Hey West Campus! It is so good to see what God is doing in your lives and hearing the reports of how the Lord is using the Word of God to strengthen you in your faith and mature you in your walk with Him. I am excited to see how God is using talents and abilities and giftings for His glory. One of the greatest weaknesses though in the body of Christ is our lack of humility when it comes to our gifts.
How do our gifts become our gifts? They become our gifts when the Lord gives them to us. Thats why they are called gifts. They are from Him and only by him, can we use them. But, they are ours to use and we can use them for ourselves, we can use them for others, or we can use them for Him.
When we use our gifts to edify, strengthen, and uplift ourselves, we find ourselves in a state of pride where we no longer have a need for God. We think that we can do what we want, when we want, without His approval and anointing. And often, because they are a gift from God, He doesn’t take them back from us when we improperly use our gifts to glorify ourselves, but He will never bless it beyond the blessing we receive on earth.
We receive though, not only an earthly blessing when we use our gifts for Him…but we get the blessing of knowing God is using us to touch and reach other people. That is part of his plan and His great commission in our lives…to be used by Him to serve others.
Then at times, there can be a sense of false humility that comes when we feel that others are being blessed by our gift. We tend to put our gifts on a pedastal. Then..rather than self promotion, we become prideful in ourselves. We think that we ourselves make a difference in other peoples lives. But without the Holy Spirits power and presence in our life, we can do nothing. The Bible says that without Him, we can do nothing, but through Him, we can do all things!
So giving our gifts to Him and being used by Him, the fullness of the gift can take root in others lives, in our lives and for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
Today, if you have a gift, It is wonderful that God has gifted you – or given you a talent or an ability to use for His glory, but don’t waste it on yourself. You will only get an earthly benefit. Don’t waste it simply for your self gratification or for even for others. Because others did not give you that gift – God did. Use it for His glory today, and you will find the blessings of God upon you, upon your family, and even generationally beyond you into your children’s lives and those that are around you.
I believe that as He uses those gifts, and you submit yourself to His will, you will find yourself blessed beyond measure.
Michele and I love you and look forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark