The New Testament writers spend a fair amount of time discussing spiritual gifts. This was an important topic as he encouraged his fellow believers to use the gifts God had given to serve the body.

But zero time is spent contemplating how to discern spiritual gifts. No quiz or a test or website (for a fee) is used to determine spiritual gifts. Paul didn’t even suggest a S.H.A.P.E test the churches.

How does that compare with today? The contrast is truly remarkable.

It seems to the New Testament writers, recognition of your spiritual gift is relatively unimportant. I say evidently – It is evident by virture of the fact that the question is just never discussed.

Even asking the question may lead to the wrong answer. Let me explain. The focus of spiritual gifts is service, service for the edifying of others. Since that is the case, it would be much more in keeping with the apostle’s instruction not to ask, “What is my spiritual specialty?” but to simply ask, “Where can I best serve?”

Within that range of opportunities God has placed before you, where can you be most effective? What are the needs that face you? And how are you best able to meet those spiritual needs?

To answer these questions is to find your spiritual gift, and it is also a check on your spirit.

We have fallen into the error, today, of finding nice, tidy answers to questions which the writers of the New Testament neither asked or answered. The burden of their teaching in this area was

1. You have a spiritual gift and,
2. You need to use it to edify the body of Christ with it.

Have you found a place to serve where you feel led to be? A place where you are able to do so effectively? Then you have found your gift and place of service.

What do you think about this topic? Start some discussion by leaving comments below.

Idlewild has designated 2009 as the ‘Year to Serve’. As a way to understand our role in serving, we need to understand the way God has gifted us to serve.

As I prayed about this “giftedness” and asked questions to those around me, it has become clear that many people do not know or understand how God has gifted them to serve.

So for the next few weeks in bible study, I am walking through the Spiritual Gifts. We will define Spiritual Gifts and discuss the what, why, how, etc.

Ultimately we will look at several ways to discern our own spiritual gifts and then how we can apply those gifts to build the body of Christ.

So what Spiritual Gift(s) has God so abundantly and gracefully poured on you? Leave a comment and discuss!

On most nights while tucking my 9 y/o daughter in, we take a few minutes and dive into God’s word. This is usually followed by a short impromtu discussion on the verse(s) we’ve just read. She loves God’s word and so enjoys reading it. It is truly a joy to see & hear!

Recently we read most of Philippians 4. As we finished, I went back to verses 11-13:

“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13″

I read it again v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y , hoping she would soak up the richness of this verse. Hoping she would glean the fullness of contentment.

Discussion started with a simple question for her, “what is contentment?”

Daughter: Being full?

Daddy: Being full can be part of it…I guess. What else?

Daughter: Being satisifed?

Daddy: Yes. Paul wants us to learn how to be satisfied in every situation, whether we are in good times or bad times, we need to understand that we can and should be content or satisfied.

Daddy: Last question, are you content?

Daughter: YES…when I am sleeping!

We talked for a while longer about and hopefully she will start working on contentment during the daylight hours as well!

As I write this and think about contentment, I know God had something for me in there too. He always does.

You see, I’m not very good at being content in every situation.

Often I want to “take control” and try to improve the situation a little bit here & there.

More times than not, I feel like I deserve better or more or whatever…

But I am learning that I can live without most of the “stuff” I think I deserve. I’m also learning that most of the “stuff” doesn’t actually make things better. Sometimes it can make things worse.

Lord, thank you for Your rich and powerful words. I can do all things THROUGH Christ who strengthens me. Not of my own accord, but according to Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.

Love is everything I am not.

I am impatient & unkind. I am jealous and boastful and proud and rude. I demand my own way, rejoice about injustice and do not rejoice when truth wins. I give up, lose faith and am never hopeful. I know nothing of endurance.

I’m a broken, wrecked guy who, on my own, can do nothing remotely close to love.

Thankfully, God knew this when he formed me. He had a plan for my life. He ultimately sent his son Jesus to pay for the penalty of my sin (John 3:16). And it is only through my relationship with Jesus that I am able to love. The very nature of love comes from God. (1 John 4:16).

May God pour his love on my life. I need it desperately. May He become so much more in my life and me so much less. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt 6:33

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Heb 12:2

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6

I’m not even sure how to blog about this topic, because it is so unfinished in my mind. I can’t seem to get my head around it. The thought process is this: If Christ is the center of our lives, then why do we spend so much time away from the center? Instead of going to the center (Holiness), we constantly try to get as far away (world) from the center, but still close enough to be considered in the center. Does that make sense?

We like to push away from the center and see who goes with us. If other Christians are with us, then over time that edge becomes the norm. The circle of Christ somehow becomes wider and we feel safe “in Christ.”

Eventually someone else pushes further outside and looks around to see who is with them. As long as fellow believers are there, then they feel safe and can continue on as a “Christ Follower.”

The circle continually gets larger, but at the same time we are going further and further from Christ. We claim that we are close…but are we?

Now if someone ventures too far outside and no one goes with him, then he becomes exposed and possibly an outcast. Ted Haggard can tell you more about this place. But I digress…

Sometimes I think we push away from the center with our finances, relationships, and responsibilities. I also think churches can push away from holiness with their music, sermon titles & marketing.

So here’s the deal. One of the great things about blogging is that I do not have to have the answer. Therefore I’m presenting this for discussion and I’d like to get your opinion. Let’s discuss it.

What she didn’t know was that in two days I would give her what she wanted three-fold. It had been planned for a while and was a surprise. I could have come clean, but it would have ruined the surprise and that wouldn’t have made anyone happy. I withheld from her request because I knew that something much bigger was in store for her in the future.

I wonder how often we do this to God?

We ask for something and don’t receive it right away. So we ask again. But when we don’t receive it immediately, we demand it or try to do it on our own. We turn our back on the loving God who will provide everything in His perfect timing.

All along God had something for us. His perfect plan. Its much more than we wanted or could conceive on our own.

But we never see all that He had for us because of our attitude and disobedience. Caught in our own selfishness, we lose fellowship with the Father and also lose the blessing.

I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Are the issues that you thought were SO important yesterday at the voting booth still important to you today?

Sanctity of Life: I’ve already written about my belief that this is the single most important issue of the election. If it was an important issue for you too, then do something about it. Waiting 4 more years to care about it again will not solve the problem! Here are some options:

1. Call, write, email your leaders and let them know your opinion.
2. Find a clinic and volunteer.
3. Get involved in your youth group at church.
4. Get involved in an adoption ministry. Here’s one.
5. Support groups and organizations that are already making strides in these areas.
6. Pray, pray, pray.

Orphans & Widows: Contrary to popular belief, this is not a liberal issue. This is a concern for all of humanity.

1. Find an organization helping “the least of these.” Here’s one.
2. Go on a missions trip. We can best understand poverty when we see it in person.
3. Talk to your pastor about doing something in your local community. Adopt a school, or adopt a community. Provide meals, shoes, coats in the winter. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to start the effort. Others will join when you lead.
4. Pray, pray, pray.

Real change in America will not come at the hands of a man, but when God’s people humble themselves, drop their own agendas and start living for Christ.

Be a catalyst for change. America needs YOU to step up in a fresh, new way today. Technology will give you the platform. We just need your commitment, your drive and your honest effort to lead and create a difference.

So what say you? Are you ready to make a difference? Start today.

Three words and they all start with D. I’m not a big alliteration guy, but I liked these three.

1. Dialogue Daily: Talk to your spouse everyday. Not about surface stuff, but drill down a little bit and find out what’s going in his/her heart.

2. Date Weekly – Take your spouse out on a date at least once a week. This could include a private dinner at home after the kids are in bed. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive, but do it weekly.

3. Depart Quarterly – Once a quarter, take your spouse away for a night or two. This is an excellent time to decompress and unwind. It is also a chance to chase your dreams together, or laugh together or to just enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted.

Let’s keep each other accountable. Are you taking care of the TRIPLE D with your spouse? Let me know.

This is an incredible song from Fireproof The Movie. It is by John Waller. You can buy it here.

Enjoy!