Much Will Be Required Growing up many of us began to discover our gifts, for some it took a little longer to recognize their abilities as gifts. As we mature into adulthood many of us bury the gifts or continue to look at uncultivated gifts as useless. We hold on to these things in ability, yet we relinquish the call to use them. For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] (Romans 11:29 AMP) Romans 11:29 tells us that God's gift and call are irrevocable. Gifts are things we must choose to receive. We can choose to use them or not use them, but they will still be there in/with us. If you can sing at an early age and decide not to use your voice to glorify Him, He won't take your ability away because of His word. Whether we stray or stay on the path it is still ours. The major question for all who are a...
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Like a Tree And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Psalm 1:3 AMP) Most trees that have had the time to be rooted and grounded are pretty steady. They go through many seasons in life, growing each year producing leaves and fruit (flowers, nuts, etc.) the roots of the tree remain steady for 100's of years. How much better is it to be a tree planted by the rivers of living water? A tree that is planted by the water has a source of constant nourishment from the water. John 4:14 speaks of the water that Jesus gives being enough to quench our thirsts so that we thirst no more. It doesn't have to depend on someone to water it, because its source is deep within the ground, yet easily accessible by the deep roots of the tree. The tree is steady in all seasons though the wind ma...
Broken to Become Whole My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:17 AMP) I was broken shattered into a million pieces that you carefully picked up and dusted off. You didn't superglue me back together, because You offer something better than what I was. Created in Your likeness, yet I still have to accept Your son to be righteous. I was broken, broken before you in the tears that tell the story of my shame mixed with a bit of fear & a whole lot of pain. In the midst of my tears I reflect on the years I said yes, but demonstrated no. Stayed busy putting on a show for myself & others; never knowing how to truly surrender; because I always saw the splinter in the eye of another yet never realized that the log in my own was a force to be reckoned with. Sin it's the enemies t...