Gifted for Life

My wife, Sue, has an incredible gift. She is the most encouraging person I have ever met. When our children were in school, Sue always managed to enclose a cheery note in their lunch each day, reminding them how wonderful they were. I travel a lot, and almost always somewhere in my suitcase, Sue has included one or more little love notes with words of encouragement. I'll find them folded in my pajamas or rolled up in my socks, just when I need them.

Sue's gift of encouragement ripples far beyond our family. She never misses an opportunity to thank staff and members of the congregation for the contributions they make. She has an incredible eye for detail, providing praise to the efforts of our most junior members, the young children. Her thoughtfulness flows forth so consistently, and gives her so much joy, that I know it is truly a gift.

One of the things I have learned to appreciate as a pastor, is the various gifts that members of the church bring to each other. When a situation arises, it is wonderful to watch the way people respond with their “giftings.”

For example, if an unwed, pregnant teenager shows up, someone organizes a drive to outfit her with maternity clothes. A member who is a social worker locates free pregnancy services at a local clinic. Another member volunteers to drive her to her clinic appointments, while two members of the youth group offer to be her birth partners and attend Lamaze classes with her. And someone else, who is a vocational nurse, puts her self “on call” to answer any questions about pregnancy or childbirth the “mom to be” might have. A businessman hires her part time to work in his sandwich shop, and the youth group throws her a baby shower.

Each person is offering what comes naturally to them, and what they enjoy doing. Without realizing it, they are gifting this young woman by validating her worth, making her feel welcome and wanted, and including her in the life of the community.

We all have natural interests and abilities or “giftings” that come from God (Ephesians 4:8; James 1:7) We can consume and waste them in selfishness, which leaves us feeling empty and hollow inside, or we can use them to give life to others, and in so doing enhance our own life.

Have you ever noticed how wonderful you feel after you've done an act of kindness to someone in need, no matter how small it might be? Did you ever wonder why it feels so good? When we extend our gifts to meet the needs of others, we are actually offering them life, giving them hope, encouragement, and joy. We are affirming they are valuable to us. We probably aren't aware, but we are doing a priestly act.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Probably not. But a priest is someone who stands between God and a person, and represents God to them. When we use our gifts to extend life to others, we are representing God to them. By offering life to others, we are actually giving our gift to God, and He shares His joy with us.

Be a priest today! Use your “giftings” to extend life to someone and reap the gift of joy in your own life!

Please join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Our special guest speaker, prophet and seer, James Goll, will discuss how we live our lives as priests of God in his message titled, “You Were Meant for Ministry: Every Believer of Priest.”

Destined for the Throne?

We are currently in that wonderful time that happens every 4 years, the Summer Olympics, when we get to enjoy fantastic athletics for 2 weeks straight! And every Olympics produces a new set of Olympic royalty, athletes who are thrust into the spotlight and admired around the world. This summer, American Olympic royalty includes familiar names such as Michael Phelps, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, and new names like Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin, and Allyson Felix.

In fact, the gold medal women's gymnastics team is already slated for a 40-city tour around the United States this fall. Their coach is quoted as saying, “They have no idea what awaits them back in the United States. They are literally American idols as they have reached that level of popularity overnight.” Right now these athletes are certainly household words, and some of them will make millions of dollars off endorsements in the next few years. But no matter how famous they currently are, their reign will be short-lived.

Consider for example, Darra Torres, Matt Biondi, Carl Osburn, Gary Hall Jr., and Jenny Thompson. Remember them? They are 5 of the most medal winning American Olympians of all time. Each one had their moment in the spotlight as Olympic royalty, and their brief reign of fame. Now most of us don't even recognize their names.

There is another type of royalty at the Summer Olympics however, one that has endured for 1140 years. It is the British monarchy, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. Unlike Olympic royalty that is based on incredible athletic performance, British royalty is born to the throne. William and Harry were princes the moment they were born, because their father was royalty.

Are you aware that you were created to be royalty? Several places in Scripture we are told that when we say, “Yes,” to God's loving gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we become, “a royal priesthood,” and “priests and kings unto our God.” And our position is higher than any earthly royalty could ever be.  We are destined for a heavenly throne. Ephesians 2:5b-6 states: “It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”

Our royal standing in Christ Jesus gives us dominion and authority in the earth. This is our birthright in Christ Jesus, and not the result of any performance on our part. We are responsible to use our God-given authority to usher in God's kingdom here on earth. This destiny sets us apart from Olympic royalty and all earthly monarchies. The apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Are you destined for the throne? God invites you to be a royal son or daughter in His divine forever family. He has reserved a place in the heavenlies for you. Say “Yes” to His gift of salvation and become a Royal today!

Come join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We are beginning a new series, “Your Identity in Christ,” and our topic this week will be, “Created to Be Kings.” Come and discover your rights and responsibilities as a divine Royal.