By P.J. Stratton
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
What is a man’s gift?
A valid question indeed, however, most people might answer this with another question. Do you mean my birthday gift, anniversary gift, or Christmas gift? This is humorous to say the least; however, some individuals might antiquate a gift in the physical realm or financial gifts, but spiritual gifts are not necessarily taught. I asked the same question upon reading Proverbs 18:16 many years ago.
During my Christian journey Yeshua spoke to my heart a man's gift is not only the breath which keeps one alive, but also the spiritual 'gift' or vocation he is blessed with in their journey from the 'womb to the tomb'. Your gift is a blessing which ministers to others.
What are spiritual gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:1-12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
What is YOUR gift?
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
What do you love to do or would do if you could choose a vocation to live your life? Are you a singer or a musician? Are you an artist? Are you a pastor, preacher or a teacher? Are you a mechanic or an engineer? Is your desire to be a homemaker, wife and mother? Do you have a hobby or passion which makes you happy that you would work for free?
Search your heart and ask Yeshua what His will is for your life. It is never too late to find your passion and finish your course before your journey is done. What comes naturally to you?
I discovered at age eight a natural ability to write which turned into songs and the prophetic poetic. My mother was devoted in her Christian walk, and introduced me to her passions: music, movies, books, photography with her Brownie camera, and Sunday School at age four where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Every Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening until age sixteen we were at church, and I believed at a young age this was a lot of church.
My lifelong friend, Betty, asked when we were kids why I had a huge roll of pencils inside a rubber band. I replied, “I am going to be a writer!” Betty smiled and laughed because she knew it would happen. As a young adult, my dream was to be a published writer, photographer, and like Grace Kelly spreading sunshine gracefully. No pun intended!
In 1979 I was invited to a meeting by a group of businesswomen in our local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. I had known them since 1966 and my parents did business with many of them, so I was shocked when suddenly, my name was called by the staff of our town physician. What was going on? A surprise!
These wonderful women nominated and elected me as their ABWA Public Relations Chairman and none of them knew I was a writer or a photographer. Yeshua knew!! This 'divine intervention' launched me into a lifelong vocation in public relations and as an internationally published photojournalist with London, England’s World Entertainment News Network and Hollywood Today Magazine with publisher/editor Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn, Al Jolson’s great nephew.
I love Yeshua with all my heart, mind, body, and soul and have been blessed to see the many desires of my heart manifested and fulfilled.
My intention from the onset to attend Rhema was Evangelism ministry. Rhema Word of Faith Magazine gave a deeper perspective of worldwide ministry of graduates of all ages. It is beautifully written, photographed, and published by ministry employees. My heart was drawn there every day of Orientation.
Unbeknownst to me, our Heavenly Father began to lead me in a different path as I enrolled in the ‘Helps’ Group known as Supportive Ministry. I would find myself working at the Rhema Magazine offices, audio and video, and other facets which a ministry of administration requires. What a glorious gift!
To subscribe to Rhema’s Word of Faith magazine: www.Rhema.org
The Rhema curriculum for first-year classes consist of foundational Bible teaching and the second-year classes are in seven ministry concentrations: Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, Missions, Biblical Studies and Supportive Ministry. Rhema Bible Church is an important part of praise and worship, sitting under His Word as a student.
In May of 1992 I graduated from Rhema Bible College in a class of 777 students from around the world. To this day, I use my gifts in ministry to others coupled with spiritual and vocational experience of 50 years.
There have been a few detours along the way which were not always scenic routes and several dead ends with hard U-turns, but always found my way back to leaning on blessed arms of my Savior Yeshua.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Esther and Divine Favor
Mordecai, a Jew and the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite had raised his cousin, Esther, an orphan, as his daughter. He directed her to the palace of King Xerxes where all the fair young virgins were gathered to Shushan. Esther, a fair and beautiful maiden obtained favor of Hegai for her and her seven maidens in the King's house for their 12 months of purifications: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and other things for the purifying of the women.
Esther had not shown anyone she was a Jew for Mordecai charged her not to. When Esther went into the King, he chose her as his Queen. Queen Esther was a Gift from God to her husband and her beloved Jewish people set for destruction by Haman, Mordecai's arch enemy.
The moral of this Bible story is Yeshua always brings someone across your path, for a short time or perhaps for a lifetime, to mentor or minister to you. There will be individuals who become your teacher, friend, or to open the locked doors to your next level.
The lesson is to be ready, willing, and able to go forth. Life is not rehearsed and there will be no way to go back for there is nothing to go 'back' to. Sometimes opportunities are a one-time thing at the right time in the right place for the right person.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Is this you?
Are you so fearful to make a decision that you might have missed your calling, destiny aka the golden ring? Live your life without regrets and be ready, with wisdom, to step into your destiny! Time is of the essence and someone else will step into the shoes you might have worn had YOU been 'ready'.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Time is a Gift!
Time is passing very quickly so never take your remaining time for granted. Be busy about your father's business with humility, a grateful heart, using your gifts and talents. Yeshua's blessings provide and protect us on our journey, but above all, be grateful for YOUR gifts and talents.
Romans 12 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
In His Service, PJ
1 John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.