Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts

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July 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

RECIPE FOR A FRUITFUL LIFE

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness add love. [2 Peter 1:5-7 (ERV)]

Take a large bowl and gently stir together the above ingredients, adding one element at a time. Mix well. Taste and evaluate. Are you a little short of any component? Some chefs need a dash more self-control while others need to add more kindness. For best results, add extra love. Place in an empty life and sprinkle with plenty of prayer. Be sure to exercise perseverance during the cooking process and feel free to call on the Holy Spirit for help. When in doubt, refer to the Holy Bible for more detailed directions.

If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:8 (ERV)]

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March 29, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Worry

The Peace of God is Promised

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)]

When Paul told the Philippians to be sure to present their requests to God in prayer, it’s important to note that he never said they would get exactly what they’d requested. What they would get, he told them, was the peace of God.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. [Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)]

 

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March 21, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

Each in HIs Own Way

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. [Romans 12:6a (NLT)]

Some of us are like Martha, busy doing for others, and some are like Gideon, reluctant servants. Some are like John the Baptist, loudly exhorting, and others are like Martha’s sister Mary, quietly listening and worshiping. Some of us are leaders, like Peter, and others are like Thomas, searchers for the truth. Some, like Paul, are dedicated evangelists and others, like Solomon, have great wisdom. Isaiah had the gift of prophesy and John had the gift of love.

Thank you, Lord, for the variety of gifts you’ve given to us, your children. May we never fail to use our gifts to your glory and may we always respect the way that other people serve you.

Just as our bodies have many special parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. [Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)]

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March 7, 2014

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Church & Worship, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

All Are Important in God’s House

But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. [Mark 10:31 (NLT)]

Thank you, Lord, for our priest  and pastors, deacons, elders and council members, worship leaders and musicians, readers and greeters. Many of those who serve in your church, however, are nearly invisible; yet, they are the ones who keep our parishes running. Thank you, Lord, for all of those behind-the-scene people who give so freely of their time and gifts. Thank you for the prayer warriors and sound people, the coffee makers and cookie bakers, the program folders and newsletter mailers. Thank you for those who decorate the church or prepare communion trays, shop for holiday food baskets or Christmas gifts for the needy, open their homes to small groups or church guests, and for those bring food to mourning families without ever being asked. Thank you for those who address and stuff envelopes, work on auctions or rummage sales, plan dinners and special events, organize the library or sheet music, count the offering, come early to turn on the heat, stay late to tidy the sanctuary, shovel the snow, mow the grass, clean the kitchen, teach the children, care for the babes in the nursery, go on mission trips, and organize the blood drives. May we all learn about love and service from their examples.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. [1 peter 4:10 (NLT)]

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November 19, 2013

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Fruit of the Spirit, Obedience, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

Let There Be Peace

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [Colossians 3:15 (NLT)]

The only way to let peace truly rule our hearts is to surrender to God and allow him to rule our lives. It is His presence in our lives that will give us peace in the midst of turmoil, sorrow, or stress.

Oh Lord, let your Holy Spirit rule my life so that your heavenly peace rules my heart. Only then will I, indeed, be thankful in all circumstances.

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November 17, 2013

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God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

We Have All We Need

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. [2 Peter 1:2 (NLT)]

We’ve all met spoiled children (and adults) who expect the world to cater to their every desire. Let’s admit it, those people aren’t very likeable! God doesn’t want spoiled children so He doesn’t give us everything we want either. He does, however, give us everything we need to live the life He wants for us. Are we missing any of the blessings He has sent our way? Are there assets He’s given that we haven’t even bothered to use? Could we be wasting any gifts he has given?

Open my eyes, O Lord, to see your gifts. Open my heart, O Lord, to accept them. Fill me with your Spirit, O Lord, to use them as you want them to be used.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)]