Gifts & Talents!

For Wednesday, June 10, 2026:

Colossians 1:25 NLT, Paul speaking: “God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.”

It’s easy for Paul to identify his spiritual calling. The incident on the road to Damascus leaves no doubt!

Each of us is also called to serve, but our calling might not be as straightforward as Paul’s. I knew a man, an architect, who was nationally known for his large building designs. He sat in a pew week after week, wondering how he should serve. Eventually he retired, and that’s when his church decided they needed a new, much larger sanctuary on their campus. He went to work immediately! His purpose became obvious! Also, there was a woman who only knew a few chords on the guitar. She didn’t have the skill for the main worship team in the big room, but she was perfect for leading kids’ songs at church camp.

Sometimes the challenge is identifying your inherent skill. Other times it’s finding the proper venue to fit the available skill. The local church is better when we all share our God-given talents with others in the fellowship.

Are you still trying to identify your gifts, or are you figuring out how to put them to use?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Holy Spirit!

For Saturday, December 28, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 2:14 NLT: “He (the Holy Spirit) called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jesus told all of us believers to go and make disciples of all nations. Sounds simple enough, but in practice you can experience widely varying results, which may not depend on whether or not you did a good job!

Q: Did you first ask the Holy Spirit to intervene? Believers can explain the Good News, the Gospel, the truth about who Jesus is. But it’s the Holy Spirit who first opens a person’s mind and heart to salvation. So invoke the Holy Spirit, and use Jesus’ name! Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

You can also use Jesus’ name to cast out demons, which may be the person’s stumbling block! That’s what Jesus did when he healed, and he gave us permission to use his name. He’d first cast out any demons. Next he’d heal the person, who, through the healing, would then become a believer. They’d understand that Jesus was God’s Son, the Messiah! Being healed is a powerful testimony!

Making new disciples for Jesus requires more than a few casual comments. In fact, it becomes a project. We should do it often enough that we get good at it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship