What do you do with what God has given you?

So I had set myself the challenge of spending the month of August thinking of ways that we can use our gifts for God. Now it is September, you can see how I lived up to that challenge. Still, that is not to say that I didn't think about what it means to give our gifts and how to use them for the glory of God.

One thing that did strike me and that I thought was worth sharing was the concept of stealing from God if we do not use our gifts in the right way. If we don't use the money that God has given us responsibly or in a way that is not demonstrating good stewardship we are stealing from God. If we don't use our talents to the best of our ability as God has commanded us, we are stealing from God. If we don't use the time God has given us to his glory, if we waste time, we are stealing from God because we are not using what he has given us in the right way.

This brings to mind the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14 - 30). In that parable, the servants who invest their talents and use their talents to the 'glory' of their master are rewarded and praised for what they do. But the servant who didn't do anything with what he had received had it taken from him and was "cast into the outer darkness". Everything that we have has been given to us from God and we have to invest it in a way that gives Him glory.

So, what do you do with what God has given you?

The Secret of Contentment

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12)

If only... ... ... If only I had an amazing (real) leather jacket. If only I had more reading books (and an amazing library to put them all in). If only I was finished my uni degree. If only I were healthier and fitter. If only I didn't get sick so often. If only I were 5kg lighter. If only there were more time in each day. Does any of this sound like you? How often do we catch ourselves thinking about what we don't have, or what we aren't?

Last Saturday (the 4th of August) I went to the Perth Women's Convention and the topic was Contentment. It was an amazing day filled with motivational speeches and inspirational life stories. The speaker for the day was  Sarie King. She had three speeches, each of them focussing on a passage from the Bible which focussed on being content and how we have to work at being content.

So what is the secret of contentment. In Philippians, Paul says that he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Contentment is not based on our personality or the circumstances that we are in. Contentment is something that we have to learn. We have to learn to find contentment in every circumstance, despite the circumstances. So how do we learn to be happy and satisfied in all our circumstances?


As Jerry Bridges says in His book The Practice of Godliness: 
"Contentment is one of the most distinguishing traits of the godly person, because a godly person has his heart focussed on God rather than on possessions or position or power.
The idea of contentment in the Bible is most often associated with possessions or money, but ther are other areas of life in which we need to be content. After possessions, probably the most common need it to learn contentment with our place in society or in the body of Christ.
Still a third area that demands our practice of contentment is the providence of god in such varied circumstances such as physical limitations and afflictions, privations and unpleasant neighbours or living situations, trials and even persecutions. 

If we look at the next verse in Philippians 4, we read I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (vs. 13). It is by the strength of Christ that Paul has learnt how to be content and it is in the same way that we can learn how to be content. We can find satisfaction regardless of our circumstances because Christ is working in us. Knowing that Christ is working in us, we can rest in the assurance that all things work together for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We can be content and know that God is looking after everything. That is not to say that overnight we can be content. It is something that we should continue to work at because it doesn't come immediately. We have to grow in trust with God and know that we can give all the worry to Him, because he is in control.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). Bring everything before God, knowing that he is in control. Know that we have everything we need in Him, He is sufficient for all.


**** The convention was run by the organisation Christian Conventions of WA (ccowa.org) and I strongly recommend that others become involved. There is a mens one coming up on the 8th of Sept on the topic of Temptation and there are other events that they run as well. Have a look at the website for more details.

Showing thankfulness for what we have been given

On this blog there are several posts about how much God has given us and how much we have to be thankful for. Last year, I went through 30 days, each day counting another blessing and there are also other posts speaking of how much we have been given and how our hearts should be overflowing with thankfulness for it all. There is so much that God has given us! There is so much that gives us reason to be filled with thankfulness and gratitude to God.

If we are given a gift that we love from a friend or family member, we show that we are thankful for the gift by using it with joy. How do we show that we are thankful for the gifts God has given us? How do we use these gifts? What does God command us to do with these gifts?

My challenge for myself, and to all of you reading this, is to focus on how we use the gifts that we have been given. Study the Bible to see what we are commanded to do with these gifts, read books and use them. Over the next month, I plan to post updates and ideas and passages from the Bible about how we are to use the gifts God has given us. I hope that you will also join me in this challenge.

Step out of your comfort zone

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone 

~ Neale Donald Walsch 

Stepping out of our comfort zone can be hard, but really it's where the magic happens. Would we really learn anything if we didn't dare take a step away from what we know and are comfortable with, would we really have any new experiences that way? Would we really be able to achieve greatness and bring glory to God in everything that we did if we only stayed with what we were comfortable with?

My last post was about how to seize each moment and make the most of our time here on earth. A big part of that is to step outside of your comfort zone.  So my challenge for you today is to take a step forward, a step away from what you know and into the unknown. Move out of your comfort zone.

Make every moment count

God has given us many gifts, and we have the responsibility to use these gifts wisely. Think of the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30). The servants who invested their talents and multiplied them were blessed while the servant who hid the talent in the ground had it taken away from him. We have to use what we have been given in the best way possible; in the most God magnifying, God glorifying way.

Every day, every hour, every moment we are here on earth is a gift.  God has given us the wonderful gift of life and he has given us time to spend this life. Isn't that amazing? The thing is, how do we spend that time? How do we make sure that we invest the time that God has given us in the best way that brings glory and honour to His name?

This is something that I have been thinking about over this past week. I can't say that I have all the answers, and it's definitely something I need to word at. I've started writing a list to help me

• love EVERYONE
• Don't waste time, fill your days with purpose. Wake up each morning knowing what you will accomplish
• Count your blessings. You have so much, don't get caught up with what others have. 
• be content
• Laugh lots
• Be busy. That way you won't waste time.
• Pray constantly  
• Know that God is with you every moment of every day. 
• surround yourself with family and friends
• always have faith
• don't worry what others think of you, think about what God thinks of you
• Make at least 3 others smile (or laugh) each day
• Take time to breathe and appreciate the time you have been given

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...

I just finished reading the book When people are Big and God is small, by Edward, T. Welch. It was a really good book that looked at how we value those around us and fear them instead of fearing God. Welch moved through helping the reader to see how they are dependent on others and their opinion and how we can replace that fear with the fear of God.

The point of this post is not to provide a book review(even though I found it to be good book and recommend that you read it). I just wanted to highlight that we are so often dependent on others. We value their opinions, we want to be loved and appreciated by others. BUT instead of being dependant on others, we should depend on God. Instead of worrying about what other people think we should be thinking about what God thinks. Instead of wanting to be loved by others we should want to be loved by God, want to love God and want to share that love with others.

So instead of worrying about others and what they think, fill your self with the fear of God. Learn how to be in awe of God, learn to be amazed by what he has done. Learn that even though he is an all powerful, all knowing God, He loves you and He protects his children.

30 ways to glorify the name of God

Hallowed be your name; the first petition of the Lord's prayer. How often do you pray that yet not really think of the responsibility you have in making sure that you do hallow the name of the Lord.

In my personal study last night before going to bed, I was challenged to think of 30 ways to hallow the name of God. I've decided to write that list on here to and would like to challenge you to do the same either by following my list or writing a list of your own.

1. Have a positive attitude towards uni work and assignments >> a positive attitude towards this show that you are glorifying God in what you are doing. This might be hard to do at times but think of your task here on earth, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)
2. Wake up each morning with joy, ready to face the day >> if you're anything like me this one will be hard, but if we wake with energy and excitement for the day ahead we are one step closer to hallowing God's name throughout the day. Jump out of bed with joy!
3.  Think about the way you spend your 'free' time >> Don't waste time!! Think of something constructive to do!!!
4. By acknowledging that everything you have has been given to you from God >> God has given you everything!! The time we have, the money we have, the friends we have, our talents, EVERYTHING we have has been given to you from the hand of God. Remember that.
5. Work hard >> do the best that you can by putting all your effort into what you are doing.
6. Take every opportunity you can to learn more about God >> spend time reading the Bible everyday. Not just because it's what you're supposed to do but because you want to learn more about God.
7. Pray constantly >> speak to God every chance you can. You have LOTS of chances and if you take advantage of them then you are glorifying God by showing what an important role he plays in your life.
8. Consciously be thankful for the wonderful gift Christ has given us by his death >> stop and reflect on how wonderfully great this gift is. We are alive only by Christ!!!! How can we not be thankful for this. When we are consciously thankful for what we have been given we bring forth fruits of thankfulness which are ultimately glorifying God.
9. Think about the movies and/or TV shows you watch >> how do they glorify God? What are they saying about God? Think about this rater than just watching them.
10. Use your gifts to help others >> God has given you so much. Share what you have with others who don't have it. If you have the gift of music share it with someone who doesn't or would really appreciate it. You have the gift of time, spend it with someone who really needs the company. You have the gift of money, give it to someone who needs it. You have the gift of knowledge, share it with someone and support their own learning... ... 
11. Love your neighbour >> show love to everyone! 
12. Make the most of every opportunity you have to tell others about God >> see your interactions with others as opportunities to tell others about God. 
13. Be actively involved in Church life  >> don't be content to just go to Church each sunday. Attend Bible study, organise events or fundraisers, 
14. Be inspired by others >> read biographies and autobiographies about people who spent their life glorifying God. 
15. Listen to Christian music >> fill your iPod with music that glorifies God so that the songs that are stuck in your head are bringing honour to his name. 
16. Soak up the glory of God in nature >> go on bush walks or other adventures and soak up the scenery. Take awe in the majesty of God behind what you see
17. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in your life >> it can be easy to underestimate the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Pray for him to work in your life so that you can do everything to the honour and glory of God.
18. Be open about your faith and share the struggles that you have >> have someone who you can talk to and who can support you in glorifying God in everything that you do. Speak to them about some of the struggles that you have with your faith - be open.
19. Show your faith by your works >> James 2:18. Remember that you show others that you are a Christian by what you do.
20. Show the fruits of the spirit >> love, joy, peace, patience, kindness ... ... 
21. Confess your sins >> don't just pray for forgiveness of sins but pray for forgiveness for each of the sins you have done. By focussing on the individual sins you become more aware of the wonderful gift of forgiveness that you have been given and then you are even more thankful.
22. Rejoice always >> we have so many things to rejoice in. Think about them and meditate on them. 
23. Praise God >> as my pastor said in his sermon on sunday morning: "Joy reaches it's highest when you praise God." 
24. Pray for others >> be aware of the needs of others both within your church congregation and in the wider community and pray for those people. Pray for your friends and family, even pray for those whom you don't have a good relationship with. In praying for them you become more aware of their needs and also you are more aware of them in your interactions with them. 
25. Be thankful >> think of everything that you have and be filled with thankfulness for it.
26. Interact with people who also want to glorify God >> spend time with friends and family who have the same purpose in life, they will help you to glorify God in what you do
27. Acknowledge that every situation we are in is from the hand of God >> God brings all the circumstances that we are in, be it health or sickness, poverty or riches... ... Glorify Him in whatever circumstances you find yourself.
28. Glorify God in the language you use >> speak positive words to everyone. Share the love of God in your words. 
29. Have purpose behind everything you do >> do everything for a reason. If you are going to do something think about the purpose behind it.
30. Ask yourself how you are glorifying God in what you are doing >> reflect on what you are doing, don't just do it without thinking. 

I hope that others will find these words as inspiring as I did when I wrote them down. It's a big challenge to keep!