Title: Serving as God-given
Contents
32. Serving as God-given
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, right handling the word of truth.”
God is worthy to receive our best. He made us for a purpose, and he wants us to make the most of what we have been given him. So how do we make the most of our lives? It is serving God with who we are. To do this, we must first discover, accept, enjoy, and develop to the fullest what God has given us.
1. Discover the Gifts - Understand
the bible says “Therefore do not be fools, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Begin to discover and clearly recognize what God wants us to be and do.
1) Evaluate your gifts and abilities. (Romans 12:3, think wisely according to the measure of faith given to each person)
Be honest and look at what you are good at and what you are not. To do that, ask someone else. However, keep in mind that this question is not for me to dig out any shortcomings. I just focus on discovering what gifts God has given me. There are many books or test papers on the market for discovering gifts, but these cannot standardize us and take into account the uniqueness God has given us. Therefore, it may be most effective to always check with others.
In order to discover a gift, it is common in various books to first test it and do the work. But serve first. Then let's discover our gifts. We don't know what we're good at unless we try to serve. We cannot discover that we have dozens of hidden abilities and gifts that we are not aware of because we have never tried them. So get out of where you are and try something you've never done before.
* Don't try to discover that talent until you've tried it. You don't know what you're good at unless you try. If you can't do it well, think of it as an experiment, not a failure. Let us discover our gifts through ministry.
2) What do I love and want to do?
What do you do without knowing the passage of time? What makes you feel really active and alive? Do you like to do it repeatedly?
3) Remember (Deut. 11:2, remember today what you have learned) Experiences that cannot be remembered are of no value.
Independence Hall of Israel - Yadva Sam (Kindergarten-University, 2 times/year)
Through suffering, failure, and embarrassment, we cannot see God's good purpose.
Discovering God's work for you through suffering and thinking about how you want to help others through this lesson.
2. Have patience and enjoy it (Romans 9:20-21. Man, for whom do you dare to accuse God? The things that were created will tell the builder, How did you make me like this? The potter made one with a loaf of clay. Don't you have the right to make vessels for noble use and one vessel for lowly use -- accept and be grateful for what you have given them)
Don't try to be like anyone else. Praise for this appearance (Ephesians 4:7. Grace according to the measure). What we look like determines the area of expertise in which we work. Don't envy runners on the sidelines in a running match. Just focus on your game. God wants us to enjoy what He has given us. Satan makes us compare our work so that we don't enjoy ourselves, and we act according to the expectations of others. But the Bible warns us never to compare ourselves with others. (Galatians 6:4. Let each one examine his own work, John 21:22. What's that got to do with you? Follow me.)
We can meet people who work better than us at any time, and conversely, we can meet people who do things worse than us at any time. When we compare like this, we become discouraged or proud, so God tells us not to compare.
We will encounter people who will be criticized by those who do not understand our ministry, and furthermore, will force us to do what we do. Then just ignore them. Avoid comparisons, reject hype, and expect only God's praise.
John Bunyan, “If my life is unfruitful, it doesn't matter to me if anyone praises it; if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter to me who criticizes it.
3. Develop. (Philippians 1:9. Let it grow.)
The Bible tells the parable of the talents to maximize your appearance.
If we don't use our muscles, they also weaken and decline. Likewise, if you do not use the gifts the Lord has given you, you will lose them. Then it will make you more full.
(1 Timothy 4:14-15 Do not be hesitant about what you have received, but be diligent in all these things, that your progress may be seen by all.)