Gifts

Papa took me to 2 Tim 1  and as I read, verse 6 seemed to jump out at me.  It says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  That caught my attention because in my rhema strike for this week it also mentions, to not neglect the gift that is in you.  There in verse 6 he said, “I remind you” so it is obvious he has said it on more that one occasion.  It seems that Paul is really trying to drive home the point to Timothy that he has a gift in him from God and do not forget that, in fact use that gift often.  So my question is, 1 how does Timothy (or me for that matter) know what that gift is, and does he/can he have more that one of them.  I read in 1 Cor. about gifts like, wisdom, knowledge, healing, etc.  but is that an exhaustive list?  I know that I have the gift of distinguishing of spirits however is that all.  And will I have more later, and if so, I will I know when HE gives them to me.  I have never really put much emphasis on knowing this, but it is starting to seem kinda important.  I mean, it is obvious that I can’t do this on my own, and my weapons or gifting will be what I have been given by HIM to use to comfort, encourage, heal, teach, rebuke.   So how do I get them all.  I mean I don’t want to be greedy but if these gifts are from Papa (which they are) and it is important that I have them and use them, then I want all that HE has to give me.
However, as I write that, I wonder, do I first have to master this gift I have before HE gives more?  I don’t know, this is all pretty new to me, but I do know that I want to know the truth about it.

Papa,  I want ALL that YOU have for me.  I want every gift that YOU have to give to me.  Not for my own pleasure or recognition but for YOUR Glory, and to be used for YOUR Kingdom.  Teach me to walk in worthy of the calling, to walk worthy of YOUR gifts.

Ready to Be Pruned

Today I read John 15:1-8.  I am sort of familiar with verse 5, which says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” But the verse that really grabbed my attention was verse 2, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.“  To Prune- to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable). Like someone had kicked me in the face I heard Papa say,”Are you afraid to be pruned because it may hurt for a minute?” Sadly my answer was “yes.” I feel like I let Him down.

Papa, forgive me for not seeing things with Your eyes. Forgive me for seeing a chance to grow as discipline or pain and running from it. Papa, I’m begging you to please prune me. I want nothing in my life that is not of or from You. I’m sorry. Help me see things with my spiritual eyes so that I can grow with You more. Please do whatever You want in my life.

Am I willing to do nothing?

OK guys, my post right now aren’t as deep as yours, they are simply practical to my life today.

Yesterday afternoon I left town and headed out to my parents lakehouse to spend some time seeking God, primarily for direction with the business.  Ater I had been here a while I asked him, what do you want to do.  He said “Let’s go fishing.  I want fish for dinner.”  I grabbed a rod that was already setup walked out on the dock and started to cast.  I noticed that there was huge backlash in it.  Someone had put it up in bad shape.  I started to work it out but it was only getting worse.  Then God spoke “When you were a kid, what would you do with this?“  I said “Give t to my Dad and let him fix it.”  He said “Then do that.“  I asked him what he wanted me to do.  He said “You do nothing.  That’s what a kid does when he gives it to his Dad.“  So I asked God to untangle the backlash and I waited.  After a minute or so, He said “OK.  Pull out the line.“  Now, to none of your surpise, the line pulled out freely and smoothly.  I reeled it back in and began fishing.  But God spoke once more “Why do you always want to do something when I’ve said I will do it?“  (BTW, he then told me where to cast.  I pulled in about a 2lb bass and coked it for our dinner.  Like something out od The Shack.

Now I read 2 Chronicles 16 today.  Asa has been king for 36 years when the king of Israel starts building a big city to block all trade with Judah.  He is going to ome against Juday.  So, Asa makes a treaty with Syria and the Syrians run off Israel; Asa and Judah are once again safe.  Let’s pick up verse 7.  “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly”

I read this and God confirmed what he said last night.  You need to rely on me.  You need to wait. Do not do foolishly.  Do not go out and make plans on your own.  Wait for me and I will show myself faithful.  Guys, do you know how hard it is to do nothing?  Our business is down.  This is typically the worst month of the year.  DFW is calling again, probably to tell me how they want me to operate.  And I believe that I am hearing God say “Do nothing”.  WHAT?!?  That goes against everything that I am.  That takes real faith.  At least Asa dressed in battle array when he did it right (go see previous posts).

I am not sure that I am properly interpreting what God is saying.  I could use some additional clarity.  No, God is saying rely on me.  Look at this passage.  Asa didn’t and in the end he loses.  God wants our, wants my full faith in Him.  He also wants me to give Him ALL the glory when he delivers us.

How do I do that?  How do I wait?

Chase after Her

Proverbs 4 the message version is incredible. I mean I am sure all the versions are but out of all the ones I have read this one is my favorite.  It really depicts wisdom as a gorgeous woman that will save my life.  I need to chase after that.  The heading of the first 19 verses is “Your Life is at Stake.”  Then it goes on to tell me about wisdom.  Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!  Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace,  she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”  Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake!  Those who discover these words live, really live;  body and soul, they’re bursting with health.

I’m not sure I could say something better or different.  Wisdom is an incredible thing.  Now I need to learn how to chase after it.  Does that mean reading more?  Trying to get in touch with people or listening to ones that are more knowledgeable in those things?  What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?  Sounds like what a wife is supposed to do for you……I wonder if there is any correlation with that?

Dad let me chase your wisdom today.  Let me hold tightly to her, that she may guard my life and fill my days with grace and beauty. 

A Kind Father

Romans 2:4

It didn’t take long for Dad to hit me between the eyes today (metaphorically speaking of course – especially since this blog is about the kindness of God!)

Romans 2:4 (ESV) Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Lots of words in this verse.  I had to look up “forbearance” and it means “a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due.“

The NIV translates “presume” as “show contempt” while NKJV translates it as “despise.”  When I abuse his kindness, I basically spit in his face.

All of that to say this… while God has every right to punish, reprimand, destroy and wipe me from the face of the earth – because I deserve it – He chooses to use kindness, leniency, patience, mercy and grace to get me to repent – which in simplest terms means to change my mind.  For that, I am so grateful and thankful.

The application for me is: How do I mirror that, represent that, to my earthly children?  When they read this passage as an adult, will they have a hard time visualizing, understanding, or accepting the truth of it because of my actions as their father?  Will my parenting today, make it easier or more difficult for them to see Papa as their Heavenly Father?

Do I model grace to my children?  Do I show mercy to my children?  A more difficult question is will I impede their ability to accept Papa’s love, grace, and mercy as they mature in the Lord?  A sobering thought.