'...Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you...for God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline'. 2 Tim.1:6,7.
God gave us spiritual gifts, and the devil has done his best to stop Christians from using them. Some gifts, because of criticism have gathered dust and are unused. Some gifts have been lost because of hurtful insensitive remarks made by fellow believers. I believe with prayer and encouragement we can restore these gifts back to the Body of Christ.
God gives us marvellous opportunities to apply and practice our gifts. Like the children and their families I work with. I believe God's heart is burdened over the abuse and neglect of children. Last weekend, during after hour duties, I was called to help teenagers who had run away from their homes/caregivers. While transporting them, you get the opportunity to speak into their lives. The two teenagers I met were quite open and accepting. Lord Jesus, I pray they will remember You in their journey.
I also met the mother to one of the teenagers. I was saddened and concerned at how mother and daughter talked to each other. As they shouted abusive language to each other, it was hard to tell the mother from the child! I thought - Hey,who is the parent here? But praise God, He intervened. The anger was gone, the child apologised and asked for forgiveness. Mother did the same also. They reconciled and the child went home with her mother - home to where she belongs. O Lord, I pray that you will preserve this relationship!
God gave us spiritual gifts, and the devil has done his best to stop Christians from using them. Some gifts, because of criticism have gathered dust and are unused. Some gifts have been lost because of hurtful insensitive remarks made by fellow believers. I believe with prayer and encouragement we can restore these gifts back to the Body of Christ.
God gives us marvellous opportunities to apply and practice our gifts. Like the children and their families I work with. I believe God's heart is burdened over the abuse and neglect of children. Last weekend, during after hour duties, I was called to help teenagers who had run away from their homes/caregivers. While transporting them, you get the opportunity to speak into their lives. The two teenagers I met were quite open and accepting. Lord Jesus, I pray they will remember You in their journey.
I also met the mother to one of the teenagers. I was saddened and concerned at how mother and daughter talked to each other. As they shouted abusive language to each other, it was hard to tell the mother from the child! I thought - Hey,who is the parent here? But praise God, He intervened. The anger was gone, the child apologised and asked for forgiveness. Mother did the same also. They reconciled and the child went home with her mother - home to where she belongs. O Lord, I pray that you will preserve this relationship!
It was Sunday, I had preached three sermons today, 2 to the teenage girls, and one to the mother. Lord may they find the treasures hidden in darkness...
"Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full -pressed down, shaken together to make room for more,running over, and poured into you lap. The amount you givewill determine the amount you get back" (Luke 6:38).
Praise be to the Gift-Giver, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Beautifully said! Thank you God for speaking light into darkness! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Sui! I was blessed myself to read over this post again. This was one of my earliest posts - 22 months ago now, but the message not to let our gifts from God gather dust-is fresh as ever!
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord bless you abundantly!
Salome