Post by MIRIAM JACOB on May 31, 2007 11:15:17 GMT -5
Yesterday's Timezone
By Chrissy Siggee
Most of us possess several gifts from our Heavenly Father but are we making the most of them? We start each morning with great ambitions, but reminders of prior faults and inadequacies may cause us to neglect some gifts.
If we permit our failures to feed our disappointments, we cringe under their power. Moving on to other God-given gifts is a way of coping with disappointmentsand you might just achieve great things in other fields.
The pleasure of receiving a gift from God can often be overtaken by a hidden dread. Fear and rejection take control and the gift is dismissed, allowing yesterday's unfulfilled dreams to destroy today's visions.
Some of the most influential men in the Bible came from humble beginnings. Incredibly these God-fearing men questioned their ability, seeking signs and wonders from God to reassure them. They were all called to serve God and yet they all had every reason to disregard their purpose.
I am reminded of Peter's denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:75). Just imagine where today's church would be had Peter focused on his failure. It change his life forever, yesbut the choice he made determine not only his, but also the Church's future!
Gideon protested his short-comings to God. After all, he was the least of his family in the Manasseh clan (Judges 6:15). The Lord told Gideon to go in His strength, but Gideon was still anxious that he wasn't the man for the job. Only after some incredible signs, did Gideon respond to his calling. How easily Gideon's weaknesses could have kept him from overcoming?
Moses also required signs from God. He insisted that he was a man of poor speech (Exodus 4:10) and received a stinging rebuke!
Later, Moses went to Pharaoh to warn him to heed God's words. Imagine if he gave up after the first, second or even third attempt! Moses could have also allowed his past experience with Pharaoh to prevent him from achieving God's purposes.
At times we need mind-changing experiences, but do we always need God to give us signs because of our disappointments and weaknesses? Many conceal a gift because of fear of failure or rejection. A dis-used or neglected gift from God becomes void of its function. The splendour of a gift is in its use. We actually have to use the gifts God has given us to reveal all their riches and glory.
Today can be the beginning of a courageous journey. Explore beyond your past into expectations and hope. It's time to stop living in yesterday's timezone and go forth today, into the promises of tomorrow.
(C) Chrissy Siggee ... May 2007
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Author's Note: This article was originally written late last year and has recently been edited for publication in the Winter Edition of Footprints Australia Magazine.
Chrissy has two adult children and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband of twenty-six years, in Sydney Australia. With her unique blend of experiences, she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is currently writing her first book recounting experiences from her Pastoral Care ministry.
Article Source: www.faithwriters.com
By Chrissy Siggee
Most of us possess several gifts from our Heavenly Father but are we making the most of them? We start each morning with great ambitions, but reminders of prior faults and inadequacies may cause us to neglect some gifts.
If we permit our failures to feed our disappointments, we cringe under their power. Moving on to other God-given gifts is a way of coping with disappointmentsand you might just achieve great things in other fields.
The pleasure of receiving a gift from God can often be overtaken by a hidden dread. Fear and rejection take control and the gift is dismissed, allowing yesterday's unfulfilled dreams to destroy today's visions.
Some of the most influential men in the Bible came from humble beginnings. Incredibly these God-fearing men questioned their ability, seeking signs and wonders from God to reassure them. They were all called to serve God and yet they all had every reason to disregard their purpose.
I am reminded of Peter's denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:75). Just imagine where today's church would be had Peter focused on his failure. It change his life forever, yesbut the choice he made determine not only his, but also the Church's future!
Gideon protested his short-comings to God. After all, he was the least of his family in the Manasseh clan (Judges 6:15). The Lord told Gideon to go in His strength, but Gideon was still anxious that he wasn't the man for the job. Only after some incredible signs, did Gideon respond to his calling. How easily Gideon's weaknesses could have kept him from overcoming?
Moses also required signs from God. He insisted that he was a man of poor speech (Exodus 4:10) and received a stinging rebuke!
Later, Moses went to Pharaoh to warn him to heed God's words. Imagine if he gave up after the first, second or even third attempt! Moses could have also allowed his past experience with Pharaoh to prevent him from achieving God's purposes.
At times we need mind-changing experiences, but do we always need God to give us signs because of our disappointments and weaknesses? Many conceal a gift because of fear of failure or rejection. A dis-used or neglected gift from God becomes void of its function. The splendour of a gift is in its use. We actually have to use the gifts God has given us to reveal all their riches and glory.
Today can be the beginning of a courageous journey. Explore beyond your past into expectations and hope. It's time to stop living in yesterday's timezone and go forth today, into the promises of tomorrow.
(C) Chrissy Siggee ... May 2007
*************************
Author's Note: This article was originally written late last year and has recently been edited for publication in the Winter Edition of Footprints Australia Magazine.
Chrissy has two adult children and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband of twenty-six years, in Sydney Australia. With her unique blend of experiences, she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is currently writing her first book recounting experiences from her Pastoral Care ministry.
Article Source: www.faithwriters.com