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Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanour, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. 1 Timothy 4:11-16
SPEAKER: Tricia Lovejoy – Using our Spiritual Gifts @ JustONE Virtual Conference at LEADING AND LOVING IT
teach other people with our lives
using spiritual gifts
guarding our character
remain faithful to the call that God has given us
Romans 12:6 – in His grace God has given each of us different gifts for doing things well
a unique ability to do certain things well
be content with the gifts that God has given us
we can look at other peoples gifts and want what they want
and we can be tempted that our gift and our life isn’t special or useful
change the way we think about who we are and what we have to offer
we may never stand on stage and lead worship
but we may have organisational skills that benefit our families, our church, our ministry
(***my goodness organisational skills are such a gift that i appreciate! i love people that can organise!)
our spiritual gifts are meant to add value to the people around us
God did not give us spiritual gifts for our own benefit but for the benefit of others
why do we have them?
why does God give them to us?
Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
it helps the other parts grow – this is the WHY – so that the church is healthy and whole and built up in love
when we use our gifts we have the ability to lead our churches to spiritual maturity, creating churches that are healthy, growing and full of love
lets use our gifts
if we have the gift of leadership use it to influence people into godly living
if we have the gift of faith lets help people stand strong in their loyalty to God in the trying times of life
if we have the gift of organisation lets make the ministries of our churches better, more effective, more efficient,
if we have the gift of encouragement, lets use our words to inspire confidence in young believers or challenge other people to use their gifts too
look for the needs within your church and then discover fresh ways to use your gift mix to meet those needs
think outside the box about how and where you use your gifts
don’t negate the gift that God has given you and limit how He can use you
maybe you’re not an extravert so being on a greeter team is a scary thing, but if you have the gift of administration you can organise the details of the team
maybe a room full of children is the scary thing, but you may have the gift of leadership and can recruit volunteers
don’t neglect your gifts
use them
build the church
celebrate the way that God has gifted you
be a living example in using of gifts – it will inspire others around you to step out in their own gifts
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
when my son was 3
he had a dream
about this very thing
jesus coming in the sky without an aeroplane flying
and that we would fly with him
we hadnt got to THAT part of the bible yet
i am not sure if we had ever told him, being 3, that Jesus was coming back
but he dreamed
and when he talked about the dream, there was SOMETHING
different
about my son
amazing
still grips me
the reality is, Jesus is coming back
and we will be caught up with Him
and fly in the sky without an aeroplane
i dont know when
but i trust that one day it will happen
and until then i’ll be faithful
so the other day i asked how to we overcome the past…
now i’m asking a new question:
how do we overcome spiritual dehydration?
how do we overcome and get through dry times with God?
and what causes them?
give me your tips / advice / wisdom / strategies / quotes / experiences
*please*
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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
once, when i was about 20, i did a word study on the word ALL.
this was pre youversion or biblegateway.
pre computer bible.
pre bible app.
i used a concordance and a pen.
i looked up every reference to the word all. there are a lot of them!
some were general – like “all the people went xyz”
some were challenging – like “love the Lord your God with all your heart”
and some were faith building – like “now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
in the beginning God breathed into the formation of man and gave life.
The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
so i love that all scripture is GOD BREATHED – it brings life, it makes us living beings, and is useful for teaching, learning, training, correction, challenging, encouraging…
HIs Word gives life. His Word is the source of wisdom. His Word is the pattern we should follow in living our lives.
ALL scripture. yes even Leviticus. i believe the Bible is the instruction and life giving words of God. though i may not understand it all, though it may be a mystery, i bow myself down and surrender to it knowing it is God’s truth. i consent that my flesh wants to reject it and live my own pattern.
oh and in case you wanted some more ALLs…
Romans 2:12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
i so understand this one. when my son was about one i was part of an awesome preaching course our church ran. but it seemed like everyone was gifted to be deep and theological or teacherish… and then there was me.
i have my own voice and style and usually like to *try* to be funny and just didnt think i was deep and theological.
but i had to get over that.
this was and is how God made me.
this is who i am.
i cant speak with the same eloquence that they did. i make strange noises and sound effects. i have used a power rangers youtube clip to illustrate a major point. i’m me.
and i’m reconciled with that now. in fact i try to embrace it.
because that is who i am and what i bring is what God wants to bring through my expression.
one of my housegroup girls gave me a great compliment the other day – about my preaching – but i wont repeat it here because it was so priceless and funny. but it reminded me, that if i dwelt on trying to compare myself to everyone else, and if i tried to modify my style and put myself in a box… well… not worth contemplating.
"Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt
We need to refrain from comparing ourselves to anyone else because God doesn’t want us to be frustrated and feel unworthy of the blessings He desires to give us.
Comparing our lives with other people’s lives is unfair, to them and to us. It’s unfair to them because if we become jealous of what they have, what they know, how they look, etc., we start to resent them. Then we can no longer appreciate them as the wonderful person God made them to be.
It’s unfair to us because it limits God’s plan for our lives. Comparison says to God, ‘I want to limit Your work in my life to this and nothing else. I just want to be like this other person.’
But God has an individual plan for each of us. His plan for you is greater than you could possibly imagine. Stop looking at His plans for others so you can walk in the plans He has for you and receive the blessings they bring.
by Joyce Meyer Youversion Devotional
Galatians 6:4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21
If you’re wanting to serve God and be successful in living out our call – be it ministry or in the occupation God has called us to – then our life must be built on His will and His ways. It’s not good enough to want to be used or to have good intentions – it takes action, surrender and life change to build a life God’s way. The key words in 2 Timothy 2 is CLEANSE YOURSELF. YOU make the choice and the change.
The great things God will do through you are going to grow in the soil of persistence, prayer, obedience and sacrifice. That means there will be plenty of plowing and pruning. That’s the way living things grow, whether you’re talking about vegetables or vision. steven furtick
We have become a complacent generation who have sacrificed holiness for our own preferences.
When it is a matter of our preferences vs His Way and His will we often bow down to the altar of self. steven furtick
That has got to change and die to move forward. There are many examples in the bible where people didn’t progress and their lives and ministry stagnated because of sin and disobedience. While God is a God of grace and transformation and redemption He doesn’t ignore our sin or turn a blind eye. He will root it out and prune us. That is because He isn’t so much interested in our happiness but in our character and our eternity and His Kingdom.
When you’re ignoring God you’re not listening to Him. When you’re choosing self and flesh over God and His ways you’re putting yourself on the throne and chucking Him off. When you’re doing your own thing you’re shutting the door in His face.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21
this verse has always challenged me about who I am and how I am living.
it challenges me to be someone that says YES to God. Philippians 2 says that God is at work in us to make us willing to do His will. He is leading us and guiding us. He outworks our steps. But we must say YES to that nudge and YES to His leading and YES to walking the path He sets out before us. You hear my heart?
The Bible refers to us as earthen, or frail, human vessels (see 2 Cor. 4:7). Like stoneware formed on the potter’s wheel, we are made of clay (see Is. 64:8). God formed Adam out of "the dust of the ground," according to Genesis 2:7, and Psalm 103:14 says, "He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust" (AMP).
Though we are weak and imperfect, when we fill our vessels (ourselves) with the Word of God, we become containers of His blessing, ready to be poured out for His use. All of us are valuable to the Lord, God can use even cracked pots!
But first we must be wholly consecrated to God. Second Timothy 2:21 reminds us, "Whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honourable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."
Today, when you become a set apart vessel, God will do incredible things through your life.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I am Yours. I want to be a vessel fit for Your use. I dedicate myself to You. I want to be filled with Your Word, fit and ready for every good work You have for me.
Are You a Consecrated Vessel? – Joyce Meyer Youversion Devotional
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:3-5
hardship. not a fun word. not conjuring up pleasant thoughts.
yet this is what we are called to.
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich
the motivation for enduring hardship comes from having an eternal perspective, knowing there is a reward, a victors crown, for getting to the finish line
the motivation comes from knowing you’re not living just for yourself but living to know and make known an amazing awesome mighty God and that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives
perspective gives us courage to press in and press on, to get past the burn
sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone
sometimes it takes a CHOICE to get past and get through, to CHOOSE what is right instead of to give in to own wrong desires
its just like olypmic athletes. the difference between an olympic marathon runner and a runner is that the olympic contender has done the hard yards and disciplined himself or herself to go the distance and to increase in strength and stamina no matter what the cost and the pain. they are disciplined, dedicated and devoted. an ordinary runner becomes extraordinary.
i believe that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. but the characteristic or the heartbeat often overlooked in those people is the desire to be poured out, the surrender to Jesus, the laying down their own lives and living wholeheartedly for their Lord. its not status quo living. its not blending in. its not a life of compromise. its devotion. love. response. if you want to be mightily used by God to change your world or THE world then develop an attitude of surrender. develop a lifestyle of devotion. this is i believe what makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
my life is not my own
i am brought with a price
i am now serving the King of Kings and surrender to His ways and His will
i want to please my commanding officer
i live in response to His great love
how do i find out what pleases God?
- read the Word,
- do the Word,
- pray,
- seek God,
- listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- humble ourselves
- allow God to transform us
- conform to what the Word says
God’s eyes are continually searching the earth for those rare individuals of ‘whom the world was not worthy’. Men like Moses and John the Baptist; Luther and Calvin; Whitefield and Wesley; Studd and Moody. Men who live in a different atmosphere than other mortals; men who have annihilated self with the Cross and whose lives are broken alabaster boxes from which fragrances arise to the heavens from the broken pieces of selflessness, self-sacrifice, and self-crucifixion. God is always on the ‘look out’ for such men. ~ E. A . Johnston
"Each ‘small’ step of surrender that we take confirms that God is worthy if our trust and prepares us to trust Him with bigger surrenders that may be required down the road."
~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss
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@MatthewBarnett As long as you’re excited about tomorrow, yesterday’s failures will never overtake you.
@MatthewBarnett While going through a struggle never forget the promises you received early on that gave you so much hope.
@RickWarren The most powerful motivation for lasting in ministry is neither external nor internal, but eternal.
@amygroeschel May the Greater One within you remind you of the Greater Call. YOU are part of building the Kingdom!
@JarridWilson Sometimes, God has already given you the provision, you just need to change your perspective.
@JarridWilson Don’t waste your time comparing yourself the others. God made you distinctively different and beautifully created.
@benreed Grace moves the ball forward. Shame throws it backwards. #GiveGraceGenerously
@SSligh “Dear Lord, please show me everything I need to understand about forgiveness and surrender.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
@nickygumbel Be generous with encouragement. It is verbal sunshine. It costs nothing and it warms hearts.
@petrovmortovski Never doubt in the dark what God has shown u in the light.
@petrovmortovski Our desire for God grows from our decision to seek God – "I will earnestly seek you. My soul longs for you" – Psalm 63:1
@JoyceMeyer It is important to remember that doing things for God does not replace spending time with Him.
@leadHership I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot In front of the other. I’m not giving up. (Psalm 17:5)
@gregfrench56 What I do today will determine who I am tomorrow.
@SyRogers1 God doesnt threaten & DEMAND I trust Him…Instead He INVITES: ‘Learn about Me’.The more I LEARN of Him, the more He EARNS my trust! Learn!
@JarridWilson “Past boldness is no assurance of future boldness. Boldness demands continual reliance on God’s spirit.” @AndyStanley
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