Honor God Given Abilities

Do you have a special talent? Does your family boost your confidence in it or downplay it? Is your community unwilling to acknowledge your special abilities since they have seen you grow from a child into an adult? Is it frustrating to feel like you are being held back?

It is often the case that people are not given due credit for their talents and abilities in their hometown. Too many people remember when the person was a child, perhaps raucous and a little wild. Yet, the person matures and displays an unexpected ability.

Though we may not think so, Jesus experienced this phenomenon. When He went back to His hometown, people could not believe He could perform miracles. They knew Him as the builder’s son. They remembered Him being a child. They knew His mother, Mary. They took offense at Him, thinking He was thinking too highly of Himself and showing off.

We know from our own experience it is hard for someone with a special ability to go home and use that ability there. They may the ability to do great things, to lift the community up. They run into roadblocks and speedbumps due to local politics. If they are not part of the “in crowd,” they are held at arm’s length. Finally, they move on to another place and do great things there.

How do we rectify this? We embrace our local folks who have special abilities. It is fine to remember them as children, but we need to realize children grow up, mature, and are blessed with abilities by God. We should celebrate those abilities and allow them to be used in our local communities. We should eliminate the local politics and support those who will lift up others.

I pray we recognize people in our communities with special abilities. I pray we eliminate local politics. I pray each one of us will support our family members and local people. Support others. Encourage others. Eliminate politics. Honor those with special abilities. God has given us our abilities.

Mark 6:4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”

Be Exuberant

As we celebrate our nations’ independence, what is your favorite celebration memory? Is it a memory of spending time with family? Is it a special fireworks display? Is it spending time in a foreign country and being with your tight-knit military unit? Will this one be special?

There are tons of celebrations across our country every July 4th. Each of them is special to someone for one reason or another. Yet, each of us have a favorite, even if we have several special memories. Many of us can recall what happened each year going many years back.

Soooo….how does our celebration of the King compare to our celebrations of our country? I’m guessing we don’t have nearly as many special memories of celebrating Jesus as we do of celebrating our country. Isn’t that sad? Shouldn’t we celebrate Him? We may think we are to celebrate Him every day, and we would be correct. Yet, celebrating Him every day can lead us into a ho-hum attitude toward Him.

Christmas has come to be more about presents than the birth of Christ. Easter has gotten to be more about pretty dresses and egg hunting than about the rising of Jesus from the grave. Our celebration is relegated to a worship service and the performance of the pastor or choir. The average churchgoer doesn’t really get involved. There is little celebration with joy, lifting of hands, singing at the top of our lungs, or dancing. 

The Israelites praised God and celebrated him differently. There was loud music, dancing in the streets, and singing at the top of their lungs. They wanted anyone anywhere near to know they were celebrating their God. We could learn from their exuberance. We could be a lot more celebratory. We, too, could celebrate Jesus with a lot more joy exhibited, rather than trying to hold it all inside.

I pray we all learn to celebrate God more. I pray we are thankful every day. I pray each one of us will be show our joy by singing loudly, raising our hands in praise, and dancing if we want. Sing praises to God. Celebrate Jesus. Lift your hands in praise. Dance with Jesus. Be exuberant.

Psalm 48:1-2

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised

in the city of our God. 

His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, 

is the joy of all the earth, 

Mount Zion, in the far north, 

the city of the great King.

God’s Grace is Sufficient

Do you have a weakness you would like to rid yourself of? Is there a fault you are wrestling with and wish it would go away? Are you fighting a “thorn in the flesh” that you just can’t shake? Have you asked God to take it away? Does it remain? Have you thought God desires you to keep it?

Weaknesses and faults are a challenge to deal with. Most of us do not like having weaknesses. We don’t like having faults, and especially having them revealed to others. We prefer to present an image of being strong, self-reliant, able to take care of ourselves.

The Apostle Paul had a “thorn in the flesh.” He asked God to remove it from him three times. God refused. Paul was being tormented by it. Yet, God said, “my grace is sufficient.” What do we do when that’s God’s answer to us? Perhaps we follow the lead of Paul. He boasted in his weakness so the power of Christ would dwell in him. How amazing is that?!

Paul shows us that we can use our weakness or fault to glorify Christ. That may sound odd but think about it. Suppose your fault is a physical disability. Yet, you can use it to glorify Christ by continuing to spread His gospel message despite it. You can show others that God gives you the strength to carry on despite the disability you battle.

I pray we all take stock of our weaknesses and faults. I pray we seek God’s strength within our weaknesses. I pray each one of us will glorify Christ in our weaknesses and continue to spread the gospel. God may not remove your weakness. He may not eliminate your faults. Use them to glorify Christ. Spread the gospel message anyway. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

God Doesn’t Share It All

Do you feel left out sometimes? Are you upset that people do not tell you everything? Do you think you should know everything? What if you are not meant to know everything? What if there are things you are prohibited from knowing? Is that okay with you? Or do you feel hurt?

In the age of social media and twenty-four-hour news agencies, we can seek information on just about anything. We get play-by-play of someone’s dinner at a local restaurant. We can follow what’s happening in warzones in real time. We know when a someone famous blows their nose.

It’s really quite silly. Do we really think we need to know all that? Why do people feel compelled to share it all? Many of us simply scroll right past the pictures of a burger and fries meal. Many have no inclination to follow what is happening elsewhere in the world on a minute-by-minute basis. We have our own troubles to deal with.

But there are people who want to know everything going on with everyone else. And if they don’t get some tidbit of information passed on to them, they feel hurt. Well, there are some amazing things we don’t know and won’t know until we have passed from this life. God purposely withholds some information from us. There are things that happen in heaven that we are not allowed to know nor repeat.

Perhaps there is a lesson for us in God’s example. Perhaps we don’t really need to share every little detail. Perhaps we should respect one another’s choice to not share. The world will not come to an end because we don’t know or if we don’t share information. Having and respecting privacy is following God’s example.

I pray we all know we cannot know everything. I pray we stop feeling hurt because we don’t know something. I pray we all respect others privacy and keep some portions of our lives private. Follow God’s example. Don’t share everything. Respect others privacy.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.

Desire to Follow

Have you made a covenant? Have you prayed over someone? Have you been part of an anointing? Have you thought about laying hands on, praying over, and anointing leaders? Do you wonder how that might impact their leading of your organization?

We don’t talk much about covenants today. However, we do talk about promises, commitments, and oaths. Those are very similar to a covenant. It just depends on how seriously the person making them takes them. Often our leaders take an oath of office.

King David made a covenant with the elders, or leaders, of Israel. We are not told what the covenant language was, but we can be sure it was serious and likely included a commitment to rule judiciously over the nation of Israel. The covenant was made before God, which meant it would have been taken seriously. The elders anointed David, which would have included both a prayer and a blessing.

Imagine how that type of ceremony might impact our leaders today. It would be even more impactful if our leaders were truly doing their best to follow God’s commands. We know from elsewhere in Scripture that David was doing his best to follow God’s commands. He often went to God in prayer to ask for his guidance. True, David made his mistakes. Yet, he sought God’s guidance and approval. How much did his covenant encourage him to seek God?

We can also seek God’s guidance in prayer. When we have given our heart to him, seek to know what he wants us to do with our heart, God will provide his guidance. His direction for our lives is not always what we would choose. Yet, when we follow his guidance, just as David did, we find ourselves in a much better place than we can imagine and achieve on our own.

I pray we all desire to follow God’s guidance. I pray we desire to obey God’s commands. I pray each one of us will spend time in prayer, asking God to show us his will for our lives, and follow him. Seek God’s guidance. Follow God’s guidance. Obey God’s command. Spend time in prayer.

2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Rich Through Poverty

Have you ever thought that you can become rich through poverty? Does that sound like an impossibility? Does it sound contradictory? Do you know you have been made rich through the poverty of Jesus Christ?

Gaining riches through poverty doesn’t compute to us in human terms. We seek riches through hard work, saving our money, or even by playing the lottery. So many in this world are seeking riches in all the wrong ways and even the wrong riches.

For those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have become rich. Our riches exist in eternal life with Him. But those riches did not come to us through our own effort. They came to us because Jesus became poor to serve as the perfect lamb of God so we may be saved.

Think about it for just a minute. Jesus, left the riches of heaven to become poor, to live as we do, for us. He left a place of perfection to come to a place of imperfection. He left a plan of pure beauty to come to a place of ugliness, filled with hate, anger, and discrimination.

What are we to do with this information? We are to appreciate what Jesus has done and thank Him for being willing to become poor for our sake. We are to show our thankfulness by telling others His story and living our lives as He would have us live them.

I pray we all appreciate Jesus becoming poor so we may be rich. I pray we thank Jesus for doing what He did for us. I pray each one of us will share His story with others so they may become rich as well. Jesus left the riches of heaven. Jesus became poor for us. Give Him thanks.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Change of Heart

How generous are you? Are you willing to give what you have to help someone else? Will you give from your abundance or from your lack? How much are you willing to sacrifice to help someone in need? Are you willing to follow the example Jesus gave us?

We like to think of ourselves as being generous. And we are…to a degree. There is one odd observation I have made over my life. The poorer someone is, the more likely they are to share. Isn’t that odd? We might think it should be the opposite.

Paul was encouraging the Corinthian church to share their blessings with the church in Jerusalem. They were going through a famine, and they were poor. In the first century there was a large disparity among classes. The top five to ten percent were rich and controlled virtually every aspect of life. There was no more than ten percent who were merchant and may be what we call a middle class. The remaining eighty to eighty-five percent were poor. They lived meal to meal, and often only had meat a couple times per month.

Most of us cannot identify with being that poor. But it was they were the ones Paul was asking to help their brothers and sisters out by contributing an offering for assistance. We often hear people grumble about churches asking for donations. Many of those grumbling have more than they need. Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). Yet, when we are stingy, failing to share what God has blessed us with others, we have chosen to serve money over God.

We have a choice to make with the blessings God has poured out on us. We can hold them tight, serve them rather than having them serve us. Or we can choose to follow God’s heart and use what he has blessed us with to bless others. It is a change of heart. One we all need to ask God to make within us.

I pray we all ask God to make a change in our heart. I pray we choose to share God’s blessings with others. I pray each one of us is willing to give to the church and thereby give to help others. Have a heart like God’s. Share God’s blessings. Give to help others.

2 Corinthians 8:7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

Cry Out in Despair

Have you been in the pits? Have you been in the depths of despair? Have you wondered where to turn for help? Have you turned to charitable organizations? Have you turned to friends or family? Have you turned to God? Have you cried out to him in despair?

We all become overwhelmed or depressed at one time or another. Sometimes, it is relatively small. Perhaps our team loses a championship game. Other times, it is much more significant. Perhaps the loss of a loved one, unexpected loss of a job, or a broken relationship.

Experiencing despair or deep depression is not only a mental health issue but also has a negative effect on our physical health. Poor mental health negatively impacts our physical wellness. Stomach issues such as ulcers, unable to keep food down, and acid reflux can occur. Our nervous system is affected and can cause weakness and instability in our legs and arms.

When we have financial difficulties, we can reach out to a variety of charitable organizations, social organizations, and churches for help. When we experience broken relationships, we may reach out to friends, family, pastors, or counselors. The loss of a loved one can be especially difficult and we may lean on other family members and friends. We may also lean on our pastor.

Yet, there may be times when all the help we may receive from others simply isn’t enough. We find no comfort or solace in their attempts to help us. In those times, we need to reach out to God. He knows our situation. He knows what we need. Admitting to him that we have nowhere else to turn, that we are putting our full trust in him to deliver us can be the only means to obtain the peace, comfort, and solace we need.

I pray we all have friends and family we can turn to for help. I pray we know God is always with us. I pray each one of us will reach out to God for help in every situation, especially when we are in despair. Know who you can trust. Know you can trust God. Turn to God in your despair.

Psalm 130:1-2

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. 

Lord, hear my voice! 

Let your ears be attentive 

to the voice of my supplications!

Mourn as God Mourn’s

Have you lost a loved one? Has someone who mistreated you passed on? Have you lost a good friend? Did you mourn equally for each of them? Or were you less upset by one than the others? Have you considered each person has someone who loved them?

When close friends or loved ones pass, we often grieve heavily for them. We may grieve for months or years. There is hole left in our lives that just doesn’t seem to ever get filled. But we don’t have the same emotional reaction when someone who mistreated us passes.

David had a different reaction. Though Saul had attempted to kill David on multiple occasions, David still mourned his death. Saul’s son, Jonathan, was a close friend to David. They were so close, they considered one another brothers. David mourned Jonathan’s death as well, but no more than he mourned Saul’s. David wrote a song for both of them and order it to be taught to all of Judah for them.

Perhaps this is a contributor to David being called a man after God’s own heart. You see, God cares for every person. He desires that every person turn their heart to him. He wants every person to come home to him. Was David concerned for Saul’s soul? We don’t know. Maybe. Or maybe he simply mourned the loss of Israel’s first king. Regardless, David mourned Saul’s death the same as he mourned Jonathon’s.

If we are to have a heart like God’s, we need to mourn the loss of one of his children, especially if that person will never go home to God. Our heart should break as God’s heart breaks. The closest we can come to understanding is to imagine a child of ours who leaves home and never returns. Think about the heartbreak you would feel if that happened to you.

I pray we all mourn the loss of God’s children. I pray our mourning inspires us to seek to bring people to Christ. I pray each one of us imagine losing a child that never came home. Mourn the loss of God’s children. Have a heart like God. Love as God loves. Seek to bring others to Christ. 

2 Samuel 1:17 David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan.

Jesus Can Do Anything

How many times have you needed reassurance? Can you count them? Do you want reassurance nearly every day? Do you need it in your job? Do you need it in your relationships? Do you need it to overcome fear? Have you turned to the One who can give it?

Reassurance is great to have. Often, we simply want to know we are not alone. We desire to have someone going down the same path along with us. There is comfort in two parties traveling together. We feel safe. We experience companionship.

Fear can be a motivator and it can immobilize us. But more often than we would like to admit, fear stops us from moving forward. Whether it is a fear of failing or the fear of dying, we stop us or cause us to find a different, less fearful way. We even suffer from imagined fear. We allow imagined fear to manifest on false pretenses.

But Jesus tells us not to fear. We are to believe. Though He said on multiple occasions for a variety of reasons, today’s passage is said to a father whose daughter was sick and had died. Everyone around him was filling him with fear, but Jesus told him not to fear, just believe that his daughter was going to be alright.

What does that mean for us? Most of us have no expectation for Jesus to show up and raise a loved one from the dead. Perhaps we should. Perhaps we should believe Jesus can do absolutely anything. After all, He can! Rather than fighting a battle on our own, we should call Jesus into the battle. We should set aside our fear and turn it over to Jesus.

I pray we all believe Jesus can do anything. I pray we give our fear. I pray each one of us will call Jesus into whatever situation we find ourselves in that causes us to fear and turn it over to Him. Believe in Jesus. Turn your fear over to Him. Know Jesus can do anything.

Mark 5:36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”