Time…God’s Gift to You!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 18: Offer My Time”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
These reflections of King Solomon are not much different in 2022 than they were 1000 B.C. For 3000 years time has presented many different options and opportunities for people. Different seasons of life have different activities. Different waves of life provide and ebb and flow of activities.
So what season are you in? What are you doing with your time today?
As we journey this week through God’s gift of time, perhaps our minds will ebb and flow between finding great meaning in our days and some days we will feel like King Solomon, “Meaningless.”
Perhaps there is a season for each.
But here’s the reminder: Today is a gift.
The eternal God created time for his creation to enjoy.
On day one of create, God established the rhythm of the day. A period of darkness followed by a period of light. Genesis 1:5 And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
We are so used to watches and clocks that tell us what time it is, but another gift God gave is the ability to mark seasons of time, days and years. Day four of creation he created the sun, moon, and stars to do just that. Genesis 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.
So today is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in preserving the rhythm of time for each of us to enjoy today. He hasn’t told us how many we get, but he does remind us he knows each day he has gifted to us. Psalm 139:16 “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
You have many options presented to you today to use the time God has gifted you. So be reminded of our key verse this week:
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Apply: Take time today to thank God for the gift of time he has given to you. Ask him for wisdom to use that time to his glory!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of time. Help me treasure each day and use each day for your glory. AMEN.
Devotional thoughts to quiet our souls…
Spiritual Gifts…If…then…Day 2
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 17: Spiritual Gifts”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. … 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
If…then…day two…
Between writing yesterday’s devotion and today’s devotion, I was thinking about the question, “Why wouldn’t I use a gift God has given to me?” How would you answer that?
I was out in my garage. I have been blessed…or accumulated…many tools. But not all of them are getting used. Why not?
- I don’t know what it is or how to use it. There are some tools I have inherited from others that I’m not sure exactly how to use them. I’m sure with a little research and a little practice, I could benefit from them.
- I know what the tool is, I am just too busy to use it. The tool lies idle because other things in life prevent time in my shop.
- I don’t have a project to work on. This is rare…but the tool will do no good if it is not put to use to help accomplish a project for a greater good.
Do you see parallels to spiritual gifts? We may not know what they are or how to use them (See link again in the “Apply” section). We may know our gifts, but find ourselves too busy to add them to the body of Christ. We may feel like there is nothing for me to do with my gifts and therefore feel like they are not important.
All of these need a commitment to change. I commit to discovering my spiritual gifts and using them. I commit to decluttering other aspects of my life so I can use the gifts God has given me to be part of his church, his body and add my gifts to the collective of others. I commit to seeking ways to use my gifts, not waiting to be asked, but offering them to the service of the Lord. Commit with the Spirit’s help to use the gifts God has given to you. As we’ve said all week, “You have a gift…use it!”
So, if you have the gift to encourage, then give encouragement.
One with the gift of encouragement is willing to come alongside someone to support and walk with them. Perhaps you have the ability to see when someone needs a kind word, appreciation or just recognition for a job well done. If you do…use this gift often! People all around you need encouragement!
If you have the gift of giving, then give generously.
Giving to the Lord is the responsibility of every Christian. Giving the first of your income and a tenth of your income is just the regular activity of a Christian. Giving beyond that is the gift of giving. The gift of generosity enables one to give beyond their ability, at the sacrifice of some things personal, but for the advancement of the ministry of the Gospel in some way. Generosity is certainly financial, but the gift of giving can extend to a generous giving of time to serve or use of talents to help.
If you have the gift to lead, do it diligently.
Some people don’t like to be out in front. Some do. Maybe you are one of those. You are comfortable casting the vision, organizing the team, and motivating action for the kingdom of God. People look to you for direction or just affirmation that things are moving in the right direction. You are ok making decisions because often the “buck stops with you.” If this is your gift follow the lead of your Savior and find an area of ministry to lead God’s people forward with great things for the Lord!
If you have the gift to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I think it is hard to walk in someone’s shoes, to carry their burden, and do it cheerfully. But maybe God has gifted you to do this. You are willing to help when no one else is. You are willing to lend a hand when others are too busy. You are willing to show compassion when others aren’t. And…you keep a smile on your face because you know it was for this reason God put you in a person’s life. If showing mercy is your gift, use it and do it cheerfully!
What are the gifts/tools God’s Spirit has given to you? Don’t let ignorance, business, or lack of opportunity keep you from using the gifts God has given to you. Talk to your pastor and other Christians…discover your gift. Take a look at your calendar…make time for your gifts. Take a look at the opportunities around you…and USE your gift!
Apply: Monday’s devotion had a link to a Spiritual gifts assessment. There are others, simply google “Spiritual Gifts Assessment” and try a couple. See if they share similar results. Experiment with what you find and enjoy the process of using them.
Prayer: Lord, help me see the gifts you have given and then put them to use! AMEN
Spiritual GIfts…If…then…
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 17: Spiritual Gifts”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
“If…then…”
In the English language this construction is called a “simple conditional.” This simply means that if the first part of the sentence happens or is true, the second half of the sentence will naturally follow.
“If we score more points than the opponent, then we will win.”
“If we go out to eat tonight, then we will have to eat at home the rest of the week.”
These verses of Romans 12 have seven “if…then…” clauses. Bottom line. If you have been given a gift from God’s Spirit, then USE it!
The truth is established in verse 6, “We HAVE different gifts…” The gifts that we have are another facet of God’s grace. We didn’t earn these gifts or work up towards them. They are given.
So like a Christmas gift, we HAVE different gifts…so we are encouraged to USE them!
The Christian faith isn’t a “bench” game. We are all in the game! As we reflected on yesterday, each part is important to the whole. But each part may have, or probably does have different gifts.
But it doesn’t matter the difference, the point is to use the gift you have been given.
So, if your gift is prophesying, the prophesy in accordance with your faith.
The gift of prophecy may include special insights or revelations from the Lord, but the key role of a prophet wasn’t to come up with things on his/her own, but simply relay the word of God to the ears of people. If you have a gift to do this…then prophesy!
If your gift is serving, then serve.
This is a gift many find connection with. You don’t want to lead. You don’t want to be in charge, you just want to have a role and a task and go at it. A servant is one who is willing to fill a role wherever it is needed.
If your gift is teaching, then teach.
Can you explain things in a way people understand? Can you make the complex understandable? Do people say, “Oh, now I get it”? Perhaps God has given you a gift to teach his truth to others!
If you have a gift…then use it!
Tomorrow we’ll look at the rest…but for today, perhaps simply ask the Lord to make clear to you what your gift is. If you haven’t already, take this assessment: LINK
If you have questions, email me at pastor@crossandcrowntx.com.
Apply: If you haven’t take 10 minutes and fill out the assessment. Share with someone or with me what the assessment told you.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the grace and gifts you have given to me. Empower me, Spirit of God, to USE these gifts to your glory! AMEN.
Spiritual Gifts…one body…many members
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 17: Spiritual Gifts”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
The human body is an amazing machine. Consider just a few facts:
- Human lungs contain almost 1,500 miles of airways and over 300 million alveoli.
- If the blood vessels in the human body were laid end to end, they would encircle the Earth four times.
- The human body consists of around 37.2 TRILLION cells.
With over 37 trillion different parts – and that doesn’t even count all the parts of a cell – the human body is an amazing feat of God’s creation. It’s complexity defies the scientific community to fully know. It’s parts too many to count. It’s function is almost endless.
Yet it is designed JUST AS God wanted it to be…just enough cells for the heart, the right amount for the brain, and the perfect design for the lungs…and more.
Isn’t it interesting that God uses the human body to give us a glimpse of his spiritual body – the church?
So many different members, yet one body.
EACH part is important. EACH part is uniquely gifted. EACH part needs all the other parts.
Think of what the body accomplishes…some without even thinking about it:
- An average person breathes in around 11,000 litres of air every day.
- In one year, a human heart would pump enough blood to fill an Olympic size pool.
- Your heart beats around 100,000 times a day, 36,500,000 times a year and over a billion times if you live beyond 30.
What could the body of Christ accomplish for the Lord if EACH part new its role and carried it out? I believe we have just scratched the surface and the impact of Christians around the world would be incredible if we all, with the Spirit’s help, committed to being an ACTIVE member of the body of Christ with the gifts that God has given to EACH of us.
But that takes commitment. It takes commitment to understand your gift. It takes commitment to not do somethings so you can engage with fellow believers. It takes commitment to push through the obstacles for the sake of God’s mission and ministry to reach souls.
If the heart could talk, it may say, “I’m tired today. I think I’ll stop for awhile.” The whole body suffers.
If the lungs could talk, they may say, “I’ve got enough air for awhile, I’ll just take a nap.” The whole body suffers.
If the cells could talk, they may say, “Let’s take turns taking a break and stop functioning.” The whole body suffers.
The point? The body of Christ needs you to be actively engaged and fully committed to the work of the Lord. The other parts and the health of the body are counting on you.
Will you carry out your role?
With the guidance of the Spirit and the power he gives…put into action the gifts and faith that God has given to you!
Apply: What gifts has God given to you? How can you actively use them to be a blessing to the body of Christ?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace you have given to me to believe in you and live for you. Help me to be a faithful steward of all these gifts of grace! AMEN.