Strength

I have a couple of cousins who are natural artists. They have a God given talent. My cousin Joe could sit down and draw anything. I remember one Easter we were all decorating eggs. Joe, with a crayon drew a picture of President Regan on the egg. We were all astounded at how great it looked. My other cousin Richard could draw anything. I loved to just sit beside him and ask for a picture of something. Slowly but surely it emerged with perfection.

 
People have multitudes of God given talents. Some are singers with unexplained beauty. Others are mechanics or architects. I believe all of these talents are a piece of Gods glory. Our minds cannot explain the true mindset of God. God recognizes the world is not perfect. He places pieces of his perfection throughout the world, these compilations together bring about God’s glory. Not all gifts are as flamboyant but they are gifts just the same. They could be gifts of cleaning, encouraging, and listening.
 
Regardless of the gift, it is God ordained and is a supernatural gift. In Judges Chapter 4, Deborah had a supernatural gift and was a phenomenal judge. Deborah was also a prophet. She was working her day job if you will judging when she felt the word of the Lord concerning Barak and him leading a battle. She sent for him and instructed him with a plan. He was unwilling to carry out the plan without her accompaniment. When the time was right she gave the order to Barak to charge and they were successful in their venture.
 
Imagine at this time a few cultural differences. Deborah was a judge. Remember this was the same initial position held by Moses when he first led the Israelites from Egypt. Moses found the best of the best to continue judging cases for the people. Deborah was the best of the best. Even better she had a relationship with God which lent to her decision making process. She was also given an unexplainable God given talent to head an army for a brief period.

 
            Sampson was given a talent of incredible strength. He was well known for the strength. This was a God given strength to help protect the people. In Judges 15 he was tied up until the spirit of the Lord came upon him and he broke free. He then took a jawbone from a donkey and killed the company who captured him. Though his hair was the conduit for his power, God was the Genesis of it.

 
            Everyone including you has a God given gift. We know this because all bible characters show characteristics of spiritual gifts regardless of how subtle. Imagine the grace and peace Joseph had in order to carry through with the marriage of Mary. How about the architectural wisdom of Noah or the intelligence of Solomon. If Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, than Gods gifts are given perpetually as well.
 
            Knowing we each have received a gift from the Holy Spirit is one thing. Identifying this gift and using it is another. There is no easy formula to developing the gift God has given you. As outlaid in 1 Corinthians 12 everyone gets a gift to show who God is. From this gift people can benefit. The gift can range from wise counsel, clear understanding, trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues and more. The all-inclusive list isn’t just in 1 Corinthians 12. Romans 12 also explains gifts in many of the practical cases such as teaching, encouraging, leadership, aid and more. 
 
            This God given gift you have means you are even more significant to God than you think. Gifts are readily talked about in the bible including in Ephesians 4:11-13. People moving for God are acting on spiritual gifts they have been given. Sometimes the gift you desire is what you have been given like in the case of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12 where he asks for wisdom and God grants it.
 
            There is no question you have been given a gift which God has an expectation to see utilized. Whether this gift is wisdom, hospitality, service, or others, your gift influences and benefits our church our community as well as your family and friends. It also makes testimony to unbelievers. In short your gift influences the world. You must hone the gift and do it well as unto the Lord which is commanded in Colossians 3:23.

 
            We need bread bakers, yard rakers, and various favors. Meditate on the following passages:
 
·         1 Corinthians 14:12 – This asks us to strive to excel in ways that build up the church. 
·         1 Timothy 4:14 – Tells us not to neglect the spiritual gift within us.
·         Hebrews 2:4 – Reminds us that God testifies to others through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 
·         1 Peter 4:10 – Tells us as all of us have received a gift we must use it for the benefit of others.  


I am proud of the person you are becoming. You are a precisely created being designed specifically for Gods glory and the benefit of people. Your strength is appointed and God ordained. I pray you allow Christ to reveal and refine your gift as he works through you. You are a representative of his strength to the world. Use your gift. Use your gift. We are counting on you to show Gods strength and give others hope. Use your gift, to reveal Christ’s strength and achieve your God ordained purpose.