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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
What do you think the author of Hebrews meant when he said that the "great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will"?
I know there are many times when I wonder, "Who am I, to be doing this _______?" Whether it's a particular job, or speech, or presentation… you can fill in the blank. I often doubt my abilities and I often question why God would call me to do something – like maybe taking a mission trip, or serving as a leader over a small group at church or teaching the children in Sunday School. I'm no one special. I don't have seminary training. I haven't even been a Christian all that long when you compare me to other people in the church. I just don't think I have what it takes.
But I believe therein lies the problem… when we compare ourselves to others we know, admire, respect… maybe up close and maybe afar… we don't think we stack up.
Here's the good news - we can rejoice in the fact that Christ doesn't compare us to each other.
If you are a Christian, let me share some more good news with you… the day you invited Christ into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior… something amazing happened – you received some amazing gifts. First and foremost, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. He equipped you with everything good for doing His will. Also, according to Galatians 5 you received the fruits of the Spirit.
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
According to 1 Corinthians 12, you also inherited spiritual gifts, too. We are told, "there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:4)
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV
WOW! These are some pretty incredible gifts, don't you think? It's amazing…you invite Jesus into your life and you get all these great, wonderful and amazing gifts!
Now what?
I think for most of us, we spend the rest of our lives trying to figure out the answer to that question. It's not an easy one to answer. I could give you a list of all these great things you could do – like join a church, take a mission trip, give your tithes and offerings to the church, join a small group, better yet, lead a small group… but none of that stuff is what truly matters.
All these things are simply the end result of what having Jesus in your heart is all about. Once you let Him in, you start to change and your want-tos start to change. The old things you used to love to do… that perhaps weren't really all that great for you… well, they're no longer of interest to you.
So, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I will tell you what I did. I tried all those things first that I mentioned above and I got burnt out trying to do them. My heart wasn't right – or maybe a better way to say that is my motives were wrong. I was trying to earn my way to heaven. It doesn't work like that. It took me a while, but I learned this isn't the way to do it.
So, here's what I started doing… I started reading my Bible. I started praying and asking God to reveal His truths to me. And guess what? While I might not be that great at memorizing scripture… I've learned what truth is and how it applies to my life and to my world. I started doing things just because I knew they were the right thing to do and I wanted to do them… like help build a house for someone in need, give someone some money for food, clean someone's house who was unable to do it for themselves.
I believe the Bible is the key. It has all the answers we need. It has God's very thoughts, words, and actions just sitting there, waiting for you to discover them.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
That's how you get "EQUIPPED."
READ! LEARN! APPLY!
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
Precious Lord, thank you for equipping me to serve You and to serve others. You have equipped me for every good work and You have given me everything good for doing Your will. I offer all that I am and all that I have to You Lord. I pray You will use me for Your glory. I ask for a spirit of humility so that I will never consider myself above doing something to glorify You. Help me to always serve You with joy and enthusiasm. Thank You Father, for I know when I am faithful in service to You, You are faithful to reward me! Amen.
Won't you join me in this prayer?
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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