When the LORD desires to do a work He uses human beings most of the time. Since creation He has involved us in His Work.
He could have used angels to go into all the world since He went back into heaven and preach the gospel. They would have done a better job. In the end we are told in Revelation an angel will complete this task.
The LORD has decided to use us to accomplish His purposes. All of us have abilities- God given talents, spiritual gifts which He wants us to use in His Kingdom.
Bezalal and Oholiab were chosen by God. Chosen= called by name
Bezalal= in the shadow of God
Oholiab= Father's tent He was the chief assistant in building the tabernacle.
First and above anything else, if a person desires to serve the LORD he or she must be filled with the Spirit of God. - v.3 That was the question of the New Testament church. not: How many does your church run in attendance or how much money do you raise? Not even how is your worship band? The question of the New Testament Church was, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Are you filled with the Spirit?
Far too often this is overlooked. When it does the results are disastrous. If a shepherd is filled with himself rather than the Spirit- pity that flock! We have seen too many whom did not have the to meet this qualification and the results have been tragic.
To be filled with God's Spirit is to be emptied of one's self.
To be filled with the Spirit of God means not depending on myself but on Him.
To be filled with the Spirit means power in serving the LORD.
Second, they were filled with skill, ability and knowledge. God provides us with the means of fulfilling his purposes. I remember the little book shelf I was given by Dan and Lillette Buttenmuller in Bible College. They had bought a set of encyclopedias and it came with it. They didn't need it anymore so they gave it to me. I still have it. It is in my study in the parsonage. On it back in the day I began my library. I remember over the year how pastors who went to be with the heaven and their widows would invite to help myself to the treasures of old books.- Rev. Jay Patton, Rev. Homer Smith and Rev. Hazard and a few living souls gave me books like dear Clair Umstead and Grant Cross I used some of them to prepare this message today.
God gives everyone abilities to serve Him.
We have some of the best cooks on earth in this church. They bring dinners to families in need. They quietly serve.
Look in your bulletin this morning- done by a graphic artist among us as a labor of love.
The church is germ free and clean because of a three people who will be here tomorrow while many of us are just getting up and cleaning this building from top to bottom. They quietly take care of this house.
The children are being taught downstairs this morning by ladies who know how to handle kids with Biblical material put together just for them.
Everything necessary to do God's work for us in this locale.
Some questions for us to ponder as you readers of the Sunday Morning Message Blog:
1. What are your God given abilities?
What are you passionate about?
Where are the broken places in your life?
Where is there pain in your life?
David wrote the Psalms - music/lyrics but after that decade of nightmarish hell he went through when Saul hunted him down and tried to kill him he wrote some of the most beautiful Psalms of healing and help for those in pain (Psalm 50-70)
2. What are you doing with your God given abilities right now?
The Church with all its faults is still the best serving organization on earth so get into it and serve!- E. Stanely Jones
3. What do you plan to do in the future with these God given abilities?
Only what is done for Christ will last, make it to eternity and last forever.
Jesus, Here Am I, Please Use Me
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