Gifts and Talents

“Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.” (1 Peter 4:10 GNB)

Programs for gifted and talented students offer enrichment activities as well as accelerated learning. The message is clear early on: with proper nurturing, talent can be used to get ahead. We expect gifts to be personally beneficial, pleasurable, or useful. The world teaches us to use every opportunity and all our aptitude to acquire more--more power, more admiration, more feathers in our cap. 

We apply the same paradigm for spiritual gifts. We look at charismatic gifts, unique talents, and blessings as opportunities for advancement. Thus, gifts that increase our stature and popularity seem more desirable. Take, for instance,the gift of compassion. Passion is what we are willing to suffer for; thus, compassion is a willingness to join in the suffering of others. A willingness to assist in carrying another’s burden is a gift to the sufferer but not to the compassionate person. Another example is the gift of discernment which gives one a heightened sensitivity to the spiritual dimension. This may seem like a desirable ability, but it can be a heavy responsibility. Pointing out things that people don’t want to accept makes one unpopular. Discernment and understanding, like all other spiritual gifts, are not meant for the advancement of the carrier but for those whom they serve. 

God gives us gifts, abilities, and blessings--not to use for our own benefit but for the good of others. We must always remember that our fiefdoms are still under God’s Kingdom. It would be unscrupulous for a steward to profit and pad his own pocket with the Master’s assets.  We are meant to be managers--administrators who are given responsibilities and held accountable for how we use the resources we have been given. Thus, it is imperative to take every gift and redirect it in ways that are pleasing to God. 

Happy Thanksgiving

"Let us come to him with thanksgiving.

Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

For the LORD is a great God." (Psalm 95:2-3 NLT)

Lord, I give you thanks for everything...

For the pleasant and the unpleasant

My strengths and weaknesses

The blessings and the trials

I worship all that You are

With all that is within me

I bow down in reverence

I praise You 

My Lord

My God

Recognizing Pretense

“If you’re faithful in small-scale matters, you’ll be faithful with far bigger responsibilities. If you’re crooked in small responsibilities, you’ll be no different in bigger things.” (Luke 16:10 VOICE)

How can you spot what is real and what is fake? Careful examination is key. Look for spelling mistakes, omissions, mismatches, etc. For example, a brand name might be spelled incorrectly, or the packaging might be flimsy, or the operating manual might be missing, or the patterns on a pair of shoes might be mismatched. A clever forgery can be difficult to spot for those who are not deeply familiar with a product. For example, most of us probably do not have the expertise to identify a fake Van Gogh painting. Yet, if the person selling you the painting has sold other counterfeit products, there’s a good chance that this is fake, too. 

Similarly, identifying pretense in people requires careful examination of details. Do not just buy what is being presented. Look for incongruencies and omissions. Observe how they handle small-scale matters. Are they devious in little things--when they think no one is paying attention? Notice how they treat people who are not beneficial to them. Are they kind and considerate to those who cannot further their agenda? Listen for what they omit from conversations. Beware of misleading suggestions. Watch out for gaslighting--a form of psychological manipulation in which victims are coerced into questioning their reality and sanity. Why should you care about pretense? Doesn’t everyone present themselves in the best light possible? There is a difference between revealing your true self selectively to the appropriate people versus projecting false images. Little deceptions are the gateway to larger corruption.   Misinformation can lead to changes in perception and behavior. Learning to spot what is real from what is counterfeit is an essential part of wisdom and personal integrity.

Access Points

“Do not take advantage of each other...” (Leviticus 25:17 NIV)

Patients who need frequent IV medications often have a ‘port’ placed under their skin. A small silicone container is attached to a catheter tube. This portal allows healthcare providers to easily access major veins with low risk of infection. Chemotherapy patients and others who need long-term intravenous treatments have ports surgically inserted into their chests. Proper care and hygiene of the port is essential. Thus, access to it must be guarded. 

We all have similar portals into our minds. These invisible access points to our souls must be protected. Do not allow anyone to inject you with harmful poisons such as shame, disrespect, lies, or humiliation. Not every person who tries to influence you is honorable and selfless. Guard your hearts and minds. Do not take advantage of others or acquiesce to exploitation.

Trust and Respect

“Give honor and respect to those who deserve it.” (Romans 13:7 VOICE)

Every human being has worth and value and deserves to be treated with kindness and fairness. However, we cannot commit our time to everyone we encounter. We are inevitably influenced by the people whom we invest in; thus, it is important to be selective. 

When evaluating if someone should be allowed to influence how we think, feel, and live, there are two questions to ask: 

-Are their actions consistently honorable? 

-Are they honest with themselves and others? 

When evaluating the quality of your relationships, there are two questions to ask:

-Are they trustworthy? 

-Do they treat you with respect?

Whether a person likes you, flatters you, or impresses you is not crucial. If they are not trustworthy, then whatever they say is suspect. You wouldn’t take candy or medicine from a stranger or a known crook. Similarly, do not accept criticism or flattery from those who are untrustworthy. Dishonesty is a form of disrespect. And, if you have enough self-respect, you will not allow others to continually disrespect you.  Our time and energy are limited. It is wise to be selective in our relationships and commitments. Honor and respect everyone as human beings created by God, but be selective of those allowed to exert an influence on you. Make choices that are worthy of honor and respect. 

Self-Respect

“Clothed in strength and dignity, with nothing to fear...” (Proverbs 31:25 VOICE) 

I’ve heard of women who take the time to brush their hair and put lotion on their hands before going to sleep every night. I used to think this was the epitome of self-care. I never developed a regular routine for skin, hair, or nail care. Because of this, I thought of myself as a self-care slacker. Yet, a friend pointed out that I was disciplined in physical exercise, purposeful in my relationships, careful about maintaining boundaries, attentive to my mental and emotional health, and intentional in my spirituality. Thus, I was not a complete slouch in this area. 

The line between self-indulgence and self-care can be hard to distinguish. When the wants and needs of others outweigh our individual wants and needs, taking care of ourselves can feel selfish. Those who are sensitive to the burdens of others tend to be self-sacrificing, while those who are indifferent are able to indulge every whim without qualms. 

I have always admired those who can balance selflessness and self-respect. When we are honest with ourselves, we honor ourselves. When we challenge delusions and refuse to accept false narratives, we learn to be true to ourselves. This leads to an expansion of our spirit, enabling us to extend healthy respect to others. Clothed in strength and dignity, we see ourselves and others with unflinching clarity. This self-respect is the epitome of self-care. 

Restoration

“I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you...” (Philippians 1:6 VOICE)

One of my friends has a car that he has been refurbishing for decades. It was his first car and it was not worth much. However, all the work he has done on it makes it valuable, especially to him. The exterior is painted in a bright yellow. The headlights have been replaced. Every scratch and dent has been repaired. The bodywork is complete, but the interior still needs work.  He has already invested a great deal of time and effort into this project, so I am confident that he won’t abandon it until it is finished properly.  

Similarly, God has been working on me for decades. There is much to be repaired. He attentively restores all the broken parts. God restores me, not because I am worthy, but because His love makes me valuable. I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work within me, will not stop mid-design but will keep perfecting me until I am complete. 

Fishing in Ponds

“From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:10 NLT)

My husband and his friends recently traveled to a different state to go fishing. For several days, they dedicated their time and energy into sitting in boats, catching fish, and bonding with each other. Some days they caught nothing, and other days they caught enough for supper. There are two ponds in our neighborhood where I have seen fish. There are several other ponds, rivers, and lakes within a few miles of our house. Once in a while, I see someone standing on the edge, fishing alone. This makes me wonder: why are local fishing spots less appealing than far away ones? Is it the number, size, or type of fish that are available? Is it that fishing from a boat feels more consequential? 

As followers of Christ, we are called to be fishers of people. How are we to do this? We could congregate in popular spots with others--mega churches, foreign mission trips, faith-based conferences, Christian music concerts, and stadium revivals, etc. The size and type of the crowd can make us feel significant. Plus, the social atmosphere and public validation can be exhilarating. Or we could spend time at the local pond where few gather. This is not glamorous. In fact, standing by the edge, day after day, with very little to show for our dedication, might seem unproductive. Yet, consistent devotion is the key to faith. Our role is to cast our nets wherever Christ points. We are to put out lines of communication and wait patiently. Neither the number nor the size of our catch is consequential; obedience and trust are what matters. 

Silent Blessings

“Whenever you cross my mind, I thank my God for you and for the gift of knowing you. My spirit is lightened with joy whenever I pray for you (and I do constantly)...” (Philippians 1:3-4 VOICE) 

Whenever a person crosses your mind, what is your first thought? 

I wonder what this person thinks of me?

Will he/she make me feel better about myself? 

Will this relationship benefit or harm me?

I am worried about this person whom I love. What can I do to ease my anxiety? 

Most of us focus on how others affect our emotions and well-being. Even those who love selflessly tend to fixate on temporal happiness and comfort. Human nature limits our perspective. What if we cultivated a supernatural frame of reference? 

--The next person that crosses your mind--thank God for the gift of knowing him/her. Pray for this individual.

--The next time you look at your cell phone, pray for all those who have corresponded with you over the last week. When scrolling through social media or reading the news, advocate for those who are discouraged, suffering, and empty. Hold them up to God’s light. 

--When you are ‘people watching’ in a public place, silently bless the strangers you notice, especially those who seem broken. 

--Ask God to point out those in need.  Consult with the Holy Spirit about how to pray for each person. 

“May the blessings of divine grace and supernatural peace that flow from God our wonderful Father, and our Messiah, the Lord Jesus, be upon your lives.” (Philippians 1:2 TPT)

Crossing Guards

“How tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10 GWT)

I had been running for hours attempting to finish my first 50 km trail race. The hardest part of the course was yet to come--the dreaded water crossing. I was tired and disoriented. I heard the waterfall before I saw it. It was time to face my fear. With wobbly legs and a quaking heart, I turned the last corner, and there stood my friend Molly in the middle of the rushing water.  She had volunteered to be the guardian at the waterfall--helping all the runners across the treacherous spillway. She held my hand and told me where to place each foot. The icy water rushed into my shoes; yet, with each step, my fear became less. I knew that even if I slipped, Molly would help me get up. 

Life is full of such crossings: from fear into fearlessness, from weakness to strength, from bondage to freedom, from insecurity to confidence. The road is rough and the moral pitfalls are many.  There will be times when we feel stuck, confused, disoriented, tired, and lost. If we stumble and fall, it helps to have someone nearby who will lift us up. Likewise, we can be a steadying influence for our companions as long as we don’t lose our own sense of balance and drag others down with us.  Be dependable. Surround yourselves with those who are honest and supportive. Help each other across treacherous patches, extending wisdom and encouragement. 

Contagious Criminal

“You must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer.” (Ephesians 6:13 TPT)

Health care providers who are in direct contact with patients take precautions against infections. They wear protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, goggles, masks, and shoe covers when treating patients who are known to be contagious. Physical and psychological precautions are necessary with certain patients. Hospitals that are near prisons often get patients who are also dangerous criminals. This requires additional levels of security, alertness, and caution. Conversations must be kept on a professional level, not overly friendly or personal in nature. Not everything the patient says can be believed. Precautions against emotional manipulation and mind games are also necessary.

Evil is real and contagious. Be aware of all its variations and symptoms.  When treating those who are infected, use all the protective gear that God has provided: truth, goodness, trust, peace, awareness, prayer, and the Word of God. Do not let your guard down--physically or emotionally.  Consistently cover yourselves in the Holy Spirit. Practice uncompromising purity. Pray persistently. 

Foggy Faith

“My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart.” (Psalm 6:7 TPT)

Autumn is beautiful. The leaves of trees reveal their brilliant colors of gold and orange. Yesterday, as I was running, I pulled out my phone from my pocket to take a picture of the dazzling scenery. The photo looked unclear. The camera lens was fogged up by humidity. I wiped it clean and took another photo. This time, I got a clear picture. 

The emotions that fill our minds can dampen faith. Sorrow, fear, ambition, anger--all blur our spiritual vision. The brilliance of God is obscured by human concerns. The eyes of faith won’t focus until they are wiped clean. 

Lord, I ask that you wipe me clean.

Let nothing cloud my trust in You. 

Help me to have a clear perspective of Your purpose.

Grant me the strength to do Your will. 

Motives for Mission

“Once they were engaged in a time of worship and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them, “Commission Barnabas and Saul to a project I have called them to accomplish.” They fasted and prayed some more, laid their hands on the two selected men, and sent them off on their new mission.” (Acts 13:2-3 Voice)

A mission is an important purpose that is accompanied by a strong conviction. A missionary is someone who accepts the call. Missions are not like a commercial business. A successful enterprise fills the unmet needs and demands of customers. It assesses startup costs, the target customer base, marketing strategies, projections of revenue, etc. Unlike a business, a mission is not driven by needs, demands, or profit. It is motivated by God’s purpose. The Spirit of God commissioned Barnabas and Saul to a project. There is no mention of human need or of a successful outcome. 

God assigns missions to each of us daily. Some of us hear the call. Few of us follow through. Instead, we are preoccupied by our own agendas. We plan our roles based on our skill sets and the voids around us. We mistakenly label these self-made projects as our missions. 

Ask the Lord to reveal His purpose for you today. Remember that divine missions are Christ-driven, not needs-based. Listen carefully, filtering out earthly interests. Rely on God; be completely confident in Him. 

We Won!

“Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ.” (Romans 8:37 NLT)

When our local football team wins a game, the whole city is excited. We identify ourselves as winners, even though we are not on the football team. As spectators and supporters, we may not directly contribute to the victory, but we feel like conquerors by association. The more we pour ourselves into a cause, the more invested we feel about the outcome. When we have skin in the game, we take things personally. We see ourselves as part of the team, although we may not be on the field. 

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him.” (Romans 8:37 KJV)

Despite all the difficulties, hurdles, and challenges that we face in life, we can be confident that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ. Why? Because as long as we pour ourselves into what God is doing, we get to participate in the game. God does the conquering. We are conquerors by association. At any given moment, the outcome may or may not look successful from our worldly mindset. The game is everlasting; thus, an eternal perspective is necessary. We are given the privilege to play a part in the process, but ultimately the victory belongs to Christ. 

Living in Flow

“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 TPT)

Yesterday, I was running up a steep hill against strong wind resistance. It took a lot of effort, and progress was slow. I tried to encourage myself as usual: God has not given me a spirit of timidity--but of power, love, and self-discipline. Yet, it didn’t ring true. Fear was running my life. I saw myself as weak and nervous in a world full of uncertainty, instability, and danger. It took every ounce of energy I had to make it up that hill. On the way back, I ran down the hill with the wind at my back. I repeated the same verse, but somehow the words got jumbled in my head as I tumbled down the hill. You, Lord, have not given me a spirit of fear or timidity--instead, You have given me YOUR SPIRIT of boldness, courage, fearlessness, power, passion, and self-discipline. I felt like I was flowing down the hill. Now, both activities required me to show up, to move my feet, and to persevere--but gravity and wind made the downhill run easier. 

When we operate in our own power, it is similar to running uphill against the wind. Every step is laborious and draining. However, when we operate in the flow of the Holy Spirit, we are not depending on our default settings. We don’t even have to take stock of the gifts we possess. We are accessing energy that is beyond our little spirit. God has transplanted HIS SPIRIT within us. This is the source of true boldness, courage, power, passion, and self-discipline. Yet, we must show up and participate attentively, allowing the Holy Spirit to influence our thoughts, emotions, speech, and actions. 

Careful Associations

“Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are.” (Ephesians 5:11 CEV)

I have a large glass cutting board that always remains on my kitchen counter. I use it to chop onions, garlic, peppers, etc. The other day, I cut some mangoes on this cutting board and noticed that it tasted faintly of onions. This ruined the flavor of the mangoes.  

Everything we participate in, everyone that we associate with, and all the influences that swirl around us affect our souls. We may think we are starting fresh, but none of us are immune to worldly pressure. Thus, it is imperative that we are careful and intentional about whom we associate with and what we are involved in. Don’t take part in worthless pursuits. Don’t even hang out with those who live in darkness. Do not give them credibility by supporting them. Instead, show how wrong they are. 

Greed and Idolatry

“For greed is the essence of idolatry.” (Ephesians 5:5 TPT)

Greed is the excessive desire for anything. We can be greedy for money, possessions, food, power, prestige, pleasure, approval, thrills--the list is endless. The objects of our insatiable desires become our obsessions. 

Idolatry is the excessive adoration of anything or anyone other than God. It is the worship of things that are tangible, worldly, and attainable by human hands. 

Greed is the essence of idolatry. Greed pushes God from the center of our lives and replaces it with stuff. We pursue our ambitions. We put our trust in our acquisitions. We invest in our dreams. The more materialistic we become, the more peripheral our faith becomes. 

"You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God." (Ephesians 5:5 MSG)

Altruists vs. Egoist

“When you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people, like the hypocrites in the streets and in the marketplace. (Matthew 6:2 TPT)

Spendy people are often confused with those who are wealthy. In my experience, those who are truly wealthy rarely flaunt it. Instead, they are thoughtful and prudent with their assets. Those who use money as a tool to gain admiration or maintain an image usually have the trappings of wealth, but fewer real assets. 

Similarly, egoists can sometimes be confused as altruists. An egoist is a person who is preoccupied with his own interests. An altruist, on the other hand, puts the needs of others ahead of his own. Not everyone who appears generous is charitable. Egoists can be generous in situations where they have something to gain--perhaps they are seeking influence or admiration from others. They may purchase lavish gifts or make grand gestures, but they make sure everyone notices. Altruists are the opposite; they are truly devoted to the welfare of others. These are the people who donate their money, time, and talent anonymously to those from whom they have nothing to gain. They are not obsessed with status or importance, so they often go unnoticed. Jesus taught His followers to give secretly. Thus, let us make sure that our generosity is motivated by true charity and that we practice giving selflessly and covertly.  

Energy Efficiency

“...doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” (Colossians 1:29 MSG)

The sole purpose of a light bulb is to produce light. A traditional incandescent light bulb is energy inefficient, because it also produces heat along with light. No one benefits from this heat. It is a byproduct that wastes energy.

Are you doing your best with the energy God so generously gave you? 

If you know Christ, then do your best to show others how to experience Him too. Use every resource you have been given for this purpose. There are many who are unaware that they have access to God’s presence. Pour your abilities, time, energy, intelligence, assets, influence--all into understanding and sharing this good news. Do not waste your God-supplied energy with distracting side projects and inefficient byproducts. You were created to reveal God’s light. Do your best with the energy God so generously gave you. 

Sharing Passwords

“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.” (Colossians 1:28 NLT)

I was working on my laptop in a local coffee shop.  I was completely absorbed in what I was doing when another customer, who was sitting nearby, asked me if I knew the public wifi password. I did. It was posted on the wall around the corner from where we were sitting. I could have told him to go look it up himself. Instead, I stopped what I was doing and gave him the information he needed. 

God, in his generosity, has given me open access to His love, wisdom, and power. He has invited me to  know Him and make Him known. Sometimes, I get wrapped up in my projects and forget my purpose. When I am absorbed in my own agenda, I become resentful of any interruptions. If I fail to let others in on the mystery of grace, if I neglect sharing the insights I have been given, if I do not share access to God--then everything else I accomplish becomes  purposeless.

Airplane Mode

“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!” (Colossians 1:27 TPT)

Airplane mode is a setting on mobile devices that disables all wireless transmission functions. Smartphones have limited functionality without online access or a cellular signal. Users can still play games, look at their pictures, etc., but they can’t receive calls or texts or access the treasure trove of information on the internet. 

Have you ever placed your smartphone in airplane mode and forgotten to switch it back? I don’t like feeling cut off from everything, so as soon as a flight lands, I eagerly get back online. My phone is usually flooded with notifications of messages, missed calls, and updates. I rarely neglect to connect when I have the option to do so. 

The mystery of Christ, embedded within us, grants us access to the treasures of God’s glory. Many of us unwittingly go through our days disconnected from this unlimited power of Grace. Instead, we operate in our limited capacity, playing games and going over images from the past. Even though we have the option, we remain spiritually disengaged. 

Are we ignorant of Christ within us? Do we not realize that we have access to His goodness?