Ready, Willing and Able

Ready, Willing and Able

1 Corinthians 12: ⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. ⁵ There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. ⁶ There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. ⁷ The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

 

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Learning how to drive seemed like something that took a long time, even though the class was only a semester. I was willing to drive people anywhere they wanted to go, but I did not know the rules of the road, nor did I own a car. I also was not old enough. “When will I ever be able to drive?!” I wondered impatiently.

 

• I really wanted something I was not ready for.
• I was willing but not able.
• I felt I had the potential, but I needed to wait to use it.

 

Paul begins to explain spiritual gifts. The beginning of the lesson shows where the gifts come from, namely the HOLY SPIRIT. Each person is given their own gift which makes him or her ready to serve the LORD. But he says something strange. He says “GOD gives ability to all for their particular service.” Timing is everything.

 

My Observations

• GOD gave me a special gift, by the HOLY SPIRIT, that no one else has.
• GOD wants me to be willing to use my special gift to serve the LORD by serving HIS people.
• GOD wants me to be patient when HE says wait, for it is HE who provides the opportunities.

 

Being willing to serve the LORD is a wonderful, yet confusing thing. I mean, sometimes our desire to serve the LORD may be sincere, but how we think we should serve HIM may not align with HIS timing or audience. I may be willing right now, but HE has a particular person in mind who is not ready to hear a message from me.

 

HE also has my needs in HIS plan. I may not be ready to serve but HE will provide me with the right gift and audience at HIS time. This requires patience. I gladly wait on HIS audience, in HIS timing to serve HIS people the way HE wants me to serve them.

 

Challenge

• Are you willing to serve the LORD?
• What do you notice about where the spiritual gifts come from?
• What do you notice about the word ‘different’ spoken here?
• Will you seek to use your gifts and talents “for the good of all” today?

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Acts 11: ²⁷ And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. ²⁹ Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. ³⁰ This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

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“Please list your KSA’s” was the direction given to me when applying for a job. “KSA’s?” I questioned. “Yes, your knowledge, skills and abilities” she replied. I was willing to do this because a job awaited on the other side of this activity, or at least I hoped.

• Many times I used my knowledge at work so I could get a paycheck.
• Many times I used my skills at work so I could get a raise.
• Many times I used my abilities at work so I could get a promotion and have a bigger paycheck.

Agabus, a prophet, was warned by the HOLY SPIRIT that there would be a terrible famine. Relief was needed in Judea. The disciples became that relief, each according to their abilities.

• GOD wants me to use my knowledge to bring relief to people.
• GOD wants me to use my skills to help people in need.
• GOD wants me to use my abilities to serve people.

Gifts and talents are not to be wasted. From simple skills to complex, GOD wants me to use what HE provided to me to assist others. It’s not always about money. GOD may want me to do something as simple as picking up the trash off of the parking lot of my apartment while praying for my neighbors.

GOD sent me into the world, not to become part of the world, but to bring HIS message of love. When times are difficult, HE wants me to use what HE gave me to help. I am grateful for the purpose HE has given me.

• Do you have knowledge, skills and abilities that you are only using for work?
• Do you have gifts and talents you have not used in a while because you work a lot?
• Will you use what you have learned or your natural talents to help someone in need for GOD today?

Cautious Confidence

Cautious Confidence

John 13: ³⁶ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

³⁷ Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

³⁸ Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

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“I will never do that again” I said in haste. I was so relieved to be out of the bad situation, so I exclaimed how I would “never” get back into the same problem. Maybe a day or so passed and I found myself tiptoeing around the thing that got me in trouble in the first place.

• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to stay away from sin.
• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to follow what GOD says I should be doing.
• There have been times when I just knew I would never sin again and be perfect for the rest of my life.

Peter was perplexed by JESUS’s words of leaving. “Where are YOU going LORD?” Peter inquired. JESUS had already explained that HE was going to die and be raised, so HE said “You will, in fact, follow ME, but not now.”  Peter in his zeal said “I am willing to lay down my life for YOU.” JESUS said “You will deny ME.”

• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS abilities, not mine.
• GOD wants me to understand that my Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.
• GOD wants me to know there will be times when I will do what I do not want to do and other times when I will do what HE wants me to do.

Being excited about GOD is great. I mean HE cares for me and is the most powerful being there is. Siding with HIM can give me confidence that HE can resolve any situation I can get in. But my confidence needs to be proceeded with caution. I should also know that I am still a sinner who fights temptation daily. My confidence is in GOD’s forgiveness when I am weak.

• Do you have a lot of self-confidence?
• Do you like to control the situation because of your lack of confidence in others?
• Will you place less confidence in your abilities and more confidence in GOD’s love for you?

Acquired Skill

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

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“Impossible” I said. I mean this task placed in front of me was way too hard. The person tried explaining it to me and even showing me but I still could not see how to do this humungous feat. I acquiesced to try again. I got on the bike and rode past 4 maybe five houses this time! Maybe I can do this!

• Sometimes life seems difficult.
• Sometimes life seems hard to master.
• Sometimes life can have tasks that seem impossible.

JESUS was and is the ultimate teacher. As the boat was tossed about, HE laid silently asleep on a pillow. These skilled fishermen had seen storms before and probably knew of people who had died in similar squalls. “Don’t you care?!” is a familiar exclamation I use to GOD when times get tough and it is the same question the disciples used.

• JESUS says to me “I AM teaching you little by little to have faith in ME.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not focus on the storm, focus on ME.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM right here so do not worry.”

After reading this passage in the past, I thought JESUS was a little unreasonable. I mean this is a life threatening crisis, “Why aren’t YOU sending out legions of angels to save the people who follow you?” is my first thought. JESUS says “I AM not worried” IS your lesson.

JESUS knows more about the situation than I do. HE knew the storm would not harm the disciples and the storms of life cannot harm me. Somehow, through all the worry, fretting and doubting, JESUS has ALWAYS come through. HE wants me to grow up to accept HIS way of doing things and grow my faith as an acquired skill.

• Are you worried, fearful and doubtful?
• What has GOD brought you through in the past?
• Is GOD trying to mature you by appearing to be asleep during your crisis?
• Will you calm down for a moment to observe how HE can sleep even though HE is getting wet in the waves of life with you?

Gifts and Talents

Matthew 25: ¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

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“Wow, you are talented” someone said to me for the first time. I was used to being ostracized and laughed at. “How do you do that?” they asked. “I don’t know… I just do it. I replied. It felt good to be noticed for something good for a change.

• Every once in a while I have been recognized for a talent.
• Every once in a while I have been recognized for what I could do.
• Every once in a while I have been given an award or a pat on the back for “my” accomplishments.

After a while I craved positive validation from the crowd and I got it. Soon “I” was the one who could solve any and every problem. I wasn’t thankful for “my” talents.

• GOD wants me to be thankful for the talents HE gave me.
• GOD wants me to use the abilities HE gave me to grow HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants me to recognize that nothing I do comes from “me” rather it was HE who created me.

JESUS starts off the story with an analogy of money as a gift HE gives to people according to their ability. HE gave me my gifts and talents according to what I could handle. I do not need to be jealous of others.

• Are you jealous over someone’s talents?
• Do you think your abilities come from you or GOD?
• Can you acknowledge that GOD has given you gifts and wants you to use them for HIS kingdom?

Nothing is Impossible

Matthew 17: ¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Faith is a strange thing. It is not enveloped in my lust, desires or sight. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. But what should I hope for? Should I hope to be the richest person on the planet? Should I hope that a person be healed from a terminal illness?

• GOD loves when I align my desires with HIS.
• GOD sees my tiny faith and couples it to HIS.
• GOD gets excited when I use my faith for something HE believes in.

Sometimes I thought faith was having magical powers to do some impossible things… quite the contrary. GOD wants me to believe HE can do anything and have the faith to watch the situation unfold in HIS timing.

• Faith takes time to grow as I account for the many times GOD has rescued me.
• Faith means I watch GOD at work daily to understand just how amazing HE is.
• Faith is quite powerful and only comes from GOD.

When I think “I” have to have faith I fail. When I believe GOD can do anything and I rely on HIM I succeed abundantly!

• Do you have faith in GOD?
• Do you believe HE can do anything?
• Will you allow HIM to handle the situation, HIS way in HIS time?

Willing and Able

Matthew 9: ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

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“Fall backwards” were the words of a neighbor that I trusted. We had a great idea that we would roll like a circus act, instead I hit my head squarely on the concrete! Years later, at a leadership retreat, those words appeared again. “Fall backwards!” “Hmm… should I trust my team?” ran across my mind.

• Sometimes I treat GOD according to my measure of trust in HIM.
• Sometimes I treat GOD like HE has no powers at all.
• Sometimes I treat GOD as a human with limited abilities.

Life has dealt out a number of blows that could be jarring to anyone’s faith. After feeling the concrete pain of challenges should I really trust GOD? Yes!

• GOD wants me to seek HIM with all my heart and all my soul.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for the impossible and believe HE can and will deliver me.
• GOD wants me to believe and receive according to the measure of my faith in HIM.

Dream small, get small. If I only believe that GOD is the GOD of finding lost keys and growing my career, then HE will probably only deliver that. BUT GOD wants me to dream bigger. HE wants me to believe HE can do anything according to HIS will.

HE wants me to have so many heavenly riches, all I need to do is ask. GOD is willing and able!

• Do you think GOD is small?
• When is the last time you asked HIM to handle something large?
• Will you stop trying to be GOD and let HIM perform miracles in your life?

Foolish Pride

Isaiah 10: ¹² When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. ¹³ For he says:

“‘By the strength of my hand I have done this,
    and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
    I plundered their treasures;
    like a mighty one I subdued their kings.

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After praying a few times, I finally got a promotion. This felt great as it seemed like my career was pretty stagnant at the time. About a year after my promotion, it was time for another evaluation. I had worked pretty hard and felt I needed another promotion. I received an average on my evaluation and was passed up for the promotion. I was clearly upset in the meeting. “Look at all the things ’I’ have done.” I exclaimed.

• Sometimes I think more highly of myself.
• Sometimes I think I am the one with the abilities.
• Sometimes I think people owe me things.

It is amazing at what I became proud of. I was proud of my work. I was proud of my bank account and I was proud of my abilities. I made sure the people around me knew I was the person who should be chosen. BUT GOD wanted me to act different.

• GOD said to me “Humble yourself and I will be your guide.”
• GOD said to me “Turn from your wicked ways and watch ME do a marvelous work in you.”
• GOD said to me “Do not think more highly of yourself.”

Pride is hard to see because my ego blinds. I mean, it is hard to see GOD when I think “I” did things on my own. After a while I think GOD did not put me in the position, rather it had to be “my” own abilities. GOD wants me to credit HIM with everything and accept where HE raises me up or lowers me to. HE wants me to point at HIM for every accomplishment and praise HIM for where HE places me.

• Do you have a problem with your life?
• Do you think you “deserve” better?
• Do you need people to admit things to you?
• Can you examine yourself to see if you have pride and ask GOD to remove it?

No More Wise Guy

Proverbs 3: ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones

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“You are the best” people told me. Soon I had an attitude that I was the best. I received a number of awards and people were asking me questions daily. “They will never get rid of me, I’m too valuable” I said to myself.

• Sometimes I trust in my abilities.
• Sometimes I trust in the things I can control.
• Sometimes I trust in me and my book learning.

I loved being the answer man. People would have to line up to get the answers from me and it felt quite nice. I mean who cares that some people did not like me. They were just jealous, right? Wrong!

• GOD wants me to have HIS wisdom which include humility.
• GOD wants me to have HIS wisdom which does not include fear of humans rather fear of the LORD.
• GOD wants me to have HIS wisdom and not calculate what is wrong, rather see that GOD can perform miracles.

I have seen people in my family with incurable diseases get healed. I have seen dire situations go from extremely bad to wonderful. GOD is the only being I can trust when things seem to go wrong. I cannot trust my thinking because it will let me down. I cannot trust my ability because upon observation, they are severely lacking. BUT I can trust in the LORD and lean not on my own understanding.

The wisest of the wise will be confounded, but I will follow the LORD and HE will guide my paths.

• Are you going through something?
• Do you think you have the answer or know the cause?
• Can you place your trust in the LORD today and know HE love you?
• Will you let HIM heal your body and nourishment to your bones?

I have talent

1 Kings 7: ¹³ King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought Huram, ¹⁴ whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.

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“You are good with math” is the one tiny statement that spring-boarded my career.  If it wasn’t for that statement, I never would have gone into the career I went into.  Looking back, I wasn’t really “good” with math, but somehow I was able to enter the world of technology. “Somehow.”

• It is GOD who gives me talent.
• It is GOD who gives me skills.
• It is GOD who gives me purpose.

GOD gives each person a unique talent that only they can do. Sometimes it is wasted in the pursuit of money so the talents and skills blend in and look similar, thus competition begins.  GOD sees me as an individual and has granted me an exquisite assignment that only I can accomplish.

I am sent to be at the right place, at the right time to say the right words to the right person. Only I can do this, no one else. All of the situations and circumstances of my life are unique to me and only my words can penetrate the heart of the one person I was put here to communicate with.

God has given me a mission and I shouldn’t waste it.  I have a finite time to be on this earth. I should use some of it to further GOD’s kingdom with the talent HE has bestowed on me.

• Where do you think your talents come from?
• Do you feel you are “self-made?”
• Can you give GOD credit for your skills?
• If you feel you have no skills then can you ask GOD to show you what your special purpose is?
• Won’t you stop trying to be special and realize your are special to GOD?

Do not be afraid!

Joshua 10: ²⁵ Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

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Staring at the posting, I convinced myself I could not do the job! I mean it seemed too hard and I wasn’t that smart and besides… “what if I fail?”

• I will always be inadequate for a task when I am full of fear.
• I will always be wrong for the job when I am full of doubt.
• I will always be wondering when will I become successful if I never try something out of my comfort zone.

Every time I said “It’s too hard, or I can’t possibly achieve that” I am defeated before I start. I then wonder, “What would have happened if I had tried whatever I didn’t try.” Fear holds me down!

• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid” because HE is with me!
• GOD says to me “Do not be discouraged” because HE is the one with infinite resources.
• GOD says to me “Be strong and courageous” because my weakness is strength as long as I lean on HIS might! 

I can’t trust in my own abilities, knowledge, or talent.  It is GOD who raises humans up to the positions they strive for so my fear of failure is unwarranted. I must put my trust in GOD and let HIM fight my battles and HE will win and make me prosper.

• What is holding you back?
• Are you fighting a battle that GOD should fight?
• Do you think you can win with your own wit or strength?
• Won’t you believe that GOD will deliver you?
• Can you recognize GOD’s might and seek HIS power?

Where do good things come from?

Leviticus 1: ² “‘He must take it to the priests who are in Aaron’s family line. A priest must take a handful of the fine flour and oil. He must mix it with all of the incense. Then he must burn that part on the altar. It will be a reminder that all good things come from the Lord. It is an offering that is made with fire. It gives a smell that is pleasant to the Lord.

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Tears flowed from my eyes as my coworkers and family gathered together to celebrate my award. “I” had worked hard and “I” stayed up many nights making sure “my” project was complete and right. I was invited to a dinner with the CEO and many of the top executives.  “I” did it!

• Sometimes I forget to thank GOD for my abilities and talents.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD is the one who raises me up.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD has the right to tear me down.
• Sometimes I forget that it’s not about me but it’s about GOD.

GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM, even trials. Yes, trials are good because they can strengthen me where I am weak. I must recognize GOD as being the ultimate giver and forgiver. HE put rules in place to remember HIM because mankind would easily forget who and what HE is.

• GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to remember that I need a savior as often as I can.
• GOD wants me to remember to sprinkle a little “salt” on the world as a reminder of HIS everlasting covenant.

It’s easy for me to think I accomplished all that I have accomplished. BUT GOD wants me to recognize that everything I do has to go through HIS will. I can do nothing without GOD.

• Do you think you accomplish things on your own?
• Do you believe you lack talents because GOD forgot to give them to you?
• Can you recognize that GOD made you perfect?
• Won’t you stop thinking the situation you are in is bad and see GOD has a perfect plan for where you are?

Does GOD stop giving skills?

Exodus 35: ³⁴ “And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab the ability to teach others. Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, is from the tribe of Dan.

³⁵ “The Lord has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work. They carve things and make patterns. They sew skillfully with blue, purple and bright red yarn and on fine linen. They use thread to make beautiful cloth. They have the skill to work in all kinds of crafts.

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The ability to carve, sew or smelt seemed like great things way back in history because they had a purpose. Are my skills from GOD? Yes they are! They are to be used for HIS purpose because HE wants me to continue to grow HIS kingdom.

• What skills and talents has GOD given you?
• Are you using your skills for HIS purpose?
• Can you praise HIM for the skills HE has given you?

GOD made me skilled!

GOD made me skilled!

Exodus 28:3 “Speak to all of the skilled workers. I have given them the skill to do this kind of work. Tell them to make clothes for Aaron. He will wear them when he is set apart to serve me as priest.

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It's amazing that GOD has given me the skills I use on a daily basis. I can't brag about accomplishing anything for it was GOD who enabled me to do everything I do. I also cannot complain that my skills are not adequate because GOD made me with a purpose that only I can fulfill!

I can’t take credit for my abilities

Genesis 41: ¹⁵ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

¹⁶ “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

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Don’t ask me why I did this but I prayed that I would be successful in my career. I had stopped praying or it was seldom and now I was out in the real world. Amazing things happened over the years and I saw GOD working.

Then I started taking credit for my abilities. “I deserve that promotion!” I thought to myself. “Maybe I should quit and show them they can’t function without me!”

When I think I did something on my own I get arrogant.

When I think my abilities are from my hard work I become blind.

When I think I have talent that is superior I am highly mistaken.

I love the term Joseph used “I cannot do it, BUT GOD will…” Joseph recognized his limitations and acknowledged GOD’s power. He had no expectations of GOD rather he pointed his faith toward HIS power.

When I give GOD credit for giving me talent, I use them for HIS purposes.

When I give GOD credit for making me who I am then I will be thankful for where HE takes me.

When I give GOD credit for my abilities then I won’t squander them.

I cannot do anything without GOD.  HE is my power and my guide. No plan will prosper without HIS blessing.

Do you think you acquired your talent on your own?

Do you believe you have raw talent?

Can you recognize where your talents come from?

Won’t you give GOD credit for blessing you with abilities that you alone possess for HIS purpose?