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.  

Are You Equipped?

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

Whenever my son and I go on a camping trip with his Scout troop there is a certain ritual that happens. The fathers at one point or another show off their new gadgets. (We've all been banned from REI by our wives.) Maybe it's a very light weight camp chair, or a bio-light stove that runs on scrap pieces of wood and will recharge your electronic device. I'll admit that sometimes I get something just for the "ohh, cool" factor, but, most of the time they are things we need. 

What's awesome is that Christ, our great Shepherd equips us with everything good for doing his will. And he works in us what is pleasing to him. What do you need? Now, if you have ever been to REI you know how many different types of backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and pretty much anything you can imagine or should have imagined for outdoor activities. Well, in Christ, his divine power, we are given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The amount of faith he gives each of us, the patience, and the abilities may be different, but, he gives us what we need. 

When I go to get something for my son, I ask him what he wants, but, I keep in mind what he needs to be safe and warm. God, whose love is unfathomable, listens to our prayers, but, knows better than us what we need to be equiped and pleasing to him. He will equip us and work in us by his power that raised Jesus from the dead.  

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.

How Can I Help?

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:41-45 NIV

You know the difference between a "Here I am" person and a "There You Are" person? The first is all about themselves and the other is all about others. Christ, who is God, always has been God, and always will be God, came to serve, not be served. We should be like him. 

As you approach each person, as yourself, are you maneuvering to get something for yourself or are you looking for an opportunity to serve? 

Let me ask you, how can I help you?

LIFT THE WALL! / Nehemiah 6:3

"So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"" Nehemiah 6:3

The men's group at my church, King's Harbor Church, has been mustering around the book of Nehemiah. One of the questions that we are supposed to be considering is: "What is the great project of our lives at this time?" It seems that our marriages and children are and will always be projects in our lives. Our personal walk/witness, abiding in Christ is also a live long project. 

The real value of the group I think is we are beginning to form and strengthen the support we can be for each other. When I worked construction we would often have to raise a wall. Each person needed to hold up their part of the wall. Once a strap (that held the wall to the floor while lifting) broke. One of the veteran framers yelled, "Hold your place!" He basically threatened to hit any one who ran with his 28 oz. rough face hammer if they tried to bail out. We needed everyone to hold their part of the wall and continue to life until it was up, plumed, and nailed in place. Everyone held their place and the wall went up nicely. 

The lesson here is that each of us is needed on the wall. There is a section with our name on it. We each have our section to man and to lift. Have you found your spot?

Father, help us to help with the projects you put before us and lay upon our hearts. Thank you for those around us on the wall. Praise be to you in us today!

IT IS TIME TO JUST SERVE: I Corinthians 12:7

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." I Corinthians 12:7

I confess, I have a little inner conflict going on within me. My family and I have been attending a particular church for a few years now. Our daughter is involved with the youth group, which is one of the main reasons we began attending the church. I have been enjoying the mens study on  Wednesday mornings before work and getting to know a few men. But, I know I need to truly serve.

Our pastor has been teaching on the gifts and being involved. I have almost met with him twice since we started attending. I really want to be more involved but I came from a church that was all about jumping through hoops. If for whatever reason you had to take a season (like getting married or having a baby) to readjust your time, you would have to go through this whole hoop jumping process to get to where you felt called. So, I am not into looking good for anyone, I just want to serve. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

I know my new pastor really doesn't know me, so, I don't have any issue's with the church not mystically knowing  my gifts and asking me to use them. I just need to do something, whatever I sense God might be putting before me. 

Maybe, you are attending a church but are not really involved. Maybe you sense it is time to step up and just plain serve. Ok, let's pray that God opens our eyes to see the needs right before us and help us to just serve. 

Father, open our eyes and stretch out our hands to serve in your Name. Praise be to you in us today. 

FAN YOUR GIFT INTO A FLAME: II Timothy 1:6

I really like to watch "Dual Survivor". In almost every episode they will need to make fire to survive. Cody Lundin is a master at starting a fire. He will make a spark and then start blowing on it to get it to flame up. It starts small and then grows as he adds fuel to the fire. In the same way, we need to take whatever the spark of the Spirit God has given us and let it mature.

"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." II Timothy 1:6

If you are a Christian you have a gift. That is part of the grace of God. We are not just saved from sin and sort of stockpiled until Christ comes again. No, we are each given a gift to build up the church (I Corinthians 12). Think about that. God has make each of us a necessary and functioning part of the body of Christ. You have a gift, a necessary function, that is a valuable part of the body of Christ. 

I think that if you ask God to give you a least one person to bless, and/or one thing to do everytime you go to church, you will find that gift. I think if you pray each day for one opportunity (or more) for a redemptive conversation or act, God will provide. Sometimes I think it is just doing things as unto Christ. Every interaction with co-workers is a spark. 

What spark is in your life? Who will you come into contact with today? 

Father, help us to fan into flame the gifts that are in us. Open our eyes to see the opportunities to be used by you, even today! We also pray for all those injured and the families of those who lost a loved one yesterday at the Boston Marathon bombing. Comfort them. Protect or country. Praise be to you in us today! 

BE BLESSED BY SERVING: I Timothy 3:13

My family and I have been attending our church for a few years now. We know a few people. I really enjoy the teaching and there is a great youth group. The deal is this: When we go on Sundays we don't really connect that much. I attend the men's study on Wednesday mornings but, it is when we have served that we feel most connected. Attendance does not equal partnership. 

"Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." I Timothy 3:13

I don't know how else to say this except that the deeper my involvement in church, the deeper my relationship with Christ seems to grow. What Paul is talking about is more than the superficial idea that someone looks up to you as a leader. The idea is that serving Christ's people draws you closer to Christ. 

After washing his disciple's feet Jesus told them that they should do the same for others. Then he said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17). Going to church and hearing about Christ's love and getting a warm fuzzy isn't the same thing because that is not putting you faith in action. There is a blessing that can only come from serving others. That does not mean you have to serve as a Overseer or Deacon, you just need to serve. I saw the guy who sets up the coffee for church talking with/encouraging someone the other day while he was setting out the coffee. And tomorrow morning when I get up early and go to the men's study I am blessed to be able to grab a cup of coffee! 

What's the to do? Just serve. 

Father, you have given each of us a gift a service in our church. Help us to find our place and serve. Praise be to you in us today!

HOW'S YOUR FIRE?: I Thessalonians 5:19-22

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." I Thessalonians 5:19-22

Three of the scariest words that I have come to fear from myself and anyone else are, "God told me." That doesn't mean he didn't speak to someone or me. It's just that if I am not directly quoting a scripture that makes great general sense for all, I need to proceed with humility. That said, if you think God is putting on your heart to share something in love, do it. 

I visited a church once and during the service someone raised their hand and said they had a prophecy. The elders asked the person to come over to the side and while we worshiped they listen and then allowed the person to share. 

My question is more individual. What is the Spirit's fire in you doing? What burns? What are you restraining? If it is something good, do it. 

I want to here from you. What burns within you?

Father, I know your Spirit is working within us. Give us to spiritual courage and strength to build the kingdom. Praise be to you in us today!