A different gift

  This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!

- Ephesians 3:7-10 MSG

Some gifts are meant to last a long time, while others last only a short season. Some gifts are like springtime flowers that pop up again after a time of rest. 

As long as you are alive, you are in some way gifted to serve and to bless the rest of the body of Christ.

We often talk of people having different gifts. But do you think you can be gifted differently depending on the season of life? We all certainly know that what we were able to do in our 20s and we are no longer able to do in our 50s and 60s.

Many churches offer a study to discover your spiritual gift(s). And it is certainly a good thing to realize what God has given you to support the Body. We all have been given something to offer to another.

Do you think your God-giftedness can change over time?

Do you think you can ever go God-giftedless?

Do you think your age or physical limitations - keep you from being useful to God?

Yet we have heard numerous times that God equips. Could it be that there are:

Gifts in season.

Gifts in due time.

New gifts.

Chapter in life gifts.

Replacement gifts.

Perhaps we shouldn’t define our usefulness by only one gift and then quit. Perhaps there are new gifts of love and service knocking on your door. Things you never felt equipped (of gifted) to do before this chapter of life.

God is not done with you yet. So I encourage you to open your eyes and ears to what God may be calling you to next. And don’t dismiss it because you’ve never been able to do it before. It is a new day with God.

Our greatest calling is to love - even in small ways. Surely you can extend some love in small ways. 

 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

- Ephesians 3:7 NIV

Responding to troubling times

 

FIGHT. When you are part angry, part fearful; when your dander is really up and you raise your fist in frustration. That’s when God wants to step in and be your Defender.

FLIGHT. When you want to just run away from all the drama and trauma you see; feeling so incapable of any kind of correct response. That’s when God wants to be your Protector.

FROZEN. When you are so overwhelmed by all that’s coming at you right now and you don’t know how to move forward or go back; unable to make any decision at all. That’s when God wants to be your Comforter.

FAWN. And when you just do anything to keep the peace at any expense; doing whatever others want or expect just to keep things calm. That’s when God wants you to know He is still in charge of it all. He can handle all the loose ends. 

Wherever you find yourself, unable to help or fix - God is there. The God Who helps, saves, comforts and defends us as gracious Lord. Abounding in mercy and steadfast love. It is He. Right here. Right now. In your midst. Orchestrating a good outcome. He is. He will. There is no god like our God.

 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? - Exodus 15:11

 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. - Exodus 15:13

Hallelujah! He is here!

 

‘This is he who made the heavens and the earth, and formed humanity in the beginning, who is announced by the law and prophets, who was enfleshed in a virgin, who was hanged on the tree, who was buried in the earth, who was raised from the dead, and went up to the heights of heaven, who is sitting on the right hand of the Father, who has authority to judge and save all things, through whom the Father made the things which exist, from the beginning to all the ages. 

This one is ‘the Alpha and Omega,’ this one is ‘the beginning and the end,’ – the beginning which cannot be explained and the end which cannot be grasped. This one is the Christ. This one is the King. This one is Jesus. This one is the Leader. This one is the Lord. This one is he who has risen from the dead. This one is he who sits at the right hand of the Father. He bears the Father and is borne by the Father. ‘To him be the glory and the power to the ends of the ages. Amen.’ *

* Bishop Melito of Sardis,   Homilia in Passionem Christi,  160–170 CE,   The Cambridge History of Christianity, Volume 1 Origins to Constantine , edited by Margaret M Mitchell and Frances M Young, (Cambridge University Press 2006)

… plus God equals…

Change is possible. Growth is possible. Developing into something greater… all possible. With Christ, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13) and can have great value. Even common, ignoble things (2 Timothy 2:20).

The first drawing is one of my earliest ones. I used pencil and paper back then. I loved the bright colors and of course the message. Jesus is my everything. 

But see how I have grown when you look at the more recent piece. How more developed the artwork is… 

Both bring joy and celebration and thankfulness in the Savior Jesus.

But God used the earliest underdeveloped attempt. He loved it. He used it. He touched people’s hearts with it. He didn’t wait for perfection. He rejoiced in the message. He was glad I did it. It turned people’s eyes to Jesus. He did that through my feeble attempt at artwork. 

So I tell you, don’t wait for perfection, in word or a skill, before you dare to share the love of God. God uses the most unremarkable to advance His kingdom. God will bless - because God always adds to it… people will see more into it than you do - because of God’s involvement; enhancement. Remember that God uses the weak to display His power. (1 Corinthians 1:27)

… for it is God Who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. - Philippians 2:13

And don’t be intimidated by those who are older than you; simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. - 1 Timothy 4:12

So I ask you, where are you afraid to step out in faith - withholding a blessing from God; keeping a display of God’s power held back? Choose this day to leap! And tell me if God showed up. 

the Bread of Life

  And Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” - Luke 4:4

This bible verse came to me this morning, after I had partaken in Holy Communion the night before. And some wondering thoughts I have had…

Bread alone. It led me think of having Jesus as a Friend. And truly He is. There is nothing more wonderful than a warm friendship. Like bread. It makes me think of the comfort and security of being at a grandma’s house. 

But there is more. So much more.

The wine. The life giving blood of Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus. In addition to the Friendship, there is a Savior. The Bread. And the Wine. Jesus truly all in all.

Psalm 104 says that bread and wine sustain and gladden the heart.

I think there is something very special going on here… this not by bread alone. What would Holy Communion be without the wine? Would we take of the bread - and then what? Think what? The wine - that gladdens the heart. Would we remember to rejoice in this Savior? Would we miss out on this? Don’t we need both to “remember Me”…  both Friend and Savior. Love and Lord. 

In John 6:35 Jesus joins hunger and thirst together. And again, in verses 53 through 57. Everyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood is in Me, and I in him.

I welcome your thoughts on this. I feel like I’m supposed to go somewhere with this, but… can’t quite pull it together. It’s niggling at me and I can’t quite capture clarity or bring it full circle in my mind.

The Lord’s Strong Hold

 

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?
² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.

 A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE BATTLING CANCER OR SOME OTHER ON-GOING DEBILITATING CONDITION RIGHT NOW, THAT THE EVIL THAT IS TRYING TO DEVOUR THEIR FLESH. LORD, MAKE THOSE DANGEROUS CELLS STUMBLE AND FALL.

³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

LORD, INCREASE THEIR HOPE IN YOU. MAY IT RISE UP WITHIN THEM AND GRANT THEM CONFIDENCE IN THE ALMIGHTY.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,

MAY THEY INDEED FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN YOUR HOLY, INCOMPARABLE PRESENCE EVERY DAY.

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

MAY THEIR EYES BE OPENED TO JUST HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

O LORD, PROTECT THEM AS ONLY YOU CAN. MAY THEIR THOUGHTS RISE ABOVE THE CALAMITY THAT SEEMS TO SURROUND THEM.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

MAY THEY TRULY SEE AND ENVISION A LIFE HELD IN YOUR HANDS. AND MAY THEY BE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE REAL, ALIVE, INVOLVED AND AT WORK, RISEN LORD.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

LORD, NO ONE ELSE HOLDS SUCH PROMISE.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.

THANK YOU, GRACIOUS GOD, THAT DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE SAY, WHAT DOCTORS SAY, YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD, HAVE THE LAST WORD.

¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.

I PRAY THEY ARE ABLE TO HOLD STEADY IN THE FAITH YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM.

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
 spouting malicious accusations.

THAT THEY WILL REMAIN STRONG AND NOT CAVE IN TO HOPELESSNESS OR NEGATIVE THINKING.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.

MAY THEY WAKE UP EVERY MORNING KNOWING THE LORD HAS A HOLD ON THEM AND SECURE IN YOUR LOVING ARMS.

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

WATCHING FOR YOU, LORD, WATCHING AND WAITING FOR YOU – ALL WISE, ALL POWERFUL, ALL WONDERFUL ONE.

My Sentiments Exactly

 Be ready to share the good news! Get your Easter cards now. (You know how the time seems to slip right on by! - is it really the middle of March already?)

Send one to your pastor - a note of appreciation for all the extra mid-week Lenten services and those during Holy Week

Distant friends and family

Sunday school /bible study leaders

Anyone you know in charge of an outreach ministry in your town - who are tirelessly helping those in need and you may be involved in too (think food pantry, clothing drive, any helping hands organization)

Youth directors

Church secretary

New neighbor? Perhaps use as an invitation to your Easter service

Mom

There are other card designs suitable for Easter… bunnies, flowers, etc. Come and take a look in the card shop!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

Also available at this time, a collection of 12 cards called SPRING MIX. $10.00. (Pictured below) Just request SPRING MIX when ordering.

As always, thank you for joining me in loving others, both near and far, with expressions of God’s love through notes and cards. God bless you in loving others in this way!