Topic > Christian Beliefs > God > Love of God >
Using your Gifts to Bring God Glory
Someone once said, “Vocation does not come from a voice ‘out there’ calling me to be something I’m not. It comes from a voice in here, calling me to be the person I was born to be.” Let’s talk about what it really means to use our specific creative gifts to bring God glory and bring us fulfillment as well.
You are an Expression of God’s Glory
Growing up, many of us were taught lies about ourselves, lies that in some ways can make us feel almost invisible and insignificant. Let’s talk about why it’s important to ask God, “How do you see me?” Because each of us is created with our own voice to be a unique expression of God’s glory. You have a role to play in His kingdom, one that no one else can fill.
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
We read in Psalm 139 that we’re “fearfully and wonderfully” made. Let’s continue the series, “Beauty Full Beings.” God fashioned our bodies to reflect His nature and to fully experience the joys of His creation. Our bodies are not enemies to be conquered, they’re a sacred place, a temple of the Holy Spirit.
What Do You Know For Sure?
“What do you know for sure?” This was the question American talk show host Oprah Winfrey would often ask her guests at the end of each interview on her wildly popular talk show.
How our fears can keep us from intimacy with Jesus
Our fears take many forms. Often it’s a fear of being “found out” for who we really are; or we fear the loss of relationships with others because of circumstances that are out of our control. Like the demon-possessed man in the Bible, we’re afraid of what will happen to us if Jesus gets too close.
Our inadequacies often distort our view of God
We live in a culture of comparison. Beneath our feelings that we don’t measure up to “so and so” is the fear that we don’t have what it takes. Do you feel uncomfortable when you’re told that “you’re beautiful in God’s eyes” because deep down you don’t really believe it?
Even in our doubts, we have Jesus’ full acceptance
Belief is a mysterious commodity. A baby is born and we believe, someone dies and we lose our faith. Nicodemus had both doubts about Jesus and faith in Him and yet Jesus fully embraced him.
We can have the right theology, but the wrong belief
We all have a deep need to be accepted, but because we know ourselves too well, we have a tough time believing why anyone would. They might say they know God loves them, but how could He, really?
Discover why we are Beauty Full Beings
Statistics show that ninety-one percent of women don’t see themselves as beautiful. Yet when God created Adam and Eve, He said they were “very good.” Join us as we explore why, since the Fall, it’s so easy to believe the lie whispered to Eve, “If God loved you . . .”
First Steps
A friend stopped me the other day with some exciting news and then spent 10 minutes describing for me the first steps of her 1-year-old nephew. He could walk! Later I realized how bizarre we might have sounded to an eavesdropper. Most people can walk. What was the big deal?
It struck me that childhood provides a quality of specialness that nearly vanishes for the rest of life. Thinking about our treatment of children gave me further appreciation for the fact that God chooses the word picture of “children” to describe our relationship with Him. The New Testament announces that we are God’s…
The wisdom of impartiality
Each person is valued by God and should be made to feel that way. It’s not manipulative or artificial to make someone feel important, it’s wise. You’re meeting that person’s heart hunger to be loved. God is no respecter of persons and neither should we be.
The wisdom of mercy
Greek thought viewed mercy as pity for those who were suffering unjustly. But Jesus introduced a new concept, mercy for those who are in trouble, even if that trouble is their own fault. We’ll see how the combined “good fruits” of wisdom ultimately reach their maturity in a harvest of mercy.
No Wonder!
“He’s perfect for you,” my friend told me. She was talking about a guy she had just met. She described his kind eyes, his kind smile, and his kind heart. When I met him I had to agree. Today he’s my husband, and no wonder I love him!
In the Song of Solomon the bride describes her lover. His love is better than wine and more fragrant than ointments. His name is sweeter than anything in this world. So she concludes that it’s no wonder he is loved.
But there is Someone far greater than any earthly loved one, Someone whose love…
Let’s contrast the wisdom of joy and earthly wisdom
In the midst of conflict, it’s hard to get the right perspective. Let’s contrast the “pure and peaceable” wisdom from above with the “earthly and unspiritual” wisdom from below. One is “easily entreated” and furthers our relationships. The other is harsh, driving people apart.
Discover the importance of gentleness
To some, Jesus is a gentle lamb. To others, He’s a roaring lion. To the sinner in need of grace, Jesus’ strength was shown in His gentleness towards them. But to the religious leaders who were proud of their own righteousness, He was someone to be feared.
