GIFTS (INTRO)

“For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10)

It’s barely October and the stores are already filled with lighted trees, decorations, and gift ideas for Christmas! Personally, I like to handle my holidays one at a time (Thanksgiving is one of my favs!), but really - who doesn’t like to receive a gift?  And many of us would agree that giving gifts to those we love is as much a blessing as receiving one – maybe more so! 

Just as an Earthly parent loves to give gifts to their child, our Heavenly Father does as well and His gifts are DIVINE.

The topic of Spiritual gifts is an extensive one, and the Word clearly defines several types. In this series we will be focusing primarily on the “Gifts of Grace” Paul talks about in Romans 12. It’s my prayerful intention that these posts will encourage you and help you to see that you – yes, YOU! - have been given some amazing gifts by God, and that your faith will be activated to use them for His praise. But let’s start with a little reminder:

Long before we arrived here on Planet Earth, God had a plan and purpose for our lives. He formed each of us as a unique expression of His character; One-of-A-Kind Masterpieces who would reveal His glory and advance His Kingdom. Everything from where we were born, to the color and shape of our bodies, to our personal preferences were all part of His Divine Design. 

“Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name…He said to me, “You are my servant Israel, in who I will display my splendor.” (Isaiah 49:1b,3)

Not only are we specifically designed for God’s purposes, Paul writes in Romans 12:7 that “we all have differing gifts, according to the grace given us.” The Greek word for “gift” being used in this passage is charisma.  It literally means “grace endowments.”

Just as we can’t earn salvation, we can’t earn spiritual endowments. They come from our Heavenly Father, according to His Will, by His grace. And, just like salvation, we exercise the using of these gifts by faith. 

God isn’t fickle. Unlike an Earthly parent that might take away a favorite toy as a form of punishment, God doesn’t take away the gifts He’s given us if we mess up. If we are actively living in sin, we may not sense the Holy Spirit’s direction or utilize the gifts to any extent, but that doesn’t mean they are gone. They’ve just gone underground, if you will, while we are out of fellowship with Him.  All we need to do is ask for His forgiveness, let Him get us back on the right path, and watch what He does through us!

“For God’s gifts and call (vocation) irrevocable – He never withdraws them once they are given and He doesn’t change His mind about those to who He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.” – Romans 11:29 (Amplified)

 GUEST BLOGGER - Janece Herrington 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Aramaic and Greek use “parables” meant to stimulate intense thought.” Throughout Hebrew history (Old Testament), wise men, prophets, and teachers used parables and allegories as a preferred method of teaching spiritual truths. When Jesus taught and addressed questions, he too used allegories and parables.

          In this 4th chapter of Mark we are introduced to two parables given by Jesus. The sowing of the seed (God’s Word) is about growth and the parable of the lamp that follows expresses the result of growth – His light shining out from us as we implement the Word in our relationships which causes others to see Jesus growing in us. The result is the hearer and observer wants Jesus also as savior. 

          Mark 4:23-25 (TPT) After these parables Jesus added application. “If you understand what I’m saying, you need to respond!”……Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to your longing to understand, much more will be added to you. For those who listen with open hearts will receive more revelation. But those who don’t listen with open hearts will lose what little they think they have!”   

          The most familiar version of this verse begins with “The one with ears to hear should use them.” The Aramaic translation says “If one brings a hearing ear for himself, he will hear.” As I thought of this phrase, it seems that hearing is more than reading, listening, or discussing meaning of passages. It incorporates responding to what is spoken and then putting it into action. AND putting into action what we hear happens after being attentive and thorough in examining and truly understanding what we are to glean. That includes listening to the Holy Spirit and His teaching. We are responsible to use God’s Word as a measuring tool for our lives in relationship growth with God first and then with others.

          As we study and then teach from the Word we are called to digest the truth so that we practice what we teach. Here at CLEAR Hope our desire is to bring truth to and into lives. Opening our hearts to receive truth as we study and freely live God’s truth is our goal so that our lives reflect the light within us.

 Joy Pedersen  

 

PRAY

“Pray…for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!” (James 5:16b, TPT)

The way God is working in each of us and the way we respond is unique to each person and each situation. When we are working through God’s healing process, we may find our responses a bit unsettling. We may respond to the Holy Spirit in various ways during times of prayer and worship. Some weep in relief and joy like the woman who came with appreciation to Jesus at a meal (Luke 7u:36-40). Some smile gently (Proverbs 15:13). Some respond with laughter at redemption in praise (Isaiah 52:8-9). Some raise hands (Nehemiah 8:5) or kneel with faxes to the ground (Psalm 138:2). Some clap their hands (Psalm 47:1). Some sing or play instruments (1 Samu18:6). Finally, some shout (Ezra 3:13). Others may just be silent.

Let your emotions in prayer be known to the Lord, giving all of yourself to the One who is able to do things wonderfully and in excess.

- Excerpt from The Heart of Love by Joy Pedersen (Page 71)

GUEST BLOGGER - Janece Herrington 

ORANGE COUNTY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2021

Meet Author Joy Pedersen Saturday, July 17 from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. signing her most recent book THE HEART OF LOVE - LEARNING TO LOVE WITH OUR ALL

"Doesn't everyone want to feel deep love and intimacy? As followers of Christ, Jesus reminds us that we are to love God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Often, past events or people have hurt us and interfered with our ability to fully give and receive love. Left unhealed, a search for love through our afflictions often leads to poor choices and reactions that cause more hurt. 

Tired of the past impacting your present? Study and apply the truths of the Word with a heart moving closer and closer to the lover of your heart."

Crosspointe Church Anaheim - 1300 Kellogg Drive - Anaheim, CA 92807

For more information and registration: https://revivalwomen.com

 

LIVING FREE

As the 4th of July is around the corner I think of our freedom in Christ as well as the freedoms in our country. 

“At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past…… At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.”  Galatians 5:1 & 6 TPT

The Fourth of July is upon us.  A time to celebrate our freedoms on earth as a country.  Many lives were sacrificed for this to happen. And we became the USA.  Now many sacrifice their lives so that we are able to live here on earth with many freedoms.  However, we are seeing many of those freedoms being caught up in laws limiting what we hoped we would keep.
For Christ believing followers, there is a freedom that will last eternally.  This freedom also required a sacrifice – but of only one, Jesus Christ. It is not a freedom to sin but to love with the love that was passed down to us through Christ.  So as we celebrate this holiday of freedom, let us remember where our true freedom is and thank the Father above for what His love allows and provides for us.

 

1 COR. 1:27 (THE MESSAGE)

“God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies…”  1 Cor. 1:27 (The Message)

Whether it’s the nicest looking fruit in the produce section, who we want to marry, or which neighborhood we want to live in, most of us have a natural inclination to want “the best” of the options available to us to have as our very own.  It’s normal human behavior to feel that these choices are a reflection of ourselves, and who doesn’t want to others to think highly of them?

How interesting, then, that scripture clearly reveals the heart of God when it comes to His selection process.  How thoroughly it shows the difference between His ways and ours.  Think about it.  

- He intentionally chose a young, inexperienced shepherd boy rather than an accomplished political leader to be King of Israel.  (David)

- He sought out a legalistic Pharisee responsible for the persecution and deaths of multitudes of Christ followers to write nearly half of the New Testament. (Paul)

- He called a pagan prostitute to shelter and save two Israeli spies, and she ended up being in the literal genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Rahab)

These are just a few examples, but the Bible is full of them!  Over and over again, we see a God Who intentionally selects humans struggling with all kinds of sin – anger, drunkenness, murder, divorce - to be used to advance His Kingdom and reveal some of His greatest miracles.  All it took was for these folks to have a heart yielded to His Spirit in obedience.

Let that give you great hope today.  Maybe you were always the last one picked, the Black Sheep in the family, the one everyone else said would never amount to anything or wasn’t worth anything.  When you received Christ as your Savior, no matter your past, your identity was changed forever.  God intentionally chose you before you were even born to be the object of His love, and to be used to display His glory.  You not only belong, you have a purpose and your value is immeasurable.  

No matter what your background or what you’ve done, come to the Lord with a humble and willing heart.  You’ll be amazed at what He wants to do with your life!

GUEST BLOGGER - Janece Herrington

 

GOOD MORNING, FAMILY!

"But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." 

Acts 8:26 NAS 

Lord, renew our hearts to be willing to travel down even deserted roads that You may be calling us to. Sometimes, we may not see the possibilities of fruit, but we know Your ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Oh Lord, would you spark up our enthusiasm, our 'get up and go' for Your kingdom's sake? 

Thank You for Your faithfulness! Be refreshed in Him today!

GUEST BLOGGER - Lisa Flanagan