USE YOUR GIFTS FOR OTHERS

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”
(James 1:17).

I am continually amazed at our great God. God has given you specific gifts and talents that no one else in the world has. I am sure you notice this in your children too. God has created each one with different talents, abilities, and gifts. There is no one like them in the whole world and there will never be anyone like them again. Isn’t it amazing?

I often look at my grown children and I am amazed at their gifts and abilities. Where did they get them? They certainly didn’t get them from me. They have accomplished things that I couldn’t even dream about. I acknowledge their gifts come from God. He is the gift-giver. And because of this none of us can boast about any gift or talent we have. We would not even have it if God didn’t give it to us.

1 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) says: “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”

What does God want us to do with these gifts? He wants us to develop more gifts as we use what He gives to us (Matthew 25:14-30). And because He has given them to us, He wants us to use them to bless others. They are not really ours, for our pride or personal gain. They are given for the blessing of the world.

1 Peter 4:10 says: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Let me share some more translations with you.

JBP: “Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you, as faithful dispensers of the magnificently varied grace of God.”

AMP: “Just as each one of you has received a special gift (a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God), employ it in serving one another.”

I notice that God doesn’t say that He wants us to use our gifts for monetary gain. Yes, it is true that people’s gifts enable them to make money, provide for their families and many other families as well as they provide employment.

Many mothers use their gifts and creative abilities to create a home business that can help provide for their families. This can be a blessing, especially if you do it in the right season. There is always a season for everything. It is not wise to do this when you have little children. This can sometimes work out as your children grow older and often the children can eventually become part of the family business.

However, we must remember that God wants us to use our gifts to bless others because He wants people to be blessed. He is the blessing God. And He can only bless His people through His servants. Therefore, don’t feel you have to do everything for money. Do it for love. Do it to bless others. Give freely.

And don’t wait for some big ministry before you use your gift. Sometimes Above Rubies readers send me poems to include in the Above Rubies magazine. I don’t always have room to publish everything that comes to me. I encourage these lovely ladies to not wait for something to be published before they use it. Instead, you can write a poem for someone who is lonely and in need. Write it on a beautiful card and send it to them. You can write poems for your children and your husband. You can write rhymes and verses for Table Place Cards.

Are you a great cook? One day you may end up establishing a baking business from your home. But don’t wait for that. Bless your family with your wonderful cooking. Show hospitality. Bake and cook for those who are sick, for mothers with a new baby, and the elderly.

Whatever your gift, use it where you are. Use it for the people who are around you. As you are faithful to use it, God will open the bigger doors in His time and His way.

Acts 9:36-42 tells us the story of Dorcas who was “FULL OF GOOD WORKS and ALMSDEEDS which she did.” The word “almsdeeds” means “compassion, especially to the poor.” This word is not only used for the feeling of mercy but the action. That’s why it’s translated almsDEEDS! It is also translated “acts of charity.” It is love worked out in action.

You know the story of how when this woman died, they called for Peter who prayed for her, and she was raised from the dead. Before Peter prayed, verse 39 (TPT) says: “There were many widows standing next to Peter, weeping. One after another showed him the tunics and other garments that Tabitha (Dorcas) had made TO BLESS OTHERS.” She had a sewing gift which she didn’t use to establish a big business but to reach out to the poor and bless others.

Let’s not forget the most important reason for the talents God gives to us.

Love from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Thank you, dear Father, that You are the giver of all gifts. Please help me to use my gifts for the blessing of others and to do it with joy. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

HOW SHOULD WE DRESS?

“

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety . . . But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works”
(1 Timothy 2:9, 10).

If you have just read the above Scripture, you may wonder what it is talking about. The King James version uses words that we have never heard of today. They sound as though they come from another world. Well, perhaps they are from a different world in which we are living today. However, don’t get too dismayed. Come with me and let’s find out what they really mean.

I believe the Bible is our guideline for every aspect of life, even for what we wear. This Scripture gives us three guidelines:

1. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES MODESTLY

This word, kosmios, means to act in an orderly manner and behave well. Did you know that this word is only used one other time in the Bible? This time it refers to the character of a man who aspires to be an elder (1 Timothy 3:2) and is translated “good behavior.” A woman who dresses modestly understands what is right and doesn’t go beyond her conscience.

2. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES REVERENTLY

The word in the King James version is “shamefacedness.” No one uses this word today, so we better find out what it really means. The Greek word is aidos and means “downcast eyes, bashfulness, modesty, reverence.” Help! Does anyone have this attitude today?

One commentary says the word should be translated as “shamefastness.” In other words, we stand fast against bringing any shame or dishonor to God, to our husband, to our womanly nature, or to the people of God. Once again, this word is used only one other time in the Bible where it relates to both men and women. It is found in Hebrews 5:9 where it tells us to “serve God acceptably with reverence (aidos) and godly fear.” This is meant to be the behavior of both men and women.

The context of 1 Timothy 2:9 is in the gathering together of the saints. It’s not talking about the beach or the bedroom. It is talking about meeting with the people of God. We don’t wear clothes to church or a prayer meeting that we would wear to the beach or out hiking. We must wear what is appropriate.

I love the NLT translation: “Wear decent and appropriate clothing.”

The NET says: “suitable apparel” and the ESV says: “respectable apparel.”

God’s Word translation says: “I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable.”

And it comes back to us mothers. What are we teaching our children and our young people? What do we let them wear to church? Why do we let them wear jeans (and even those ugly ones with holes in them) to church? I see coming to church in shorts! Help! We are going to the house of God, not the beach! We must show reverence!

Robert Spinney, professor at Patrick Henry College in Virginia says that many men ask the question: “Why can’t we have at least one haven from tight clothing, cleavage, bare shoulders, and short skirts? Why can’t people be sure to dress modestly when they attend church meetings? I expect to be tempted by scandalous clothing when I go to a college campus, but God’s people shouldn’t have to face that kind of temptation at church services. Can’t Christians be more considerate of others?”

3. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH SELF CONTROL

The King James Version uses another old word, sobriety. It is the Greek word sophrosune and means:

soundness of mind, self-control, soberness,

habitual self-government with its constant reign on all the passions and desires,

the well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint,

safe-and-sound mindedness, and

sensibleness and sound judgment.

A sound godly mind knows that cleavage, bare shoulders, short skirts, and showing too much of the body is not appropriate clothing for public worship or even outside the home.

Let’s walk in the fear of God, serving Him and the body of Christ with reverence. This is how we serve God ACCEPTABLY.

PRAYER:

Dear Father, please forgive me for wearing that which is dishonoring to You. You were the first clothes designer and You made clothes to cover the body. You want us to cover our flesh, not to uncover. Please help me to faithful to teach my children how You want them to dress rather than how the world wants them to dress. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF MORE AND MORE, Part 11

“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever. Amen”
(2 Peter 3:18).

This is our last post on the MORE AND MORE kingdom today. I trust that you have been learning to live a MORE AND MORE lifestyle as we have been going through these Scriptures.

MORE WAITING ON GOD

Psalm 130:5, 6: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord MORE THAN they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

The late-night watch is the hardest watch. It is the hardest to keep awake and the watchmen are often longing for the morning. 

Other translations use the word “yearn” (NET) and “long” (NLT). Are you yearning for the Lord more and more? Do you yearn for Him “more than sentries yearn for the dawn”?

MORE WISDOM

Ecclesiastes 7:19: “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise MORE THAN ten mighty men which are in the city.”

Proverbs 4:7-9 says: “Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

We sure need MORE AND MORE wisdom each day, don’t we? Especially as we are parenting our children.

And what is the testimony of the Proverbs 31 woman? “She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

MORE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Hosea 6:6: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God MORE THAN burnt offerings.”

God does not want us to only know about Hin. We wants us to pursue Him, to seek after Him, and to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

We must GROW in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Are you growing? Are you getting to know Him more and more? The more we get to know Him, the more we can trust Him. Often people cannot fully put their trust in God because they don’t know Him. They don’t know He is the God who can be trusted. He is the faithful God. He is the unchanging God. His word is true from the beginning and from the beginning His word is true. Heaven and earth shall pass away before His word will pass away.

We have a load of people staying with us for the July 4 week celebrations. And therefore there were a lot of young people with us this morning for family devotions. I was telling them how when I was young, we were exhorted constantly from the pulpit to be faithful to have a Quiet Time each day. A Quiet Time consists of finding a time and a place to get away with God to read His Word and pray. Therefore, it became a habit of my life when I was young and to which I continue to keep today.

To grow physically, we must eat each day. To grow spiritually and in the knowledge of God, we must also eat from His word each day. Not haphazardly, but consistently and continually. Jesus said, “If ye CONTINUE in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:312).

We must GROW TO KNOW and we only grow by feeding upon His Word.

We leave this series with this final point.

MORE AND MORE AT HOME

Ephesians 3:17 (TLB): "And I pray that Christ will be MORE AND MORE at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust him. May your roots go down deep into the well of God's

This is the question. Will we let Christ possess more and more of our lives? Every part. Not holding anything back. Will we let Him possess more and more of our homes, so every square inch is filled with His glory and His presence? Amen and amen.

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, I thank you again that I am so blessed to belong to Your MORE AND MORE kingdom. I want to be filled more and more with our Holy Spirit. I want my mind and heart to be filled more and more with Your Word. I don’t want to live a shallow life but to live in the more and more of Your kingdom life. Amen,

AFFIRMATION:

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF MORE AND MORE, Part 10

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved”
(Psalm 55:22).

MORE REIGNING IN LIFE

Romans 5:17: “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; MUCH MORE they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN IN LIFE by one, Jesus Christ.”

What a wonderful Scripture. You have to read it over and over to comprehend it. Once again it speaks of our MUCH MORE life in Christ Jesus. When Christ lives in us, it is not just a life of surviving. It is a life of reigning. How can you go under when Christ dwells in you? In every situation yield to His life which is a reigning life.

MORE REWARD

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a FAR MORE EXCEEDING and ETERNAL WEIGHT of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

This Scripture encourages us to look beyond the trials that we go through in life to see the eternal reward. Are you going through a difficult time? It seems as though it is forever, doesn't it? It feels heavy and bows you down. But, in the eyes of eternity, God calls it “a light affliction, which is but for a moment."

As you trust God in your trials, look what it will do for you. It will work for you a "far MORE exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Just a minute. There is more. Can you count the adjectives? God uses five adjectives to describe the glory that we will receive. Speak these adjectives out loud. They will encourage you mightily.

MORE SERVING

Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 9:19: “I have made myself servant unto all.”

Again, he says in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “I labored MORE ABUNDANTLY than they all.” He wasn’t afraid of hard work. He poured out soul and body for the gospel.

In Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul testifies of MORE serving and suffering for Christ. Verse 23 says: “. . . I am MORE; in labors MORE ABUNDANT . . . “

Most people want to do the least when it comes to getting involved. When there is clean up and dishes to be done, they disappear. Paul was the opposite. He did MORE than anyone else. What a great attitude to have. We ourselves, and we should teach our children, that when something needs being done to always be the one who does MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.

MORE SPEAKING IN TONGUES

1 Corinthians 14:198: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues MORE THAN YOU ALL.”

I wasn’t going to use this Scripture as speaking in tongues is controversial to many people. However, how can I compromise when it is in the Bible? I have just written this Scripture straight from the Bible.

It seems that Paul did a lot of things more than anyone else. He worked harder than anyone else. And now he tells them that he speaks in tongues more than anyone else. Well, if the apostle Paul was doing this, what should we be doing? He continually told the young Christians to look at his life and to follow him.

Romans 11:1: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Read also Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 5;1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; and 2 Thessalonians 3:9.

The Bible tells us that speaking in tongues edifies the spirit. It may not edify the intellect, but it builds up the inner man. Read 1 Corinthians 14:4, 14, 15; Ephesians 5:18; and Jude 1:20

MORE VALUE

Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a fathering? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father; But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of MORE VALUE than many sparrows.” Read also Luke 12:6-7.

Even though God is so high, He cares for the little sparrows. However, He reminds us that we are of MORE VALUE than them. Dear mother, God is watching over every little incident that happens in your home. Cast all your cares upon Him, the big and the little. He cares for you MORE than you realize.

PRAYER:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that Your life is a MORE ABUNDANT life and You have come to dwell in my life. Thank You that I do not have to live under my circumstances, groaning and depressed, because Your life is a reigning life. Help me to reign over my difficulties because the power of Your life that is within me. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION: