Presents

Presents

Genesis 43: ²⁴ So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. ²⁵ Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

 

²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. ²⁷ Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

 

²⁸ And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.

 

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Israel had prepared his sons by sending gifts for Joseph. They had no idea they would end up at a feast in Joseph’s house. The steward of Joseph’s house “gave” them water to wash their feet. He also “gave” the donkeys feed. When Joseph arrived, his brothers “brought him the present.”

 

My Observations:

• Even the animals got something during this reunion.
• Joseph’s brothers received clean feet and knew food was coming.
• Joseph received a present from Israel and his brothers as they bowed down to him.

 

Just as GOD told Joseph in the dream, Joseph’s brothers bowed down to him. This was not the desire of Joseph, rather a statement of fact. Joseph did not need their gift, but the present was sent by Israel to create good relations between his family and the Egyptians.

 

This time Joseph asked questions about his father. The brothers answered saying “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” More than likely these words were considered the best present Joseph could get.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about all the giving that happened in Joseph’s house?
• Has fear taken away your generosity?
• If you don’t have money to give, what else can you give someone to show generosity?

Celebration Gifts

Celebration Gifts

Genesis 24: ⁵⁰ Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. ⁵¹ Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.”

 

⁵² And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth. ⁵³ Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

 

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Laban, Rebekah’s brother and Bethuel, Rebekah’s father, heard Abraham’s servant explain what he came for. They heard the strange story and replied, “The thing comes from the LORD.”

 

My Observations:

• Abraham’s servant went to Rebekah’s family and explained his mission that was given to him by GOD through Abraham.
• The HOLY SPIRIT prepared the heart of Laban and Rebekah’s mother.
• Bethuel agreed that the situation had to be orchestrated by the LORD, but may have had some hesitance that Abraham’s servant sensed, causing him not to give him gifts.

 

Rebekah woke up that day ash she did every day. She was simply doing what she would normally do and was not thinking about anything else, other than the final chores for the day. Little did she know, GOD had something in store for her. Abraham’s servant was delivered to her by the HOLY SPIRIT. The timing was and location of his visit were uncanny.

 

He prayed a prayer that was ultra-specific. GOD answered that prayer, as if to say “This is MY selection.” Abraham’s servant celebrated by giving the family “precious things” and he also gave Rebekah a little of what she would soon own. This was truly a time to praise GOD!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the gifts Abraham’s servant gave and to who he gave it to?
• When is the last time you celebrated something, GOD did in your life?
• Is it time for you to celebrate GOD for all the things HE has done for you, to you and through you?

 

Perfect Witness

Perfect Witness

Genesis 21: ²⁵ Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized. ²⁶ And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.” ²⁷ So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. ²⁸ And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

 

²⁹ Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”

 

³⁰ And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.” ³¹ Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

 

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After Abraham swore to never lie to Abimelech, he raised a concern that a well he dug was confiscated. Abimelech’s servants watched Abraham’s servants dig a well. When it was complete, they bullied their way in and took the well. Abraham wanted to live peacefully, so he approached Abimelech.

 

My Observations:

• In Revelation, GOD revealed HE has seven Spirits, which could mean completeness.
• GOD may have been the reason Abraham chose seven ewe lambs to be his witness.
• Ewe lambs are young female sheep, which could create an entire flock for Abimelech.

 

Seven seems to be perfection in GOD’s eyes. Abraham gave a perfect gift. Each time Abimelech would look at his flock, he would be able to remember where it came from and leave Abraham alone and at peace.

 

Abimelech’s servants would need to be told to stay away from Abraham. Abraham did as Abimelech did by giving sheep and oxen. It seemed more of a sign of peace than a bribe. Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant to not fight, but live together in peace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD consider this conversation as significant enough to tell Moses?
• Have you ever given someone a gift of peace that will remind him or her of your resolution?
• Are you able to bring GOD’s peace to your argument or difficult situation today?

 

Hello reader, this is my daily quiet time with the LORD. Please feel free to read this and share it with someone who may need the message. I am going verse by verse through the Bible, attempting to understand it for application in my life. Here are all the messages. https://honordevotional.blogspot.com/

Gifts Used to Escape

Gifts Used to Escape

2 Peter 1: ³ God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. ⁴ In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature. 

 

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Hearing conversations about expensive houses, cars and luxurious vacations, I decided to spend my time and energy acquiring “the dream.” After climbing the ladder, I reached “the top” only to realize I had been trapped in high pressure, broken relationships and impressing pain on others.

 

• I had talents that I was not using to grow GOD’s kingdom, rather I was put in a position to harm it.
• I had gifts that GOD gave me that I was using for someone else’s gain.
• I ignored GOD and put HIM in a box that I would open for an hour or two each Sunday.

 

Peter goes right into deep theology by saying “GOD has given us everything we need.” His statement suggests, that we already have the ability to live for GOD. It also suggests that we have a choice to live for GOD or to live life in pursuit of the world’s “destructive lust.”

 

My Observations:

• The worst kind of lust is the one that everyone says “this is what you are supposed to pursue.”
• Seeing GOD as the enemy to my pleasure can cause me to use my gifts and talents for my own pursuits.
• GOD has given me everything I need to be successful in HIS eyes, I only have to use what HE gave me for HIS purpose.

 

Images of the world’s success makes me lust over what it has to offer. I mean, seeing movies where the star steps off of his or her own private jet after drinking the most expensive champagne and arriving in a chauffeur driven car to take him or her to a luxury home, makes me say “why don’t I have that?” BUT GOD wants HIS SON to be known and followed.

 

These two thoughts conflict. I stop following GOD to follow human stories of “success.” I mimic celebrities in hopes of being discovered. BUT GOD takes me off the lustful path and places me on a road that is traveled less. HE shows me how important it is to take the Gospel to the world, in hopes that HIS message will not be rejected. I gladly use my gifts for JESUS, who gave them to me in the first place.

 

Challenge

• What “destructive lust” is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever fallen into the trap of “everyone else is doing it?”
• Will you use your GOD given gifts and talents to grow HIS kingdom, instead of growing your own today?

Gifted

Gifted

James 1: ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my dear friends! ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. ¹⁸ By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.

 

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“You are gifted” someone said to me. I had not heard that before in reference to me and I was puzzled at the statement. Too scared to ask questions I simply said “Thanks.” Later I realized the compliment was in reference to me cutting my parents grass.

 

• I was less enthused by the compliment.
• I did not want to be “known” by my grass cutting skills.
• I thought “gifts” were something like super strength or speed or being a brainiac.

 

James gives a stern warning to all believers in JESUS as the Savior. He warns everyone that any good gift comes from GOD. This warning was probably put in place so humans would not take credit for skills acquitted.

 

My Observations:

• I need to praise GOD for every gift, talent and skill I possesses.
• I should be thankful for being exposed to new learning and attribute it to GOD.
• I should not overlook the smallest gift GOD has given me, because it is important to HIM.

 

Being thankful for even the smallest gift is important. I mean, if all I have to offer someone that day is a smile, I should offer it in healthy portions. Afterwards, I can be thankful that my “gift” of smiling may have brought joy to someone that day.

 

GOD uses all gifts and presents HE gives to us for HIS purpose. The things we think are small are huge to HIM. HE wants me to recognize and thank HIM for the gifts HE has given me. Remember the grass cutting? Years later I was able to bring unity to a block I moved to, simply because people had questions about my grass. I am grateful for the gifts GOD has given me!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer give such a powerful warning?
• Have you ever acquired a skill or talent and thought it was you who did it?
• Are you overlooking a gift that is important to GOD, but less important to you?
• Will you take a moment to list your gifts, skills and talents, no matter how small, and thank GOD for each so you can use them for HIS purpose today?

Putting Gifts to Use

Putting Gifts to Use

Ephesians 4: ¹¹ It was he who “gave gifts to people”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. ¹² He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ. ¹³ And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature.

 

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Seeing the mural, I was amazed! Someone had illustrated major events of the Bible in a way I could understand. Another person I ran into was very talented in growing gardens. She mentioned how it reminded her of bearing fruit and had many analogies.

 

• I thought gifts were only limited to being used in church.
• I limited gifts to churchy tests and certain language used only in churches.
• I wondered if I had any gifts because the church did not seem to value what I had to offer.

 

JESUS “gave gifts to people” according to the scripture. Paul explains that each gift given would be put to use for the work of the Christian service. The list he gives can sometimes be confused by activities defined in many churches. GOD’s appointment is sovereign and is above human definitions.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to build up the body of CHRIST
• GOD wants me to come together in oneness in faith and knowledge of the SON of GOD.
• GOD wants me to mature and someday reach the height of JESUS.

 

Overlooked talents cause many people to become disenchanted with churches. I mean, a person who is gifted in welding may want to use his or her talents, but is asked to work in children’s church instead. People who have many gifts may be apostles or prophets or evangelists or pastors or teachers and they do not even know it.

 

A writer may, in fact, be using her talents to glorify GOD in many ways. Some people who smile may be evangelizing as he walks down the street. A woman lying in a bed may invoke prayer. Limiting GOD has caused people to think their talent is useless. Quite the opposite. The gift HE gave each person is customized to reach others in HIS defined way. I am glad HE provided me with gifts that do not need to be compared to, or evaluated by other people’s gifts.

 

Challenge

• What is a mature response to what the writer wrote?
• Do you have gifts and talents that seem to be overlooked by people?
• Will you put your gifts and talents to use for the service of building up the body of CHRIST, knowing your gift is extremely important to GOD today?

Made Special

Made Special

Ephesians 3: ⁷ I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. ⁸ I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, ⁹ and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect.

 

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Doing an assessment of my skills, looks and accomplishments when I was insecure made me feel like I was not going to get anywhere soon. I saw people reach heights and overcome hurdles, yet I felt I had done nothing and was headed nowhere.

 

• I felt like I was insignificant.
• I compared myself to other people and felt bad about what I had done.
• I thought I was not special and had no gifts or talents.

 

Saul was zealous about GOD. He persecuted those who were not following the rules to the letter. He was given permission to have people killed. GOD called Saul to preach about the love of JESUS, and renamed him Paul, who wrote this letter. He stopped persecuting the church, lost his worldly title, became insignificant to humans and became special to GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD sees me when humans do not.
• GOD made me special to reach those HE wants me to reach.
• GOD wants me to see that being HIS servant is a privilege.

 

Standing firm on the belief of JESUS can make anyone feel insignificant. I mean, the world praises celebrities, politicians, rich and powerful people. It sometimes seems like those who follow JESUS are the opposite of famous people. BUT GOD sees different.

 

When one person believes in JESUS there is incredible rejoicing in heaven! To the world, this seems insignificant, but to GOD, this means everything. HE stores up treasures in heaven for those who use their special gift to make people see HIS secret plan put into effect. I gladly use my gifts and talents to serve GOD by the working of HIS power.

 

Challenge

• Can you hear the maturity of the writer?
• Why do you think he calls it a privilege to take the Good News to the Gentiles?
• If you feel less than special, will you stop looking at yourself and look at GOD’s incredible power and simply point one person to the infinite riches of CHRIST today?

 

Perfect Love

 

Perfect Love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁸ Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. ⁹ For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; ¹⁰ but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

 

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“You can do it” were the words of inspiration I told someone. When the person accomplished what was set out to do, I wondered if my words had any part in the success. I wonder this because I could not do what the person was attempting.

 

• My inspiration is a partial solution to someone’s circumstance.
• My speech is a partial solution to someone’s situation.
• My sharing of knowledge to help someone is flawed because I only have partial knowledge.

 

Paul says “Love is eternal.” This love he speaks about is JESUS. When HE returns, then there will be no need for humans to use their gifts to point to perfection.

 

My Observation

• JESUS is love and HE gives HIS perfect love to me.
• JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead to wipe away my sins.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me because sin is part of me.

 

Being born into sin is difficult. I mean, my thoughts are usually not on GOD, rather they are on myself. But every once in a while, I am prompted to use a gift GOD gave me to point people to JESUS. This is temporary. I fall into sin, repent, and seek to be better day by day.

 

JESUS knows I have this issue. HE knows that sin will be present in me until HE returns and I am with HIM eternally. Until then, HE wants me to know humans are not perfect, but HIS love is perfection. I am grateful for HIS love for anyone who can give their heart to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What messages or actions inspire you from a person who is not alive?
• Have you ever been inspired for a short period of time and discouraged during another?
• Will you ease up on your pursuit of temporary solutions and seek the perfect, eternal solution which is JESUS, who will guide you into all truth today?

Admiration

Admiration

1 Corinthians 12: ²⁷ All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it. ²⁸ In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues. ²⁹ They are not all apostles or prophets or teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles ³⁰ or to heal diseases or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said. ³¹ Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts.

 

Best of all, however, is the following way.

 

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Trying my hand at art, I drew some things, but I quickly realized I was not as good as the gifted. I would read books on how to draw more realistic, but the innate talent just was not there. I decided to admire those who had greater ability than me rather than pursuing their gift.

 

• I began to value others for what they could do.
• I started understanding I need others who can do many things better than myself.
• I saw more value in what people brought to the table when I accepted my deficit.

 

Paul goes into a history lesson that could be mistaken as a hierarchy. He had just mentioned that everyone is equal, Jew and Gentile. He then explains that CHRIST put the apostles in place to spread the Good News. He then explains that other people, with various gifts, followed. While these gifts were nice to have, everyone should pursue the greatest gift, namely love.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to value other people who gave their life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to see that I need other people to complete HIS church.
• GOD wants me to recognize other people’s talents to serve HIM in HIS church.

 

Admiring what people do for GOD is highly acceptable. I mean seeing someone serve or heal or speak a certain way is a good thing to do. If I envy someone versus admiring them, then I have a problem. GOD has given each person a special gift that is to be used to bring people to HIM.

 

HE wants me to use this gift as often as I can. I can admire what others do, but all of us are supposed to learn how to love each other the way GOD intended. I am glad there are many other people, who I can learn from, who have the talent to bring people to the saving knowledge of JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What qualities do you admire?
• How does envy get in the way of admiration?
• Do you feel you are valued for the gifts you are using for the growth of GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you seek to add love as one of your learned gifts today?