Called By God

By Charity Pence

This Week’s Verse: James 2:26 “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (NIV)

Have you ever taken time to consider what God has gifted you with? I’m not talking about material gifts; I’m talking about spiritual gifts. God has designed each one of us with certain characteristics that make us who we are, and we are to use those characteristics to further His kingdom. Romans 12:4 states, “For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function.” (NKJ) Chapter 12 goes on to list specific gifts that God has placed within His people. I once took an assessment ranking my gifts. The top three were serving, having mercy, and teaching.

Writing has been a passion of mine since junior high. When I first discovered my joy for writing, I never considered it was from God. But now I know it is my God-given desire. And when I agreed to take over this blog ministry, it was my way of putting together what God has equipped me with. I do not like speaking in front of others. I get nervous and trip over my words, become embarrassed and then more nervous. But I love to write, and I believe I can. And I enjoy being able to serve God by teaching others through this ministry.

I say all this because I have had something stirring in my heart for a long time. I have this feeling that something big is coming. Sometimes it’s hard to remember there is a spiritual battle taking place right now because we can’t see it. But Satan is working overtime. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 states, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (NKJ) These verses remind us that the time to act is now, not tomorrow or the day after. That being the case, we need to make sure we are doing our part to reach others for Christ. And we need to keep working even if we can’t see the results because God is working, too.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gifts you have instilled in me. Help me to use those gifts for You and Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Applications: So what is your gift? If you don’t know, review Romans Chapter 12 and seek God’s guidance so He can show you the work He has called for you to complete.

Power Verses:
Philippians 4:9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (KJV)
I Corinthians 7:17 “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” (KJV)
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

by Bethany Lashbrook

This Week’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:12, "Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church."(NLT)

Devotion:
The girls and I pray every night before going to bed. Usually, we each think of one person specifically that we would like to pray for. This way the girls focus while praying! I finish prayer time by asking for blessings on each of our days ahead. I also usually ask that each of the girls “show” Jesus on recess at school to the other children.

When I was a child, I was terrified when my Sunday school teacher would ask if I had talked to anyone about God. I never could see myself just walking up to a friend on recess saying “have you found God today?” I just never had the courage like some did.

This has followed me into my adult years. I still don’t verbally ask others if God is in their lives. But recently, the Lord has shown me that it’s okay. Twice last week I came upon this phrase said by St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel every day, and when necessary use words.”

Some of us are given the talent of approaching others and just speaking the Word of God. But others are given the talent of showing God’s word. The girls and I can preach the gospel every day by being kind, courteous, loving, gentle, and friendly. In this way, others can see Jesus working in our lives.

Lord, please help me to be like your Son today. And--when it is time--I know you will help me verbally deliver your message. Until then, help me to be loving and gentle just as you are. Amen.

Application:
Do you compare your talents to others? God made each of us different. Use the talents He gave you to your best ability and to show Jesus. In that way, you are becoming the faithful daughter He wants you to be!

Power Verses:
Romans 12:6, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith."(NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4, "God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit."(MSG)
Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."(NIV)

My Spiritual Gift

By Bethany Lashbrook

This Week’s Verse: Romans 12:6-8, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Devotion:
This past week in Sunday school class, we talked about these verses. Afterwards, I was desperate to find what was my “gift” that I contribute with, or could work on. I came home and first thing Monday morning, I was on the computer doing a Spiritual Gifts Inventory Sheet that had been emailed to me long ago.

Was I the Teacher? Did I have the “Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by motivating other’s to action by urging them to pursue a course of conduct”? I love teaching the smaller children at FCC. I work at a handicap day camp during the summers with children. I have children of my own that I am teaching! Surely, I am a Teacher.

Or, was I a Server? Did I “desire to serve God and render practical help in both physical and spiritual matters”? I love helping others. I try to help older and younger ones in the church. When something is needed – just ask me – I will help! Surely I was a Server!

Was I the Giver? Did I have a strong “desire to serve God by giving our material resources, beyond our tithe, to further the work of God”? I was sure this would be at the top of my list! I love to give. OR I LOVE TO THINK ABOUT GIVING EVEN IF WE CAN’T AFFORD IT! I love to help others in time of need. I try to support local missionaries in their field. I just love the feeling of giving! Surely I was a Giver!

Nope. Nada. What appeared at the bottom of my screen was a word that I just barely gave a thought to…it was THE PROPHET. Can you believe it? I am classified as a Prophet, with “the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by proclaiming God’s truth or the hell-fire-brimstone preacher who points out sin”.

The preacher what??? How could I point out sin to others when I have sinned so much myself? It all boils down to this. The Lord gave me a story so I could tell it to others. The TRUTH is that I have lived through a lot during my short time here on Earth. Some days it’s amazing to look back and think that I am even alive, let alone thriving in my Spiritual Life with a husband, two beautiful children and a wonderful supportive family behind me.

TRUTH is that God told me “Bethany, use your story to help others and if that means pointing out sins, then point them out.” I guess I just feel blessed to have sinned (as silly as that sounds) so that I can say loud and clear to others “YES I have sinned,” and if others know that and recognize that – maybe they can come to Christ just as I have. So, today, I will continue “prophesying” and asking God to help me further understand the spiritual gifts he has laid upon me to help others reach him.

Second on my list was Serving – thank goodness!

Lord, help us to fully understand our spiritual gifts given to us specifically by you. Help us to let the Holy Spirit guide us daily with these gifts, so that we may serve you better. Guide us and direct us in all areas, all gifts, and all walks of life. Lord, clarify to us what you want us to use our gifts towards and help us to attain our goals for your satisfaction and glory. It’s in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Application:
*Discover your spiritual gift(s). Go to http://buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm. All you have to do is read the directions, click which “number” fits you best and find out what gifts you have.
*Pray about these gifts that God has given you. We are each powerfully blessed with them, but just because they are God-given doesn’t mean we don't sometimes slip into misusing them for our own glory and satisfaction. Make sure to use them wisely.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV)
Joel 3:28, "Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. You old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions." (NLT)
Acts 15:8, "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us." (NIV)