But first, what is IT?

At the beginning of each new year we are bombarded with setting goals to lose weight, change our ways, and generally expect more from ourselves than humanly possible. The older I get, the more amusing all the commercials are to me. I have become hardened to their message. I even make fun of them. We cannot change a million things about us all at once. But because the world tells to do just that, we try. We fail and become discouraged and think even less of ourselves and our own abilities. Well, take heart! The Bible, God’s conversation with us, says the opposite…not surprising, is it?

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” (Romans 12:6, NLT)

Let’s stop right there and think about this in depth. GOD has given. It is from Him. HE has created in us certain abilities. AND to DO them well. It comes from the heart and mind of God to you. To me. We don’t create, magically conjure up or work hard to get these abilities. GOD, Himself put these into our very being along with the ability to do them well. If I sound redundant, I am. Sometimes I have to say this over and over to get this concept to soak in. IT is what God put in me (and you). So, let Him have His way with us. 

Simply put…Just do what God has given you and I to do…WELL. So that at the end, God will say, WELL DONE!

God’s message goes on to say…
“SO if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 

If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. IF you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 

IF you gift is to encourage others, DO IT! 

IF you have money share it generously. 

IF God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. 

AND if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, DO IT gladly.” Romans 12:6-8, NLT (Emphasis mine along with the separation so we would think about each one.) NOTE that God does not say to work at attaining ALL these gifts and abilities. He does not expect that of us…so why do we?

Randy and I are embarking on a new ministry to married couples called “PROJECT:MarriageRemodel.com”. We have been led by God, given “certain abilities” by Him, to do a new work, and we are striving to do it well. This will launch very soon. We are partnering with a hotel owner to do this. The hotel owner has his “certain abilities” that God has given him. We are excited about what God is doing already in us, through this partnership. 

The Importance of Affirmation…
Our partner asked us to get words of endorsements or testimonials of our integrity and worth to do this work to post on the new web site. WOW, that task has been an incredible affirmation for us and reminded me how important it is to affirm each other in our God-given abilities. We will keep on DOING IT WELL with this important element of affirmation that keeps us striving for God’s best in and through us. 

God’s message of hope and encouragement today? 
“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” 
Go with it…in 2014.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for designing us with certain things to do well. Thank you for the reminders that EVERYONE of us has been blessed in this way. May we see ourselves and others more through YOUR eyes and less like the world sees us. And, oh Lord, don’t ever let us forget to affirm and encourage each other. In Jesus Name, Amen