The Spirit and the Skills

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 

Exodus 35:30-34 NIV

We often think that the Spirit only fills people with gifts like evangelism and healing. What we see in this passage is that the Spirit of God enables, or gifts us to serve in many different ways. Bezalel and Oholiab were skilled not only at working with metals and stones and all kinds of artistic crafts but they could teach others to do them. 

Before becoming an educator I worked in construction quite a bit. In both fields I have worked with some gifted and talented people. I believe that the ability to create and make things and to teach others is given by God. We all have abilities and talents that God has given us. The cool part is that God can be glorified in them if we give him the glory. 

So here's the question? What has God gifted you? What abilities has he given you? 

Now here's the challenge (or exhortation): Use your gifts and abilities than God has given you to glorify God. Acknowledge that God has given you those gifts and abilities and thank God or them.  

What is your burden?

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
   who daily bears our burdens. 
Our God is a God who saves;
   from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Psalms 68:19-20 (NIV)

God does not bear our burdens, occasionally. We don't have to wait in line or make a request via email, fax or in writing. He started working in our lives before we knew we needed him and before we even asked! He daily bears our burdens.

His work in our lives is on a daily basis. Salvation's work is every day. It isn't a once at the altar, once at the pearly gates deal. Salvation is God working in us every day. Maybe I don't see, understand or like what God is doing, but he is still working. Christ Jesus always lives to intercede for us. 

What is your burden today? What is the death that God is leading you to escape? He is Sovereign which means he has ultimate power over everything. He works everything out for the good of those love him. Look to God because he is looking after you.

Father, open our eyes to see your salvation working in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

JUST LEAD. THEY'LL FOLLOW

"Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers." 

II Chronicles 11:16

The Levites led. The godly followed. As a husband, as a father and as a man I need to set my heart upon seeking the Lord. I need to be like the Levites and just go seek the Lord. Then my wife, my children and people around me will seek the Lord also. 

If you notice it doesn't describe some extraordinary act of faith by the Levites. The Bible just says that they went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. They left their homes because Jeroboam had rejected God (and in turn the Levites) and worshiped idols. They Levites could of been passive and just stayed. No, they had to go and they knew they had to go. They had to serve God. They had to serve God, God's way.  

God is not expecting some extraordinary act of faith from you. He just wants you to seek him. Don't wait for your spouse to say, "Let's go to church." You lead. Don't wait for your children to ask you to  pray with them. You lead. Don't wait for someone else to do the right thing. You lead. 

Father, help us to be like the Levites and just go seek you. Praise be to you in us today!

REPRESENT!/Titus 2:10

"and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." 

Titus 2:10

I have always been pretty upfront about my Christianity. Some people don't like that. But, whether they like it or not I don't want them using my life as an excuse not to believe in God. Only one or two of the people I have worked under have been Christians. I am sure that for most people it is the same. Since there is a spiritual battle always gone on, whether or see it or not, we need to remember that we represent Christ.

It is up to God to deal with peoples' hearts. There will be people who will find fault in you no matter what you do. But, that is because within themselves they are fighting against the Spirit of God and they can't admit God works in anyone in any way or else they will have to consider Christ. Every faithful moment of working as unto Christ is a testimony to those who don't believe. 

Father, make our lives attractive advertisements of your gospel to those who don't believe. Use us to build your kingdom. Praise be to you in us today! 

DON'T MISS THE MOMENT: I Timothy 4:13

"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." I Timothy 4:13

I'm off today and I went to my churches' Men's Study this morning. I began attending these early morning studies about a year ago. It has been a very encouraging experience. One of the reoccurring themes is leadership in the home. 

I'm not advocating setting up a pulpit in your home, but, I do believe sharing a verse and maybe a word or two is very beneficial. However it is that you place the Word of God before your family, do it, and do it on a daily basis. I once spent a few weeks with a family that the father read the Bible to his family at breakfast every morning. Here's the deal: you just need to take a step of faith and read the Bible yourself and with your family.

If you think about it there are plenty of moments where you can encourage your spouse and children if you are sensitive to the moments that God places before you. Last night when I prayed with my daughter she shared with me a few success's she hand in school. I caught myself sort of rushing out to get to bed myself. I stopped and sat down with her. I listened to her and encouraged her to continue doing what she was doing and let her know that I love her and am proud of her. Her tone when she said, "Thanks dad!" let me know that she was glad her dad approved of her effort. 

What will be the moments that God puts before you to share the Word of God, to encourage and teach your family? Are you looking for them? Be ready, they'll be there.

Father, help us to see the opportunities to lead our families when they happen and not just realize in hind sight that one just went by us. Praise be to you in us today!

TRAIN FOR NOW AND THEN: I Timothy 4:8

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.' I Timothy 4:8

Like me I am sure you have been to several training's in your life. I have had training for coaching, teaching, and administrating, just to name a few. They all something in common: a limited time that the training will have value. 

But, the spiritual disciplines I learned as a young Christian have been my guides taking me through the victories, defeats, losses and gains that are part of a life of faith. 

Someone once said that God gave us two ears and one mouth which means we should listen twice as much as we speak. I don't want to be legalistic about time spent with God. That said, I do believe it is important to seek God and that reading the Bible on a daily basis assures me that I have heard from God on a daily basis. 

I am amazed that the God who knows all things wants me to pray,to call upon him and ask him for my daily bread. I was with some friends and my youngest son this past weekend for a Scouting outing. I watched my son ask me and another father's son ask him for some money for something. Of course we each knew from the moment we went into the general store/arcade we would give them some money, so we gladly did. God knows our needs and desires before we ask. He also plans to provide and has promised to do so. 

Seeking to be a godly person is not just a pursuit momentary peace, but a relationship with Christ that is eternal. All the spiritual lesson's we learn affect us now and in the life to come. God will take care of you now and then. 

Father, thank you that seeking you is not a limited experience. Thank you that walking with you blesses me now and for eternity! Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU A MALICIOUS TALKER?/ I Timothy 3:11

I know this verse is written concerning the wives of candidates of deacons. That said, I think the message of positive verses negative  communication is valuable for everyone. Especially in this age of emails, texting, instagramming, face-booking, tweeting, and blogging.  

"In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trust worthy in everything." I Timothy 3:11 

My wife has a note (an 8.5" X 11" note) on the refrigerator titled "The Three Sieves Test". The three sieves are: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Sometimes when I want to say something I ask myself, "Does the Holy Spirit need my help to speak to this person?" You know, something said in love, gently and in humility is totally different than the clanging symbol of truth without love.

The word in the original language (Greek) is diabolos. Sound a bit familiar? The King James Version translates it "slanderers". Satan accuses us before the Father day and night (Revelation 12:10). There is a difference between talking about and praying for someone because you are legitimately concerned about their spiritual well being and  just talking about someone and in affect just passing on negative information about someone. You know, some things tear people up and some things build people up. 

A few months ago, I participated in the draft for my son's baseball league. One of the other coaches who is on the league board made a very negative comment about the guy who was going to do the uniforms this year. I kind of lost respect for the board member because it was only meant to demean the other man. It was malicious. 

Remember to build up not tear down. Remember to speak in love, gently and with a humble spirit. How would you like someone to "share" with you?

Father, help us to build each other up in this most holy faith. Praise be to you in us today!