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December 28, 2000
To wrap up the year and the 7 gifts in Romans 12, this Good News will do both. Again, this is an edited version from H. Norman Wright.

Along with Prophecy, Generosity, Encouraging and Mercy; Romans 12 includes Servicing, Teaching and Leadership.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is practical service, let him give himself to serving; If it is teaching let him teach. If it is leadership, let him govern diligently.” (Romans 12:6a,7,8b)

A person whose gift is serving has an approach to life that is devoted to meeting the needs of others. Often, people with this gift anticipate and care for some needs before they are even evident. All of us need to be givers in some way. This is a calling to everyone who claims Jesus as lord of their life.

Some people instill within others a quest for knowledge and a thirst for learning. It is as though they can turn every situation into a classroom. These people have been given the gift of teaching. If you have this gift, you are usually sharing information or knowledge with a joyful attitude... and usually surround others with whatever will assist them in learning.

Ruling is not limited to kings and presidents. We all have to rule to some degree, but the one with this spiritual gift is obvious. This leader can determine the abilities of other people and channel them in the proper direction. They lead with a loving tone of voice that gives suggestions rather than directions. They also “let go” and trust their subordinates.

Summary: The wise know the value or strength of their gifts as well as the weakness of their overuse. Recognize your gifts, use them, rejoice and give thanks for them.

Repeat from last week: Thought for the week: As we approach the new year, let us think about who we are and what gifts God has given us. Let us learn to use these gifts in 2001 to make our lives and the lives of others better.

Prayer for the Week: Dear lord, as the new year approaches, self improvement always seems to be an objective. Each year I focus on “my improvement” and sometimes do not recognize the tasks you may have set forth for me. I pray that this will be the year that “my improvement” is closely connected to you.

Have a great new year.

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December 20
Following Prophesy, Generosity and Encouraging:

The fourth gift is Mercy.

Again, from H. Norman Wright.” We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6,8).

Have you ever listened to a speaker who is very emotional compared to someone who is logical? What about one that is very tactile, always touching others? Have you run into a highly sympathetic person, one who may even cry easily? These people reflect empathy, compassion, sympathy and are highly attentive while listening sincerely. These people have the gift of mercy.

People with this gift seem to have an antenna that picks up the emotional response of others. They want harmony in their lives, at home and work. Physical contact is highly valued and they seem to understand the body language of others very well. As with other gifts there are limitations. Being so caring makes it difficult to discipline, confront or correct others. Many times there is too much tolerance of situations that could hurt. They are often swayed too easily.

Family members know they are loved, understood and accepted because their feelings are validated and accepted. Mercy means to “to console or to succor one afflicted” (Webster). The Amplified Bible says “He who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerful eagerness”. There is the true manifestation of this gift. It leaps from the heart and there is no resistance to doing.

Other people wonder how the person of mercy can keep doing and giving. They can not stop. After all, like the other characteristics we have discussed, mercy is a gift from God. When you receive a gift from God, rejoice and use it.

Thought for the week: As we approach the new year, let us think about who we are and what gifts God has given us. Let us learn to use these gifts in 2001 to make our lives and the lives of others better.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, as the new year approaches, self improvement always seems to be an objective. Each year I focus on “my improvement” and sometimes do not recognize the tasks you may have set forth for me. I pray that this will be the year that “my improvement” is closely connected to you.

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December 16
Prophesy and Generosity are followed by the third gift: Encouraging.

From H. Norman Wright’s “With All My Strength,” Nov. 23.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is encouraging, let him encourage.” (Romans 12:6a, 8b).

Are you an exhorter? A what? A person whose gift is exhortation. Not yelling, pushing or prodding, but exhorting. Frequently this gift is equated with preaching, but not necessarily.

Various versions of the Bible express it differently: King James - “he that exhorts”; Berkeley describes this person as “the admonisher”; William’s - “...one who encourages others”; J.B. Phillips- “...this gift is one used to stimulate the faith of others.” Therefore if a person has this gift, it will be natural to admonish, advise, encourage and stir up the faith and self worth of others. People will feel encouraged and cheered by this encouragement. They will know that the encourager is available whenever needed.

Is this your gift? Your spouse’s? Your child’s? All parents need to be people of encouraging words especially as reflected in this verse: “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad” (Prv 12:25,AMP). If this is your gift, it will come naturally.

Thought for the week: Many people experience what is termed a “blue Christmas.” Yes, not everyone gets caught up in the euphoria of the season. Let’s think about who we can encourage or stimulate in a Christian way. Let’s contribute to their peace.

Prayer For the Week: Heavenly Father, as we approach this special day, help me keep the real value and meaning of Christ’s life and sacrifice at the forefront. Somehow help me use the gifts that you have given me to make this season special for those around me.

Family Update: My brother is very afraid. It is always bad when you have cancer and very bad when there is no faith to lean on. The reality is that with several months of radiation therapy there ia a 99% chance of recovery. He has been blessed. Thank you all for your prayers.

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December 8
Prophecy is followed by a second gift: Generosity, the Gift of Giving. From H. Norman Wright’s With All My Strength - Nov. 21.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... If it is contributing to the needs of others, let us give generously” (Romans 12:6a, 7b).

Generous. That is the best way to describe a person with the gift of giving. In most translations the verse is translated, “a person who gives with liberality.” The original Greek word means “to share with anyone, or to impart.” Webster mentions “...as a cow gives milk.” A cow does not give milk, that’s it’s function. A person with this gift cannot help but give, it is their function. Their whole lifestyle is that of giving. It is built into their personality.

A person with this gift gives freely. No cost, bartering or strings. They look for ways to give without drawing attention to themselves and gain enjoyment in giving. They set a wonderful example for children because they gain an understanding of how God gives through their parents. There is also a contentment on the part of the givers.

Keep in mind, in God’s way, all gifts have a purpose and one is no better than the other. Even if generosity is not our natural gift, we can all learn to give in some way.

Thought for the week: During this season of commercialism, let us focus on helping others less fortunate than ourselves.

Prayer for the week: Heavenly Father, let me thank you for your Son Jesus as we approach Christmas. May somehow I find a way to love and be more unselfish like He was, and find a way to be more like Him.

Special Request: My brother gets a reading on his bone scan and MRI today. I ask for your help with prayer.

Bless you all.

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December 2
Looking at the holiday season, gifts are at the forefront in many of our lives. Therefore the next few weeks will focus on a series by H. Norman Wright, Romans 12, where seven gifts from God are discussed.

From H. Norman Wright, With All My Strength, dated November 20:

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a person’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.” (Romans 12:6)

There are many different styles of responding to life. You do not have to be a replica of all the other persons you have known. God wants you to have the freedom to express your unique personality in what you do.

The word gift in Greek is charisma. The root of this word means “joy” or “gladness.” The seven gifts described in Romans 12 are to be considered gifts of joy. If you are aware of your gift and use it, you will be a person that brings joy and gladness.

The first gift mentioned is prophecy. It means speak out or declare. It also has a connotation of proclaiming in a very direct manner. A person reflecting this gift will be seen as one who is telling, declaring or speaking out about something. A person with the gift of prophecy doesn’t waver. The truth is spoken without much hesitation. The prophetic person acts on whatever their perception of right is, and many times without concern over the consequences. Other people know where the prophet stands and can trust that person’s word because he or she does not waver. The prophet is usually a person of action- persuasiveness and even competitive.

People with the gift of prophecy attract other people, but can also push them away. They have strong convictions and the unusual capacity to stand alone. Is this one of your gifts?

Thought for the week: Let us try to recognize our gifts and how we apply them in our personal lives, within our community and our business lives.

Prayer for the week: Let us pray that in this very commercial season, the real gifts given us by God are not forgotten.

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November 25
This is from H. Norman Wright's, With All My Strength.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as your self. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31).

Love is a choice. Yes there are many feelings of love at times, but they come and go. It is a choice- especially agape love. This word is used over 200 times in scripture. It is the type of love that will make your marriage come alive. It is difficult and you can not do it on your own. You need God infusing you with this love and the strength to be consistent with it. There are three words that describe how Jesus loves us and how we are to love others.

He loves us unconditionally. He loves us whether we are bad and no matter how bad we are. That’s unconditional love. To be like Jesus, we must also love others in this way.

He loves us willfully. Do you understand what this means? He wants to love you. He was not forced to go to the cross for you. He chose to. How do we love others? By choosing to. And if that is difficult, as it will be sometimes, pray for a change of heart and attitude.

He loves sacrificially. Sacrificial love gives all, expecting nothing in return. It’s a costly love. Not an easy love. It takes us out of our comfort zone. How could you love someone sacrificially today? When you have decided, go ahead and do it. In doing so, you become a bit more like Jesus.

Thought for the week: Let’s focus on two or three individuals who cause us angst. How can we find forgiveness and love for

Prayer for the week: Let us pray that through some miracle there will be a loving peace in our lives and around the world.

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November 17
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)

Thanksgiving Day. But wait a minute. Every day is a thanksgiving day. Every day of our lives is to be a day of gratitude. Thanksgiving is more than a day of football games, reunions and eating.

Have you ever made a list of all you have received that you are thankful for? An extensive list, compiled over time and added to as you feel appreciative. A great family activity for the holiday is to share this type of list with each other and recognize God’s contributions that are on the lists.

The pilgrims knew what gratitude was, at least those who were still alive. Many had died on board ship and wintering in a harsh new country. They were grateful because they were now free and not oppressed for what they believed. They faced hardships, but being thankful doesn’t happen without difficulties; it happens in the midst of difficulties.

God gave us a grateful heart and he does want to hear about our gratefulness to him.

Prayer: Heavenly father, this week let me be more aware and thankful for your presence in my life. Let me share my gratitude with others and contribute positively to the world in which we live.

Special Request: Remember my brother Wayne, diagnosed with an aggressive cancer on Tuesday and my 83 year old mom who lives with him.

Bless you all.

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November 12
This is from H. Norman Wright’s With All My Strength for November 3.

“My times are in your hands...” (Psalms 31:15).

The word hand has a great significance in scripture. The phrase “the hand of the Lord” is used frequently. Do you know what it means? It is a figure of speech that uses the word hand for the “providence, presence and power of the Lord.”

We use the word as a compliment: “I’ve got to hand it to you.” Many of the statements we make about a person’s ability and activity relate to our hands. We ask people to lend us a hand, in the Navy it’s “all hands on deck,” workers are “hired hands” and a beggar is looking for a hand out. Hands may be used for good or evil.

One day on the Sabbath Jesus met a man with a withered hand. “And behold there was a man with a withered hand” (Mt12:10, NASB). It wasn't a birth defect but perhaps a burn or an accident. He looked to Jesus for healing—and he got it. “Then he said to the man, ‘stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as his other.” (Mt12:13).

Are your hands complete? Do they hinder you? Are they being used to further Christ’s kingdom? If your hands are “withered” in any way, reach out and allow Jesus Christ to touch you so that your hands can be an instrument of healing to other people.

Thought for the week: This week let us think of and pray for ways to help others in some thoughtful way. In business, personal or spiritual manner, remembering that a small hand may have a large impact on others.

Prayer Focus: There are many people that use their hands for evil. Let us pray that these people will somehow be touched by the Lord and become better people. Let God’s hands resolve the politics of this election.