God gives each of us gifts of the Holy Spirit. But, what are they? Paul lists several of them. I believe that this probably is not an exhaustive list, but let’s look at this list and what each of these gifts are. This is what I have gathered from teachings (and, yes, Google). Any comments would be appreciated.
Tag: ministry
Be a Part of the Mission
Today I am taking a little side trip in my blog about something that God has laid upon my heart. Over the past few years, I have had the wonderful experience and blessing of spending a week or two on a mission trip to Haiti. It is such an awesome experience to watch God work in places like this and if you ever have the opportunity or if God speaks to you to go on a mission trip, do not pass it up. You will not be disappointed. I know many of you will say, “that’s not really for me.” I remember saying the same thing. I was wrong. God kept tugging on my heart and put this passion and desire in me and I am so thankful He did. I plan on going again this year in November (perhaps it will be a little cooler!).
But, perhaps, this is not the direction God is taking you. You can still be a part in other ways. First and foremost, pray. Pray that God speaks to you about what His will is for you. Pray for the missionaries who sacrifice so much of their lives to go out in the world where others will not to share God’s love, not only but sharing the gospel, but by showing their love toward the people they minister to and helping to meet their needs. This is a big burden of both time and financially. The next thing you could do to be a part of a mission is to support those who are called to this field. If it is not going on a mission trip to support them physically, perhaps you can support them financially.
If your church supports missions, you can give there. There are good organizations such as Compassion International or World Vision which you can sponsor a child or others that you can give to or volunteer for, locally or abroad.
My friends in Haiti are asking for your help. They have a need for a total of $8500 a month. Sarah and Yves is a married couple that God has called to bring His love and His gospel to Haiti. At Living Water Haiti Ministries, they have brought in 16 wonderful children to feed them (3 meals a day which is unheard of in Haiti), provide shelter and medical needs, give them education (including teaching them skills such as music lessons, how to sew and how to grow crops) and teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, they have a schoolhouse built to be able to bring other kids from the community to give them an education as well as sharing the gospel. They will also feed all of these children every day. Their goal is to bring in about 100 children and hiring 8 teachers. They also reach out to other communities, visiting orphanages and neighborhoods, bringing them a meal, playing games, singing songs and teaching the Bible.There are a couple of ways you can help. You can sponsor a child for $50 a month, you can partner with the ministry by making a one-time or monthly donation. You can check out their website at https://lwhm.weebly.com
Please watch the short video below:
So, perhaps this is still part of the series on God’s promises. God promises to bless you, He promises to work through you and give you gifts, He promises to use your gifts to help others and strengthen the church, for His glory.
Don’t Be a “Pew-sitter”
As we go through our series on “I am Saved…Now what to do?”, we will discuss the importance of being involved in your local church. Probably one of the first things to do after you accept Jesus Christ as Lord of your life is to find a good church, one that teaches the Bible with no compromise, one that disciples new believers, one who has a community of believers to help each other grow and encourage one another, one who is a praying church. Check out their mission statement, tenets of faith and what they offer. I am a strong believer in small groups. This is where people really get to know each other as they study God’s word. I also am a strong believer that everyone has a ministry that God has appointed them to do. We all need to be an active member of our church, participating in Bible studies, small groups, Sunday school, and ministries. Seek what the Lord has called you to do. Help where help is needed. That is a good way to discover your gifts and your calling. Don’t wait for it to come to you…but also know when to say no. God will lead you. Too many people come to Sunday services and think that is enough. I call them “pew-sitters.” Getting fed through the music and sermons is great, but there is more to it than that. How do you help to “feed” others? I believe this is what God meant when He says, “I know the plans that I have for you…to give you a future and a hope.” (See Jeremiah 29:11) Continue reading “Don’t Be a “Pew-sitter””
Go…
Do you ever wonder what God has planned for your life? What His will for you individually is? What your ministry is? Are you waiting for a call from Him? I think sometimes He just wants you to go. Try something. Get involved and then see if that is where He is leading you. God told Abraham to go but He didn’t tell Him where at first. Jesus told His disciples simply, “Follow Me.” They didn’t know where He was going, they simply followed.
Genesis 12:1-4a
Now the Lord had said to Abram, ‘Get out of your country, from your family, and from your Father’s house, to a land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to Him.
Abram (who was later named Abraham) obeyed the Lord and had faith to go wherever He was lead. He didn’t ask where he was going, He just went. Because of His faith, we all are blessed, for through him, Jesus Christ, God’s One and only Son, came to earth as a child, became a man, died on the cross and rose again on the third day to save us from our sins.
Mark 1:16-20
And He (Jesus) walked by the Sea of Galilee. He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called to them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat, with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Like Abram, God called and they followed, not knowing where they were to go. He calls each of us to serve in His kingdom, “to make us fishers of men.” We all have a ministry. It is up to us and follow until God reveals what that is. I believe that God has called me at different times to do different things. Sometimes I was faithful, sometimes I was not. But each time that I followed His calling, I received a blessing. In a few days, I leave for Haiti. The first time was a bit scary and I didn’t know what to expect. This will be my fourth time now, and I am so excited, I cannot wait! I thank God for this opportunity to experience God working in my life and in the lives of these children. What a blessing! May you follow God’s calling for you, and see what great things God can do and how you can share those blessings with others! May the Lord bless you all.
God Can Work through You
No matter what you have done in your past, God can work through you. He can change you and give you strength. Nothing in your past is so terrible that He will not use you to His glory and through it, bless you and others. The struggles in your past may be the thing he uses to help someone with the same struggles. He shows His power through our weakness, his strength in our insecurity. Throughout the Bible, God used the people that most would never believe possible. Paul, the great minister of God, persecuted the Christians of his day. Moses murdered someone and could not speak well. Gideon was the least of his family of a low-class tribe. Joseph was a slave and became the highest ranking officer in Egypt to be used by God. These are just a few. Continue reading “God Can Work through You”
My Daily Scriptures 