’s heart is always full of LOVE for those both in his body and outside it. But our mouths are often filled with excuses, reasons for not participating in our Lord’s mission:
• What can I bring to the table?
• I don’t have those gifts.
Moses also balked. He said (Exodus 4:10), “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord put a quick end to his excuses (4:12):”Go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

The Lord addressed Jeremiah’s insecurities and empowered him for his mission, as well:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

We may try to excuse ourselves, but our God will not excuse himself from actively participating in our lives. Christ keeps on calling us to take an active part in what he is doing in his body, the Church.
Christ  empowers us and fills our hearts with compassion for those around us (1 Corinthians 12:26).
In mercy, he forgives our failures, teaching us to FORGIVE those who hurt us. And he provides opportunity after opportunity to get INVOLVED in caring for others so that no one will miss the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15).

*The gifts and abilities we have are from God, to be used where He has arranged us to be for the cause of the Kingdom.
It is a beautiful thing when this happens – God is glorified and people are blessed. It is not so beautiful when:
1. People try to steal His glory and take credit,
2. Or when we try to do things for which we are not gifted,
3.  Or when we don’t live and work in UNITY with other parts of the body.

Habakkuk 2:2 The LORD gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.  3 Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.

For me, It’s time to get back to the basics and listen to the Lord and hear what He is saying and write them down and set some goal with what HE has given me.
First: A goal is looking into the future and aiming in a certain direction. Attack it with your faith and submit it all to God.
*Faith is believing with out seeing. Don’t just have hope. Have faith.

1)A goal gives us direction:
It gives us vision and direction. Keep your eyes on the target and fight to get it done.

2)Goals give you purpose:
Have purpose for everything you do. Take everything as a challenge and conquer it. What good is life if there is no purpose. People who are goal oriented all have success right behind them.
3)With goals you must have a plan:
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
You have to have a plan. Don’t be naive. Without a plan nothing will be accomplished.
4) Set dates:
If you don’t set dates and challenge yourself, it’ll become a “some day” thing.
5)The goals must be realistic:
Don’t set yourself up for failure. Don’t ask to be a millionaire by tomorrow morning. Unrealistic goals will discourage you. Believe God for everything, but do everything you have to do. ACTION
6)Identify your enemies:
You have enemies trying to keep your from accomplishing your goals. Enemies don’t necessarily have to be people. It could be shopping, eating, or money. Set your “road blocks”  aside so you can get to your destination. Stay away from it or set it aside for a certain period of time. We fail when we give into the enemy.
7)Identify somebody who can get you where you need to be:
It could be a person, book, or website with more knowledge and wisdom than you.
8)The vision or goal must me written and put where it can be seen everyday:
9)Use your faith:
*You have the word of God.
* You have Jesus.
* You have the Holy Spirit.
* You have God.
Get scriptures to stand on to help get past all the blocks and distractions. Even when your ready to quit, read them.
10)Commit yourself to your goals:
Lift up your goals to God. Pray over your goals. If you apply yourself, commit yourself, always keep your eyes on the finish line, and don’t stop you WILL get there.
Nothing can be done over night. You have to work on it. Be disciplined.
Don’t give up, and don’t lose faith.

Gods plan in your life will take place in His timing.  You were created for that purpose, as long as your after His heart….you won’t miss it!

The Lord is  shining a light on the parts of our life that still need complete sanctification and victory.  These are the areas that cause us the most trouble and keep us from breakthrough.  Be sensitive to the work of His Spirit to bring conviction and correction, for this is a holy work and worthy of our undivided attention.  This is a good work that will bring spiritual wholeness and stability.  If we will yield in total submission, we will be delighted with the outcome the Lord has planned.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER STARTER: Lord, you’re constantly active and involved in my life. Show me how to get involved in the lives of others…help me see and know my giftings You have given me for the Body and for your Glory. Help me to write down the goals YOU want me to do and give me the Power and Strength to carry your plans out to completion.
IS. 30:21 If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.”
AMEN