On June 17, 2015, a Wednesday night, nine worshipers in Charleston died during a church service. The following Sunday, four days later on June 21, the church met again to worship. The pastor leading the service declared "No evildoer, no demon in hell or on earth can close the doors of God's Church." God's church will never cease worshiping him. No one will stop that worship. Ever. Jesus said that not even all the power of hell can possibly stand against it (Matthew 16:18). So, Charleston, keep on worshiping.
Mere days after the tragedy in South Carolina, I came across a posting by Steven Curtis Chapman, a well known Christian artist. You can see the video below. Seeing this video reminded me of something that we often lose sight of. We are meant to use our skills and abilities for for others as acts of worship. This is what Steven has done.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 tells us that every gift, every talent, every skill comes from the Holy Spirit. There are a wide variety of gifts, but it is the same God who empowers each and every gift in everyone. Imagine that for a moment. Are you good with your hands? God created you that way. Are you a natural leader? God shaped that in you. Are you gifted with hospitality and serving? God wrote that into your being. And you're called to use it for him.
1 Peter 4:10 says that as each of us has received a gift. We must use it to serve one another, as stewards of God's grace. Are you being a good steward of the skills, talents, and resources that God has entrusted to you? Nearly 15 years ago I had to make a choice between moving to Tokyo and working for Disney performing on stage or sticking around home and lead worship at my home church. After a good deal of prayer and wise counsel, I decided to stay and lead worship. Would going to Tokyo have been wrong? Not necessarily. But I felt called to use the abilities God gave me more directly in leading his people. I surrendered my gifts and abilities to his purposes as fully as I could. (Incidentally, I'm still learning to do so.)
The fact was that I could have decided either Tokyo or home. Either choice would have been acceptable as long as I was making the choice for his glory and not my own. After all, whether I eat or drink, or act or lead, whatever I do I must do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). That's worship.
I want to encourage you to surrender you abilities and talents for the Lord. Use them for his glory. He will use them. He will use them to touch the lives of people for good. He will use it to minister to the hearts of those who need it. This is what I was reminded of when seeing this video from Steven Curtis Chapman.
worship Him 24/7...
Scott
Mere days after the tragedy in South Carolina, I came across a posting by Steven Curtis Chapman, a well known Christian artist. You can see the video below. Seeing this video reminded me of something that we often lose sight of. We are meant to use our skills and abilities for for others as acts of worship. This is what Steven has done.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 tells us that every gift, every talent, every skill comes from the Holy Spirit. There are a wide variety of gifts, but it is the same God who empowers each and every gift in everyone. Imagine that for a moment. Are you good with your hands? God created you that way. Are you a natural leader? God shaped that in you. Are you gifted with hospitality and serving? God wrote that into your being. And you're called to use it for him.
1 Peter 4:10 says that as each of us has received a gift. We must use it to serve one another, as stewards of God's grace. Are you being a good steward of the skills, talents, and resources that God has entrusted to you? Nearly 15 years ago I had to make a choice between moving to Tokyo and working for Disney performing on stage or sticking around home and lead worship at my home church. After a good deal of prayer and wise counsel, I decided to stay and lead worship. Would going to Tokyo have been wrong? Not necessarily. But I felt called to use the abilities God gave me more directly in leading his people. I surrendered my gifts and abilities to his purposes as fully as I could. (Incidentally, I'm still learning to do so.)
The fact was that I could have decided either Tokyo or home. Either choice would have been acceptable as long as I was making the choice for his glory and not my own. After all, whether I eat or drink, or act or lead, whatever I do I must do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). That's worship.
I want to encourage you to surrender you abilities and talents for the Lord. Use them for his glory. He will use them. He will use them to touch the lives of people for good. He will use it to minister to the hearts of those who need it. This is what I was reminded of when seeing this video from Steven Curtis Chapman.
worship Him 24/7...
Scott