Gifts and talents are our secret weapons to show God's love toward others.
As we go through the week trying to steal a little time away for a couple things we love to do, keep in mind why we have those gifts and enjoyments to begin with. I've been inspired/prodded by the story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-29. Each servant is given a share to use and invest and return to the master. Its ironic to see the translation for "talents" as money and realize the "talents" and gifts God has given us for the same purpose. Nice hint for the English language a number of years later.Matthew 25:14-29 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
In the modern American culture we have somehow labeled our gifts and talents as "hobbies" and set them aside for our own enjoyment when we have spare time. Think of the last time you talked to someone about their gifts and passions. Did you see how excited and lit up they were? That kind of excitement draws people like nothing else. Now imagine if God's people used their gifts, talents, and passions to glorify Christ in everyday life. Can you see what a difference that would make to a generation who looks at screens all day in search of true "life" and "passion."
OK, by now you have thought of that gift you have used, but don't much any more. Or maybe its that gift that doesn't fit the mold of "church service." Well write it down and think through how you can use it to glorify Christ (today and tomorrow). I was trying to figure out how I could make woodworking glorify God and realized it already has. Not on my own effort, but God has used it in my life to connect to people I may not have, and encourage people with personal gifts. I'm still figuring how to use biking...(not riding much now anyway). I've found gifts like music are easier to use, but I've also easily passed by the connections with others that it brings. I know some gifts are easier to use at church etc., but God does tend to use the smallest overlooked things to build his kingdom. That one small enjoyment you get out of something may be the very key to leading someone to eternal life.
Try writing down some of your gifts, talents, passions, hobbies...whatever they are...and how you can use them to glorify God. It may be as simple as sharing a common interest with someone at work and developing a friendship that God may use. Or, it may be a life goal that has been on the back burner to long. So dust it off and invest that talent. Be daring and share it with someone and see how God uses it.
So what are yours and how will you invest them?
On A Mission,
Devin Allison
June 18, 2009
May 5, 2009
Psalm 62 - Rest
Psalm 62:1-12 NIV For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3 How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah 5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah 9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
“Rest” in the Bible is an intriguing thought, but caring it out in real life seems like a bigger task than benefit. Really it is rest in God that helps us to renew our focus and strength to take on life and its challenges. So what is this rest? I still don't fully know, but here's some of what I do. True rest can only be found in God. As we need to yield our bodies and minds to sleep, so our soul needs to yield to God. An eternal “rest” will come for those who believe (Heb. 4), but God reminds us throughout the Bible that we need to find rest in him (Is. 55:1-2, Mt. 11:28-30, Ps. 62:1&5, Hb. 4 to name a few). When God created the heavens and earth he rested (no small task to set aside). Jesus also rested, not just as a religious act on the sabbath but also as a way of life. He retreated from the crowds often and prayed (Lk. 5:16). If Jesus needed this communion with God, how much more do we? A true rest in God is acknowledging him as our only true hope, refuge, strength and honor (vs7). Resting in God means putting our faith in him with all that concerns us. Most verses that speak of this rest also speak of having faith in God and I'm sure this is no accident. It sounds pretty trick to try and walk a path without our own light in hand, but in following Him we can count on a firm path (Ps. 37:23). Okay, so how do we find this rest? Here's a couple ways I've found in my imperfect search for a perfect God:
* Prayer – I have found rest by giving over my worries and concerns to God, asking him to give me guidance and strength to take the right steps. In giving this over I have found peace in some of the toughest times. * Physical Rest – We need it every once in a while. This is one way I have found to lay all of my concerns down and trust God. Things will wait and by trusting God with them we acknowledge that we hold him above all else. Who would have thought that a nap could bring glory to God? How do you find rest in God?
Hebrews 4:2-3 NIV 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Luke 5:16 NIV But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
“Rest” in the Bible is an intriguing thought, but caring it out in real life seems like a bigger task than benefit. Really it is rest in God that helps us to renew our focus and strength to take on life and its challenges. So what is this rest? I still don't fully know, but here's some of what I do. True rest can only be found in God. As we need to yield our bodies and minds to sleep, so our soul needs to yield to God. An eternal “rest” will come for those who believe (Heb. 4), but God reminds us throughout the Bible that we need to find rest in him (Is. 55:1-2, Mt. 11:28-30, Ps. 62:1&5, Hb. 4 to name a few). When God created the heavens and earth he rested (no small task to set aside). Jesus also rested, not just as a religious act on the sabbath but also as a way of life. He retreated from the crowds often and prayed (Lk. 5:16). If Jesus needed this communion with God, how much more do we? A true rest in God is acknowledging him as our only true hope, refuge, strength and honor (vs7). Resting in God means putting our faith in him with all that concerns us. Most verses that speak of this rest also speak of having faith in God and I'm sure this is no accident. It sounds pretty trick to try and walk a path without our own light in hand, but in following Him we can count on a firm path (Ps. 37:23). Okay, so how do we find this rest? Here's a couple ways I've found in my imperfect search for a perfect God:
* Prayer – I have found rest by giving over my worries and concerns to God, asking him to give me guidance and strength to take the right steps. In giving this over I have found peace in some of the toughest times. * Physical Rest – We need it every once in a while. This is one way I have found to lay all of my concerns down and trust God. Things will wait and by trusting God with them we acknowledge that we hold him above all else. Who would have thought that a nap could bring glory to God? How do you find rest in God?
Hebrews 4:2-3 NIV 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Luke 5:16 NIV But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
May 3, 2009
The Father's Gift
The Father gave His Son in love,
In love the Son came and died. For love He conquered sin and death,
From death He rose to life. The Son returned to the Father,
For love was no longer bound. In love the Father sent His Spirit,
To all who would be found. By love the Father gave a choice,
To receive His love and live. All who have received His love,
Now have love to give. © 2009 Devin Allison
Wrote this April 29, 2009.
Hope it is an encouragement.
In love the Son came and died. For love He conquered sin and death,
From death He rose to life. The Son returned to the Father,
For love was no longer bound. In love the Father sent His Spirit,
To all who would be found. By love the Father gave a choice,
To receive His love and live. All who have received His love,
Now have love to give. © 2009 Devin Allison
Wrote this April 29, 2009.
Hope it is an encouragement.
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