Always, Give Yourself Fully!!
For over a week I have been reading I Corinthians 15:58 , over and over. The more I read it, the hungrier I become for the the Word of the Lord. A desire to serve Him more fully with the remaining time that is allotted me.
We are to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. To use the gifts and talents that He has given us to to touch others.strong>
Janice Elsheimer in “The Creative Call“, page 3, says “Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world” and on page 5 she says “The Creative Call offers Christians a point of view and an approach that is consistant with Christs teaching. Instead of hoping that finding ourselves will result in practicing our art again, we need to realize that only through losing ourselves and becoming reliant on God can we discover how to use those gifts the way He wants us to use them.”
“We will find the artist God intends us to be when we empty ourselves of self and become open to His plan and inspiration of His Holy Spirit. Only then will we experence personal artist revival.”
I had the privilege on September 24th to attend a one day writers conference with the Christian Authors Guild and Janice taught the sessions that I attended and she was a source of inspiration and she illustrated well, The Creative Call, what it means and that in turn brought a sense of hope and excitement to me!
Which brings me to this verse:“Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58.
What it has been speaking to me, is that we can give ourselves fully, without reservation to the Lord, to be passionate in the gifts and talents He has put within us in order to use us as His living epistles. Walking and living in the reality of His word, of coming into an experimental relationship with our Father, the Master Artist.
He is portraying Himself through us as we give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor, that all that we do in the Lord is not in vain. That which He has begun in us, He will fully finish as we give ourselves fully to His creative call in our lives!
Let us respond to the touch of the Holy Spirit as He develops in us the gifts He has given us. That we will be the best in what we are called to.
Don’t you feel an unquenchable fire within? Our Father is wooing us and drawing out of us those seeds that He planted within us, that His Creative Call will bring forth that which He has called us to be!
September 30th, 2005 at 23:15
QUOTE:“Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world”
Thank you for sharing this, Paul.
Have a great weekend.
September 30th, 2005 at 23:56
Thanks Romi!!
Be blessed and have a super weekend my friend!
Writing for the King,
Paul
October 1st, 2005 at 00:59
Paul,
I went to the local Borders Bookstore here, but they didnt have it, so I ordered it….Should have it in 7 to 10 days and looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing this….
Blessings,
Donna
October 1st, 2005 at 01:05
At our study last night we were discussing marriage and how unprepared we were to enter it (hubby and I are the youngest ones in our study at ages 55 and 53) and we all agreed we were no way prepared!! Now there are many books, conferences, counselors, etc. that were not there 33 years ago…for us. But the LORD was there for us…even though we ALMOST did not make it either. I am not sure I even loved him some years, and he would likely say the same of me…but now, with what all God has done in our lives, well, it is plain amazing. Part of it for us too, though we were very much in an evangelical church, they so rarely teach all those wonderful gems in the Old Testament that were really not necessary to reteach in the New Testament. No wonder we were SO ignorant of what all God had planned and the HOW TO, to accomplish it. But even though things are not the way you wish, and may never be, still while there is life, there is hope, Paul. And even if things are never put right again…still God has not forgotten you and He someway will help you to fulfill ALL His plan for you! I know you know this…but I want to encourage you that sometimes it takes an awfully long time for HIS plans to be fulfilled. And He will not allow any of this time to be wasted either…and just look at all that has happened to you in just this last year. You certainly have made many new friends…and that is a good thing indeed! And to be with family, especially grandchildren…oh how special!! I really do hope things will work out the way you desire…because it is God’s desire too that families reunite and become ONE in HIM!! Not that it will be perfect either…but HE will be there with you! How does anyone live without HIM? I have never been able to figure it out…and never will!
Many blessings from the God of all comfort!!
Elizabeth
October 1st, 2005 at 02:16
Paul,
I wanted to let you know that I am shutting down for a while, but I will stay in touch. You and your ministry have touched my life in many many ways you will never know. I am praying you make it to NY at some point; my hubby and I will meet up with you if you do. If you would please remove my blog from your sidebar, I appreciate you linking to me…it has been an honor to be associated with you…God is doing incredible things in your life….and like I say, I will stay in touch.
Blessings to you,
Donna
October 1st, 2005 at 16:05
Hi Donna,
Your welcome!
I am throughly being blessed as I read Janice’s book.
I know that you will receive much from it as you read it.
Be blessed my friend!
Paul
October 1st, 2005 at 16:11
Hi Elizabeth,
I thank you so very much for sharing. I am always blessed, encouraged by your thoughts and comments.
Indeed there is hope, always hope. I know that the Lord’s will and purpose will be done in all of this.
I have been so blessed this last year here in Kennesaw, Ga. It is hard to believe this December will be one year,
Without Him, I would have died a long time ago, it is He that has given me life, hope and purpose, knowing that which He has begun in me, He will finished.
Be blessed my friend. Again, thank you for the words of hope and encouragement.
Writing for the King,
Paul
October 1st, 2005 at 16:15
Hi Donna,
Thank you for letting me know what is going on and letting me know that you will stay in touch.
You will be in my prayers my friend and I look forward to meeting your husband and you whenever I make it to New York.
I have already removed your blog from the sidebar as you asked. It has been a blessing to be linked to you also.
Be blessed my friend,
Paul
October 2nd, 2005 at 01:05
Hello Paul, I am alway’s so refreshed and blessed to visit here. I had a rather unfriendly discussion with my sister-in-law the other day and It left me feeling so inadequate as far as trying to express myself and my beliefs to other’s. Mostly the reason I don’t post to much in my blog. I feel such a strong need to reach out to other’s about the coming of the Lord, but as we know not the time it’s hard to make other’s see what I’m feeling about all the current signs of his return. I know prophesy is a touchy area, yet how can we ignore the signs, the natural disaster’s that are coming more frequently. American being the brunt of so much distruction. It’s it sign’s of Satan’s power growing? So when I come here I feel refreshed. I wish I could write better and express myself in a more worthy manner. Thank you for doing it for some many of us who have not that gift. God bless and ~hugs~
October 2nd, 2005 at 18:22
Brother Paul,
I have not had much time in recent days to read your blog or even post at my own.Loved this post brother.I have Janice’s book you mentioned.Now to get at reading it.Seems I have little time for such things anymore.I MUST committ to it though.I know God is leading me to pursue writing.HE cannot make it any plainer to me.Guess I feel guilty sometimes for taking time to blog or journal.Weird I know but that’s me.Just know I am blessed by all you write brother.Please stop by my blog when you have time.Its at www.sharingsharon.blogspot.com
Blessings,Sharon:-)
October 2nd, 2005 at 23:12
Hi Nancze,
It is always a blessing when you blog by.
It is always a joy to visit NHisGarden. I am blessed as you share from your heart. I think most blogging is best on just being real, being ourselves in the Lord and He will take care of the rest of it.
I find often now, the Lord will draw me into conversation and at that time give me the wisdom of what to say or not say
It is good to know, that in a time such as this the Lord is raising up a standard, a people who reflect who He is.
Thanks for the comments. I am blessed to have friends such as you who are an encouragement to me to continue to write, to share.
Be blessed my friend! Hugs from Kennesaw!
Writing for the King,
Paul
October 2nd, 2005 at 23:21
Hi Sharon,
Hey, it is great to have you blog by my friend.
The Creative Call is an awesome book and the Lord indeed used it to encourage me in my writing, sharing.
It is worth the time and the money you invested in the book.
As I have shared with several friends. It is not necessary to blog everyday, it should not be a chore, it should be something that you enjoy and the Lord will make it that when it is focused on Him.
Does’t always have to be religious
just needs to be real.
Thank you for your encouragement. It is always apreciated.
Blessings my friend,
Writing for the King,
Paul
October 3rd, 2005 at 10:37
You are such an inspiration…
Please pray for my dad. He’s in the hospital…
October 3rd, 2005 at 12:29
Hi Mrs. Diamond,
Thank you!
I surely will be lifting your father to the Lord in prayer!
Paul
October 3rd, 2005 at 13:13
testing your codes here…
These speaks to me deeply. As humans, we can tend to be centered on ourselves at times. These speak of another confirmation of dying to self and living unto God. Great stuff!!
October 3rd, 2005 at 13:14
Yes, the codes worked!!
October 3rd, 2005 at 14:46
Thanks for blogging by. Always blessed when you do.
Hmm,I am learning something new everyday.
Thanks for using the code to see if it works
Blessings!!
Paul
October 3rd, 2005 at 14:48
October 4th, 2005 at 09:35
Thank you Paul! You have inspired me to fulfill my dream of writing a book. I am going to get the Creative Call and get busy! I know that God has given me the gift of writing and He has blessed me with the desire to do it for His glory. I am enjoying your blogs and I look foward to what God is going to do in my life in the area of creativity. Thank you again for your ministry through the web. In Christ, Berrymom2005
October 4th, 2005 at 10:27
Keep bringing down that fire Paul. I love this line: “…but from God through us to the world.”
October 4th, 2005 at 22:45
October 4th, 2005 at 22:49