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About Jill Richard

My name is Jill Richard. I'm a life long Christian. Trying to live my life for my Lord everyday. I've been working in internet marketing since 2003. I want people to look at me and think - What an amazing God she believes in! I want all of my actions to point back to my Lord. They don't always, and for that I am grateful for the Grace of my Lord Jesus Christ.

My God is …the God of Power and Might II Chronicles 20:6

19 Jan

2 Chronicles 20:6

LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

The God of our ancestors

This is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. The blessing of having ancestors who have gone before me in this Christian walk. My Grandparents, on both sides, were strong Christian people. They raised my parents keeping Christ at the center of all they did. My parents raised us similarly, and I pray that my children, future grandchildren and great-grandchildren will also follow Christ.

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

So this verse is sort of plucked out of a chapter that is about the fight between Jehoshaphat and the Moabites and the Ammonites. In this verse they’re crying out to God for his power and might, hoping that God will help them to defeat these nations. Later in the chapter, God tells them not to worry it’s His battle not theirs. Then he goes on to tell them how he’s going to help them defeat these people.

Flattery, wishful thinking or the truth

When my boys are talking to me and asking me for something, sometimes they butter me up. Saying things like I love the way you cook or you’re the best mom ever. Some of the things that they’re saying in this verse sound almost like they’re trying to butter God up. Or maybe it’s wishful thinking, maybe they’re desperate and calling out not sure if God will answer. Hoping, with a bit of doubt. But I think it’s more that they knew, had heard and seen the power and might of God before, so they knew the truth. They knew He was the God of Power and Might, and that there wasn’t anything He couldn’t do.

Do you trust the God of Power and Might?

The entire town came to the temple to call out to God. They all came together asking for help from the Lord. Their prayer was clearly answered when their enemies were defeated. If God can defeat armies, doesn’t it make sense then that his Power and Might would be enough to help you conqueror the much smaller battles we face each day. Sometimes I act like being married, raising kids and getting along with others is such a hard thing to do that I’m not sure God could help me do it. I’m pretty sure it’s easier than beating an army. But it doesn’t matter easy or hard. God can do all things. He can be our strength, power and might.

Are you mighty powerful?

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2012 in 2 Corinthians, God is my Mighty Rock, God is My Strength

 

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My God is … My Provider – Romans 8:32

14 Jan

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Graciously give us all things

If God the Father with Jesus is going to give us all things, how come I don’t have a bigger house? A nicer car? More money? Or a maid!

I think we have to look at what this verse is really saying. Is it saying the Lord will provide everything we want? It doesn’t say that, does it. In my study Bible it says, “If God Gave the supreme gift of his Son to save us, he will certainly also give whatever is necessary to bring to fulfillment the work begun at the cross.”

To bring to fulfillment the work begun at the cross

I believe this verse is to give us hope for the sustaining of our faith. That we can be assured that what the Lord has begun on the cross for us, sealed to us in our baptism will continue to grow in us until the day we are brought home to be with him. We know when our day comes, the Lord will bring everything to completion in Him.

He Provides

He provides the people, the places and opportunities to hear about Him and have our faith strengthened. He promises to be with us and that’s an amazing thing. My God is with me all the time. By my side, supporting and encouraging me. God is there giving me strength when I don’t have any of my own.

He provides us knowledge of Him through word and sacraments. He allows us to know Him more fully every time we engage with Him in prayer. He’s providing us with a relationship with Him.

He also Blesses

I know that the Lord provides all that we need to bring to fulfillment the work He began on the cross, but our God doesn’t stop with that (though that is more than any of us deserve). He also blesses us through so many things He has given us. Family, friends, house, home and all that we have comes from the Lord.

What has been provided for you?

 
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Posted by on January 14, 2012 in God is my Provider

 

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My God is … Love 1 John 3:1

10 Jan

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us. 

Love is mentioned a lot in the Bible. We’re told we’re to love one another (almost 20 times). Husbands are told to love their wives. But one of the best ways (in my humble opinion) the word love is used is to describe the wonderful and unconditional love the “Father has lavished on us”

Because God first loved us we’re able to show love to others. Even if they don’t deserve it. That can be really hard, but it can also be really rewarding. People are changed by love. Imagine the young student who has never felt very smart in school is shown some loving patience and encouragement from a teacher. That can be very inspiring to the student.

Have you ever been shown love when you didn’t deserve it. Besides from God. Has anyone ever been nice to you even though you were being a jerk? What would happen if you get upset in a grocery store? You lose it and start getting a bit loud with the person checking you out. The manager comes over and lovingly finds out what is wrong and helps you solve the problem. Are you still yelling? No. The manager, with an act of love and respect changed your behavior.

Are you spoiled?

When I was a kid (I’m sure it still is said today), people would say, “Don’t give her that – you’re going to spoil that child.” There are people who are spoiled. Who can never get enough or don’t appreciate the gifts they’ve been given. In the verse above, we see that God has lavished love on us. We are children of the King, the Lord of lords. How could we need anything else? But often I find myself complaining about what I do not have.

I always want more. God is lavishing His love on me and I want more. Lavishing isn’t just getting, it’s getting in abundance. More than I need. He’s giving me more love than I need. What joy that should bring to my heart. It does bring joy, but a somber reality that some times I act like a spoiled brat instead of someone who has all the love a person could ever want.

Lavishing love on others

To lavish love on someone who doesn’t deserve it is contrary to what this world is about, but aren’t we as Christians supposed to be different (in a good way). Wouldn’t it stand out if while someone was yelling at you for the way you parked, you waited patiently until they were done yelling to move your car. What if your spouse says something unkind. Can you stand out and lavish love by not retaliating? How about when your child comes in and confesses to putting a big scratch on your car? Can we lavish the love we’ve been given even then. Only with the strength give to us by Christ could we even try.

Because He first loved us we can lavish love on others. I’m going to challenge myself to find ways to lavish love on people. In my family and community. I’m going to pray for opportunities to show people I love them even when they may not deserve it. That’s scary (may mean I’m going to encounter some real winners over the next few days). But I truly want to understand the amazing love that has been lavished on me. I certainly don’t deserve it.

Are you spoiled? Are you Lavishing love on someone?

 
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Posted by on January 10, 2012 in 1 John, God is Love

 

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God is … Author and Perfecter of my faith Hebrews 12:1-2

02 Jan

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Fix our eyes

There is a song I absolutely love by Dave Horn called Fix our Eyes. I think one of the reasons this song is so powerful is its strong use of actual scripture. Nothing touches the heart like the word of the Lord. Dave sets a beautiful verse from Hebrews 12 to music. Dave led our church service this week at our church, and it’s always such a blessing when he and his wife Sabra come to visit. They have such a love for the Lord and an ability with fun and joking to make scripture come alive and connect (at least for me) in a whole new way. Whenever I read the scripture above – especially Hebrews 12:2, I think of Dave’s song. The beauty is, I have that verse memorized now because of his song. I suggest you listen to it, maybe even download it.

I love the idea of fixing our eyes on Jesus. It is only when we get distracted by the world and our own sinful desires that we get ourselves into true trouble. When we start to put our focus on things that are temporary and not eternal, we can lose site of what is important.

Author of my faith

Did God write my faith? That’s not the kind of authorship scripture is talking about here. One of the definitions of Author is “An originator or creator of something, esp. a plan or idea”. He is the one who came up with the idea to give me faith. To allow me to know Him and trust in Him. He had a plan for me – that I would have faith in Him, and come to know Him as my Lord and Savior.

Perfecter of my faith

The word Perfect (the root word of perfecter) is defined in many ways, and many of the definitions listed enlighten what this idea of Jesus being the perfecter of my faith might mean.

per·fect (pûrfkt) adj.

1. Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
2. Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
3. Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.
4. Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation: She was the perfect actress for the part.

5.

  • Completely corresponding to a description, standard, or type: a perfect circle; a perfect gentleman.
  • Accurately reproducing an original: a perfect copy of the painting.
6. Complete; thorough; utter: a perfect fool.
7. Pure; undiluted; unmixed: perfect red.
8. Excellent and delightful in all respects: a perfect day.
Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
When Christ Jesus is the perfecter of my faith, He makes my faith complete, not withholding anything I would need.
Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
My faith, if it were my own creation would be tainted by my very sinful nature. It would not be trustworthy, but because Jesus is the author of it, it can be a perfect specimen (if I don’t get in the way).
Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.
Jesus skillfully creates our faith, knowing the troubles and tribulations that will face us throughout our lives here on earth, he makes sure our faith is complete.
Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation
Jesus makes our faith perfect for the situations we will face. Whether it is that we don’t get into the college we want or that we have had to grow up with abusive parents or family members. No matter what the situation we find ourselves in, Jesus has provided us with a faith He is responsible for making perfect. He created it, He’ll make it work in our lives, no matter what the situation.
Accurately reproducing an original
As Christ works this perfecting in our faith, we can find ourselves becoming a more true reproduction of the one who created us. We were created in His image, and only through the perfecting of our faith through Jesus Christ do we have the opportunity to find out what that really means. If not fully realized here on earth, then in heaven when we meet Him face to face and our faith reaches its ultimate perfection.
Complete; thorough; utter
Only Jesus can make our faith complete. If we try to be the author of our faith, we’re going to find our faith is short-lived. If we try to will ourselves to believe, it just won’t work. Faith is only made complete, fully realized through Christ Jesus.
Pure; undiluted; unmixed
Our faith, if we created it or tried to make it perfect would be completely clouded by our sin. Everything we would try to make better would be watered down by self-seeking behaviors, selfishness, pride and more. It is only through Christ who is perfect and the perfecter can we have a faith that is pure, not messed up with our sins.
Excellent and delightful in all respects
Have you ever known people who feel like their faith is a burden, keeping them from having fun and enjoying all this world has to offer? Jesus’ promises are not of this world, and they’re eternal. Only Jesus can create faith in us that is excellent and delightful in all respects. He is the one who transforms what feels like restrictions into blessings and challenges into growth.
Come Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
Like a horse with blinders on I want to keep my eyes on Jesus so that I might know Him more fully and not get distracted with all the things of this world the devil tries to use to get me off course. With my eyes fixed on Jesus, I will be able to run with endurance the path Christ has laid out for me.
Who for the joy set before Him
One of the things that I think Dave Horn does so well is opening up scripture so that I see more of what is there. When he performs this song, he makes sure to point out that the “joy” set before Jesus is us – You and me. We are the Joy set before him. The reason He endured the cross despising its shame. You’re the reason He went on the cross. Not to point out your sin, but to save you from your sin that would otherwise block you from the beauty of the Son of God, and the relationship God wants to have with you.
What do you have your eyes fixed on? What are you looking at?

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2012 in God is the Author and Perfecter of My Faith, Hebrews

 

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God is a Miracle Worker Luke 7:20-23

20 Dec

Luke 7:20-23 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

God is a Miracle Worker!

This is good news for me today. As I face many battles ahead, challenges that currently seem insurmountable, I am reminded of all that God can do. He can heal, restore, change and save. These are all the things I need Him to do in my life today.

Living Miracles

Imagine receiving site after being blind from birth. When I first got glasses, I was amazed at the details I could now see. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for one who is cured of blindness. I pray I soon will though. I want to be cured of the blindness of seeing who God sees me to be. He knows that though I am weak and frail, He, who is perfect and strong, can work through me so that others may know Him more fully.

Facing addictions

As I face my addiction to food, I’m coming to realize the true problem with addictions is that they get in the way of upholding the two main commandments God gives to us. To love Him above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I need to get the focus off myself and my wants and needs in the moment, and focus on what the Lord is calling me to do. He wants me to be freed to be used by Him in the lives of others. That I might be blessed by being in service to others. May the Lord help me to think of Him more and me and my food a bit less.

When do we need miracles?

Do those who have their life together need a miracle? I don’t know, but I think it is true that the broken, those in pain, those struggling and weak need a miracle. I need a miracle. So who is blessed most? Those who have their life together but never get to experience a miracle, or those who struggle in this world, but are changed and  healed by the love of God. Those who experience a miracle after going through the worst time of their lives may be the most blessed people of all. How can they walk away unchanged? Can they help but share the love they have experienced in the miracle?

Do you need a miracle? Do you believe they can happen? Have you experienced a miracle?

 
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Posted by on December 20, 2011 in God is a Miracle Worker, Luke

 

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God is My Mighty Rock Psalm 62:6-8

16 Dec

Psalm 62:6-8

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

My God is My Mighty Rock

When someone goes through rough times, you might hear them say something like this, “Carol was my rock during that time.” It is really hard to go through the tough times in life by yourself. It’s almost as hard when the people you think you should be able to count on don’t come through for you.

Mighty means Powerful or Extraordinary

When we say someone is our rock. It means we can count on them. They added stability to an otherwise crazy time. They gave us a foothold, a safety net, a foundation. But people are people. They don’t always know what we need, and even if they do, they can’t always give it to us. But there is one who can.

God isn’t just my rock. He’s my mighty rock.

He is the only thing that’s worth building my life on. My powerful, extraordinary God is solid. I can count on Him in all kinds of trouble. If I build my life on Him, I have built my life on something solid, something secure, something strong. God doesn’t sway in the wind, wash away in a flood or disappear when things get hard. He supports, encourages and sometimes maintains us so that we can survive and learn to know Him more.

Solid, Unmovable, Reliable

What are the things you count on most? What do you trust to always be there? Has anything ever let you down? I’ve told the story about when I found out I had MS. I told about how my husband wasn’t there when I found out because he was away at a school for the Air Force. This led to an amazing moment with the Lord, one I never want to forget and would never trade in. But I wasn’t happy about my husband not being there.

I had put my trust in my husband.

My husband had earned it. He had supported me through some really tough times, he was my rock. He was who I went to when I was feeling insecure. He was who I trusted with my raw emotions. He was the one who could help me keep going when I wanted to give up. But he wasn’t there. He wasn’t there when I needed him the most. My life had changed. I was facing a debilitating disease, and had strange confusing things happening to the way my brain worked. I was worried I couldn’t care for my boys on my own. I felt abandoned. The truth is, no human can be there for you all the time. They can’t be all that you need them to be.

But there is one who is greater than all of the humans in the world.

One who can be there for you when no one else can. My God, the God of the Bible, Jesus Christ who saved me from my sins not only wanted to preserve me from death and an eternity in hell, but also wants to have a relationship with me. He wants me to be drawn closer to Him, that I might know what it feels like to be able to rely on Him, trust Him and be blessed by Him. He is my mighty rock. I trust Him. I trust Him with my life. I trust Him with my death. I trust Him with everything in between.

Who do you count on?

 
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Posted by on December 16, 2011 in God is my Mighty Rock, God is My Strength, Psalm

 

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God is the Creator Acts 17:24-28

14 Dec

Acts 17:24-28 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth

Amen – Enough said.

He does not live in temples built by human hands

This is an interesting part of this verse, and one I’m sure many of my “spiritual, not religious” friends would point to as a reason they don’t want to go to church. (You know who you are and you know that I love you). It is true that He doesn’t live in a temple or a church. He is not confined by walls or structures. He is omnipresent (everywhere all at once). So you can meet Him in the church – He’s there. You can meet Him in the mountains – He’s there. You can meet Him on the alleys in the inner city – He’s there. But if you’re saying you don’t need a church building to worship or meet with Him, prove it by meeting with Him in other places. Just meet with Him – He’ll be there. (Too preachy? Sorry – time to get off my high horse).

He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything

This is another amazing part of this verse. Good works are not for God’s benefit. He doesn’t need our help. He doesn’t need us to prove what we believe or to make up for past sins (Jesus took care of that). He does call us to do good works though. I like the way the Message Translation of the Bible puts it (this isn’t a word for word translation, but it puts it in easy to understand language, and sometimes I need that) in James 2:17.

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

So am I doing that? Is my faith dead? Do my actions back up my claims? I am constantly at battle with this. I want to do more, but often lack the confidence and boldness that stepping out to help someone requires. Will they think I’m pompous? Will they refuse my help? Will I be more trouble than encouragement? I feel the devil at work in these words. The devil wants me to stay away from the things I’m being called to do, because he doesn’t like empowered people for Christ.

Lord, help me to be more like you. Help me to be bold like Nehemiah, and do what you’re calling me to do.

He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else

He’s got me covered. If I think that I don’t have the gifts needed to do what God is calling me to do, that’s silliness, because this verse says He provides everything. He provides even my life and breath. I can confidently go forward knowing He’s given me the gifts I need to carry out what He’s calling me to do.

God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him

Everything God has done on earth has been to draw someone closer to Him. To point us to Him so that we might be in relationship with Him. Not because he forced us to, but because we didn’t turn away from Him when He showed Himself to us through Scripture, Friends and Nature. God wants you to find Him, and He wants me to keep my eyes on Him. Seeking Him and not getting distracted by lies about me not being good enough, smart enough, rich enough or cute enough. He can use me even if I’m stupid, clumsy, poor and ugly. God has a plan for each of us, no matter who we are, a plan to prosper us and not to harm us. He plans and makes opportunities for us to know Him, and that is His ultimate plan for us. To know Him and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

For in him we live and move and have our being

Are you being called?

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on December 14, 2011 in My God is the Creator

 

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My God is … Faithful Deuteronomy 7:9

07 Dec

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Are you faithful? 

What does it mean to be faithful? Are you a faithful husband because you don’t go around with other women behind your wife’s back? Are you a faithful parent when you believe your child when everyone else is saying he’s not being honest? Do you keep your word? Do you tell the truth?

God is Faithful

God keeps His promises. He keeps the covenant of love he made to the Israelites and has extended to us in the new testament. A covenant that includes salvation from our sins through Jesus Christ.

When I read this verse, I almost picture Moses talking in the voice of a Baptist minister. The LORD your God is GOD. He is the FAITHFUL GOD.

He is the Faithful God

There are so many things in which we place our trust. We think, “If I had enough money, that would solve all my problems.” or “If I had that great job, I wouldn’t have to worry anymore.” or maybe “If I could just marry the man of my dreams, then everything would be perfect.” They’re all lies. All lying gods (notice the small “g”). They don’t do what you think they’re promising to do. Money doesn’t solve real problems. A job usually creates more problems and let’s not get started on the problems men can cause (just kidding)!

God keeps his promises. 

All throughout the Bible, you can read, hear and digest the promises that the Lord is making to you. His promises remain true throughout the ages. This means we can trust what He says. We can follow, believe and have comfort in the fact that God is faithful. He’s the Faithful God. Unlike all those other “gods” we create here on earth that we look to for fulfillment, God actually follows through. He doesn’t leave you, forsake you or stop loving you.

Instead he draws you closer. With each promise that He fulfills in your life, He’s showing His faithfulness and His love for you. The promises He made are for the thousands of generations of those that love Him.

 

 
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Posted by on December 7, 2011 in God is Faithful

 

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My God is Merciful Micah 7:18-20

06 Dec

Micah 7:18-20 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Who is a God like you

When I was studying this verse, I noticed in the notes that phrase might be a pun on Micah’s name which means “Who is like the Lord?”. It’s a good question. Who is like that? Not me that’s for sure.

You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

What a beautiful thing to know about our God. That He doesn’t stay angry forever. He has every right to, but he doesn’t. Sometimes I think a parents love is like this. We get mad. Boy, do we get mad. But we don’t stay mad at our children. We love them in spite of themselves. They may drive us crazy, but we love them. Ok – some of you may know this is not a perfect reflection (especially if you put one of those Dr. Phil cameras in your house – you know some problems never go away!).

God delights to show mercy

When is the last time you were delighted. Close your eyes and think about it. I can think of a time I was recently delighted. My friend Tara sent me a present out of the blue. It was a very special, encouraging present. It was unexpected and amazing. My heart delights when I think about it now. Delight is such an amazing thing.

Definition of DELIGHT  de·light noun \di-ˈlīt, dē-\

1: a high degree of gratification : joy; also : extreme satisfaction
2: something that gives great pleasure <her performance was a delight>
3 archaic : the power of affording pleasure
It brings God joy to show mercy. 
He does show us mercy, doesn’t he. I know when I was in college, I was stupid. I made a lot of mistakes. It wasn’t until later that I found out that my mother had been praying all those years for my sister and I. She was praying that God would not give us the full consequences of our sins. That He would show us mercy. And thank God He did.
Are you given the full consequences of your sin?
In Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We’re told that the wages (consequences) of sin is death, but that’s not what God gives us. By His mercy he gives us more than we deserve. He gives us eternal life, because of Jesus Christ.
Why do good things happen to Bad people?
I’m sure your friends, Christians and non-Christians alike, have asked “Why do bad things happen to good people?”. But the truth is, we’re not good people. We’re sinners. I think a better question to ask is Why do good things happen to bad people. The answer is the Mercy of our God through Jesus Christ. Because of Him we don’t get the full consequences of our sin. I’m grateful my mom prayed this prayer for me, and today it is my prayer for my family and you as well. May you never have the full consequences of your sins, but instead receive the mercy given you through the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
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Posted by on December 6, 2011 in My God is Merciful

 

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My God is … The One Who Sanctifies Philippians 1:6

02 Dec

Philippians 1:6 … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Definition of SANCTIFY

transitive verb
1: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use :consecrate
2: to free from sin : purify
3a : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to
b : to give moral or social sanction to
4: to make productive of holiness or piety <observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify it — Deuteronomy 5:12(Douay Version)>

God has begun a good work in you
And me. I am saved. God has changed me. He has changed me from wanting to do only what pleases me to focusing more on what is important to Him. I’m not boasting, because I didn’t do it. God started that good work in me through my salvation in Jesus Christ.

A good work?
I’m such a screw up. How could there be any good in me? Well, it’s not my own doing, but God who puts that good work in you. He puts that good work in you so that you in turn can do good things. You can use your gifts to build up and strengthen the church and the body of Christ. Helping each other by using our own gifts helps us to grow in maturity in our faith so we can know God more fully.

Know Your Gifts
You have gifts. You’ve been Sanctified, set apart by God. Your talent or gift is meant to be used to further the Kingdom of God. Throughout the years, I have taken a lot of “Gift Assessments” to see where I could be used in the church. They are really useful tools to help you identify what your gifts are, and when used with a Bible study can help you to figure out how you’re actually going to use them to build up the Body of Christ.

I however am more manipulative than that. I answer those questions, knowing what they’re asking, and I often answer them as I wish I would be, not as I really am. I take away from the gifts the Lord has given me by diminishing the importance of the gifts I do have. God gave me the gifts I have for a reason. He uniquely designed me to do what He’s calling me to do. So when those assessments come back and say “You’re good at everything and really good at this”, I pray that the Lord will help me to truly find my calling in Him.

Your own gifts assessment would probably be a bit more accurate (I’m sure you’re not as manipulative as me). But if you find yourself still confused about how to use your gifts in the church, start doing the things that bring you joy. If it’s teaching the kids, teach Sunday School. If you really don’t like kids (some of us who have kids even feel this way sometimes), maybe your calling is to cheerfully clean the church. Maybe you’re the perfect person to repave the parking lot, start a food bank, lead a mission trip, file papers, give encouragement to the staff and volunteers or to pray. Probably you have more than one gift, but try one out, test drive it and pray to the Lord to bless it. As we each use our gifts, we’ll grow. Our church will grow (in maturity). We’ll be able to know Jesus more fully. I want some of that fullness.

What are your gifts?
(Want to take a gift assessment test? Here are some sites that have some – I haven’t tried them all – so don’t come crying to me if your gift is cleaning!)
 
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Posted by on December 2, 2011 in My God is the one who sanctifies

 

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