Using Your Gifts
Matthew 5:13 “YOU are the salt of the earth.
Acts 1:8 But YOU will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses …..
2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore WE are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us.
*The commission that Christ has given to us-to serve as those who remind the world of their TRUE HOME.
That from our lives rises the aromas of HOME.
*The way we act/ react.
* What we chose to speak.
* Our language/ our appetite for spiritual food the object of our affection. All of these are the functions of an ambassador. To be a strong, tall reminder of our Heavenly Home for Eternity!
Today, let not any bad news cast down your soul. Look up—keep your entire
focus on Jesus. He is coming soon.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is
faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23).
We ALL as believers/leaders in this sinful world need to have the Faith to go out and share the gospel and share our Heavenly Father’s Love to all that the Lord puts in our paths daily.
A Leaders gifting is to help take people where they need to go, maybe even where they want to go, and sometimes, where they are hesitant, afraid, or may not yet be prepared to go. People don’t need a leader to stay where they are currently.
Our life should be a testimony of the power, creativity, and servant-hood of Jesus that it impacts your spouse, kids employer, friends to the degree that they say the same thing Pharaoh said about Joseph:
“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?” Gen. 41:38
This is the great need of this age.. To be able to find men and women who are FOLLOWERS of the Most High God, the revealer of mysteries. And that have some of the qualities that Joseph had.
The qualities that Pharaoh saw in Joseph were:
1. Spirit…Joseph had a clear sense of the Spirit of God over him and it was evident to all as Pharaoh demonstrates to the whole of his court. “Where else can we find such a man in whom is the Divine Spirit?” So he clearly stood out and had a different spirit to the people around him, even the best educated advisors.
2. Discernment…he was able to not only see what was happening but to understand the meaning behind what was happening…this is what discernment does…it see the hidden things and can interpret them. Thus discernment of spirits is a gift to see what is behind the outward actions of someone or some group…to understand the hidden motivations.
3. Wisdom…in a practical sense wisdom allows the leader to apply their insight and understanding into a plan that is achievable and able to be implemented.
4. Leadership…Joseph had the ability to govern and to implement and facilitate the Vision of the King. He clearly had the capacity to plan and manage the plan.
When God accomplishes this in your life He gives you authority in your place of influence.
*You will begin to see others drawn to you.
* We seldom get to rest for long -In my experience, People are always changing, new challenges come often, and people frequently feel stretched.
Hebrews 11:40 God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
* Big visions require faith –
Galations 3:26 By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.
God doesn’t call us to that which is easy.
God would receive no glory in us doing things we can naturally do…and seriously…What kind of a dream is it if it’s easily completed?
* Victory won’t come unless we “Move Forward” – You can’t realize the rewards of a God-given vision until you take the required actions.
*** Standing still is safer, but it doesn’t bring the satisfaction of a well-executed, bold move of faith.
1JN 4:4 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.
God has uniquely gifted YOU and ME to bring His presence and power in the area of your calling-using His gifts He has given you. Once you begin to realize this, God will use you just as He did Joseph with his employer, Pharaoh.
We should not be seeking to remove ourselves from the Hard Licks of life, but use those times to REVEAL the power and grace of God through our lives to others. We are Servants of God! Let Him use you for His bigger purpose.
—Anne Graham Lotz said: Growing an unshakeable trust in God as you face your tomorrow is NOT about self-improvement or mastering your circumstances, BUT about God—Who He is, What He does, and How we can trust Him.
*We must pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.
Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
“Have faith in God.” Does my lack of faith hinder the work of God in my life? After reading about the demon-possessed boy and how Jesus healed him in spite of his father’s lack of faith, I’m hopeful that Jesus is patient with ME. Today I will pray in faith, believing and expecting God to work according to His perfect will in my life as well as in your life!
Lord, help us ALL to believe when we come to you in prayer. Please grow our faith remove our doubt. Show us how big and awesome you are today God!
In Jesus Name AMEN!