I Don’t Have Any Gifts…

What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.

I overheard a discussion between two ladies in the salon as they were listening to the song ‘bless the lord oh my soul… oh my soul, I worship his holy name…‘

It was being sung by a little child … hence the reflection on ‘gifts’. Anyway, it caused me to think about the gifts God provides to us. One lady said all I do is talk, gab a lot. I thought quietly… that in itself is in fact a gift. She can use that to become a speaker even in small group. She can use her gift of ‘gab’ to write a book, sharing her thoughts with others provided she will be positive. Personally I believe there is enough negativity in the world.

Discover Your Gift

There are many assessments available in the marketplace to help you find your gifts. Here are a few spiritual gifts for you to take a peek at:

• Leadership
• Encouragement
• More popular envied
• Singing
• Acting
• Administration
• Wisdom
• Faith
• Encouragement
• Mercy
• Intercession
• Discernment
• Shepherding
• Teaching
• Hopsitality
• Evangelism
• Helping
• Giving

Many quietly wish for the gift of singing, dancing, entertaining because those gifts are quite popular and can readily be seen. However, do you know that the more popular spiritual gifts often need support? Let’s take for example singing. Singers sing but often benefit from the gifts of songwriters. Movie-stars act but also need a script. And many others.

Be comforted to know that we need each other to soar. That’s how the Lord wanted it. Now go, find your gift.

Blessings,

The Bible In The Age Of Technology…

Sitting next to me in church, 10 year old RJ whispered (bible in hand)… “nobody brings their Bible to church anymore”. Then he told me to look around. He was right. I did not even have my Bible in hand as Pastor Darryl read the displayed verses on the screen. Mine was in my bag. RJ proceeded to draw the cartoon comic discussion.

No excuses but the Tech era we are living in, most of us use the #bibleapp as our bible reading resource. Convenience at its core, It’s easy to carry around because we always have it on our phones. It’s also easy to share a verse or two to encourage others who cross our mind while reading.

But at times if there’s no WiFi we can experience connection issues if we didn’t download the App.

The risk though… we may end up scrolling to alerts that pop up… Unless we are very disciplined to avoid distractions. Nevertheless I love the convenience of the App.

But yep! I agree with RJ. Very few actually carry the Bible anymore. But let’s not be quick to judge as we rejoice in the convenience it brings while at work, on the move anytime, anyplace.

Join me in this simple challenge to take the physical book with us to church. Even more-so, let’s read our bible and pray everyday.

Blessings overflow to you as you listen while he speaks through the word. It ignites.

Use What Is Left…

Arise, use what is left. So what if your joy isn’t what it used to be? Use what is left. So what if your desire is dampened? Take hold of what is left. So what if your power is almost gone? Seize what is left and be what God said you could be. Don’t let circumstances abort your dream. Release your anointing. ~T.D. Jakes

Those words spoke to me. T. D. Jakes shared instances of biblical characters to shed the light.

• Samson after he lost his sight gave what he had left

• David with Goliath and his stones gave what he had left

• Paul after he was shipwrecked used what he had left to get to the shore …a simple board

So today if you’re going through stuff, take heart. Be courageous and use what you have left to accomplish your victory. Strengthen what remains.

Waiting On God…

You never waste time waiting on God. ~Charles Stanley

On Becoming You…

Sometimes it looks like you’re going nowhere or that you’re headed in the wrong direction. I’m learning that the decision itself is rarely the point. The point is becoming more fully ourselves in the presence of God, connecting with Him and with each other, and living our lives as though we believe He is good and beautiful. The point is being honest about where you are and what you need and then looking around in your own community for people to walk with you and with whom you can walk. I spent years wishing people would support me only to later realize I was waiting around for something to come to me when I was perfectly capable of going out and getting it. I’m convinced God is less interested in where we end up then He is in who we are becoming. Whether we’re employed or unemployed, encouraged or discouraged, filled with vision or fumbling in the fog. More than anything, our Father just wants to be with us. The most common way He shows His “withness” to us is in the actual, physical presence of other people.

Emily P. Freeman, 

5 Reasons God Closes Doors…

Closed doors offer lots to learn. Though disappointed with delays, may we follow his lead. Charles Stanley’s In Touch With Him posited that God can use our desires to teach us his ways.

Here I share his teachings as a personal reminder to always trust him as we seek his guidance.

1. To mold us into his image
2. To prevent mistakes
3. To redirect our walk with him
4. To test our faith and build perseverance
5. To buy us time

Our impatience causes us not to learn. Later, we find we are not ready for the opportunity. God’s ways are not our ways but he knows best.

Hope Shattered A 3-Day Nightmare…

I can only imagine what Saul went through when he was struck blind. Just imagine… a healthy person with a good job going about his business. A hard worker. Diligent in all that he did. Dedicated to persecuting Christians who speak about the lord. Then just like that … in a moment, as in a flash …he was blinded.

I can only imagine the hell he went through. Call 911! Would he ever seee again? Gotta get to the hospital. Where oh where is the doctor? He couldn’t see. He was frantic. So far away from home. Traveling. Who could he rely on to come get him? Moreover, would it not take days for them to get to him? How could he live with this shame? This sudden disability? Without warning, he was blinded.

But God had a Plan

While Paul worried, he also prayed. A strange new thing for him. But he had no choice but to call out to that voice he heard while on the road.

God sent a man. That man was Ananias. He too was afraid because of what Saul the persecutor of Christians represented. It was a risk. But he obeyed and went. God, the almighty took care of the fear of both Saul and Ananias. Saul believed and was healed. In a moment, his sight returned. Suddenly after days of hell, his mission changed. With a renewed sense of purpose he promised to suffer for Christ’s sake.

“Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16

Afraid? Call on Him

Today, if you’re afraid of what’s happening all around you, bask in the knowledge that God always has a plan for what you and I are going through. It’s hard. When you’re going through difficulties whether or not you caused it, talk to him. He will see you through. Always. Just trust him.

Saul, the persecutor. Saul the pursuer, became Paul, the pursued. Indeed God has a sense of humor.

Trust him.

Blessings overflow.

Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart. A Poem For Those Who Plead…

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may be strong among those who try to restrain me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may steadily rise above injustice

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may never let go despite the strain that heavily weighs down on me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may fight the good fight until my days are done

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may confidently stride to attain new heights of gain

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may persevere beyond the trials that intercepts me

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may show resilience to those arising; be it children, young adults or seniors with memories long gone, but yet unforgettable

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not fall prey and sin against Thee

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may be strong because of Thee.

Thy word I have hid in my heart that I may not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

Above all else, lets guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Written by Dr. Shelly C

Where Will It Lead?

Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you. ~John Maxwell

The choices we make we should first consider where they will lead. Is it Marriage, love, children, new job, college, new contract, new house? Always contemplate the future. Where will your choice lead you?

It’s Simple

Pray. Consider carefully. Have faith and then make your decision based on the spirit’s leading.

Blessings overflow

Letter To God…

Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.

Ever thought of writing a letter to God? Many have. Some have actually mailed it. Our Daily Bread shared reports of thousands of letters being mailed to Jerusalem by individuals who seek the lord’s help. They ask for health, wealth, child, and more. If only they knew.

If Only They Knew

If only they knew that the very act of writing a letter to God is actually praying to him. The very act of writing is seeking his intervention. The very act of writing is exactly what’s needed for our Lord, the problem-solver to work in our lives. The very act of writing is spending time in his presence that helps us find the comfort needed for trying times.

Today don’t hesitate to spend time in his presence. Talk. Write. Sing. Do whatever works for you. He will intervene, comfort and answer your prayer.

Blessings overflow.