BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS

Thank you Barb for all the wonderful insights.  We all thought of people in our lives who were distant from us...I'm thinking it is the human condition.  It was good to realize that we can do something about it - on our end at least.  

We are not victims, we do have a choice.  Yes, that means we can take responsibility for our part and begin to restore from that point. God is committed to healthy relationships so we need to be of like mind and become committed to that also.  

There is no relationship that can't be helped by using God's principles and power.  And we have already started the process by praying for each other.  Can't wait to find out what is next in this adventure of "Building Better Relationships".

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
NIV

It's Time to Use Your Spiritual Gift!

Isn't it awesome to know God has a gift for you!  He wants to fill you, equip you and use you. Not for your glory but for His. All you have to do is find your gift, develop it and use it!   

If you are already using your Spirit given, Spirit driven and Spirit lovin gift then you are right in the center of His will for you.  If NOT...don't put off learning and implementing this invaluable teaching.  You can't use "it" if you don't know "it".

Last week we focused on the Team Gifts; this week we will learn how our personality plays a part in where we use "it" and how we use "it".

We only have a few more weeks to go...let's finish strong!

For further study:  A "GIFTS DESCRIPTION CHART" which includes scripture references and other information you might find helpful.  Hey, this is important stuff...spend time learning and digesting it for your own growth.  Use "it" or lose "it".  Seriously!

GOD GIVES GIFTS

Don't you just love the fact that God has given us gifts. These aren't the earthly gifts that he has bestowed on everyone but these are Spiritual Gifts that are only for those who receive His Spirit by receiving Jesus as Savior. There are those in the body who don't know what their gifts are or if they do know they don't know what to do with them. That is where this study comes shining through. 

These next few Thursdays we are embarking on a journey of discovery and adventure seeking to discover the special gift or gifts God has chosen just for you.   This is a very important study...without this knowledge you may spend lots of time and energy trying to engage where you aren't gifted.  It is a journey of discovery and joy as you realize how much God has invested in you.  He wants to use you! These are powerful words as it gives us something to hope for and something to do in the body of Christ.

Learning about your personality can be a release and freeing experience.  It will help you to overcome your angst about who you are - for God does not make mistakes.  So your DNA was designed purposefully just for you. Are you feeling loved and special?  Well dear friend you are both of those things...so check out the info Tom gave to you and get started on that journey.  I for one can't wait till we get the results.  Tick-Tock!

There were some new pdf's added to the blog so check those out if you need to.  See you Thursday at the Gillespie's.  Keep all in your prayers.  Michael, we are excited about your trip and can't wait for your return and can't wait to hear about all that happened in Abu Dhabi,  (take pictures).

1 Cor 12:1-2

12 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 

Basic Training Session 4

Another week has gone by and we continue to learn how to use the scripture to embrace our heritage as children of God.  We also grow closer to the Lord Jesus as we see how specific and determined His word is and how it is meant to give us hope for living our lives now and showing us what He has prepared for us in the future.

Taking the time to delve into the word is hard I agree but now that I am practicing it I find it exciting and rewarding. I never noticed all the times therefore, but, or we were used till now.  I also see how the men of God responded to the precious truths revealed in each paragraph of the God-breathed word. This was lost on me...I also see how each chapter holds promises I can claim and hold fast to; truths that can build my faith and grow me up so I can share with others.

No, I wasn't in class last week but I'm caught up thanks to Tom's update, (Basic Training Session 4), which I have included on the Blog.  I continue to use his colored pencil technique for my daily Bible Study in 2 Corinthians and I really like it.  My trusty pencils are also going with me to church, (I feel like a kid with my pencils), but hey, I'm learning more than I would have otherwise.

I'm encouraging you now - if you missed any class or missed anything while you were in class - use the Basic Training links and fill in the blanks that you missed.  Keep on keepin on, let's finish strong. Tom has done lots of work for us so let's do our part.

You are each a blessing!

Check your email for updates on this coming Thursday night - March 19th.

MORE BASIC TRAINING

Last Thursday we spent our study time learning more observation techniques for the Word of God.  It was the three O's:

OBSERVATION 
OVERVIEW 
OBJECTIVE

Believe me, we had some fun.  We were given some colored pencils and learned to color our bible pages with delightful colors that held significance. If you didn't get to class I hope you will take the time to catch up before Thursday.  It will be worth the effort.

This morning I used the colored pencils to observe 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and I was having such a good time I had to stop myself from going into the next chapter.  I saw things I wouldn't have seen without this useful technique.  Take the time to try it and give yourself a real treat in observing the word.

There was so much more to the study than I can write here in this blog...please don't shortchange yourself by forgetting or by putting off this educational chapter in the Basic Training Manual.  I put Tom's pdf on the right so you can have easy access and catch up.

Let us learn to be equipped....

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
NIV

Blessings to all, see you this coming Thursday at the Kehn's, Meribeth

"BASIC TRAINING"

There are so many ways to study the Bible...yet so little time.  I was a bit overwhelmed with all the choices and questions provided in our booklet: "BASIC TRAINING", "Learning & Doing the Basics of Personal Bible Study".  I'm just glad there are men with higher educations and loftier goals than I.  I'm glad for written commentaries where those who are called to the task have spent their entire lives studying and reaching for the true meaning in God’s word.  I'm glad I live in America where I can reach for those commentaries without fear of retribution and for the Internet software that gives us free and unlimited access to those lofty minds who have brought out all the nuances of hidden meaning in God's prophecies and instructions.

But most of all I am thankful for the Holy Spirit that will work with me, through me and for me to help me understand God's word for my life.  And I am thankful for Tom who calls us to a higher level of intimacy with God's word and for his passion, enthusiasm and belief; not only in us but also in the God who loves us. 

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away, as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge it will pass away.  For now we know in part and we prophesy in part but when the perfect comes the partial will pass away.  1 Corinthians 13:8, 9 ESV

PRAYER

As I thought about all the book reports on prayer I came up with more questions than I did answers.  We heard about praying boldly, praying without ceasing, praying at a consistent time and place, praying in a circle, praying in the Spirit, praying for specific things, praying scripture, praying for others, praying God's will and praying in Jesus' name...just to name a few.  We also heard there are no magic formulas for prayer and there are many varied ways to pray and biblical prayers as our examples. You can pray the ACTS...adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.  There are also many answers to prayer like:  Wait, Yes, No, Maybe and I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

So I'm thinking what I need to do is practice praying.  Ask God to give me the way He wants me to pray right now as I'm on my knees and then rely on the Holy Spirit to pray through me and for me. Use what you learned in this study; make it your starting point for prayer.  We heard about it, we studied it, we know it is important - so now - let's DO IT! And keep keeping on!