In Exodus 36, we see that God gave specific people skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in constructing the sanctuary. Moses called every craftsman who God gave skill, everyone whose heart stirred him to come do the work.

²And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. ³And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning,⁴so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, ⁵and said to Moses, ”The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”

Back up a chapter and we also see that God moved on people to bring all the supplies (and more). Those whose hearts were stirred brought materials.

²¹And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments…²⁹ All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

God calls everyone to do something for His Kingdom, and yes, even for the local church. Just as He did with the craftsman in Exodus, He has put a skill into you — a passion for something and it is meant to glorify Him, grow His Kingdom and equip His Church.

Romans 12:4-6

⁴For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…

Paul explains in Romans that we are all part of the Body of Christ and we all function in different areas. 1 Corinthians 12 also tells us that God arranged the members of the body each as He chose (verse 18). You have a gift that He has to chosen especially for you!

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-10, Paul gives a (non-comprehensive) list of spiritual gifts:

⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:11, Paul explains that all these are empowered by His Spirit and He apportioned to each one individually as He wills.
He gives spiritual gifts as well as ‘natural’ gifts. He also gives ‘natural’ skills and intelligence, just like the craftsman in Exodus, who he put knowledge into.

Psalm 37:4

⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Exodus repetitively states that hearts were stirred to give — those who God moved on. Our hearts are stirred when the Spirit of God moves on us. When you delight yourself in Him, He gives you the desires of your heart; He is the One who moved on you and put those desires in your heart.

My example
I am graphic and web designer, that is something I have a passion and skill to do. I believe God has given me that and I know it is not just for me to use in my business. That is why I make it a priority to serve His Kingdom and my local church with my gifts. This is what I would consider more of a “natural” gift. Spiritually speaking, I have always had a desire and passion for the prophetic and the Lord uses me in that area.

Spiritual gifts are “harder” in my opinion because they really are empowered by His Spirit (1 Cor 12:11) and I have to stay tuned in to Him. When I am in a season of complacency and not seeking Him as often or deeply as I should, then I’m not walking in the Holy Spirit’s power, so it is harder to hear His voice. Obviously, we should have a close relationship with the Lord, but sometimes life happens and we get “too busy.” (It happens to all of us!) We have to strive to seek Him, not just for His gifts and blessings, but to know Him more and we will be able to recognize His voice. Spirit-empowered gifts can’t function without His Spirit.

For what is your heart stirred?

Are you serving your church in that area yet?

Continuing on with the remainder of James chapter 1… you can find part 1 here.

James 1 is talking about trials and testing of our faith. I will pick up where we left off at verse 13,

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13

So, this time we have:
Trials > Temptation > Desire > Sin > Death

Compare that with Verse 2:
Trials > Joy > Testing of Faith > Steadfastness > Perfect & Complete

Our trials can lead us to either sin or life. When you face a trial, whether it is a hardship or a struggle or whatever you’re going through, you have a choice, to
fall prey to the temptation the trial brings or declare God’s goodness and remain joyful and steadfast. Each will lead you to a different path of life.

The word tempt is peirazō meaning:

to try; make trial; test faith, virtue, character; entice to sin, solicit

The same word is used when referring to Satan, the tempter.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (peirazō) by the devil. Matthew 4:1

And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted (peirazō) by Satan. Mark 1:9

The Pharisees also attempted to test Jesus…

And Pharisees came up to him and tested (peirazō) him by asking… Matthew 19:3

So looking at all of these scriptures that refer to tempting/testing of faith ((peirazō)), we learn that Satan is the tempter, He is the one who tempts us to sin.

Satan tempts because of our lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:5). The key to getting through trials and temptations is to have self-control. We encounter a trial, Satan brings temptation, we need to have self-control (along with all the other fruit of the spirit) to get through it without giving into Satan.

The verse in James I want to focus on is verse 13… Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” for God cannot be tempted with evil and He Himself tempts no one. This clearly says God does not tempt us or cause us to sin (peirazō).

It’s important to note, though, that this word translated “tempt” (peirazō) is also “testing of our faith, virtue, character and this chapter of James is talking about trials and testing of our faith. We get that God doesn’t try to make us sin but we often say “God is testing our faith”. Verse 13 says, “Let no one say…”I am being tempted (tested) by God”. Think about it, our trials and times we are being tested are times the enemy is soliciting us to sin. He is the tempter. He is tempting us to sin. James says God does not tempt us with evil.

Remember Job? The ultimate story of a man’s faith being tested. Who was it that tested Him? Satan! God allowed it because He knew Job’s faith would lead to steadfastness (James 1:2). God did not bring evil or temptation to Job; however, He did allow Satan to tempt him.

We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (peirazō) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability”… notice it does not say, “He will not tempt you beyond your ability”. He allows it to happen because it will develop our faith and lead to steadfastness. During our trials we need to rebuke the tempter and look to Jesus with unwavering faith.

This also reminds us that God is in control. Even in our trials we know that God is sovereign! There is nothing Satan can do to us that God will not provide a way out. That is comforting to know that God is all-powerful and higher than the enemy who brings attacks. When you’re facing a struggle, trial or attack, remember it’s the enemy and God is providing an escape. He knows what is going on and He is wanting you to seek Him; His gifts are good and perfect (James 1:16)

Lately, I’ve been studying James (my favorite book). If you have read James at all, you know that it is a hard one. It challenges us and brings wisdom and correction in the places we need it most but don’t want to go. I will share from my personal study, much like I did on the book of Joel.

What I find interesting as I read and study James, is that there are many verses we all have memorized and can quote but I think we forget what’s in between these often quoted verses.

James is first bringing up trials and testing of our faith.

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2

So we have:  Trials > Joy > Testing of Faith > Steadfastness > Perfect & Complete

This means we have hope during our trials because we know it is good for us, that good will come out of it. We may not be jumping up and down and celebrating because of our trials and I don’t think that is what he is saying. But what is your usual response to trials? We might get upset, frustrated, worried; rather, we are to be joyful aka have hope because God is taking us through something that is eventually leading us into perfection and completion.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Verses 5-8

Another set of verses we know well. Remember that we are still talking about trials here. So, in your trial, ask God for wisdom. He gives generously! We are warned about asking in faith without doubting. When we doubt, it shows our heart. We know God is faithful, we know He provides, we know He is good and sovereign, so when we doubt, what are we putting our trust and faith in? If you are doubting, then you are double minded and supposing you will not receive what you ask. This isn’t about having enough faith to get something you want… it doesn’t depend on our amount of faith. But God knows our heart. Are we trusting in Him? If you say to God, “Please help me get through this situation,” and then you don’t put your trust and faith in Him to do that, you are double-minded, having faith and then not having faith. That is why James keeps telling us to “remain steadfast” in our trials.

Webster defined steadfast as:

1. Fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established; as the stedfast globe of earth.
2. Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering.

Fix your eyes on Him, remain constant, do not be fickle but keep your feet firmly planted in His Word and trust Him!

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Verse 12

There is a reward at the end of your trial. God promises the crown of life to those who love Him. That would be referring to eternity, right? So, yes, our whole life is a trial but if you remain steadfast…back to verse 2…you will be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

In this study, we saw that God redeems, restores and empowers us. I will end my study on Joel with this post focusing on Joel 3:10b:

…let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”(ESV)

“Let the weak say, I am strong” Sound familar? The ESV uses the word warrior, other versions might say mighty or valiant. When you are feeling weak, remember that He makes you strong.

When looking at the whole verse, it may be literally referring to physical strength as it refers to beating plows in the passage, however, we cannot ignore the fact that it has a spiritual meaning much like the whole book of Joel. John Wesley comments this verse suggests ” I am strong – Put on strength and valour; let none be absent from this war.”

Spiritually, we are fighting a battle. And you are a warrior in it. Look again at Joel 2. His people will never be put to shame; He has removed your guilt, disgrace and unworthiness. He calls you a worthy warrior and you are a fighting a worthy battle.

We are empowered by His spirit to fight this battle. Put on your armor and fight the good fight!

Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

In my last post on Joel 2, we saw that God redeems and God Restores.
In Joel 2:28-29, we see that God empowers:

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

As much of Joel, I believe this passage is two-fold. He says, “Afterward”. After what? After the destruction of the land, after the call to repentance, after God’s mercy is shown and His restoration comes, He empowers us. And as Peter establishes in Acts 2:17 when he quotes this passage, this is prophetic of Pentecost when He pours out his Spirit upon man. He speaks to us through prophecy, dreams and visions.

So, God first redeems us and then He restores us. Then, He empowers us to live that redeemed and restored life.
These themes in Joel 2 foreshadow Christ, who came to:
set us free (Galatians 5:1)
restore us and make us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
and lastly to send the Holy Spirit who empowers us with gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Christ is in you and you have the power to live that redeemed and restored life! “You are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:14

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39

Continuing my study of Joel, I would like to share on Joel 2:20-28. This passage begins with Joel comparing the locust swarm to the coming army (or some believe it is a description of an actual army invasion). It could also be referring to the Lord’s army coming in justice. Joel urges repentance and tells them, God wants their hearts.

Following the description of devastation caused by the locust plague, he brings a word of deliverance and hope. The Lord has mercy on the repentant and will freely pardon. He says,

“6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

The rest of this passage describes God’s character toward His people who are repentant and have given God their hearts.

• HE IS REDEEMER

“I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things. (Joel 2:20) “

The Lord redeems us from our enemies. He diverts them from our path and removes them from our land. He has power over the enemy and when we are obedient and repentant, God will protect us.

• HE IS GREAT

Joel 2:21 “Do not fear, O Land, rejoice & be glad, For the Lord has done great things”
Great – gadal meaning great, powerful, important
Yes, God has done good and wonderful things… but this says He is has done POWERFUL things!

• HE IS RESTORER

“22 Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield. 23 Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before. 24 The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.”Joel 2:22-25

In the above verses, God restores all of the land from its destruction and drought and barrenness. Let’s look at verse 26

“26You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Shame - buwsh - meaning: to feel shame, to be ashamed, disconcerted or disappointed by reason of shame.

The definition of shame is:

1) a painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness or disgrace

2) One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation, a great disappointment

When we repent and believe in God, He says we [His people] “will not be put to shame.” He redeems us of our guilt, shame, unworthiness; He redeems us of the fact that we brought dishonor to Him. Where we were once sinners and unworthy, God’s redemptive character takes away all of that and makes you worthy.

He redeems, He is great and He restores!

You are made worthy!

He has done great things.

Rejoice & Be Glad!

Yesterday I began studying the book of Joel. I’ll share with you what I’m journaling as I go through Joel each day; below is from Joel 1-2:13.

Joel begins in midst of terrible devastation caused by a locust plague. Everyone is affected by this devastation: fire devoured the pastures and trees, the water was dried up, cattle wander with no pasture and flocks of sheep suffer, farmers had no crops, storehouses were desolate and grain offering and libation were withheld from the House of God. Verse 12 says, “…indeed, rejoicing dries up from the sons of men.”

In the midst of devastation, will we still praise God or be like the people of Judah and let our rejoicing and gladness dry up? Will we have hope in the Lord or only see the circumstances around us, however terrible they are?

As Joel urges, these situations should cause us to cry out to the Lord. Joel says, “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” (1:14)  God will create and use situations to discipline His people and bring them back to Him.

Revelation 3:19 ESV, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
Deuteronomy 8:5 ESV “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you”

Often in the midst of crisis, we blame and rebuke the enemy when it is God correcting us and trying to get our focus on Him.

Chapter two seems to be a two-fold description. One, of the locusts swarming and second, of an army invasion occurring on the “day of the Lord.”  (Verses 4-9 compare the locusts to warhorses and soldiers invading on the city. Verse 11 says, “11 The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?”, which is plainly a comparison to the army of God.)

During this invasion, God reaches out again with a call to repentance. He says:

“12 Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

The Lord is just and holy but also gracious and compassionate. Joel urges them to return to the Lord! The Lord says to rend our hearts not our garments, a traditional outward expression. He says, “Give me your hearts,  stop just serving outwardly. I want your heart!”

This brings me to “what God is saying to me.” I’m currently in a transition ministry-wise; going from women’s ministry to youth ministry to serve with my husband, in addition to other areas I serve. My prayer, as I do this, has been for God to give me a vision of my role(s) and show me exactly where I should be focusing in ministry as I feel drawn to many different areas. To avoid going into long explanations, in short, I was trying to figure out where God wants to use my passion and desires for ministry.

As I read this passage and wrote in my journal, the Lord spoke to my heart and gently and lovingly said, “In this season, I want your heart. Focus on me and I will show you the way and give you vision.”

At that moment I had to repent for not giving Him my heart first and just worrying about serving – an outward expression. As I mentioned yesterday, I had grown into a laziness when it came to having a daily, fruitful time with God yet I have been serving outwardly in various ministry roles. I know it is important as someone in any kind of leadership to maintain a healthy an growing relationship with God. I had gotten so “busy” with life, including ministry, that I was not dedicating an intentional time with Him. Although, we are to serve and He wants us to minister in our roles, serving is not enough; He wants hearts. That is why He told the people of Judah “rend your hearts and not your garments.”

So, I ask you, as I asked myself, Are you surrendered wholeheartedly? Are you rending garments; reaping only outward expressions?

Return to Him now. He is gracious and merciful. Slow to anger and abounding in love.

After a blogging hiatus–yes, I have those quite often–I am going to try to blog again. We’ll see how it goes. Keeping up with life is difficult and blogging is just not one of the top priorities but with some inspiration from my pastor, I am going to try again, at least, what I’m journaling. So, I’ll be sharing my heart, what I’m hearing God say, and maybe you will help keep me accountable.

I’ve been having a hard time trying to find a good time and place for my daily time with God. I thought since school started it would be easier, with the two boys gone. However, my little 3 year old girl has less to entertain her with them gone and she’s not too into playing by herself yet. I tried something new this morning. I took the boys to school and after returning home, I went to my balcony with my necessities: Bible, notebook, pen, iPhone and coffee in hand. Got my worship playlist going on the iPhone and begin reading the Word.

Well… it took me about 2 and half hours to finish my quiet time this morning. Distractions. Interruptions. You name it. Not that it was anyone’s fault. The enemy just likes to keep me from having time with the Lord. Jadyn constantly needing and wanting something, phone calls (that I couldn’t ignore even though some I tried), text messages, even had to run something to my husband at work. These were all things that I could have just stopped my time with God and dealt with them, never to finish. And I could probably say that often I let that happen. Set my Bible and notebook down, get busy and forget it. This morning I was determined not to let that happen. I need to get into a routine and find what works. Can’t say that I “have found what works” for me yet, but I’m pursuing and that’s what matters. So, after each interruption, I went back to my balcony and picked up where I left off.

Despite all the distractions and interruptions, my time with God was very fruitful and He spoke to my heart (which I plan to share about tomorrow). It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and we have to be intentional about giving time to God. As a stay at home mom with many responsibilities, I’m finding that hard but I’m declaring now that I will be intentional and make it happen. I have fallen into a laziness when it comes to this time with God and have, unfortunately, put so much other ‘stuff’ before God by not making Him first.

So, what about you? Are you, like me, struggling to find time for God? How are you intentionally making time for Him?

Are the fruit of the Spirit being seen in your home–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22)?

I have noticed that my kids have been quite fussy and whiny the last few days. They have also been unkind. Yes they are boys and yes they are kids and they will have their little fights, but I am sensing that it is more than that right now.

Because of this, in my prayer time this morning I began praying peace and joy for our home and family. I prayed that God’s perfect peace would cover us and that the joy of the Lord would fill us. Because the kids have been so whiny and fussy, that is what I wanted to pray for- that they would have peace and joy. As I was praying (which involves listening!) I felt the Holy Spirit urge me to also pray for love…godly love. I was not sure what to pray exactly, because we are a family and we love each other. But as I obediently began praying for love, 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind. This is a passage we all know, but as you read it, think about it and your home and your family.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I know as I read it, I realized some of the things it says Love is NOT has been occurring in my home.
As a family, are we patient and kind with each other?
Are my kids behaving rudely or selfishly? Are they bragging?
Are we as parents easily angered?
All these things are not love. So I am praying godly love in our home and family. And we know that God is love (1 John 4:16), so if we are obeying and living for God we will love!