I found this small nuance to the scripture this morning – in Paul’s  if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith... IN PROPORTION TO OUR FAITH… from Romans 12, a letter that Paul wrote for teaching how to live a Christian life and that we are given gifts – each of us a part of one body of Christ . “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…”

and “as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

So – these skills are all measured out to us by God – in other words God already knows what He can and will find in us for skills and not leave us out in the cold when we work to hone them – and we fulfill the work that He wants us to be doing. Everything in His Name – and in His Mercy – and in His Strength…

Living Serving Behaving Blessing

“as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” is a phrase that means we have to not overstep our faith OR we have to expand our faith. Well, BOTH !!! God wants us to faith UP and look UP for the help to do what we are called to do.

I remember visiting a church one Sunday morning, early in my faith awakening, thinking that a particular praise singer would be there – and I misinterpreted a schedule – but was happy to see the train sets they had for Christmas and I remember getting a keychain to be careful on train tracks (true) – and this couple whom I was chatting with – and then I got all shy in my ability to promote my writing when I started talking about my faith awakening and these processing and teaching and encouragement writings that I write – poetry too. I was able to explain that God makes me write for my peace to know that I wrote… Well, I got shy when I could have given the woman my email or phone or the blog address – I don’t know why I got shy but I felt instantly that my faith was not enough – not expanded enough to the measure that God was giving me… I would have could have should have – and then let things progress naturally – and yet – that is what we are – A WORK IN PROGRESS – and someday I will see that lady in Heaven and say OOPS – sorry… There is scary realization in me that the Lord makes me write and that maybe some of it is good – and yet what is next – well the Lord will let me know…

If God gives us faith in measure then we must realize that God is an infinite God – and all encompassing and forever – and we are dust here on earth but highly organized dust – and then in Him we are approaching and gaining more and more – more and more learning – more and more strength – more and more faith…  Ah faith – do we have faith that God wants to use us – well, He told us He does. May we GROW in faith to be faithfully working for Him.

Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Romans 12 is but a fraction of instruction – but all in all God knows that HE WANTS US TO LIVE A LIFE MEASURED UP – BUILT UP – POWERED UP – Living Serving Behaving Blessing UP.

May we grow in faith – in strength – in knowing our skill set and how to apply it.  We have a fraction (like a number) of the faith in God that He is rounding to a whole (a whole number of ONE). We are being rounded up – as a number and as a church. We have work to do in each life phase and season and each worldly phase too: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Yes, yes, God wants us in His Flock. Let us go where called.

And someday I won’t run away – because our flock(s) should travel together in strength and faith.

Keep walking in faith my friends, God’s Got This.

Amen

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Romans 12 NKJV

Living Sacrifices to God

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.