Maturity

Bear Your Gifts

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.  Romans 12:6-8

Here Paul lists a few of the gifts God has given to people. This short list includes: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and acts of mercy. There are more, but these are known in the Christian circle as motivational gifts. Every person you meet will possess and be dominate in at least one of these characteristics. The process of life is to discover which gift(s) you possess. Then exercise that gift for the benefit of others. And there lies the challenge.

It takes godly character to bear your gifts.

What often happens is one becomes prideful over their giftedness. We begin to compare our self with others or try to be something we are not. Or we may become envious of others for their giftedness. At times we may boast of our gifts. Or we may think our gift is more important than others and try to manipulate others for our cause. At times we may get irritated or depressed over others. The battle to walk in Christ-likeness with the heart of a humbled servant is forgotten. Our inward bent heart is running amuck.

Yes, it takes godly character to bear your gifts.

But when you use your gifts for your personal ego trip, you have loss the way. Your giftedness has taken over your soul. Instead of a spirit of godliness shining through, selfish ambition reigns. Your character is broken and you don’t realize the consequences until it’s too late.

Yep, it takes godly character to bear one’s gifts.

Jesus knows.

This is why HE made HIS kingdom available for all people. When one submits their kingdom under the authority of HIS Lordship, life takes on a new approach. HE empowers you with HIS Spirit. HE opens your eyes to a new worldview. You begin to see the world and its people through HIS eyes. You begin to hang out more with HIM. As you do you learn to follow HIS lead. HE begins to work with you to shape your character after HIS. Over time, you become more and more like HIM. You begin to taste eternal life now.

You find the trials and challenges of life shape your character after HIS. Life takes on new meaning and purpose. Everything you do becomes a moment of sharing time and space with HIM. HE shows you how to use your giftedness for HIS glory and for the sake of others. In the process you benefit. But overall, you live a life that reflects God’s way. You become a witness of HIS kingdom. As you exercise your gifts for the sake of others, you lift up Jesus as your Rabbi, Lord, and Friend. You gladly introduce others to the Jesus you have come to know.

Yes, it takes godly character to bear one’s gifts. That is one reason why we all need a relationship with Jesus.    

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Maturing Prayer

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.   (John 17:1-5)

This is one of the few prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. This is only the introductory part of a much longer prayer. HE spoke these words with HIS Father before He was taken into government custody. What jumped out to me this time as I read it related to a recent discipleship mentoring session.

The person is a recent convert. He surrendered to Lord Jesus a little over one year ago. He is currently carrying a lot of excess baggage from his previous lifestyle. Our sessions are focused on discussing practical theology and Christian living principles. In each session, I would generally open our meeting in prayer and he would close out.

In hindsight, his prayers have matured over time. In the beginning, the emphasis was on himself. His pain. His hope. His suffering. Currently, his prayers are now also focused on the pain of others. The hope for others. To ease the suffering of others. His mind is now focused on himself and others. This is a good thing. We are moving in a healthy direction.

We are now waiting as the Spirit continues HIS work in him. We are looking for a breakthrough. When his focus will also include glorifying God and seeking HIS Will through the outcome.

You may notice Jesus’ prayer not only addressed his needs and those around him, but also Father God’s. That HIS Will be glorified in the process. Him. Others. God. The maturing prayer addresses all three in the same breath.

Yes, we petition our heavenly Father because we need help. We also realize there are others involved that need HIS help. Plus we desire to support our heavenly Father that HIS purpose and Will is executed in the outcome. So at the end of day, HE is lifted up and manifested. HE is glorified.

God. Others. Me. The desire for a good outcome for all three are included. This is the maturing process of prayer. The heart of a prayer warrior becomes more like their teacher. Their prayer follows the example of Jesus himself.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Mature in Christ

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28

How do you define maturity?

When my daughter was around six years old, she was misbehaving. I don’t recall the exact behavior. But do remember looking at her and in a serious tone of voice asking her why she doesn’t behave her age. Then I broke out laughing. She was acting like a six-year old. My expectations were out of kilter.

Looking back, she was always mature for her age. For maturity isn’t about one’s age, but how one behaves and acts in their season of life.

If you live long enough, you will witness sixty-year-olds behave like six-year-olds. You will also see six-year-olds at times behave like sixty-year-olds. Maturity is the aging process of learning how to apply wisdom in the situation you are in. As we grow and accept responsibility, we discover our strengths and purpose. We also find meaning in the service of others. We mature.

The human growth cycle involves accepting responsibility. Healthy young adults seek responsibility or have responsibility thrust upon them. The outcome is growth of character. Character includes learning the art of patience, handling conflict, and helping others to flourish. Like Jesus (Lk. 2:40,52), as more responsibility is accepted for serving others, one grows in wisdom, judgement, and stature.

For example, as an eleven-year-old, I delivered newspapers door-to-door. I learned responsibility. My job description included collecting payment, managing money, and paying suppliers. Later as a sixteen-year-old, I was given the responsibility to manage a large food concession. There I learned to supervise others, deal with customers, and manage food operations. Each season brought new responsibilities. Others depended on me. I grew from the experience.

As children of the living God, HE is likewise giving us responsibility now to prepare us for eternity. HE has plans for you and I when we crossover into the new world. Included in the training is learning how to act and behave as a representative of HIS family and kingdom. We are currently babes in Christ. Yet we yearn to know more. To experience more. Though we are immature in God’s eyes, HE still allows us to play house until we are ready for the real thing.

We are to set aside our childish ways (1 Cor.13:11). To grasp the responsibility of being a Christ-follower. Then we will begin to experience the fruit of maturity in Christ.

As members of HIS body the Church, we all have been given gifts and abilities to serve one another. As we exercise these gifts in service for others, we mature in Christ. As we allow God’s Spirit to express Himself through us, we mature in Christ. As we help others to capture the vision of HIS Kingdom, we mature in Christ.

As we accept our responsibility as a member of HIS Church and a citizen of HIS Kingdom, doors will open for us to mature in Christ. As we mature in Christ, we discover our purpose. We find meaning through our work and service for others. And like all God’s ways, when one follows Christ, everyone else around us also benefits in the long-term.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved