God's Gifts for You

Greetings from The Inspiration Cafe!

Today's blog post: God's Gifts for You

by Adele M. Gill

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,  as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  I Peter 4:10

We all have gifts that God has bestowed upon us—No one is exempt. He has equipped each of us to reach out to others in various ways, be it through the gift of hospitality, compassion and empathy, the ability to comfort others, to encourage others, to love unconditionally; gifts of divine discernment, wisdom, an ability to pray on behalf of others, and my personal favorite: the gifts of faith and love.  In fact, He has prepared each of us well to be a beacon of light to each other. As stewards of these blessed gifts, we are meant to share our gifts freely and mindfully. Ultimately, for Christians, these gifts are designed to help us faithfully lead souls, in love, to Jesus Christ.

The gifts of faith and love are particularly important, as they encompass all of the other gifts. When you have the gifts of faith and love, you are able to share the other gifts with complete abandon. Doors open wide by God Himself, when you authentically and consistently share God’s love with others.

For it is only through God’s unprecedented grace that we have the gift of faith at all! The gift of faith is the entry way to God’s other gifts, one that is to be celebrated. The gift of faith is one that runs deep, as it is the core foundation for reaching out to others. The simple truth is that you have to have faith in order to share faith.

Sometimes Christians are easily frustrated by what appears to be a lack of faith in other people. But in actuality, we need to thank God for the grace He has given us through the gift of faith in our own lives, while praying ceaselessly for God’s gift of faith for others. We can never judge or boast about our faith, as it is received through God’s grace. Instead, we need to grow in gratitude for it, while fervently praying for the gift of faith for our family, friends and yes, even for our enemies.

© Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill

Adele M. Gill, RN, BSN, ABDA is a retired nurse and Chaplain, and the author of 3 books available on Amazon including her memoir, 'From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,' written with Dr. Verna Benner Carson. She is also author of The Inspiration Cafe Blog http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net 

Top 5 Reasons to Pray then Step Aside

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 

Every day, through God’s unprecedented mercy and kindness, He provides grace generously for those who seek Him with all their heart. He provides for every need abundantly, as we try our level best to trust in Him. Sure, it takes both humility and holy boldness to turn to God and ask for what we need, but no request is too great or too small; He answers each plea for help in His own special time and way.

It is important that we pray specifically for all that we and our loved ones need. This calls for praying throughout the day whenever possible, asking for whatever we need as needs arise, lest we try to depend fully on our own devices, with mixed or even mediocre results. Yes, we all need to do our part. Yet, praying to God with confidence, in the name of Jesus, can reap awe-inspiring outcomes because of the enduring, unwavering Love God has for each of us, without exception.

Top 5 Reasons to Pray then Step Aside

1) Step aside Confident prayer enables us to step aside so God can step in to intervene, thereby realizing His abundant gifts of grace. There is great relief when we are able to focus on the blessings God has already bestowed upon us with a grateful heart, rather than complaining or worrying about whatever is going on. The ability to recognize God’s past graces, blessings already received, is a great indicator for greater things to come.

2) Break free from the bondage of fear Praying with confidence can promptly free us from the bondage of fear and weariness, and bring us new found strength and rejuvenation. Even and especially in times of weakness, confident prayer allows us to breathe a sigh of relief as we trust that whatever we face will work out.

3) Revel in peace of mind When we ask for God’s holy intervention with confidence, we can rest assured He’s ‘got this.’ He will work all things for the good. The result of this trust is tremendous peace of mind, despite whatever challenges we face.

4) Know you will always have what we need We are able to grow in the understanding that God is all-powerful, omnipotent, and compassionate; and He provides for us and accomplishes great things on our behalf. With God, through the grace He lavishes on His people, we always have what we need as His grace is sufficient for each of us when we turn to Him especially in times of weakness when we feel most vulnerable.

5) Relish the gift of abundant grace Trusting God is vitally important in realizing and acknowledging all the graces, undeserved blessings, the Lord sends our way. God blesses each of us throughout our lives, and we need to recognize His hand in all things and give credit where credit is due.

(C) Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill   |    Distributed by News Consortium

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net 

Beware: Fake News

Fake news is the lowest form of journalism known today. Yet print, internet, and broadcast media bombards us every hour of every day, building tension and hatred among people. At best, it divides people, leaving them steaming angry and baffled, as the truth they do know is tested beyond measure, forcing them to settle for what they want to believe. With all that said, who can say they have a handle on any worldly events, or that “my news is better than yours?” Who can possibly form any opinions based on ‘media truth,’ when the news is so tainted, and we are living through what I often call, ‘The Truth Famine?’ It is foolishness to think that anyone really knows the truth these days based on news which is nothing more than hearsay-gossip on a national and global scale. Clearly. There is no room for sanctimony or indignation when truth stands in the balance.

The very existence and prevalence of fake news provokes doubt, disharmony, confusion and rigorous, misguided, unnecessary arguments in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Made up of believable half-truths, frequently laced with bold lies, it sometimes seems impossible to find even a kernel of verifiable truth in all the chaos. Beyond differences in opinion, fake news is actually designed to divide and conquer all who hear, watch or read it. But consider this:

^“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
Romans 16:17 New International Version (NIV)

Sadly, today, in this age of relativism--where there is no right or wrong—where people often seemingly believe their own truth, and there is no absolute truth beyond that. It is refreshing, and necessary to turn to Scripture for discernment and guidance and to regain our moral compass. In fact, ultimately, in my own life, the holy Bible is my sole source of truth. I rarely go by hearsay or read books about the Bible, instead I get into the Word myself to experience it directly first hand and revel in how it applies to today.. I believe it when the Bible says what is holy and what is not. I trust that God is with us all when we seek Him with an open heart. It’s all in there, and I fully trust the authority of the Bible as it is written, anointed, and inspired by God, Himself.

It is my belief that the Bible, through the power of the Holy Spirit, prepares us well for every occasion of blessing and helps us avoid every temptation to sin. It gives us clear guidelines for right and wrong, how to spot good and evil, and how to strive to live a blessed life following God’s will.

Far above the cacophony of clamoring journalists and op-ed gurus. Far beyond the loud debates and unrelenting negativity, there is truth to be found in every circumstance. Perhaps it’s time to turn off the TV and walk away from the internet to seek ever-lasting truth and peace through prayer and Scripture. Maybe it’s time to ‘unplug’ and focus on the love and peace found in Jesus Christ, the greatest hope the World has ever known. Could it be that it’s time to put down our clenched fists, build bridges, and seek peace? Peace in our relationships, peace in the World, and most of all, peace in our own hearts.

Placing God at the center of your truth is something you will never regret. For the only truth I truly know is found in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, the Light of the World!

© Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill   |   Distributed by News Consortium

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net 

Bless It or Block It

Greetings from Adele's Inspiration Cafe blog!

Today's post:

Bless It or Block It

‘The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.’ James 5:16

Sometimes we can go it alone, yet other times we need God’s help to face or meet the many challenges that arise in our every daily lives. It is the trusting belief that ‘God’s got this,’ that can make the difference between failure and success, sinking in times of difficulty or tragedy or staying afloat, or just being able to cope. In essence, life happens as it will, but how we respond to every circumstance is a choice…

I think many of us wait until times are dire before eliciting God’s help. Yet, turning to Him in anticipation of trials, great and small, reaps great benefits, and awe-inspiring outcomes. When we pray fervently, and with confidence, placing our cares in God’s hands trusting that all will go well, we are far more prepared for whatever is to come. We are able to hold God’s hand through turbulent storm, turning to Him as the living God who is with us in every circumstance.

Though we are all unworthy sinners, God loves each of us profoundly beyond our comprehension. Striving souls—those who choose to try to follow God’s ways and lead—are the greatest recipients of God’s promises. For God is a generous, loving God of surprises for those who seek Him with all their hearts. He can and will turn every situation for the good for those who seek Him in earnest. An “If and then God,’ He is there for us even and especially when we falter or are hurting and broken. In Holy Scripture He often says if you do such and such, I will do such and such for you. If you humble yourselves, I will bless you. Sometimes we need to pray and step aside so He can do His finest work on our behalf without our interference.

Though fervent prayer does not demand eloquent speech, it is so powerful that it is not to be entered into casually. Instead, we need to specifically and prayerfully ask for whatever we need, and praise Him while we wait for Him to work it all out for the good. Fervent prayer involves praying with humility, sincerity, and confidence with the understanding that God will, one way or another, move on your behalf.

I often pray, “Bless it or block it,” deferring to, and accepting, what transpires from our loving, kind, and merciful God. Like most people, in my humanness, sometimes I am tempted to pray only to ‘take it back’ so to speak, and try to work things out my own way, all to no avail. However, I have found that it is much better to pray and steadfastly depend on God’s almighty, omnipotent, holy intercession. God’s compassion is boundless and unprecedented—and worthy of praise—the cornerstone of fervent prayer!

© Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill

Not All About Us

Adele M. Gill

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

Psalm 145:17-18[NIV]

Jesus stands in wait to help those who call upon His holy name--especially when we are in most need. He never imposes His Divine Will upon us, but waits for our anguished pleas for help. Reach out to the Lord when you need comfort, guidance, discernment, healing and protection. It is during those times of need that He will stand up on your behalf to defend you, heal you, and walk with you. He will pave the way for you and fight your battles with and for you, if you will just give it all to Him and step aside so He can do His finest work on your behalf. It is during these times that God remains as close as the gentle breeze that surrounds you.

Sometimes we all try too hard to attempt to make relationships and things right in our lives, just the way we want them. In a way, when we interfere with God's plan for us, his working things out as only He can, we impede and delay the progress and blessings He sends our way. Rather, we need to step aside. For given the chance. God will go before us and behind us, and walk shoulder to shoulder with us, as we turn to Him.  He can change the hearts of those who hurt us--even our enemies--ease tensions, and will work all things for the good.

In the face of adversity, no weapon against you shall prosper, when you are nestled in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our shield. As co-heirs with Christ, we are called to hand over every situation, every hurt, every form of hatred, every failing, and even our successes to Him, and always remember to give credit where credit is due. When we do, well, things just run a lot more smoothly. Hatred and animosity melt away into compassion, even love, and situations change.

For Jesus is not just the Savior that leads us into eternal life when we leave this world in His care; He is our Savior in every circumstance in the here and now. But we must first ask for whatever we need with confidence. We must humble ourselves in His sight, and believe that He is who He says He is, capable of obtaining all good things for us in our daily lives. Like a tangled web of yard, He will pull unravel the chaos in our lives. We need to simply put aside our prejudices and differences with others, and replace them with a longing for His holy Love and almighty intervention.

The truth is, it's not all about us. It's about the loving, kind and merciful God--the Light of the World--and how we try to turn to Him to bring His peace and Light into every situation, every relationship. The best days always start with keeping Jesus central in our lives. He IS the healing Light that repels mayhem, sin and selfishness, and prevents us from trying to fend for ourselves, as He holds the key to our peace and well-being.

(C) Copyright 2018   |   Adele M. Gill

The Love of God for You

^“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” 

Ephesians 3:18-20

The Love of God—There is nothing like it. Some say God’s love is only for some people. But in reality, God’s Love is available for us all if we but turn to Him. The truth is, in our humanness, we love Him because He loved us first—Sending His Sone, Jesus, to deliver us all from our sins and into His loving embrace. Today’s Scripture reveals the unsurpassed, unconditional Love that God has for each of us. If only we could fathom His love, how different our lives would be!

All other love we experience pales in comparison to God's Love. Who else could possibly love us consistently through all of our failings, mistakes and mishaps? Who else could love us fervently when all seems lost and we are broken, bogged down in the muck and mire of daily life?

In actuality, God stands in wait to hear our pleas for His help, even and especially in our darkest times. And He delights when we turn to Him in prayer to offer praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings He showers upon us at every turn in the road, this journey, we call life. He is the Great Healer. The one who provides relief from our infirmities. He is the one who lessens or heals our physical and emotional pain, gives us a sound mind, and heals every addiction. He is the one who gives respite and comfort to the lonely and grieving; who sustains us through His abundant supply in times of financial need and broken relationships. He is the one who protects, and guides through wisdom and discernment, going before us to pave the way; going behind us to pick up the pieces in our wake. He is the one who makes all things work for good for those who love Him.

For anyone to say they are ‘self-made’ is a fallacy. For we were wonderfully, loving made Him, our Creator, God, the sole source of every blessing. We can do little by our own devices, and should always strive to give credit where credit is due. For when you understand that when you willingly serve the Triune, Almighty God who is all powerful and the very definition of Love, how different your life becomes! He alone is capable of opening the doors and windows to opportunities in your life. He is the true source of healing, humility, compassion, and lasting joy and peace. These ‘fruits of the Spirit,’ are manifestations of the Holy Spirit, coveted qualities in today’s cynical, chaotic World. He is food for those who hunger and thirst, manna in the desert for those who are downtrodden and hurting.

Never intrusive, always deferring to our free will, God is there for you at every turn, standing in wait for you to call upon Him with your anguished pleas for His holy intervention. He is the living God, who will save you from the throes of this world for the asking. Sometimes people refuse to turn to God because of their feelings of unworthiness, but really, none of us is worthy as we are all fallen sinners born to serve a loving God. We are fully dependent on God’s grace to get us through in tough times for the asking, and He does not disappoint! Turn to Him in the big things and little things, Invite Him into your life and it will be transformed for the better!

^“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:18-20

© Copyright   2018   Adele M. Gill

http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net

http://www.silverliningcommunications.net 

Finding Your God-given Purpose

Though ones’ focus and purpose can and do often change throughout a lifetime, the fact remains that God has a series of purposes and plans for each of us. But it is important for us to want to have a purpose. Understandably, many people find it especially hard to recognize their purpose in life when they are hit hard by adversity. But remember this: Purpose often quietly comes to the forefront DURING times of great challenge.  It is up to us to recognize it and pursue it.

Have you ever wondered if your life has purpose and what your purpose is in this life? Sometimes when we are in a ‘good place’ in our lives, we become complacent and at times a little too comfortable. We may not see the need for having a purpose at that point as we go about our daily lives.

Finding your purpose. No need to wonder if you have purpose, for God already has a purpose for each and every one of us—No one is exempt! In talking about purpose, it naturally brings me to one of my very favorite Holy Scriptures, Jeremiah 29:11-14, as written in the New American Bible, the NAB:

 

Thus says the Lord:

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you,

plans for your welfare and not for woe,

so as to give you a future of hope.

When you call me, and come and pray to me,

I will listen to you.

When you look for me, you will find me.

Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,

I will let you find me,

and I will change your lot.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14

New American Bible [NAB]

In today’s awe-inspiring Scripture, there are five (5) awe-inspiring God-given promises—Some of God’s most amazing life-giving promises ever. For those who embrace God’s promises as truth, these promises lift us above any circumstance that we may encounter including unemployment, poverty, financial strain, infirmity, mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, disability, homelessness...

In this Bible passage, when we consider that the Lord himself wants to be fully involved in your life and mine, these God-promises can be truly life giving and life-changing. It’s true! God wants to be the focus and center of our lives!

So let’s take a closer look at the 5 promises that God has generously included in this Bible passage:

Promise #1: God has a plan for you, plans for your welfare, not for woe

Promise #2: God’s plan for you WILL provide you with a future of hope

Promise #3: He will listen to you

Promise #4: When you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him

Promise #5: He will change your lot

This powerful Scripture is about how God cares for us, and communicates with us in a way we can understand. In essence, God has our best interest at heart, and wants to be intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. But we have to invite Him in and then step out of the way so He can take the wheel from our hands, and thereby take control of our life. For these Bible promises enable us to grow in faith despite adversity, and sometimes because of it!

There are 3 basic phases to realizing your God-given purpose in life. They include:

1)    Wanting a purpose

2)    Searching for your purpose

3)    Finding and embracing your purpose

It’s also easy to fall into the temptation of letting circumstances, distractions and fear take over or derail ones’ sense of purpose when times get tough. These can be tremendous factors in diverting us from our God-given purpose. As I’m sure many of you know, once fear gets a stronghold, it can make any and every situation even tougher, distract us from our spiritual journey, and cause our mental and physical health to plummet.

In actuality, faith and fear cannot coexist. In tough times, we need to make a choice and decide between faith and fear while trying to continue to focus on our God-given purpose. The pressing question is this: Do we choose fear and slip away from our faith and purpose, or do we choose faith and hold on to our hope in Jesus Christ, our Great Healer, Comforter, Protector, and Almighty Savior to help us stay the course?

Sure, at times, your situation may seem out of control from your own perspective, but it is never too much for God when you place your life in his loving hands. For by His grace, He makes all things new! Though your purpose at any given time may not seem readily apparent to you, especially in confusing, turbulent or trying times, in the eyes of God, your purpose remains well-established. I’m sure you agree, in this promise-rich Scripture, He has given us much to think about and hold on to.

During difficult times, however, we may go into survival mode and our sense of purpose may seem to waiver or go by the wayside. But in the eyes of God, our purpose does not necessarily need to change or end at that point. In fact, you may actually find your purpose through experiencing and enduring tough times. Distractions and challenges come and go in life, but whether you recognize it or not, the fact is that your God-given purpose is enduring, as it is a gift from God.

So now that you know you have purpose, you may be wondering just what your Christian purpose is. Well, let’s consider another blessed Scripture, this time from the New Testament in the Book of Acts 26:16-18. This is what God told Saul, before he became St Paul while he was actively persecuting Christians with great cruelty:

 ^“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me.” NIV

Formerly a ruthless tax collector, God told Paul what his new purpose was, and in a moment, his life changed forever. And he accepted and embraced his God-given purpose and pursed it with great vigor. Like Paul, we also have to be willing to accept our God-given purpose to be servants and witnesses to what we have seen of God in our lives. It is a choice each of us makes for him or herself. Though God made Paul’s purpose known to him by talking directly to him, most of us can find ours through reaching out to God in prayer, helping others, and reading the Holy Bible, the Word of God, daily.

Could it be that our purpose as Christians, like Paul, is to be servants and first-hand witnesses to what we have seen and will see of Jesus in our daily lives? If that is the case, perhaps our purpose is to serve God by example, helping others, and sharing the love of Jesus with others. This is in keeping with Jesus’ mandate to “Love God and one another.”

It is often said that every Christian has a ministry, and I believe that to be true. But that ministry does not necessarily need to be formal ministry or one that is far reaching. Rather, for many, there is a simplicity in ministry that allows us to minister to and serve those right around us, people we encounter each day. One-on-one, through example and reaching out in kindness to each other, we are able to accomplish our purpose in Jesus Christ.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we all have blessings, spiritual gifts, and the fruit of the Spirit from God himself. Your purpose in ministry could be as simple as becoming an encourager. Encouraging others is a powerful way to effectively help validate and lift a hurting souls in your midst. Prayer changes things. A gentle smile, a pat on the back for someone in need of a boost, a thoughtful gesture. Donating to those in need, and volunteering. These are all but a few ways to serve God and witness to God’s love in our daily lives-- to live out our purpose as Christians.

Yes, everyone has purpose and that purpose is found in serving God, through others, while giving witness to the abundant blessings He showers upon each of us.  What better witness to God could there be than to live a godly life serving and witnessing to others through example, compassion and kindness?

Today, after you leave here, please take a few minutes to ask yourself: What is my life purpose? How do I live out my Christian faith as a loving servant and witness to God? By so doing you will likely find your God-given purpose in this life, and be better prepared to pursue your spiritual journey. For in the eyes of God, we all have purpose—No one is exempt!

Adele M. Gill   |   Copyright 2016