Gifts

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has given you all kinds gifts. 

Some come through as talent.

Others are revealed through character. 

Some are gifts to you as well as through you that bring such joy that you can’t wait to share them.

Some are so close to your heart that you are afraid to reveal them. 

The gift that you are with your smile and words, your hands and heart, how you cook or clean, create or organize, how you lead and follow, bless and pray is meant to be given, not hidden.

Salt is made for seasoning.

Light is made for lighting. 

Gifts are made for giving.

The more precious they are to you, the more powerful they will be for others.

The gifts you have been given are to be given away: to serve, to love, to mend, to tend, to bless, to build.

God uses the gifts He has given you to introduce others to the gift of Jesus.

Ask God to use whatever gifts He has given you to let others know how much He loves them.

Surrender your fear.

Don’t overthink it, simply step out in faith, believe God and do it today.

Be Different

You have been made on purpose for a purpose.

You are made to do something as unique as you are.

Others may have similar gifts but there is a call that only you can fill.

Comparing yourself to others will sabotage it and envy will outright destroy it.

To truly fulfill your purpose you are going to have to accept that you are never going to fit in.

God didn’t create you to fit in and doesn’t expect you to.

He is calling you to stand up and stand out.

Be different.

Be unique.

Be you.

God broke the mold when He created you.

There is no one else on earth exactly like you.

“By an act of faith, he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.” Hebrews 11:9 MSG

God didn’t call Abraham to go to the new country and blend in, He called Abraham to live like a stranger in a strange land.

He is calling you to do the same.

Embrace your unique calling and quit trying to fit in.

The Real Gifts of Life

The real gifts of life come in moments not in boxes.

They are the smiles of genuine friends, belly laughs with family, warm hugs that say I love you.

They are the moments of courage that push you forward and the moments of risk that change your life.

They are the mundane quiet moments with God as well as the powerful ones, drenched with God’s presence.

It is the moment that you see Jesus not as the babe in the manger but as the Savior on the cross.

It is this moment that opens up all of heaven to you and the reality of eternity for you.

The moment you accept Christ’s gift of salvation, is the moment your life really begins.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

What precious moment has God given you this year?

Gifts And Talents

“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit and to all kinds of people!”
1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG

As gift-buying is in full swing, I want to remind you that God has already given you precious gifts to give to others this year that you don’t have to buy.

Gifts unique to you and that are meant to be given.

God has given you the talents of your hands, the strengths of your personality, and the driving passion of your heart. He has given you spiritual gifts to bless others with. When you do, God uses you to reveal Himself to others.

It is not a prideful thing to use your gifts for the glory of God, that is what they are for. 

What gifts has God given you? 

Who are you going to give them to today?

The Gift of You

God has given you gifts. 

All kinds. 

Some come as talent.

Others are revealed in character. 

Some are gifts to you as well as through you that bring such joy that you can’t wait to share them.

Some are so close to your heart that you are afraid to reveal them. 

The gift that you are with your smile and words, your hands and heart, how you cook or clean, create or organize, how you lead and follow, bless and pray is meant to be given, not hidden.

Salt is made for seasoning.

Light is made for lighting. 

Gifts are made for giving.

The more precious they are to you, the more powerful they will be for others.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The gifts you have been given are to be given away: to serve, to love, to mend, to tend, to bless, to build.

God uses the gift of you to introduce others to the gift of Jesus.

Let Him and don’t overthink it.

Christmas Morning

“But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!  For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.  – Luke 2:10-11 TPT

I imagine that the morning after Jesus’ birth was quiet for Mary and Joseph.

I’m sure they were tired.

They probably didn’t sleep well.

How long did it take for the shepherds to find them?

Did they come before or after dawn?

What did Mary and Joseph think as the shepherds told them of the angels who couldn’t keep the news to themselves? What did they think of heaven’s declaration that a rescuer was born and he was the Lord Yahweh, Messiah?

I don’t know what your Christmas Morning has looked like today but I pray that hope steals it’s way into your heart like the light broken through the darkness when the multitude of angels burst into celebration the night Jesus was born.

Jesus came to bring you hope.

To love you, to know you, to save you, to heal you.

Today ask for His help when you need it.

Jesus will never run out of grace and mercy – He is the eternal supply.

Have an amazing and very Merry Christmas!

With You

God IS with you.

He is the creator of the universe and He is with you.

Present tense.

He does not reside in the past although He will heal it.

He is not waiting to show up for you tomorrow.

He is here with you.

Now.

Right where you are.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23 NIV

Jesus is the gift of God with us and the miracle of the present Presence.

God is with you and He desires to have a conversation with you all day long.

May you be filled with the presence of the present God through Jesus today.

When You Feel Like Giving Up

Tuesday

When you feel like giving up, don’t.

There are gifts that only come from facing the hard things.

There is growth that only comes from holding onto God through the toughest times.

There is maturity that only develops as you persevere when everything around you is uncomfortable, difficult, and hard.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV

Don’t give up.

Hold on to Jesus and let perseverance complete you.

If you quit halfway through you will never know what God has for you.

He has a plan to complete you, to bring you to wholeness, to bring the parts that are broken and disconnected together knitted by His grace restored by His strength completed by His love.

Don’t quit.

Hold on and keep trusting.

You are worth it.

Your Unique Call

Tuesday

“By an act of faith, he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.”

Hebrews 11: 9 MSG

God broke the mold when He created you.

There is no one else on earth exactly like you.

You are made to do something as unique as you are.

Others may have similar gifts but there is a call that only you can fill.

Comparing yourself to others will sabotage it and envy will outright destroy it.

To truly fulfill your purpose you are going to have to accept that you are never going to fit in.

God didn’t create you to fit in and doesn’t expect you to. In fact, He is calling you to stand up and stand out. Be different. Be unique. Be you.

God didn’t call Abraham to go to the new country and blend in, he called Abraham to live like a stranger in a strange land. He is calling you to do the same.

Embrace your unique calling and quit trying to fit in.

If you don’t know where to start, begin by asking yourself these two questions:

  1. Who are you?
  2. What breaks your heart?

Gifts to Give

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“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit and to all kinds of people!”
1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG

As gift-buying is in full swing, I want to remind you that God has already given you precious gifts to give to others this year that you don’t have to buy.

Gifts unique to you and that are meant to be given.

God has given you the talents of your hands, the strengths of your personality, and the driving passion of your heart. He has given you spiritual gifts to bless others with. When you do, God uses you to reveal Himself to others.

It is not a prideful thing to use your gifts for the glory of God, that is what they are for.

What gifts has God given you?

How are you going to use them to bless someone today?