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Monday, July 7, 2014

Use the Gifts and Talents God has Given to You




Verses: Luke 19 : 11 - 27

My thoughts about the verses:

I can remember as a young child being told to use the talents God had given me or they would be taken away.  I grew up believing that the greatest gift that you could give God was your service.  There may be times when you didn't have money yet, you always had something that God gave you to use and you should share that with the world.

I was just a kid myself when I started in the bus ministry at church.  Every Saturday we would go out for several hours and invite kids to come to Church.  We would knock door to door.  We would visit those that were already using the bust to see how they were doing.  It was very rewarding and filled my heart with great joy to see kids that were coming to know the Jesus I knew.

I felt even as a young child that God had placed a calling on my life.  I have watched it evolve over time.  I even at one time considered going into full time ministry yet, that didn't pan out the way I thought it would.  Yet, now if you look at my life the most fulfilling thing that I have is my ministry.   know that there are lives around the world that God has touched because I have used the gifts that God provided me.

My favorite song is Thank You by Ray Boltz.  I was listening to this morning and I looked at my roommate and said I hope that is the reception that I get when I enter the Realm of God.  Knowing that the simple acts that I have done overtime have led people to find the grace that God provided me.  I desire more than anything to spread the loving story of grace.

You do not have to be a theologian to help people understand God.  Yet, I do think there are things that God will give you to help you grow whatever ministry you are to do.  If you are to minister with music you will be provided a singing voice or the ability to play an instrument.  If you are to work with kids you will have a heart that loves and adores kids.  If you are to witness to homeless you will be given a heart of compassion.  For me God gave me an education in a few semesters at a Bible college.

Now I know that I going to a Bible college will shock many.  Yet, I didn't become the biggest scholar yet, I learned the basic principles of the Bible.  Those very principles come out every time I study and reflect on the Bible.  See I actually believe that if I had finished my degree things would have led down a path that would have been different than what God wanted.

I honestly believe that God has brought me to my knees more than once to get me to do what I need to do.  I first lost the kids group because I came out of the closet.  I lost to get my Master of Divinity due to finances.  I then was forced to see that where God wanted me was in lay ministry.  I was to influence others with my testimony.  I was to live my life with God in the center.

I am in no way perfect.  Yet, there are people that need to see that a Lesbian from Kentucky can share the healing words of God throughout the world.  No matter where you are reading this at today understands that God has a gift for you.  You might not know what that gift is right at this moment.  Yet, eventually God will get you right where you need to be so you can share your life with those that need it.  Who knows you might be a lay minister that teaches others that are marginalized in society that God loves them.

Take away is simple if God places a fight on your life use it to the glory of God.  You will see how it grows and flourishes.  You will see how your life is just a little better because you use the gift that God wants you to use.  I actually believe that God will get to use the gift that is placed on your heart even if you have to be humbled.  Yet, I will share this with you it is a reward to serve God willing blesses will flow and your life will be changed forever.

Prayer:

We thank you God for the gifts that you give us.  Thank you for trusting us to share our stories and to spread the love that comes from you.  We thank you for the ultimate gift of Jesus.  Thank you for being there with us all the time.  We just ask that you help guide us to understand the gifts that you have given us.  Help us to use the gifts to bring glory to your name.  In the Name of the Great Provider we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Do you know what gifts God has given to you?  Do you need to ask God to show you the gifts that you have?  If you know your gifts are you using them in the service of God?



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