by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 27 }
“Give back to the Lord the desires and gifts He has given you and then trust Him to use them when and how He chooses.”
– Priscilla Shirer
In Judges 6:19-20 four vital steps in giving our gifts to God is discovered, as shared in Priscilla’s study Gideon: Your weakness. God’s STRENGTH:
1. Prepare it.
2. Present it.
3. Put it down.
4. Pour it out.
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| Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Cor. |
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She shares how many Christians don’t want to do the hard work required for the preparation process.
Perhaps some don’t expect to have to hone their God-given gift(s) but like muscles in training, our gifts grow stronger and sharper with practice.
Here are some ways I’m learning to hone my spiritual gifts. I’d love to hear your ideas, as well:
- A diligent [not perfect] prayer life, realizing no matter what I do, say, or write will be divinely effective without God’s wisdom, discernment, and power.
- Diving in to God’s Word—refusing to be satisfied with surface level knowledge by meditating on passages, reading background information, and learning some of the original language (now available to all of us non-scholarly followers thanks to the web!) Plunging headfirst, regardless of our gift, will collect spiritual treasure troves of truth that are sure to benefit us (and others) for an eternity.
- Surrounding myself with people who shared the same or similar gifts. Obviously, we want to spend time with a variety of people, but there’s a synergy to be reckoned with when like-minded people join forces for God’s glory.
- The first 18 years of my journey were spent honing my teaching skills. For the past 5 years, my focus has primarily shifted to writing, although I still love to teach. If I’m convinced writing is where God wants me right now then I must be willing to pour in as much time and energy into it as I did for teaching. Each gift requires something different, but they all must be practiced.
- Anticipate opportunities. Where God guides, He provides. Watching, listening, and anticipating ways to use our spiritual gifts doesn’t come natural. It requires living intentionally. I know of few things more exciting than watching God at work in the lives of mere human beings, such as ourselves.
“You cannot expect God to use what you have not taken time to prepare. Dedicating the time to hone your gift will help you be ready when He opens the opportunities before you.” -Priscilla Shirer
Your turn! How are you honing your gift(s) so that you’ll be ready when opportunities arise?
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Preparing, presenting, putting it down, and pouring it out. When we’re honing our gifts and pouring them out, we are following the Spirit so closely we could give Him a flat tire if He wore shoes. Yes,that close!
Heavenly Father, help us to freely return those desires and gifts which You have placed in our hearts. May our fingers spread open wide allowing everything You’ve given us to be released for Your glory alone. Protect us from self-abasement when we feel we’re not “good enough” to use our spiritual gifts (truth is, we’re not, but You are) as well as from pride when results become our primary focus, our god.
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
{ Day 20 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Mini-Getaway
{ Day 21 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Piped Icing
{ Day 22 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Knock at the Door{ Day 23 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via The Book
{ Day 24 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Breath of Prayer
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Chimney Rock, NC |
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by Cathy Baker
{ Day 25 }
during our 31 Day Challenge.
Enjoy.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 24 }
“I drove away from my mind everything capable of spoiling the sense of the presence of God. I just make it my business to persevere in His holy presence. My soul has had an habitual, silent, secret conversation with God.” -Brother Lawrence
The habitual, silent, secret conversation is a stealth weapon residing in the soul of a believer, wielding power with but one breath.
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
The king said to me, “What is it you want?”
Then I prayed to the God of heaven,
and I answered the king…”
Nehemiah 2:1-5a
Nehemiah inhales prayer and exhales action. A “breath” prayer, if you will.
Nehemiah valued his relationship with God, so he spent time with Him—talking, asking, and most importantly, listening. This foundation of prayer released a current of godly wisdom and discernment that could be drawn from at a moment’s notice.
When in constant communion with God, breath prayers rise as natural as a chest drawing in air.
In 2013, I wrote the brief post Befriending, Not Depending, On Breath Prayers for it’s the habit of prayer that empowers the silent, secret conversation with God, not the other way around.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Prayer ushers us immediately into the presence of a holy God and loving Father. No greater way of staying in step with Him exists.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Please forgive us when we say we love You with our lips but don’t reflect it in our actions, beginning with prayer. Help us to grasp the magnitude of Your goodness and holiness as we reflect on this costly privilege.
Is there some way I can pray for you today? I would count it a privilege.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
{ Day 23 }
My name is Cathy Baker and I am a Book O’ Holic.
Slender binding
Threadbare spines
Fresh printed ink
Crisp white pages, and
Well worn ones too.
They’re all there – residing on my bookshelves, side by side, rubbing spine on spine.
Some have yet to be read
Some are on a perpetual rotation
Some left an indelible impression
Some simply left a mental ✔ by their title
Yes…
I may learn how to be a better wife, mom, and friend through a study or book written by a devoted author but only the Book, God’s active living Word, penetrates to the deepest, darkest layers within and brings current thoughts and actions to a screeching halt.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
I may learn how to be a more efficient make-up applier, decorator, and cook by perusing my stack of magazines but only the Book teaches me what’s really important.
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:19-21
I may become a better writer or poet by studying the reference books that line my shelves, but only in the Book will I find the overarching purpose for putting pen to paper. This is vital for it is my motivation to write.
My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1
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| Well, I do! |
I consider all my books to be a gift from God. Each one teaches me something. They have value, or else I wouldn’t purchase them. But, because of the fleshly tendency to reach for a book “fix”, I have to remain alert to
the truth that no book trumps God’s Word. No, not one. Not even the most soul persuasive Christian book. Nope.
Okay, so am I alone? If not, sign-ups begin Monday for all my fellow Book O’ Holics (just kidding, but it’s nice knowing I’m not alone!)
Staying in Step with the Holy Spirit: A plethora of books—magnificent books!—line our stores but only the Book is inerrant, alive and active on our behalf. When the Bible has the right priority in our lives, we can’t help but stay in step with Him.
Heavenly Father, Your words are our very life, the well from which we draw wisdom, encouragement, exhortation, and conviction. Everything we need in life You provided in one breath. Help us to lean on You, Your Word, above else.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
{ Day 20 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Mini-Getaway
{ Day 21 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Piped Icing
{ Day 22 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Knock at the Door
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 22 }
A Syrian father gathered up his two young children, both under the age of 12. He told them there would soon come a day when they would hear a knock at the door, and that those people (ISIS) would be there to harm their family.
He told them that when they open the door, they will say to the men Jesus is King and I forgive you. The father assured them that even though the pain would hurt for a little while, they would all be together again in heaven for an eternity.
Only weeks later, there was a knock at the door. Jesus the King was proclaimed. The men were forgiven by the family. The entire family was slaughtered.
As this story was shared a few Sundays ago (told to our pastor by the uncle of these children) I couldn’t help but wonder if I could possibly be that brave, knowing that one rap on the door would mean certain death for my family.
Brave enough to be that honest with my young children.
Brave enough not to run and hide.
Brave enough to answer the door.
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| Our Lhasa Apso half-way under the couch. |
Unfortunately, my actions tend to resemble Rupert’s, our Lhasa Apso. I may not bury my head beneath an Ikea sofa but it’s buried nonetheless. Distractions, ignorance, and don’t forget my rose-colored glasses. Sigh.
I want to be brave—I really do—and yet too often I don’t speak up, or stretch my hospitality muscles, or do a hundred other things to prove it.
The above family’s boldness is on a whole different level than what most of us face on a a daily basis. And yet, the truth is, a day is coming when we, or our future generations, may need to gather up the children and explain how one day soon they will hear a knock at the door.
The question is, will we be brave?
Staying in Step with the Holy Spirit: Truth and boldness go hand-in-hand. The more we know God, the closer we draw to Him, giving us divine courage exactly when we need it.
Heavenly Father, bless this uncle for sharing his story. That act alone required bravery! Surround him and the remaining family members with Your presence, love, and mercy. Boost our bravery that we might live boldly for Christ Jesus. Help us not to fear the knocks at our door, but to see each and every rap as an opportunity to proclaim Jesus as King.
Do you consider yourself to be brave and daring? How has knowing God’s Word helped these qualities to emerge in your life?
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:19-21
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
{ Day 20 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Mini-Getaway
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 21 }
Lovely, isn’t it?
Everything about my birthday cake exceeded my expectations, minus one thing. Do you see it in the picture?
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| McFarlan’s Bakery, Hendersonville NC |
When we picked up the cake at McFarlan’s Bakery (which is awesome!) they peeled back the box top, especially proud of the beautifully fall-themed design they’d created for me.
We were all delighted until Brian said,”It’s beautiful…except her name isn’t Cindy.”
We all laughed but they felt terrible about the mistaken name and wanted to fix it. I insisted I knew my name and it was perfectly fine. (I also thought of this post idea so I wasn’t about to ruin it by having them correct it!)
I had a flashback to my childhood when both
grandmothers would sometimes do what felt like a roll call when trying to get my
attention. They called out at least three other names of people in our family before getting to mine. (Oh, how I miss this!)
In the big scheme of things, though, aren’t you thankful God doesn’t mistake us for anyone else? When He calls our name, He gets it right the first time for He is keenly aware of every detail concerning our lives:
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You
know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from
afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with
all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to
the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are
all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many
sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Isaiah 43:1
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| Birthday getaway in Saluda, NC |
Our God never skips a beat. We’ll never catch Him calling us by another sheep’s name or confusing our strengths/weaknesses with a sibling-in-Christ. It’s almost as if each of us is His “only” child.
The LORD formed us, chose us, redeemed us, and He calls us by name.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: We draw near to God with a grateful heart, confident in His knowledge of us, and His love for us. How could such knowledge escape our praise?
Heavenly Father, everything within us bows at Your name. We praise You for choosing to be a Father we can draw near to, not one that shuns us when we fall. Thank You for being such an intimate heavenly Father.
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
