Chapt. 32 - Using What God Gave You

"Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be." Romans 12:5 (Msg)

There you go ... kinda reminds me of the Nike slogan "just do it." He shaped you for a purpose, and He expects you to make the most of what you have been given. What else can one say? The most I can do is just encourage you to give it all you got. Whatever gifts God has given you can be enlarged, refined and developed into something amazing. Stretch yourself and "just do it".

Chapter 31- Understanding Your Shape

As we discussed previously, each of us is unique. We have various God-given skills and abilities that we were given for the purpose of bringing glory to God. Along with those skills and abilities, we were each given our very own personality to assist us in our endeavors.

This chapter really made me think about how every experience of our lifetime leaves a unique impression on our individual development. I think back to my childhood and my brothers and sisters. There were many events that we all experienced together, but because we each have our own individual personality and SHAPE, the impression those experiences left on each one of us was different. When we reminisce, we each recall different aspects of events- because that is the part that was meant for our personal development I guess. This concept really applies to many scenarios. For example, you and your friend witness a serious accident- will the impression it leaves on your life, ministry, and personality be the exact as it is for your friend?

Chapter 30 - Shaped for Serving God

This is a WOW moment for me. I have been personally writing a Bible study for young girls and my focus has been on the lead scripture verse in this very chapter.

Your hands shaped me and made me - Job 10:8

I do not think that is be chance so I am stunned for a moment. The reason that I have been focusing on this Scripture (and others with the same message), is that it shows us our value and the deep love from our Creator. He shaped us in our mother's womb. Can we truly grasp the depth of that thought? ... God chose to make us and made us unique for serving Him. We were made for His glory! If we think that we are only here by chance or an accident, it totally devalues our lives. There is NO journey if there is no purpose. Read though this chapter and feel God's love on each page.

Chapter 29- Accepting your Assignment

There are many who have always known and followed their 'calling' and others who still don't have it figured out. But, the bottom line is that God has blessed each of us with our own unique talents and skills. Our assignment is to use those talents and skills to glorify God and help each other.

When you stand before God at your final judgement do you think he will accept 'I was gonna...','I was afraid...','I was busy...', or 'I forgot'? I don't know about you, but I would much rather be able to say 'Lord, you told me to feed the hungry, I did it. You told me to witness, I did it. You told me to take care of widows & orphans, I did it. You told me to love my neighbor, I did it. You told me to share the gospel, I did it.'