Are You Using Your Gifts?
Are you using the gifts that God has appointed to you?
Pastor Chidobvu discussed the Parable of the Talents from the book of Mathew 25:14-30 in Ulumba to describe what has been given to us by the Spirit of God. We are managers or stewards with responsibilities to the Lord. When the Spirit of God operates in us, He does not speak of Himself (Jn 16:13-15) or of His authority (Jn 1:8, Jn 3:27, Jn 3:30). We should never boast of our gifts (1Cor4:7, Jn16:13). If we do, it is not the Spirit of God within us. God gives gifts according to His will (1Cor12:11). God knows how much we can handle. He tests us with a small tasks (Luke 16:10, Matt 25:21) that He may see if we are faithful stewards (Matt 25:21)
As an example, Pastor Wiskie discussed how our friend who received one talent felt his gift to be insignificant or worthless compared to others that had two gifts and five gifts. This steward with the single gift had a lack of faith (Heb 11:1). He dismissed Lord’s instructions (Matt 4:4, Ps 119:105), and he disregarded of the value of gift given. His actions revealed what was in his heart. When we have a worldly perspective, we can be blind to the value of the gifts we are given. So as leaders, we must be very careful during the testing times like these . We should read the word of God to give us instructions on how to use our gifts (Jn 16:13-15) . We should not hide or dispose of gifts God provides to us because we will be found to be derelict of our duty when God calls us to account for our decisions (Matt 25:26-30).
We organized a strategic meeting with the youth leaders. We thank God that all the three key leaders appeared for the meeting. MacPherson And Snoden our chairperson and Mwai our secretary will help us take a lead in meeting the teacher and the head teacher asking for a block for our meetings since the heavens are promising rain season from any day.
While in Ulumba, we had the grace to meet Mr. Wire who is a primary school teacher. After seeing the plans, he was also interested in volunteering himself in the service of teaching the youths in educational sector and among other things.
We discussed our plans to continue developing the spiritual foundations in youth in the Ulumba area. The spiritual foundations are described in the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13) and in 2Tim2:1-5 (as a soldier, a farmer, and an athlete). We used this passage in 2 Tim 2:2 to guide us in finding others to assist in our mission. We located one of the teachers around the Ulumba area and shared our vision for developing youth. We revised a publication explaining the disciplines of the faith. The publication is titled “How to Grow in the the Lord Part 1″ . We are praying for the monetary provision towards printing of this document, and for writing pads and pens.
Challenges
As we move toward Christmas season many youths are so busy seeking some piece work so that they can raise some funds for the their enjoyment during the festival. This will affect our attendance and we need to make alternate plans, since many of them will be going to farms to make ridges to get some funds for Christmas.
Praise be to the Lord who counted us faithful to do the work of the ministry and made us able. With all the confidence by His grace we had another opportunity to share the Gospel with our group in Ulumba, after being absent for long period of time. Our near term goal is to make sure we are meeting regularly to encourage these youth in their development by providing examples for them to follow.
