Use Your Gifts UNSELFISHLY

There are beautifully wrapped gifts under our Christmas tree. We look at them and our boys wonder which ones are for whom. (Bev uses a number code so the recipient is unknown until Christmas morning.) Until we distribute, unwrap, assemble, and take them into our hands they are just for show! About 48 hours from now, they will become useful to us. I hope that they will be useful for other people, too.

God has resourced you, too. Are you taking the gifts He provides and using them to make this world a better place? Are you Christ-focused in their use? The Word says, "The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (1 Peter 4:7-10, NLT)  Broaden your understanding of the concept of a ‘spiritual gift.’ As this passage teaches, gifts include more than preaching, singing, or praying in an unknown tongue!  Buying a friend a cup of coffee can become a spiritual gift, if it is an occasion to encourage her in the things of the Lord. Serving a meal to family can be an occasion of spiritual ministry, too.

Recently the Lord has called me to give gifts of love with no hope of reciprocal effort, to provide and serve without expectation of a word of thanks. I am surprised at how difficult it can be to offer myself to those who feel so entitled that they believe what I do for them is unworthy of any appreciation. My own self love has been revealed to me! Had you asked me a year ago if I were a selfish person, I would have denied it. Now I know better and I realize, in a much deeper way, how much I need the Cross to bring death to Self so that I will offer my gifts with joy and with focus on His reward rather than the thanks of those I ‘serve.’  The Holy Spirit has shown me that gifts offered with even a small influence of Self are quickly corrupted. Our service, if touched with the smallest bit of self-interest, becomes manipulative or even an occasion for bitterness when the expectations we attach to it go unrealized.

In this Season of gifts and giving, I want to encourage you to think of what you receive (from God and others) as resources for service, not simply as things to enrich yourself. “God has given each of you a gift… use it well!”  And, I urge you to submit your service to Him, first! Ask for a pure heart, for a willingness to operate in secret, joyful in the work, not seeking reward or recognition. Is this not how Jesus served us? How humbling to realize that He loved and served us when we were ignoring and offending Him!

I offer this benediction to you today, as this will be my last CoffeeBreak column until the New Year. Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing my thoughts and His Word with you each day. Receive this word from the Word and live in the promise of spiritual power it contains.

"I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

(Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV)

“Seasoned with salt”

There was a knock on my door in the early evening. When I answered it, I found two well-dressed young men. Their badges identified them as elders in the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) doing missionary work. I was not interested in their message, but I admire their determination! In our time, I do not think that knocking on doors looking to have a discussion about religion is a very effective way to share the Gospel. But, God requires that everyone of us engage in the work of representing Christ Jesus. Let me ask a pointed question. When was the last time you had a real conversation about Christ with someone outside of church?

This work need not be forced or artificial.  If I met you on the street and you knew I had been to Washington, DC to have lunch with the President the previous day, what would be the first thing you would ask?  You would want to know what kind of man he is, what he said, if I met his wife; wouldn’t you?  If we are living intimately with Christ, with a fresh experience of His goodness, there will be a noticeable quality to our lives that will invite conversations about Him! The Bible says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:4-6, NIV)  Make your daily talk lively and attractive! That’s what the metaphor ‘seasoned with salt’ means. Don’t fall into the habit of gossip and griping! Don’t get lost in idle chatter about nothing. Let Christ so fill your being that others are drawn to the spark of life.

The work of evangelism is not about ‘fixing’ other people nor is it about turning others into a “Jesus” project. It is not about judging behaviors, judging who is lost or saved, or adding notches to our Gospel gun belt! Our high calling is to represent the Lord Jesus in such a winsome way that we invite people to get to know the Father from whom they are estranged. "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to talk with a young couple who recently gave their lives to Christ and were baptized. Their joy is infectious, overflowing, and compelling. The circumstances of life that caused them pain in the past are still there, but now they have resources to cope with them. Their marriage is better, their hearts full of hope. It is not a ‘new religion’ that has brought such change; it is a new relationship! Anyone can see there is a difference.

Disciple, here is a direct challenge. What is the state of your life in the Spirit? Is it fresh, joyful, and causing others to wonder why you’re different? Or have you gone stale, stuck a rut of religion? Is your relationship with Christ Jesus about something that happened years ago or about knowing His grace for this day? "Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath." (1 Peter 3:15-16, The Message)

May we be alert to the holy opportunities around us, ready to share the very best Gift – the hope of life and love that can be found in Christ Jesus.

Let's THINK about that

After I suggested a solution to a minor problem somebody said, “That’s why they pay him the big bucks.” We all laughed! There are no ‘big bucks’ and what I offered required no particular knowledge or skill. But, there are times when it is helpful to have somebody outside of the situation help with the process of thinking. The consulting business is huge for that reason. Consultants can bring a fresh perspective and offer insight. How easy it is to react to life instead of taking time to think deeply enough to choose a new way.

Jesus came into the world to teach us a whole new way of living! In Matthew 5-7, a passage we call the ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ repeatedly Jesus used this presentation: “You have heard it said, … but I tell you.”  He challenged those who followed Him to stop chasing power, pleasure, and perks. “True life,’ He said, “is found in serving, loving, and giving.”  One by one, He took on their assumptions.

·         You think that adultery is just climbing into bed with someone? Think again. Adultery begins with your fantasies! 

·         You think that murder is taking somebody’s life? Think again. Murder begins with contempt for another person.

·         You think that an ‘eye for an eye’ is justice? Think again. Real love absorbs the hurt and changes the world with self-sacrifice.

·         You think scrupulous religious acts that others can admire also please God? Think again. When you truly want to please Him, forget about making sure others notice.

·         You think that worrying about things solves problems? Think again. “Seek first the kingdom of God and He’ll take care of the things that others fret about.

For many, Christmas will be another occasion to indulge in Self. They will hear the Story but miss the message. Jesus’ birth and the Gospel will get turned inside out and somehow, some way will become about getting fatter and happier, with more things in our already crowded closets. Let’s think about that! He did say  "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10, NIV) And, He re-defined what fullness is. We gain by giving, win by losing, and find righteousness with God by giving up on our own goodness.

Luke’s record of Jesus’ birth includes this little line tucked into the corner: "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19, NKJV) Shepherds appearing at her baby’s makeshift bed with stories of angels singing in the skies made her wonder at this boy child’s true identity. For nine months, her life had been turned upside down by an angel’s announcement of her pregnancy. It was all strange and wonderful, promising and painful; so she pondered! Thirty-three years later, it would all come together one terrible weekend as she would watch Him die a terrible death and then, just when all hope was gone, come back from the grave, the Resurrected Lord. But, on that first Christmas, all she could do was ponder the mystery.

Are you working with some challenge in your life today?  Invite the Spirit of God to give you insight. Even if you do not understand everything He says take Mary’s example to heart and ponder… listen … think.

Here’s the word from the Word. "We live by faith, not by sight. … So we make it our goal to please him." (2 Corinthians 5:9, NIV)

__________________

O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels

Yea Lord we greet Thee

Born this happy morning

Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

O Come All Ye Faithful

© Public Domain

“I hate this Season.”

She spat the words out with passion – “I hate this Season! It takes a month to recover from all the stuff I have to do.”  I guess I judged her, but my conclusion was that she was seeing all the wrong things. Are you? On December 26^th will you be relieved or renewed?  Christmas promises much. Often we find little! What kind of choices can make the difference?

First of all, make people your priority!  It’s a cliché yet say it over and over again – people, not programs! Resist the pressures to rush, to be hurried, to 'get the program' completed. Truly take time to enjoy the opportunity to be with friends and family. Focus less on perfect decoration and more on the state of your heart. A dinner cooked to perfection, a home full of beautiful holiday decor will be soon forgotten, but an evening of meaningful conversation and interaction creates a lasting memory that renews us again and again.

Second, include worship! Most Americans will spend far more time in the mall than in worship and reflection during the next seven days! This imbalance in the use of our time and money reveals the identity of our true god. Keeping Christ in Christmas isn't about putting up a crèche on the lawn at City Hall. It's about building an altar in our heart and honoring the One whose life is the cause for the celebration. If you will set aside 30 minutes a day for meditation, prayer, and to read the stories of Jesus' nativity from Matthew and Luke from now to Christmas Day; it will make a difference.  "O come, let us adore Him... Christ, the Lord!"

Third, give yourself away! In Acts 20:35 (The Message) we read, "I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’ ” It's not just stuff that is given at Christmas. Give forgiveness. Give love. Give time. Give away your expectations.

Lastly, recover wonder!  Read the Christmas story and instead of asking, "How could this be?" let story speak to you about the depth of God's love. Instead of complaining about that same music on the radio, just enjoy it. Instead of grousing about all the stuff you have to do, thank God for what you get to do. Let the pseudo-sophisticates pretend to be bored by the holiday. Choose to be child-like (not childish!) in your wonder.

With these choices, you will come to New Year's Day, with a renewed heart!  You may be tired in body, but you will have received Christ Jesus anew, and He brings life. Here's a word from the Word to take with you as you begin this Christmas week-  "The Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. ...We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:14, 16, NLT)

Joy to the world,

The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heav’n and nature sing,

And Heav’n and nature sing,

And Heav’n, and Heav’n, and nature sing!