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Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)

Author	Comment
mrstrishch	Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	Lead	[-]
Posts: 4148 (11/11/02 19:34:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I thought I'd start a new thread for this topic. Several have mentioned how their activities have changed but they're still finding ways to serve the Lord. We've touched on how some activities are more appreciated than others within the church. Have you experienced this? Do you ever find yourself falling into this way of thinking? How can we go about changing this attitude within our own churches, or even our families? Our scripture, I Corinthians 12:4-6, states: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. So there are indeed diversities of activities in God's plan and He works all in all. What does this mean to you? It is both encouraging and convicting to me. $:\$ Do you have any practical suggestions on how to teach this to others? Ooops... I forgot to mention here that the other thread is still open if anyone wants to continue the discussion of the specific gifts! Just wanted to separate the two so neither would become too cumbersome to read. Trish - Daughter of the King, wife of Paul for 17 years, mother of Aaron( 17 ), Jared( 15 ), & Trevor( 9 ), FMS: 11 yrs --- My prayer and sustaining hope: Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4
mrstrishch	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#1	[-]
Posts: 4148 (11/11/02 19:37:06) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Kristi had posted the following in the other thread: "Do you think the church in general tends to defines us by how much we can do? Or by the kinds of activities we do (big and visible vs. little things)? Do you think this contributes to our feelings of worthlessness? If so, how do we work to change this?" yes, what about the one who writes down everyone's prayer needs each Sun. morning and goes home and prays for them, and the one who makes sure all the supplies or food is done for a function by bringing what she sees is needed? Compare that to the one everybody knows bustles around to teach a Sunday school class or the one leading the singing? I think if it's not visible, then most people don't even notice. It can make us feel unimportant or friendless certainly.
Leniwife	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#2	[-]
Posts: 628 (11/12/02 11:26:08) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, I don't know that this will be much help, but here goes... As with most of life, and certainly with chronic illness, I have found I must take my comfort from our Heavenly Father. Verses that talk about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, and being in our prayer closet are dear to me. I must revel in the knowledge that my Savior knows my heart, actions and devotion to Him. The next part sounds haughty, but REALLY is not meant that way. Especially since I have taken it completely out of context. Proverbs and Psalms talk so much about people receiving their reward here on earth. I want my reward in heaven! And remember the widow's mite? Her gift was greater than the one who gave much with great fanfare, because it was given with a right heart, and IT WAS ALL SHE HAD TO GIVE!!! That made it of far greater value to God. I am not trying to drag down those who do public or physical ministries. All the workers are needed, and some things have to be done in a public manner. But I feel that the ministries I provide have a special blessing to me, because they draw me closer to God, on a very intimate level. One I never had when I was caught up in the busy-ness of service. I hope this makes sense. I seem to be in a bit of a fog today, and am having trouble typing. If it's not coherant, please forgive me, and I'll give it another try later! Leni<>< Your moderator, adoring wife of Steve, and blessed mom of Moriah, Seth and Noelle Diangnosed FMS 8/2002 "Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." Is. 26:3
DebbiFarmer	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#3	[-]
Posts: 6825 (11/12/02 15:17:11) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Leni: I love the way you worded your response...."The ministry of being", your journey of service now is pulling you in this closeness with the Father, as you walk with Him....and how you expressed "my Savior knows my heart, actions and devotion to Him". Thank you for reminding me...that service can involve our own spiritual life-style enrichment, as we draw closer to the Lord in our present circumstances. HUGS! Debbi
artisty	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#4	[-]
Posts: 2013 (11/12/02 18:13:09) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Leni, I am so glad you know that what we do, we do for God. Those verses are very helpful, too. It's nice to remember, too, that Jesus very much longs for our closeness and companionship. I try to think of having a coffee break with Him, that way I don't forget that He also just wants us to be with Him. When I went to church, though, I often felt a little like a non-contributor, like a spectator, not one of the club. I know it's up to me to not think like that, but it would be nice, too if church members could realize that many people feel that way.
mrstrishch	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#5	[-]
Posts: 4148 (11/13/02 05:30:06) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Kristi, I love the examples you gave! We should all resolve to keep our eyes and ears open to those types of things and thank those people. We are not to do things for recognition, but onto the Lord, and we are to build each other up and be an encouragement to the body. So, while those doing the work are not to look for man's recognition... we who notice ought to be an encouragement to them. I remember when Paul and I renewed our vows and we had a potluck dinner in the church basement afterwards. There was a dear lady who just quietly took care of so many of the little things I hadn't even thought of and when I thanked her afterwards she looked shocked, but then she got this warm smile and I knew she must often serve quietly but people don't usually notice. We can also find things like you mentioned to do ourselves. I especially love the idea of writing down people's names and praying for them later as well. Does anyone have any other practical ideas? Leni, I loved when you said: "And remember the widow's mite? Her gift was greater than the one who gave much with great fanfare, because it was given with a right heart, and IT WAS ALL SHE HAD TO GIVE!!! That made it of far greater value to God." That is so very true and I had never applied that beyond the financial. What a blessing you brought to my heart today with those words! Trish - Daughter of the King, wife of Paul for 17 years, mother of Aaron( 17 ), Jared( 15 ), & Trevor( 9 ), FMS: 11 yrs --- My prayer and sustaining hope: <i>Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4</i>
DebbiFarmer	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#6	[-]
Posts: 6825 (11/13/02 08:27:05) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Trish: Bless your heart, I read you post about your re-dedication dinner and it brought to mind something I wanted to share about...... A similar situation where a woman in our church who felt that she had very little to contribute...yet when there was a death in the church-family...she was one of the first to get to the home of the family...and she would start cleaning-up and preparing food, and she took care of those details that a grieving family can not think clearly to do. What a blessing to have different services from various people in various ways. And there are those who saw to the little needs of the church....and went un-noticed as they went to and fro......and there were those who were quick to pick-up a neighbor and drive them to church...etc. and those who would pick-up a phone and call and check on others to cheer-them up. There were those who sent care-paks to the nursing homes, and those who visited the shut-ins. We each have individual gifts....and each service works together to further the kingdom of the Lord. HUGS! Debbi
Cindy in NC	Re: Diversities of activities (Using Our Gifts - cont'd)	#7	[-]
Posts: 2248 (11/20/02 19:11:09) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	OH you ladies are so very encouraging!!! When I was asked to teach the PreK-Gr1 Sunday school class at church, I felt sooooo inadequate. But God really laid it on my heart that it didn't matter if I could do what the past teachers did with the children (and believe me, they were desperate for someone who would just BE there every Sunday), what mattered was that I was willing to allow HIM to work through me in the hearts and lives of these little children. What a blessing it has been to be there with them for the past 2 months!! They continuously bring joy to my heart, and even if I never receive a "thank you" or anything else, I have peace in my heart knowing that I'm in God's will for this, and He will use me to further His kingdom work! I think the point I'm trying to make here is this.... It's first of all got to be HIS will, and if it is, then He will make a way for us to do what is seemingly impossible as long as we surrender our will to His and have an open heart to serve Him! Cindy in NC ~~~ "If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Rev. T. Wood

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