What Is Your Super Power or Not-So Spiritual Gift?

My kids are getting all geared up for Halloween. Every since October 1st they have been drawing pictures to tape on our front window. Now we have officially covered every space possible. They each picked a pumpkin out, went to the Pumpkin patch, played in the hay maze, fed animals and rode a camel. They are so excited about the costumes they picked out--themselves!!! Sam is Robin from Teen Titans. He loves the Japanese song they sing. Max is Obi Wan Kenobi...I am sure I didn't spell it right...I have no idea. Anyways, Halloween is ON! We spent last night driving around on a mission to find any homes with Halloween decorations. They went ballistic and yelled out everything they could spot, kind of like a lets find Waldo version of looking at Christmas lights.

Well Max had to tell me what his super power was the other night. It was very confidential. I probably shouldn't share this in case any arch enemies are listening in, but here goes...His super power is his Awesomeness. Yes, you heard it. He can beat all his enemies with his Awesomeness. Huh, wasn't expecting that one. But really, we have been talking about what makes a real super hero. My kids know that there aren't real super heroes with super powers. We talk about being God's super heros by helping others and doing God's work. Our power comes from our prayers and most importantly from loving God. The more we love God and Jesus the more of him we have in our hearts and the more of His power he gives us. It is not something earned. It is all about us accessing the power and gifts He gives us freely as our inheritance. We are children of God.

We are grafted into the family and given these gifts. Even though our gene pool is different, we are made, transformed into His likeness, His sons and daughters. But we must accept this gift just like we must accept the salvation offered us. God is always waiting to bless us, we just aren't always looking and waiting with open arms. So what is YOUR super power? What is your spiritual gift? I joke that mine is making everyone around me feel tall. It definitely isn't my faith, though I wish it was. So take up your cloak, dawn your boots and take the leap of faith. Ask God to show you your spiritual gifts and talents. Ask him how he wants to use you each day. Be God's super hero. There are never enough of them. Besides, I know you've always wanted to. Seize the day for Christ and God!

Not a Safe God

I am currently reading another good book, "Not A Safe God" by Tim Riter. It talks about the fact that we tend to think of God as safe, soft, comforting, our father to run to, our provider, our refuge and strength. Yes God is good, but he is more than that. He is also not safe. The bible also refers to him as an all consuming fire, jealous for us. "The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30-31). God will come into our lives and disrupt it in order to transform us and use us. His laws are absolutes, not warm fuzzy suggestions representing good things to strive for. They are not overstatements used to grab our attention to make a point. They are also not legalistic requirements designed for us to struggle with in vain. I know I cannot reach them.

Sometimes it is frustrating. Did God give us these impossible rules to sabotoge us, tease us and set us up for failure? He knew we couldn't keep them. That is why he sent Jesus to bail us out and save us from our sin. So why the rules at all? Even just trying to attain them causes us to turn inward, focusing more on perfecting ourselves than on following God and helping others. This is what the Pharisees did. Aaagghh!

I think God gives us these rules to teach us how impossible it is to save ourselves, how much we need him. They are also targets for us to put into action our faith. With God's help we can attain some, but not all. But it still doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Our transforming and perfecting doesn't stop here, it is a continous process until we get to heaven. We can't earn our salvation. It was already done for us. We just have to accept it gratefully and live out each day in a way to honor God out of love for him.

Our life here isn't about us, it is about HIM! God and Jesus aren't here to help Us achieve Our goals and ambitions. We are here to serve Him and His will, His purposes. That is the first thing we must get into our heads and hearts. I admit it is a hard thing to remember. Life gets busy and closes in on us and it is easy to lose perspective. That is why we must always keep looking to Him.

So we know that we have a good God, a demanding God, and a God who is not safe. But he is also a God who will never leave us nor forsake us. Don't let your faith falter because of a vision of God that is incomplete and false. Look at ALL that he is. He is marvelous and He will astound you. Oh the dreadful wonderful love of God!!!

Remember just who the Word of God Comes From

Oswals Chambers said that "we should never interpret the word of God apart from the one who uttered them." I need to keep this in mind. All too often I get irritated when reading God's word. Yes, I know that sounds awful. I should be inspired and in a holy, otherworldly state reading it, but reality isn't always pretty. Yes the word of god is powerful and inspiring, encouraging, but MY SINFULNESS isn't. How I recieve the word (and how much truth and help I get from it) is all dependent on my state of mind and spirit reading it. God has already done his part in giving the word (His tools) to us. It is my part to prepare my spirit to recieve it. UGHHH!!! Can you hear me slapping my forehead again and again? It takes a lot to get through it. It seems like a duh, no contest info. but it is soooo hard to remember and do.

Even if my spirit isn't in the right place, though, I should still prod on, obedient to seeking God. It is these times we develope patience, steadfastness of spirit. Eventually the word will speak to us again. I have had times where I couldn't even pray. I just had to sit still and allow the Holy Spirit to speak for me, praying for me with groanings too deep for words. Oh we have a good God, even if we don't always feel like it. God understands and provides for us in all circumstances. Just remember in the good times that if we aren't hearing from Him and we feel dry, it may be that we aren't coming seeking Him or his will.

There are always going to be dry times. I just pray that the dryness will not matter nor affect me. I can't become stuck by it, overwhwelmed and use it as an opportunity to be dissappointed with God. God is God not matter what the circumstance. We may not understand Him or his ways, we may not see him, but just like the mountain top covered by clouds, he is still there as majestic and powerful and present as ever.

God's word says to obey his rules. Oswald Chambers said that "God never insists on obedience. He tell us what we ought to do, but ne never takes means to make us do it...The Lord does not give me rules, He makes His standard very clear, and if my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without any hesitation." It is a matter of trusting God, that what he says is best because he only wants to protect us and give us the best. If we love him we will trust and want to please him. That is why He says "IF" so often in the bible. "If ye love me ye will keep my commandments" (jon 14:15) "If any man will become my disciple let him deny himself. (Luke 14:26).

His word also says that, "All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial." That is why God wants us to listen to him, just like a parent raising their child. A parent doesn't try to squealch a child's fun. A parent just tries to keep a healthy boundary of protection using good judgment. Yes other parents and kids may be doing something, but it is not best so they don't give you permission. It is done out of love, despite the parent knowing the grief of pouting and tantrums they will probably elicit by it. Still, protecting you and giving you the best is worth it. Don't we act like children to God in response to his direction? I do, time and time again. Thank goodness (Godness) that He loves us so much to put up with us.

So remember each time you read the word of God, that it is coming from a God who loves you so passionately that he would die for you to save you and give you his inheritance, his best. Don't get frustrated, remember who is speaking the words. Then it is much easier to keep the proper spirit and perspective to recieve it. His word always is spoken to us in love. Recieve it in love. And only speak it to others in love.