Abilities

by

Ezra 8:21 Fasting To Be Humble When Asking

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. Ezra 8:21

Asking for help is something that many people do not like to do. It often means that one is weaker and unable to accomplish something on his own and needs the strength and abilities of someone else. Admitting one needs help and then going about seeking help becomes one of the last things a person may do. A level of humility is required.

As Ezra was getting ready to lead the people back to Jerusalem, he proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before God and ask Him to protect them on the journey.

While the world looks at asking for help as a sign of weakness, believers must understand that everything they are is dependent upon asking for help. One is not saved until he seeks God’s help in being forgiven of his sins.

Even once saved, the power of pride often creeps into the hearts of believers causing them to not want to seek help from God or others. To help break that pride, believers can proclaim of time of fasting, going without something that they need so that they can humble themselves before God. Fasting is denying one’s prideful self and abilities to place God’s will in first place and in complete control. As one fasts, he can ask God for His will and favor.

During the fast, he is depending upon God for whatever is needed. It is no longer about self, but about God and His will and ways. The moment a believer takes self off of the throne in humility and places God on the throne, it allows God to do great and mighty things in his life.

No matter how strong or great you are, there are things that you cannot do without God’s help and strength. If God does not give you the abilities, you will fail.

Do not allow pride to rise up in you and cause you to walk without God’s direction. Humble yourself and deny yourself in a fast. Allow God to step in and meet every need you have in His own way. During the fast, allow God to be in complete control and watch Him meet needs in a supernatural way.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will humble yourself before God; that you will allow God to be in complete control of your life; that you will fast and deny yourself before God; and that you will see God do great things in your life and through you.

by

Exodus 31:6 God Will Give You The Needed Skills

Moreover, I have appointed Ohoiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: Exodus 31:6

Different people have different skills and different levels of abilities in these skills. Some people appear to have natural abilities in some skills. They seem to be able to do something very well with no trouble at all. Others have to fight hard just to do some of the same things just enough to make it acceptable, but still far from great.

As Moses was given instructions on what to build for the tabernacle, God provided various men with skills to be able to make everything needed.

God will often ask a person to step out in faith and do some new type of work or ministry. Very often believers feel as if they are unqualified to do that new type of work or at least to do it well. Many will run from it, rather than trusting God and moving forward.

When God calls a person to do a work for Him, He will also equip the person for the work. Abilities beyond the normal will suddenly show up in the person for accomplishing the mission that has been given.

The work abilities required may be physical skills as those helping build the tabernacle and its accessories. Other times it may be other abilities, such as working with children, special needs people, speaking, teaching, or some other needed skill.

Regardless of what skill is needed, the important thing for the believer is to lean on God for understanding and to do the work He calls him to do. At the time needed, God will provide all that is needed when the servant is faithful.

There is a work that God has given you to do in the process of building His kingdom. In this, He has also ready to give you the strength and skills to be able to accomplish that mission with success.

Rather than look at your faults and lack of abilities, focus upon what God has given you the ability to do. With God at your side guiding you, you will be able to do more than you could or would ever be able to do on your own.

Ask yourself what skills has God given you to build His kingdom.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God to give you the abilities needed; that you will be willing to do the work God has for you; and that you will build God’s kingdom in His way.

by

Genesis 41:16 I Cannot, But God Can

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

Thinking that one can do anything on his own is a common view of many people. Very few people like the feeling of needing help to get something accomplished.

Unless someone does not want to do some task, most people will never say that they cannot do it when asked to do a task. They will push forward and do it without a care about the real outcome. It will appear as though they know what they are doing.

Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. He was told Joseph could interpret it. Joseph says that he cannot interpret the dream, but God can.

When speaking words, it is easy for someone to say anything and everything without really speaking what is correct. It is common to hear people talk about things that they have no real idea or expertise in what they are discussing.

This is often done out of pride. No one wants to be seen is incapable of something, whether it is speaking or physically doing something. To admit that one cannot do something, is to admit a fault or weakness.

True believers in God have come to realize the true weakness of their own abilities and what God is actually able to do. They are quick to point people to God, rather to themselves. They are clothed with the humility that Christ portrayed and are unwilling to take credit for something that God is doing.

God has the amazing ability to do anything and everything Himself or through people who lean on Him for strength and ability. Without God giving breath of life and strength, no man can do anything at all. With God, nothing is impossible.

God is at work in your life. He is there to give you abilities to do things that would otherwise be impossible. He is also there to give you wisdom in the spiritual realm that the world cannot see nor understand.

As the world is trying to tell you that you can do anything on your own, point the world back towards God. Do not let the ways of the world corrupt your mind and filling you with selfish and false pride.

Lean on God for all of your abilities and understanding. Let God do what you cannot.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God’s abilities over your own; that you will point the world towards God; that God will strengthen you to remove all pride in your life; and that you will be humble before man and God.

by

1 Corinthians 13:3 Don’t Give Without Love

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

Throughout the world many wealthy people can be seen giving large amounts of money for different causes. Many of those people doing the giving have never even set foot in the area to help with the cause directly themselves.

Others have gone out of their way to physically help with a cause, while giving some money. Often these things are done for tax write-offs or for publicity.

As Paul begins to describe what true love is, he states that if he gives everything he has to the poor or goes through hardship for others, but does not have love, he does not gain anything.

Wealthy people are not the only ones who often give without love in the process. Giving in order to get something is a common problem for many people, whether wealthy or poor.

Getting some type of tax exemption is a common reason for people to give money or things. Getting praise and recognition is the common reason for giving of one’s self to help another person out. Both of these types of giving gain nothing, since love is not really in it. The only love is selfish personal love, not God’s love.

Giving like this is also very common in a church. Some will give as little as possible, just to say that they gave. Or they give a lot and announce it loudly, so that everyone knows that they gave. Again these people gain nothing.

God gave out of love when He gave Jesus. Jesus gave out of love when He gave His life. Every believer needs to give out of true love, love for God and love for others.

You may or may not be a person who gives money or self to others. If you do give, examine why you give. Ask yourself what is the motivation behind your giving of money or self.

Allow God’s love to permeate your heart, so that all that you do will be done out of love, not for selfish pride or dead obedience. If God’s love is not in the giving, it will mean nothing and gains nothing.

When love is at the center of your giving, God will be able to reward you greatly, both in this life and in eternity.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s love for you and others; that you will have God’s love in your heart for others; that you will give out of love for God and others; and that God will help you to remove all selfish pride.