Would you ever refuse a gift? Would you leave a gift unopened?
The answer to these questions might depend on your culture.
In our understanding, to be fully appreciated as intended by the giver, gifts are not simply received, but they are unwrapped, and then put to use.
Describe how you are putting to use the gifts God has given to you?
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A gift is really something special and is intended to be cherished and used. I think that God has allowed me to be given gifts to reach a world that is torn by sin. I guess it is hard to talk about them at times because we feel it can be seen as not being humble, but it is really all about him and not about me. I know that when I give a gift it is in the hopes that it is something that they need. I don't like buying trivial items that collect dust, but I want it to have a purpose. I really feel that God feels the same way about the gifts he gives us. the question is, is it being put to use or collecting dust? God help me to use it to the best of my abilities!
ReplyDeleteI think one of the things that God has given to me is the ability to talk to people. I try to open up conversations no matter where I am at. I look for ways to engage someone and then tell them about Jesus. This is not always an easy task. I think sometimes I use the gift, but not to its full capabilities. Thats like having a race car but never putting it on a track to see what it can do. I pray that God will give me the confidence to use this more to the advantage of the kingdom. Thank you Lord for your gifts!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great lesson.There were many thoughts running through my mind thinking about God's gifts.I feel one of Jesus Christ's most precious gift to me is opening my understanding that I might understand the scriptures.I teach with conviction that God desires to give out his wisdom to everyone liberally, not sparingly to the whole church.All we have to do is ask him in faith.James1:5-6.To understand the Lord the King of Glory will never leave us, and he's working with us, confirming his word with signs following, is more than we could ask!
ReplyDeleteThe gifts of God's promises to his Church are a never ending subject.Paul spoke in 1st Cor.12:31 but covet earnestly the best gifts:and yet I show you a more excellent way.It seems that when all the gifts of God are accounted for,and distributed by the Lord for his purpose we end up with the very best of God's gift to mankind which is the Love of God!And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three but the greatest of these is love.This is the greatest gift we can give our family and our lost world, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment to brother alskaelmore.We are all praying to be used of God to our full capabilities,no one has arrived yet were all learning.When my wife Sherrie and I moved to Elliot Lake we were the only apostolics in town,I had to remind myself,I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Also I lean on Jesus promise in Mark16:20 The Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following.Praise the Lord brother we never work alone.
ReplyDelete(aka the sanctuary) I appreciated this lesson and the insight it showed me regarding some of my spiritual gifts and challenging me to critically think about how I am using each of these gifts. I found that the area of being person who enjoys “helping people” to be one of the things that I can use to effectively share God’s love on a daily basis. My hope is that this particular gift will open doors in my community where I can simply be a helping hand in any way possible – from being a listening ear, to talking about career decisions, to assisting with small tasks to develop people. All these gifts are important if we are truly going to allow our talent to be used for God’s glory.
ReplyDelete(aka the sanctuary) One of the highlights of this lesson spoke about how as a steward or manager of the gifts that I have been given, it is my responsibility to develop and use these in my life. Some areas could use further development through education, such as leadership and vision casting. It is imperative that I strive to further this gift in my life so as to allow His Spirit to use me in a manner that can develop others more efficiently. I will need to give an account to God for the talents and gifts He has blessed me with, my goal is to enhance the God-given tools through personal development and training.
ReplyDelete(aka the sanctuary) Reg Hardwood: Thank you for bringing out the gift of love in your response to the lesson. Our family needs this in order for us to fully realize what He is calling us to do in planting churches. It would be a detriment to the family that God has blessed us each with, in essence this gift from Him, if we are so busy building the Kingdom of God that we neglect building our own family. Thanks for bringing this point to the forefront.
ReplyDeleteAs I listened to this lesson, I couldn't help but think about the "gifts" God has given to me. The opportunities, the people who influenced my life, and several others. Bro. Miller provoked me to think about not only the gifts God has given me, but how I can use them and be affective them. Thanks to Bro. Miller for such a thought provoking session.
ReplyDeleteI listened to this lesson yesterday and it has stuck with me ever since. So much to the point that I made a special effort to see how I might use the Gifts God has given me today in our services. The results were an incredible service today. I tried to focus on some of these gifts and how I might be able to minister to our church today with those gifts. I am amazed at the way God works.
ReplyDelete@ alaskaelmore - I can relate to you when you talk about the ability to talk to anyone. I often am looking, praying, manuevering to try to get a conversation started or going, with the end goal of talking about Jesus always before me. I could meet more people, but my area of improvement would be to pray for discernment and wisdom to know if someone is actually open or not.. I push sometimes which can be overkill for first time meetings. I need to just slow down and know that my steps are ordered by God, and I'm not going anywhere. God is going to build the house and lead me to the right, key people that have influence in our community.
ReplyDeleteOverall, in honesty, I wholeheartedly believe that I'm using the gifts the Lord has given me. Soul searching though is in order to have the Lord reveal to me hidden gifts that haven't been opened nor realized yet. Search me oh God, and know me. Take inventory of my gifts, and convict me and bring to my mind what gifts I need to discover that you have given me.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I'm challenged to do in this session is to hone the skills. To sharpen these to become more fruitful. Lord prune me that I may produce all you want from me, and that my gift may bring you glory!!
ReplyDeleteGreat seminar to help stay focused on those gifts that the Lord has blessed each of us with both spiritually and naturally (having the ability to connect and talk to people). Not just having the gift but using it for the fulfillment and furtherance of building the kingdom of God...
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