You've got talent

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study!

Today is an easy day, I think. We are going to talk about our gifts, talents, ideas, resources and skills! Hey, who doesn't like to talk about themselves, right? Let's pray and get right to it:

Father, we thank You for this day, the food we have shared, the friends and family we have around us, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We thank You for Your Holy Spirit directing this very study, and infusing Your Word into our thoughts and into our responses. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Think for a moment about your talents, gifts, ideas, resources or the skills that God has instilled into your being. What are you naturally good at, or deeply interested in? Who is around you daily, or in your circle of relationships? What education have you undertaken; jobs you have done; experiences that have increased your knowledge base? List them below:

My natural gifts, talents, and skills:
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My resources and possessions:
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My ideas and creative outlets:
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Now, which of the above have you used to serve God or help His children:
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Now that you have made your way through about half of this study, based on The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer, which of the above will you now use to reach out to others in everyday life? Explain in detail:
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Pick one of your ideas and decide now to implement it tomorrow. Which will you choose and how will you put it into action?
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Read Romans 12:9-13

What is God saying here? Don't just say you love people, like it is a feeling or a personal virtue. Love them like you cannot do enough for them - love them like you think they are the most important person in the world to God!

The word for love in verse 9 is agape. It means the highest form of love, a self-sacrificial love. "Let love be without hypocrisy" [hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ] n pl -sies
1. the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc., contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety
2. an act or instance of this

I read this as: "Let love be without pretense of virtue! Hate evil, grab onto what is good like your life depends on it! Treat each other like your most beloved sibling, and let the others have their way instead of demanding your own all the time. Serve God with your kindness towards others with a passion!

Get so happy in the hope of Christ coming back and bringing you to heaven that you just about dance in joy! Keep thinking about God's love when things are difficult, hang in there and don't let yourself focus on disappointments because whatever it is, God is working on it! So, keep talking to God in prayer and keep on focusing on helping other people instead of complaining about yourself. Knowing you are important in their lives will lift you up and bring you joy."

We talked about getting real, remember? Stop being kind because it's the "Christian" thing to do, and start being kind because it's your thing to do. You are a kind person because God is kind to you.

If you are not feeling God's kindness, don't just assume His love is not for you, or that you haven't earned it. Get on your knees and tell Him you want His love and you are not moving until you get some of it! He loves you, do you hear me?

When I have not felt His love it has been because I wanted His gifts alone, I wanted money, I wanted things to work out my way, I wanted Him to do something for me. That is not love, that is obedience. God does not obey me, shockingly. But He does love me.

Ask Him for love, just love. Cry out to Him. Tell Him you need some Holy Spirit filled, angel-singing on mountain-tops, take-me-home-to-Jesus kind of LOVE!

Now, you better sit down . . . because it's coming.

Lord, help us to rejoice in our hope in You. Give us the ability to be patient in the middle of trouble. Give us a desire to pray, to help others when they need help and prayer, and an attitude of hospitality. Lord, make us excited to hang out with people who don't know you, but need to. When we feel slighted, let our first thought be to pray for that person, instead of ways we can hurt them in return.

(Now personalize this) Mostly, Lord, let every person who sees me say, "There goes a child of the Most High, for sure!" In Jesus' name, amen.

Love, Karen