Gifts - You Have One To Share
Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“But we
have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace
that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of
your trust; if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your
gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort;
if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a
position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does
acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.” Rom. 12:6-8 CJB
A package arrived via UPS the other day. I didn’t know what
was in it. I wasn’t expecting anything, so when I saw it I thought, “Yes, a
gift!” What a simple joyful moment it was.
We all like gifts – for our birthday, during the eight days
of Hanukkah, at Christmas time (12 days is nice!), and especially the
unexpected ones between St. Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Getting a
gift shows someone has thought of us, cares for us, and wants to put a big
smile on our face. Yes, I like that.
Our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) delights in
giving gifts. He has a purpose in doing it too. When He gives a gift, it
usually comes at an ordained time in our life. He wants to impart in us His
love for us, and to then further express through us His love for those we will
be touching, because He Himself wants to touch them. With His hope, faith,
encouragement and joy, He will through us.
What kind of gifts does the Lord give? The verses from
Romans above lists a few – prophetic words spoken, serving, teaching,
comforting and exhorting, giving, leading, having mercy for another. They are
all action words. We are given gifts so we can share them with others. Always with
the purpose to demonstrate His love for His people He has created.
The world talks about being happy. It would seem, according
to all the images and words that hit us, that our goal in life is “to be
happy”. Sure, being sad isn’t fun. But is “being happy” the real purpose of our
existence? To live for our own fulfillment, pleasure, entertainment? Often it
would appear that way.
But Jesus says that as we lay down our lives for others,
using the gifts He has given us in serving them, that the true desires of our
heart will come about, and JOY will result. Joy comes as we bless others, and
seeing them experience the real life the Lord intends for each. Giving out
gives back.
You have a spiritual gift. You probably have several. They
may have been imparted to you at an early age, awaiting for the time when you
would begin using them for the sake of others. As you get training in their
functions and how they can best effectively operate through you, the joy you
bring to others will have an eternal effect on them, and also in you.
If you don’t know what your gifts are, I can recommend
several good books to you. And heh, maybe you will get one in the mail or UPS,
as a surprise package. When it comes, open it up, give thanks, and let His Holy
Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) begin to use you to be a blessing to those He wants you
to touch.
And speaking of touch, you’ll be surprised whom He will
send you to, in order to share your gift. His heart will grow in yours as you
do.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
P.S. By the way, that UPS gift was a book from a friend. I
like books. This one was extra special, coming from them.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization
started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.
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Now Think On This #130 “Gifts” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (03.16.14) Sunday at 6:30
am in Charlotte, NC).
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on
this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This