Don't bury your talents!
Last Friday, we had a very intimate gathering. We missed you!
Here is what we talked about....
This is a really neat example of one of the many ways God redeems our trials and tribulations. Anything he takes us through, that grace and comfort we experience, we can pass it on to others who are going through something similar.
I don't know what the disciples did with all that leftover fish and bread, but the Lord told them "Let nothing be wasted," and that is kind of how it is with whatever we are going through. God redeems it and recycles it, and whenever we experience trials, that is what we are a part of!
James 1:2-4 tells us to count it all JOY
Part of that "perfect and entire" (meaning complete) is that we are equipped to minister to others. In otherwords, we are equipped to counsel. A degree is not what qualifies us, its the Spirit's work in our lives!
One of my very favorite passages is Romans 5. This is what I often turn to when I am discouraged.
One of the meanings for the word "experience" in these verses is "proof". It's God's plan that as we minister to one another, our experience with God's comfort and grace provides "proof" in our lives.
Its not mere words which we can offer...it's the power of God's word and the "proof" of what he has done in our lives. That is no small thing.
We must beware, lest the world convince us that this has no power. God uses the simple things to confound the wise.
In the parable of the talents, the servant who buried his talent was rebuked. That can remind us that whatever trial God entrusts us with, since he loves us and allows these things for our good, all that he provides for us to walk through it, we are to share with our sisters who are going through similar things.
Last summer, a dear friend from California was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. She contrasted the words she heard from her physician with what she had heard in God's Word, and quoted this song:
We hope you can make it this Friday, as we draw out deep and powerful truths from God's Word and glory in the Lord!
Here is what we talked about....
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we be afflicted,
it is for your consolation and salvation,
which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings
which we also suffer:
or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings,
so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we be afflicted,
it is for your consolation and salvation,
which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings
which we also suffer:
or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings,
so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
This is a really neat example of one of the many ways God redeems our trials and tribulations. Anything he takes us through, that grace and comfort we experience, we can pass it on to others who are going through something similar.
I don't know what the disciples did with all that leftover fish and bread, but the Lord told them "Let nothing be wasted," and that is kind of how it is with whatever we are going through. God redeems it and recycles it, and whenever we experience trials, that is what we are a part of!
James 1:2-4 tells us to count it all JOY
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Part of that "perfect and entire" (meaning complete) is that we are equipped to minister to others. In otherwords, we are equipped to counsel. A degree is not what qualifies us, its the Spirit's work in our lives!
One of my very favorite passages is Romans 5. This is what I often turn to when I am discouraged.
Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
One of the meanings for the word "experience" in these verses is "proof". It's God's plan that as we minister to one another, our experience with God's comfort and grace provides "proof" in our lives.
Its not mere words which we can offer...it's the power of God's word and the "proof" of what he has done in our lives. That is no small thing.
We must beware, lest the world convince us that this has no power. God uses the simple things to confound the wise.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31
On occasion, I have heard people, as a way of encouraging those in deep trials, refer to verses such as Romans 8:28 as "trite". Or, "Well, that's easy to say." Beware when someone minimalizes the power of God's Word! Beware!not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:68
It is God's Word which has power, and claims to transform our minds!thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:68
And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
In the parable of the talents, the servant who buried his talent was rebuked. That can remind us that whatever trial God entrusts us with, since he loves us and allows these things for our good, all that he provides for us to walk through it, we are to share with our sisters who are going through similar things.
Last summer, a dear friend from California was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. She contrasted the words she heard from her physician with what she had heard in God's Word, and quoted this song:
Sing them over again to me,
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty
teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
We hope you can make it this Friday, as we draw out deep and powerful truths from God's Word and glory in the Lord!
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