Using God's Gifts

"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." 1 Peter 4:10 NRSV

We have all received gifts from God that can and are to be used to serve God and God's children. The Holy Spirit has not left anyone without at least a gift or two or many to be used for the glory of God and in the ministry of the gospel of  Jesus the Christ for all people.

If you are gifted with musical talents; there is always plenty of room to join with others in ministering through music. If you teach, we need teachers. There are also those gifts and talents that some might think have nothing to do with the ministry of the Church. But, you would be wrong. We need people to plow the parking lot so people can get into the church to worship or to study and hear God's Word. We need janitors and sextons to help with the general upkeep and cleaning of the property that God has given to us. The Body of Christ needs people who work well with youth or really enjoy visiting our seniors. There are those who cannot, for whatever reason, are home-bound. You can pray. You can make phone calls to reach out to others who may be alone and lonely. Not one person in the church on earth has been left without gifts or talents to serve one another.

May God help us to joyfully serve the Lord and one another with the gifts that He has so graciously given to each of us.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Never Stop Praying

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:16-18 NRSV

There is so much to be thankful for. The reasons to rejoice never end because "we know that all things work together for good for those who love God." (Rom 8:28) Yet, we know that there among those whom we love who do not love God and so we pray without ceasing. We pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that they may be strengthened in their inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are being rooted and grounded in love. We pray that they may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

Because we love even those who do not love or know God, we will never stop praying for them. We will joyfully give thanks for we know that God hears our prayers and answers, according to His good will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 8 Give Joyfully!

2 Corinthians 8 NIV
I am sure glad that this lesson came up today. I paid all of our bills for the month a couple of days ago. I don't know how I did it; but, I forgot to write a check for our offering to the church. That hasn't happened in years! Offerings are usually the first checks that I write. Then I pay the bills. I learned to do this because sometimes when I wrote the check to the church last, I would find the checkbook very lean and would really have work hard at convincing myself not to give less. In order to avoid not being a joyful giver; I give first; before I start paying my obligations to electric and gas companies, mortgage companies, hospitals, etc..

St. Paul encourages the church to give generously out of love. It is for the sake of the gospel that we give - that all people might know the love of God through Jesus Christ. Our mission is; after all, to proclaim the gospel to all people and that is not a small job. There have been times over the years when I've heard excuses for withholding offerings like "The church needs  a new (you name it) and instead we're sending it to support (you name the mission or need). Until the council gets their priorities straight, I'm not giving any more." The truth of the matter is that congregations do not exist to serve themselves. They exist to serve Jesus. They exist to reach out with the good news of his love for all people whether that is in word or deed. If they are hungry; whether it be, for spiritual or physical food; feed them. Just as Christ fed the multitudes with the word and with loaves and fish; he continues to feed them through the church; through you. Do not withhold your offerings because of self-serving thoughts that we ought to serve ourselves before our neighbor. Jesus did not do this. His first followers did not do this. Why would we? Give joyfully so that all might see the love of God in Christ Jesus through you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 33 - Singing

Sing to the LORD a new song!

I got up a bit earlier than usual today, made some coffee, checked out facebook, read Psalm 33 and am thinking that today would be a good day to sing to the LORD...  Actually, every day is a good day to sing to the LORD.  I love to sing.  Problem is:  not many around me like me to sing.  My granddaughter says I sing like a man.  I'm a couple octaves lower than your average woman.  I'm thinking my voice is unique.  But, for the sake of others, I usually just sing when there aren't too many people around.  Course, there are the times when I break out in singing God's praises when everyone is least expecting it.  Sometimes, I even dance to it.  I do get a few sideways glances when I do that, especially in places like Walmart.  But, I get strange looks even at church when I sing and sway to the music. It's OK. I'm getting use to that.  My granddaughter (and some of the Sunday School) just look at me kind of strange.  I get these looks like "don't you think you should stop?" But, I think they're getting use to it, too.

Singing is good, whether you're singing in the choir (they usually don't invite me to sing in choirs) or at home alone.  Singing helps us to express our inmost thoughts and feelings.  What is hidden deep down inside of us, comes to the light through words. 

We breathe the words.  It was through the breath of God that all things were made.  He spoke and it was.  It came to be.

Words can hurt.  We need to be cautious that we're not destroying others with our words.  But, singing to the LORD, singing His praises, now that's a good thing.  Sing the praises of God.  Sing praises to the LORD. Use your words wisely, put them to song and give glory to the Word, who is God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, this day and everyday even as you trust in His holy name.

God's Peace - Pr. J