“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 KJV

http://bible.com/1/1co.13.4-5.kjv

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

http://bible.com/1/1co.15.58.kjv

Gifts and Talents

Week 9

Building A Relationship With God

Exodus 35:31-35 (KJV)

31- And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

32- And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

33- And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

34- And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

35- Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

God has put a passion in my heart for writing. I love all aspects of the process. I love praying and asking God what He wants written today, then waiting for the words to flow. I love research and typing and I love a beautiful journal. There is nothing like sitting outside on a beautiful warm day, reading the Word of God and releasing to paper, the words He speaks. The feeling of His Holy presence during that fellowship time with Him is an unexplainable peace, contentment and joy within my heart! His presence fills the atmosphere and consumes me.

God puts in us passion for things. This is His gift to us to use for His glory. We are stewards of our gifts and it is up to us to cultivate and maintain those gifts, or not. Some people are afraid to use their gifts. Fear is a great snare in God’s plan for us. It is fear that stops many great creative works from being released. The gifts and talents we have are not just for ourselves. We are to use them to bring God glory and to share what we learn with others. Exodus 35:34 says “and he hath put in his heart that he may teach”. God doesn’t give to us just for us. Like all of our other resources, it is meant to share and spread the Love of Christ with others.

Gifts and talents are a broad scale. You may not be an artist or writer. You may like to clean houses or mow yards. You may be skilled in building things or mechanically inclined. Whatever you are passionate about, that is you gift from God. My husband’s passion is fishing. We are all individuals with different gifts and talents. Whatever it is that you are passionate about, cultivate that talent and use it to bring God Glory and share the Love of Christ with others.

Have a blessed week in Christ!

Jeanie Hannah

Weekly Exercise

Spend time with God each day. Ask Him to reveal to you, your gift and talent. Ask Him how He would have you use your passion to bring Him Glory.

Journaling Exercise

-Review the scripture above and write what it means to you.

-Read Proverbs 8:12 and Matthew 25:14-30

– Write what these scriptures mean to you.

-What are your gifts and talents?

– How can you use your passion to bring Glory to God and share the Love of Christ with others?

– How does a relationship with God help you cultivate your gifts?

 

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

Psalms 139:13-14 KJV

http://bible.com/1/psa.139.13-14.kjv

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

Colossians 3:12 KJV

http://bible.com/1/col.3.12.kjv

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”

Proverbs 19:20-21 KJV

http://bible.com/1/pro.19.20-21.kjv

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

http://bible.com/1/zep.3.17.kjv

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Hebrews 10:35-36 KJV

http://bible.com/1/heb.10.35-36.kjv

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Psalms 23:1-3 KJV

http://bible.com/1/psa.23.1-3.kjv