How come no one is...?

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV

What is the gift of God which is in you that you need to fan into flame? What is your passion? What it is you wonder why nobody does that? 

I once attended a church and there was no one greeting at the doors, so, I picked up some bulletins and started handing them out and greeting people. I did that for quite a while. Sometimes fanning into flame simply means "just do it". Sometimes it means start studying or going on a short term mission trip. Just start. Just serve. 

Grace: We Serve, He Blesses

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

1 Corinthians 12:5-7 NIV

As far as our egos go, God doesn't need us to build his church. He always has his seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal (I Kings 19:18). But, his grace gives us a place and a purpose in the body of Christ. The divine beauty of it all is that we serve and up getting blessed. God created us to enjoy a measure of fulfillment from serving others. 

The bottom line is: just serve God, he will take care of you.

Are You Blessed?

Blessed is the man
   who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
   to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
   are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
   no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
   they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40:4-5

Yesterday my youngest son and I came back from a Scouting event called Camporee. He had fun. I am a blessed man. 

It was great to come home to my wife and daughter and spend the rest of the day (after cleaning up) with them. I am a blessed man. 

Today I will go to my job that is about five minutes from my house. I am a blessed man. 

As I sit here reading God's word I am reminded of God's grace as I ask for his strength to overcome the sins that so easy tempt me. I am reminded that it is God's Spirit within me leading me to even think of him. I am a blessed man. 

Please take a moment and ask yourself, "How am I blessed?" Please bless us with a comment of how God blesses you.

REMEMBER THE VICTORIES: Psalm 44:1-3

"We have heard with our ears, O God;
     our fathers have told us
 what you did in their days,
     in days long ago.
 With your hand you drove out the nations
     and planted our fathers;
 you crushed the peoples
     and made our fathers flourish.
 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
     nor did their arm bring them victory;
 it was your right hand, your arm,
     and the light of your face, for you loved them."
 Psalm 44:1-3

Once, God opened a door for a job, three day after the opening was "closed". I was completely unaware of the way he moved in someone to recommend me for the job. That was about five years ago. Everything else went wrong, from the person who drafted the list of available candidates writing my information wrong to my boss not showing me the list until it was too late to have it changed. Yet, God make a way. 

What is one thing God did for you?

WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN YOU TO ENJOY TODAY?: I Timothy 4:4-5

"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." I Timothy 4:4-5

I kind of think vegans are today's Pharisee's. They sort of see themselves as more righteous than people who eat meat. Honestly, when you hear them talking about protecting the planet and being organic they are usually pretty dogmatic about their views and they tend to see animals as equal to humans. Eating meat or processed foods is a moral issue to many vegans. 

As Christians, the Bible determines what is right or wrong for us. When we meditate on the Scriptures and seek God in prayer, the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. And the truth is: If God created it a gave it to us to enjoy, enjoy it!

What has God put before you to enjoy today?

Father, thank you for providing the food we need today and the many other blessings we will encounter. Open our eyes to see your goodness all around us. Praise be to you in us today!

TIME TO OPEN THE GIFTS!: II Thessalonians 2"16-17

Who doesn't like opening a gift? Come on. Admit it. Everybody does. I even like opening stuff I buy on Ebay. As a parent I love to see my children's faces when they open a special gift. Or sometimes I bring home some chocolate for my wife and daughter. Apparently, the gift of chocolate never gets old. Now just think about some of the things God gives us.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved  us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." II Thessalonians 2:16-17

First of all, he just loves you. It isn't just that he loved the world. He loves you. The thing about God's love is the it is actually about action, not warm fuzzies. 

One of the gifts is his grace. Grace that gives eternal encouragement and good hope. Eternal encouragement. Think about that. Encouragement that just keeps going. And good hope. Not a false hope. Not a existential leap of faith hope, but a good hope. Who is good? God is good. God can not lie. God can not change. 

Another gift is being able to act (good deeds) and speaks on his behalf. You know. Serving God. Using the gifts that he has given you. God wants to encourage your heart and strengthen you as you step out in faith. 

Father, thank you for eternal encouragement, good hope, and strength that you graciously give to us. Help us to enjoy and use these gifts to know you and make you known. Praise be to you in us today!