Last Sunday evening, we talked about spiritual gifts and the truth that each and every one of us possess at least one, if not more spiritual gifts. It’s not about our talent, our ability or even our ‘giftedness’. It’s about our willingness to be used by God to bring Him glory and serve each other. When we spend more time focusing on our ability than we do the capacity we possess to serve God, we miss the concept entirely. The capacity we have is God-given. We sometimes (mistakenly) think: “I have been a Christian for years and yet, I don’t have any special ‘ability’ to do anything in the church, therefore, God must have not given me a gift.” In reality, God has given every born-again believer at least one spiritual gift! Ability is a state of being, something that exists at the present. A capacity enables for the future. We sometimes think: now that I’m a Christian, I should have all these spiritual abilities to do this or that. That’s not how it works. It involves time, effort, study, prayer and dedication to God. I don’t give my life to Jesus in baptism on Monday and wake up Tuesday with supernatural gifts. And, yet, I wake up on Tuesday with the supernatural capacity to develop the supernatural ability to do this or that. 1 Cor. 12: 4-6 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And, there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.” Paul isn’t classifying the gifts into three categories, he’s showing us their relationship to the Spirit, the Lord and our God. Although we think of spiritual gifts as coming only from the Holy Spirit, these verses show us that the function of spiritual gifts involves all three persons of the Trinity. God the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, God the Son places you in the ministry and God the Father gives the results. It’s about Him, not us. God gives us the capacity to serve and by us making it about Him, we’re able to be involved in the process.
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin I thought I’d share some answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions: WHY DID GOD MAKE MOMS?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is. 2. Mostly to clean the house. 3. To help us out of there when we were getting born. How did God make mothers? 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us. 2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring. 3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. What ingredients are mothers made of? 1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. 2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think. Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom? 1. We're related. 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me. What kind of little girl was your Mom? 1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff. 2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy. 3. They say she used to be nice. What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? 3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores? Why did your Mom marry your dad? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot. 2. She got too old to do anything else with him. 3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on. Who's the boss at your house? 1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball. 2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed. 3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad. What's the difference between moms and dads? 1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work at work. 2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them. 3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's. 4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine. What does your Mom do in her spare time? 1. Mothers don't do spare time. 2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long. What would it take to make your Mom perfect? 1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery. 2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue. If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be? 1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that. 2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me. 3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back. Happy Mother's Day! As is my custom, I include some thoughts I’ve had this previous week in the bulletin. Today is no different. I’ll be sharing some thoughts with you in regard to this special day, our Friend Day. It may be that before darkening the threshold of the front door you didn’t know what to expect in visiting us. If I may, allow me to ease your concerns. The people you’ll see today are made up of pretty much the same kind of folks you’ll find in any group of people. We’ve got our friendly, happy, and loving folks and we have some who may not seem as friendly, happy or loving. We’re a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds that are at different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth. We readily admit that we don’t know everything; that we don’t always do things right…that we don’t always treat each other as we should; that we haven’t arrived—but that we’re simply on the journey (together). We aren’t brought here by any illusion of our perfection or righteousness. We were brought together by our recognition that we are sinners in need of the cleansing blood of Jesus. That’s the reason we can worship together, stick together, and with God’s help, accomplish some things that make a difference. You won’t have to look very far to find failures, but the bottom line is that you will find people who love Jesus, who are dedicated to His Word, and who do their level best to adhere to His teachings. Thanks for sharing this special day with us. It means SO MUCH to have you worship our Creator alongside us! Stick around after the conclusion of the services today. Join us in our lower fellowship hall. Break bread with us. The only thing you’re required to bring is yourself and an appetite! We love having you here, and we want to express our appreciation by sharing ourselves with you.
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin God helps us do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. In the book of Exodus Moses was a man who thought he could do great things without God’s help. Acting on his own, he rose up to protect one of his own Hebrew brothers and in so doing, killed an Egyptian. Because of his actions, he had to flee from the presence of the king of Egypt to save his own skin. Moses went to dwell in the land of Midian for many years. It was here that God shaped him to do for God what Moses had failed to do on his own. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush to let him know that he had plans to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian oppression. I chuckle when reading this exchange because it’s so typical of us when we try to avoid being used by God!
1. “Who am I that I should go?” God replies: “I will be with you, Moses.” 2. “Who will I say sent me?” God’s reply: “I AM”. 3. “Suppose they will not believe me?” Reply: “Throw down the rod in your hand”. {It becomes a serpent} “Pick it up again.” (At this point, I’d be saying, you win, God, you win!!! {Once again becomes a rod}. “Put your hand in your bosom” {Leprous}. Put it back again.” {Clean}. 4. “I’m not eloquent of speech.” Reply: “Who made your mouth?” 5. “Please send someone else.” Reply: “Take Aaron, your brother!” How often are we like Moses? How often do we uses excuses to avoid doing the tasks God has called us to do? If you’ll remember, God becomes angry with Moses at the end of this discourse. What is God calling you to do to bless Him today? Is it worth wasting God’s time listening to our excuses? Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin 1 Peter 4: 10. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Spiritual gifts in the body differ greatly. A gift you possess may not be on another’s radar screen at all. For instance, Jacob informed me he’d like to get the community garden up and producing again soon. The only reason I’d have a “green thumb” would be the result of a broken chip in a jar of guacamole that I’d attempt to retrieve without using a knife. John Piper once said, “The prism of your life will retract one of the colors of grace that would never come through my prism.” Unity in diversity is what makes the Lord’s church so functional. Energy is used by a person working in the kingdom of God. If only select parts of the body are in motion, the other parts atrophy. Synergy, on the other hand, is the result of ALL parts working together to produce a result far greater than could be accomplished by one. One of the worst ways we in the church have tried to lead people into utilizing their spiritual gifts has been guilt. You may have been prodded by guilt into doing something that really didn’t connect with your God-given talent. The result was certainly less than favorable. You may have burnt out on that ministry. You may have become bitter or even resentful to the point you almost threw in the towel. Result-driven, forced religion can easily lead to that end. I’ve experienced it, personally. Instead of resorting to guilt to receive results, why not use glory? If I know whatever I do will result in giving God more glory, I’m going to be far more receptive to that than I would be if I did it simply because “nobody else will do it.” If you begrudgingly do something in the kingdom of God unwillingly, it will be evident. But, if you do something in the kingdom of God that makes your Heavenly Father smile, you’ll do it with a completely different mindset. The next time you engage in a task, silently say to yourself: “To God be the glory.” And, whistle while you work…it makes people wonder what you’re up to! Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin Mary and I once knew a precious lady from the Salem Church of Christ who had little difficulty loving people. As a matter of fact, her face would brighten up every time we had opportunity to see her. Her husband had passed a few years before the time I’m currently referencing. Her body was wracked with pain because of her rheumatoid arthritis. We knew she was in terrible, agonizing pain most of the time. Although she suffered greatly, she did her level best not to complain, but to approach each new day with a smile. I still remember a particular conversation she and I had one day. She told me that she couldn’t wait to get to heaven so as to receive her new body; a body void of pain, deterioration and misery. Although she longed to see her husband (Lester) once again, she soooo looked forward to receiving that new body….the one with no pain, no tears and no worries. Noni was one of the most precious Christians I ever had opportunity to know. She’s now with Jesus, free from any pain, arthritis or worries. But the only way that was made possible was because of what Jesus Christ did for her on the cross. While I believe each of us are appreciative of what Jesus did for us at Calvary, there’s something we don’t often think about. Jesus still bears the scars of his crucifixion. Thomas was shown Jesus’ pierced side, hands and feet as a way to prove Jesus’ identity post crucifixion. He still bears the scars so you and I can have brand new bodies void of scars, free from pain, exempt from temptation or worry. Just knowing that he still bears the scars for my sins gives a whole new definition to, “by His stripes we are healed.” Thank you, Jesus, for the incredible gift of eternal life. And, thank you for bearing my scars so I don’t have to!
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin We’ve all seen it; maybe even experienced it. It’s that point in time when someone goes above and beyond what’s expected. Someone has gone “the extra mile”. They’ve done something that wasn’t expected, something extraordinary. But, what makes someone do that? Are the seeking notoriety? Are they longing to receive a pat on the back? For those who like the praise of men, they will do things to receive notice from others. But, why does the Christian go the extra mile? What motivates us to go above and beyond the call of duty? Think about these passages of scripture. Philippians2:4-8 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” The greatest motivator to go above and beyond to help someone else is none other than Jesus Christ. Walking the extra mile helps us to put others before ourselves. It’s a discipline taught by Christ Himself. We can allow prejudices, biases or even misunderstandings to keep us from going the second mile. When these factors weigh down on us, entitlement is the result. It’s unfortunate we live in such a “consumer-minded” society that most folks concentrate on what’s only best for themselves. Listen to the words of Paul found in 2 Corinthians 5: 14 and 15. “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” Do like Jesus did. Put other’s needs before your own. Go the extra mile. Going the extra mile brings happiness that only comes from serving like our Savior did.
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
An unfortunate truth is that we can be spending so much time doing things FOR God that we can miss spending time WITH God. It’s not that God doesn’t want us to be industrious. He desires that we work with our hands. He wants us to work for our living and not to be dependent upon others to sustain life, but we can be so preoccupied with doing things that we miss the joy of experiencing alone time with our Creator. We live in a world of constant activity. We’ve mistakenly bought into the lie that if we stay busy enough God will be pleased with our relentless activity. After reading this text in Luke 10, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen to take part in what was “good”. Life is busy, to be sure. But, don’t allow the busyness of the day steal time away from communing with the Lord. Just a few minutes each day getting to know Christ better can make each day better all the way around! Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin This month, we’ve been focusing on engaging in what we believe is worth fighting for. This past week, I spoke of how our hearts can deceive us into believing things that simply aren’t true, either about ourselves or others. There are some undeniable truths that we need to embrace. Truth #1: all of sin and are in need of God’s grace. We’ve all messed up. We all need a Savior. Far too often we degrade ourselves because of mistakes and failures. Remind yourself: if you were perfect, you wouldn’t need a Savior. This is not license to sin; it’s reality. Truth #2: because we all need a Savior, the Gospel is for everyone, not just the ones we believe would make “great Christians”. Our responsibility is to sow the seed of the Gospel. I’m sometimes amused at how folks believe a person is “ready” to obey the Gospel. There’s no way any of us can completely know what’s going on inside a person’s heart. Sometimes they don’t even know! Remember, the heart can deceive us at times. Their Creator does know, however. It’s God responsibility to prepare the soil. It’s not that we don’t have the ability to pray for a person to become more receptive, but God is responsible for the soil. Our responsibility is to sow seed. Far too easily we become discouraged if we spend time on someone and they obey the Gospel only to walk away from it later on. The Parable of the Sower reminds us that these things will happen from time to time but that doesn’t excuse us from sowing seed. I’m sure there’s been opportunities you’ve had to share the Gospel with someone but you’ve not done it. You’ve been afraid you won’t know enough or that you’ll say something wrong. You might even think you’re not good enough to share because you would feel like a hypocrite because of sin in your own life. Satan will make us believe so many lies about ourselves! Live your life in such a way that sowing the seed is as natural as speaking generalities to others. If God is truly the Lord of our lives it won’t be difficult to speak of Him. Who knows? The person you share with may have the type of soil in them to allow the seed of truth to take root.
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin Call it what you will; a song, a quote or just a really nice saying. “Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right”. Every day our God gives us life should bring us to our knees. The very breath you just took was a gift from Him to keep you alive. There will be days you and I feel pretty good and then there’ll be those days we wish we had another 30 minutes to sleep. There will be good times and there will be bad times but through it all we have a loving heavenly Father watching over us, directing us and leading us in the ways best meant for us. I’m convinced that prayer is one of the most precious blessings God has ever given us. Even if you’re confined to bed, a wheelchair or a prison cell no one can keep you from conversing with your God! Last night many of us had the opportunity to enjoy watching “War Room”. It’s an incredibly powerful movie designed to bring us to the understanding of how precious a prayer closet can be. It shows the importance of spending time with God, alone, undisturbed and unabated. When was the last time you can say you’ve had an all-out pouring out of your heart to God? And when was the last time you engaged in that type of prayer on behalf of someone other than yourself? It’s one thing to pour out our hearts for our own issues…it’s a POWERFUL thing to wrestle with God over someone we love and it’s a FREEING thing to engage in spiritual warfare over the things God wants most for His creation. God is waiting. He longs to hear from you. He wants you to acknowledge Him in prayer. Take the time. Find your closet. Grab a pillow to cushion your knees and pray. Pour your heart out to your Creator and watch what happens to your faith, your spiritual strength and your willingness to bless the lives of those around you.
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin |
Kevin's KolumnKevin Lough is the minister at the Whitehall Church of Christ in Fairmont WV. Archives
September 2019
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