Activate Before It's Too Late!

The Apostle Paul is having "a father-son talk" with Timothy.  Timothy must've been a "timid" boy, as Paul had to encourage him to "STIR UP" the gifts that had been imparted to him.  Tim was reluctant about accepting the full weight of what he'd been assigned to do.  Paul is reminding him that the Holy Spirit's power resides in him....and all he needs to do is RELEASE (activate) that power!  (God's already "equipped" him to do the work.)

I remember giving my mother several gifts that she never used.  She just stuck them in a closet.  One was an electric heating mattress pad, which would've kept her arthritic bones warm.  But she was too proud to use it!  Another was an afghan I made her.  (My 1st attempt at crocheting....and my last!)  She was too embarrassed (I guess) to let it be seen by others!  UNUSED GIFTS...given in love!

One of my friends went back to school in her mid-forties to get a college degree.  Her husband "paid the price" of her tuition; her husband also "sacrificed" his spare time--doing the laundry and other household chores while she went to school and until she finished.  Once she graduated, she proudly framed and hung her diploma on the wall....and never  worked a day in her life at the profession she was trained for; she never used "the gift" (all the knowledge and skill she learned at college)!  UNUSED GIFT...given in love.

God gives us SPIRITUAL GIFTS--coupled with talents and abilities--gifts that compliment our personalities and career choices.  But, so many people--so many times, do not USE these gifts! 

These SPIRITUAL GIFTS lay dormant and inactive.  Like being shut away in a closet, tucked into a drawer, or framed and hanging lifelessly on a wall.  Many "bury alive" these GIFTS!!!  We lock up our treasured gifts and bury them deep in our hearts....often forgetting that they're there....often afraid to use them!

Don't discard, dump, reject, or ignore those gifts!  Activate them....use them!!!  They were specially selected and handpicked for YOU!  They were given IN LOVE...PAID FOR at a costly price....Jesus paid the price; He sacrificed His life; He loved you so much!  Please accept His GIFT(s).  Use them for His glory!

RECEIVE the GIFT He's given you...put it to good USE!  If you do, you'll find a richer, fuller, more abundant LIFE.  You'll come to realize that YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!

Are You Coming or Going?

Recently, here in Ohio, some 50 wild animals were released from their cages--free to roam around at will.  The neighbors knew they had to FLEE to the safe shelter of their homes and stay inside.  They were in danger of man-eating "tigers, lions, and bears!"  Satan, too, is like a roaring old lion.--stalking around, waiting to devour us. [I Peter 5:8]

I remember years ago, a mentally-disturbed man jumped into the Polar Bear pit at the Toledo Zoo...and he was killed by one of the bears.  He just wanted to "play" with the bears!  And that's what people do with temptation....just play around with sin!  But we're told to FLEE such things!  Get away from...and stay away from evil!  Evil comes disquised as PLEASURE...sexual sin (lust, adultery, porno), juicy gossip, foul speech, critical spirits that cause strife and  disputes, greed "cloaked in" success and fame, etc.   Instead....

PURSUE after people who engage in righteous deeds, who walk in love; are patient and gentle; their speech is not nasty or condemning; integral, honest people, etc.  DISTANCE yourself from sin and evil....FLEE the scene!  PURSUE--strive after that which is good!

So--are you COMING (closer to Christ)...or GOING (further away from Him)?  You can't set on the fence....you are either going forward in faith with Him or falling behind--backsliding down a slippery slope into the sea of sin.

He says to us today:  "Come, follow Me!"

Are You Qualified?

We're told to "exercise towards godliness!"  I have always been interested in athletics, so  many of my friends happen to be very familiar with physical exercise.  These lady-jocks labor long and hard to "tone" their bodies and "toughen" their muscles.  They delight in aroebic workouts , such as jogging or bike riding; and with a great degree of accuracy, they can swing a tennis racket or a golf club.  I've even won trophies and touraments in tennis, basketball,  and softball --as a player and as a coach.  I've played in state, reginal, and world tournaments in tennis and softball.  It was such fun!  I learned a lot about LIFE through athletics--and I've met some wonderful  people.  But, Scripture tells me that "bodily exercise profits little!" 

GODLINESS is a whole different ballgame!  It requires a different kind of skill...a different kind of training...a different mindset.  If you want to be a "pro" (like an ordained minister, a bishop, or a priest)--you have a longer, more difficult way to go.  If you just want to be an "amateur," less skill is required.  But BOTH call for discipline, commitment, and loyalty.  One qualifies you as an "athelete"  whereas the other qualifies you as a "Christian!"

Some PLAY-around at sports--we call them "weekend warriors or jocks"!  And many Christians just PLAY church on the weekend (usually one day only....for an hour or so)!  And most of them just set on the bench (the pew)! 

We, who call ourselves "Christians," must COMPETE for the "high calling!"  What's the "high calling?"  It's being "called up" to play on Christ's team!  "Many are called, but few are chosen!"
[Matthew 20:16]

Have you heard THE CALL?  Would you make it through the "try outs?"  Or would you be "cut" (disqualified) from His team?  The ministers are usually the paid professionals; the lay-leaders are usually unpaid amateurs, and the rest are just spectators--followers and fans of His Team.  They come to "cheer" or "boo" the team....but they never have the pleasure of competing for the prize!

Yes, many are called, but few are chosen!  They simply don't QUALIFY!  What about you?