Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday May 15, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Chronicles. Please read chapters 8-10 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Chronicles%208-10&version=9

Today's Message: Abilities From God
We are blessed with abilities from God that allow us to serve Him, but we must be careful to guard ourselves against worldly surroundings that can make us forget what they are initially intended for.

The Israelites were carried away into captivity by Babylon for their disobedience and neglecting to keep the Word of God. Captive, downtrodden, and degraded, they were forced into the strange land. "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims." (I Chronicles 9:1-2). The Nethinims were Temple servants, a job that seems rather insignificant, but they were so important to God that He recorded them in the Bible. Their loyalty to God made them willing to work and to serve Him wherever they were need. They set an example for all of us who serve God in the smallest ways, from cleaning bathrooms to taking care of children in the nursery, that every little thing we do to serve God shows Him our loyalty to Him and how important we are to Him.

After the Israelites 70-year captivity, which had been foretold by Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 25:11-12), King Cyrus offered them freedom to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Only a small minority of Israelites responded to the proclamation by Cyrus and left the comforts and safety of the new Persian kingdom to return to the rubble of Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. However, all who did respond to the call became capable of the work God called them to do. "And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God." (9:12-13).

Every child of God has a place in God's plan and is needed. Regardless of the seeming importance or insignificance of our abilities, they are a sacred trust from God. God does not expect the person who is given one skill to fulfill the responsibility of the person who has more skills, but though our skills may seem to be minimal, each one can do something as we make ourselves available to Him. "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues (understand other languages): But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." (I Corinthians 12:3-12).

Sadly, some have chosen to use their God given abilities for secular opportunities to become famous and wealthy rather than use them to serve. However, we must not let the lusts of the world control how we use them. We may have fun for a while and think we have everything we want, but if we are not using our abilities for God's glory all we are doing is setting ourselves up for failure. God will give us all our desires, there is no need to worry or fret over the things of the world. God will provide us with everything we need as long as we serve Him the best we can. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." (Colossians 3:23-25). We are so blessed with the privilege to be able to influence others to become followers of Christ and when we choose to use our abilities for His glory we will never need to fear our future.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We pray for a spirit of cooperation and eagerness to contribute to the needs of the whole body, so that Your Church is built not just with sweat, bricks, and mortar, but with love, care, and teamwork. Therefore, we go forth in unity and purpose as we do our part in building each other up in the various natural abilities and learned skills that You have given us as we strive for unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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