giftings

The Team – 2nd Quarter

August 31, 2024 by Bill 31 Comments

Let’s look at some more aspects of our team.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11). Football players are given equipment to wear for protection against the blows of the opponent. As God’s team, we have been offered, (our choice to accept), six pieces of armor to protect us. (Ephesians 6:14-17). Imagine a football team without pads. Ouch! And verse 18 says to pray. I remember, when I coached JV girls basketball, I had the players come to the bench with one minute left of warm-up time where we knelt and prayed the Lord’s Prayer. Team prayer is important. Our church, team, comes on Monday nights for team prayer. And we must pray individually, every day.

Another difference between a team and the fans is who’s in each group. Imagine if a timeout was called and the coach asked 11, 5 or 9 people from the stands, depending on which sport it was, to come onto the field or court and face the opponent. Disaster! People in the church are gifted in different ways to support the team. We need to know our giftings and serve/play in them so, together, we can defeat the opponent. Speaking of support, how bad would it be for the team if one player was mad at a team member and refused to block for them, or in basketball not set a screen or field a baseball? It would hurt the team. As the church team, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12). I got a vision once of a large wagon in the front of the pulpit at our church with many church people in it. Our Pastor was at the front holding the handle trying to pull the wagon forward. He couldn’t, it was too heavy. Then, several people got out of the wagon and helped him pull it forward. That is help and support. Are we willing to get out of the wagon? “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10).

There will be a few more thoughts on this topic next week. GO TEAM JESUS!

The List

August 17, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)

Moses said this to the Israelites after receiving the Ten Commandments. The people had seen Mount Sinai smoking, heard trumpets and felt an earthquake. They were afraid. God was giving them a list to live by and we still have that list.

I was walking around my property and saw several things I needed to do…my list. It made me think and pray, “God, what is on Your list for me?” And I wondered, would His list be numbered? I’d like to see His list of things to be accomplished by me starting with #1. Have you thought about what God’s list for you might look like? The Ten Commandments might be a good place to begin.

As a former teacher and coach, I know there are lists of things to be accomplished in school and in sports. And, as the verse above states, there will be some testing. Students and athletes must follow the list, and the rules, to move forward and be successful. You’re not going to graduate after completing the 9^th grade list. And there will be tests. Then, there will be another list and more tests. A coach will have a list of things to be done by the players to progress in their sport. When I coached basketball, I’d make a list of things to do for each practice. That list changed as the players progressed. In the workplace, in order to move up, you have to follow the rules and check off the boss’ list. So let’s again think about God’s list for us. He has given each one of us gifts to use to make it through the “list”, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10) To serve one another. Our “list” will be based on our gifting and we are all commanded to “do”. God also gave us a general list in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” So, think about what your gifts are and do your best to use them. And…ask God to direct you according to His list. He’s the teacher and coach.

Conversations With Jesus

November 4, 2023 by Bill 30 Comments

God speaks to us in many ways; through His word, a preacher, a song, or by inspiration during prayer. Prayer, by the way, is just talking with God and here are some examples of conversations we might have with God. I posted this several years ago but thought it would be good for those who may be struggling with some issues.

When God gives you a task to accomplish, you might say: “God, I’m not good enough, I can’t handle it.” And God says, “Great, I’m glad to hear you say that.” “No, you’re not and you can’t, that’s why I’m here.” “Now, let me help and we’ll get ‘er done!”

“Lord, I’m feeling sort of messed up today, why is that?” “Well, child, it’s because you’ve cluttered your mind with all these other things in your life except Me.” “I keep reminding you, ‘Seek Me and my Kingdom first and all these other things will be OK.’” “Oh yeah, I remember.” “I’m sorry Lord; I don’t know why you keep putting up with me.” “Child, it’s because I love you and I’ve got some great things I want you to accomplish.” “Now let’s go.”

“Lord, don’t let our country, founded on your principles, go down.” “Show yourself mighty, strong, loving, compassionate and merciful.” “Yes, I can do that but I have millions of people who claim to be my followers who are just sitting by and doing nothing with those things you mentioned, which I’ve placed in them.” “If my people will get up and do something, then you will see My power displayed and change will happen.”

“Yes, I’m a follower of yours Jesus.” “Well, get up and follow me!” “It takes more than just saying you’re a follower to be my follower.” “Get up and come on, we’ve got work to do.”

“That’s just the way I am, I can’t help it!” “Well child, that’s true to a point.” “You were born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve’s sin but I sent Jesus to save you out of that and now, you’re a new creation, you’re different.” “You have power and a free will to say no to sin and the devil.” “Now, THAT’S just the way you are and you CAN help it!” Spend some time every day just talking with God.

Go!

July 16, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

I often think of this example of how God works in our lives. There’s an overweight person sitting on their couch and praying to God: “God, just say the word and I’ll be slim, healthy and fit.” To which God answers, “Yes I could do that but that’s not how I work. Get up off the couch and let’s get to work.”

I wrote about this topic last year but God is reminding me, and us, that we have to get up and go if we’re to see His will done for us and for those around us. I’m reminded of several in the Bible who were told to “go”. “The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). After the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus told the expert in the law, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37). Jesus told the ten lepers after they had asked for healing, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” (Luke 17:14). Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus told the woman caught in sin, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). If we’re to accomplish our mission using the gifts God has given us, we also have to GO. Sure God could speak a Word and His will would be done. But He wants to use us on earth to accomplish His will and fulfill His plan. We are the ones who have to “get up and go”. What about the kid whose Mom and Dad does everything for them? They never have to go and do anything for themselves. Just like the athlete who has to go to practice and work hard to accomplish their goals and support their team.

There is another revelation I received while thinking about this topic. Come! After Jesus walked on the water, He told Peter, “Come.” (Matthew 14:29). Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). “Draw near,(come), to God and He will draw near,(come), to you.” (James 4:8). Jesus is not only telling us to “go” but He is offering us to “come”. And, He will always be with us. Are we ready to go?

The Plan

December 9, 2021 by Bill Leave a Comment

The Plan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

This verse is probably familiar to most of us. God said He formed us in the womb and planned out our days, (Psalm 139:13-16), so He has a plan, The Plan. Are we aware of God’s plan for us? God gave us special gifts, talents, abilities and desires in order to accomplish His plans for us. Those plans are different as we grow from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18), and I don’t think God will ever say, “OK, you’ve completed My plans, go do what you want now.” No, we need to keep working to accomplish our mission until He calls us home.

The Bible has examples of those who God had plans for: Adam, Noah, Moses, Rahab the harlot, David, Saul of Tarsus, Jesus…and us. Some, like Jonah, messed up on God’s plan but repented and got back on track. In one of my devotions, I read this quote, “Chances are, there’s a God-idea inside you right now.” God has provided everything you’ll need. It may take some work and time, but He will guide you and help you through the process. We need to take action and move with God’s plan for us.

I heard of a vision of a man bowing and weeping before his blank tombstone. Beside him was another tombstone engraved with the plans God had for him. He had not completed the plans! I’m sure we have missed some opportunities God had planned for us but it’s not too late, He has more. Submit to God, repent and say, as Isaiah did, “Here am I. Send me!”, (Isaiah 6:8). Someone needs you.

The Team – 2nd Quarter

The List

Conversations With Jesus

Go!

The Plan

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