Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and that indwelling comes with many blessings. If we listen to Him, He will guide us to a closer walk with our Lord and will keep us from straying in our walk. We have a choice as to whether or not we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but our life is more fulfilling when we are led by the Spirit. As we draw closer to our Lord, it’s only natural that we would want to please Him more. We find instructions about how to please Him as we read Scripture. When we prayerfully study Scripture, the Holy Spirit will open our minds to understanding.

Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). 

As you read, you’ll find that the great heroes of Scripture were just people like us. Adam was first and found out that choices made without heeding God’s guidance are always bad choices. Cain and Abel were brothers who were very different in their choices. Abel desired to please God by following His ways, while Cain knew God but didn’t honor Him. When God rejected Cain’s half-hearted efforts, Cain killed his brother.

Abraham was called out of a pagan society and chose to listen to the voice of God. When he and his wife tried to “help” God fulfill the promise that they would have a son, their choice was a poor one. Eventually, they did have a son named Isaac, and his lineage has brought a great blessing to all people. I could keep naming names, but you can read Scripture for yourself.

When Jesus began His ministry, He chose twelve men to follow Him and learn. It must have been a wild bunch who followed Him, but Jesus changed them using words and example. Jesus didn’t choose these men from high society or the religious leaders but chose fishermen, tax collectors, and others from among the common people. Jesus saw qualities in these men and knew they would spread the Gospel.

It wasn’t until after Jesus died and then rose from the dead that these disciples fully understood what He had been telling them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and were given spiritual gifts. We can only imagine what changes these men went through.

John and his brother James were nicknamed “Sons of thunder” by Jesus, but when we read John’s Gospel and his letters, we read the words of a man filled with the Holy Spirit. They are filled with love and power. Peter was also changed. He had always been the one to speak up and ask questions, or to make rash choices. But it was Peter who wrote two letters that are beautiful and encouraging. It was Peter who was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached a sermon to people who needed to hear about their sin and forgiveness through Christ. How was Peter able to speak words that changed people’s hearts? It was through the Holy Spirit.

Each one of the Apostles was changed by Christ, and because they listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and were willing to serve, the Gospel spread, and we understand that Good News today.

Are you aware that you are important to God? God lives outside of time and knew that you would accept His free gift of salvation even before you were born. He told the prophet Jeremiah,

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

Jeremiah was reluctant to use the gift of prophecy, which God had given to him, but submitted to God and used his gift for God’s glory. Jeremiah felt he was too young to speak God’s words of prophecy, but God knew Jeremiah would do a good job, and he did. Do you feel inadequate to step out in faith to serve God? If so, it’s time to prepare for service. Learn God’s ways, and live to please Him. Study Scripture, and apply it to your life. Live your faith.

The Apostle Paul was a man who was drastically changed by meeting Jesus. Paul was an angry man who wanted to kill anybody who embraced Jesus as their Messiah. When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was never the same. His anger and hatred changed to love and a desire to share the Gospel with all people.

If you desire to be a missionary, study Paul’s missionary trips. He shared the Gospel openly and without fear. He wasn’t on a goodwill mission to teach people to grow food but a mission to save souls. He faced many hardships but never backed down from sharing the Gospel. Paul didn’t jump right into ministry, but he waited for God’s timing. We all need to be grounded in God’s truth before trying to teach others about Jesus.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). 

When you discover what God wants from you, be a willing servant. There are many spiritual gifts, and you need to allow God to lead you in His plan for you.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul admonishes us to be humble in using our gifts. Most people like to think that they have a special gift that’s better than other gifts, but all gifts are important for Christian service.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

We are all sinners, from the most highly esteemed religious leader to the lowliest church mouse. Being humble doesn’t mean ignoring or neglecting what God has given to you. It means using your gift wisely and for God’s glory, not for praise from people. Set aside your pride and self-righteousness and let God choose what gift He wants to give you, and then allow Him to work through you.

The body of Christ is filled with people who have diverse strengths. If every Christian had the same gift, there would be a lot left undone. For instance, if everyone had the gift of teaching, who would serve by organizing food drives? Each gift is important, and yours may be something you haven’t even considered. Paul encouraged the use of gifts.

“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” (Romans 12:4-5).

In this way, all Christians are connected through our love for Jesus and our service to Him. I’m blessed to be in contact with Christians throughout the world, and it’s comforting to know that every country has Christians who are willing to serve Jesus, but sometimes that service means persecution. If you live in one of those countries that sees Christians as a threat, remember God sees your service. Jesus encouraged us to do good openly.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Using your spiritual gifts and doing good works go hand in hand. Your good works won’t bring salvation to you but just might be the light that leads a lost person to salvation. What a blessing that would be!

What are spiritual gifts? There are many, and Paul gives us a list of practical ones in his letter to the Romans.

“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 exorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:6-21). 

Some things in this list are easy, but others are more difficult. I know I’m working on myself to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions and glorify God, and I hope you are too. It may be hard not to get even with someone who has mistreated you, but that doesn’t glorify God.

We see examples of people in Scripture who seem to have used their gifts wisely, and some stand out in my mind. Peter had been passing through Lydda, which was near to Joppa, and it’s there that we meet Tabitha.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36).

She must have been a remarkable woman. As a disciple, she was learning and knew what the Apostles taught, and she seems to have lived her faith.

“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber” (Acts 9:37).

Unless the Rapture happens, we will all die one day. How will you be remembered? Tabitha was loved, and her death was very sad for those who knew her. Since Peter was in Lydda, a message was sent asking him to come quickly, which he did. He was taken to where Tabitha’s body was in the upper chamber. The widows around her were crying, and they showed Peter the coats and garments which Tabitha had made. Tabitha used her skills to help others, and her kindness touched those who knew her. Isn’t that a wonderful way to use a gift from God? Do what you can with what’s given to you, in order to make other people’s lives a little better.

“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (Acts 9:40).

Tabitha was just one lady who served God, but there are others. Remember Lydia? She sold “purple” in the city of Thyatira. Paul encountered her as she worshipped God by the river. Paul spoke with the people worshipping there, and Lydia listened. She became a believer in Jesus Christ, and right away began using her gift of hospitality to serve Christ. Lydia invited Paul and Silas to stay in her home.

Paul and Silas had some trouble with a demon-possessed woman, and cast out her demons, which made her handlers very angry. They were arrested, beaten, and thrown in the dungeon. Instead of having a pity party, they prayed and sang praises to God. Then the earthquake happened. The prison doors were opened, but all the prisoners were still there when the jailer came to find them. Paul and Silas were released.

“And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed” (Acts 16:40).

Lydia opened her home to Paul and Silas, even after they had been in prison. There are many examples of men and women using their gifts from God in order to serve Him.

When you try to figure out what gifts God has given you, be sure to study Scripture. The Holy Spirit will speak to you if you draw near to God and listen. After that, just start doing things for others, such as being sure people have clothing, as Tabitha did, or opening your home when the Spirit tells you to do so, like Lydia. You have qualities that can be used for God’s glory. Use what you have been given to serve God. Spend less time worrying about “What can I do for God” and more time using your gifts. You’ll be surprised to find that in doing so, you are serving God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

 

People haven’t changed much since time began. God teaches us right from wrong, but we choose wrong most of the time. We all know about Adam and Eve and the trouble that came from them disobeying God. The Old Testament has many lessons to teach; a study of Jacob’s life holds many and is worth the time to learn from his mistakes.

Jacob’s trouble began in the womb. He was a twin, and his mother, Rebekah, suffered much during the pregnancy because of the fight between the twins even before they were born.

“And the children struggled together within her; and she said If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:22-23). 

Esau was born first and was favored by their father, Isaac, and Jacob was the younger and favored by their mother, Rebekah. When the time came that Isaac was facing death, one son had to be given the blessing, and Isaac was going to bless the elder son, Esau. Rebekah wasn’t happy and pushed Jacob into taking Esau’s birthright, and then to deceive Isaac into giving him the blessing that was to be given to Esau.

Esau was very angry and wanted to kill Jacob, so Rebekah told him to go stay with her brother, Laban, for a few days. We know that God chose Jacob, and He would have worked it out so that Jacob would have been blessed anyway. Jacob did leave and went to work for Laban. While there, Jacob fell in love with Laban’s daughter, Rachel. Because Jacob was a good worker and the flocks thrived, Laban didn’t want Jacob to leave. So, a deal was made between Laban and Jacob that Jacob would continue to work for Laban seven years, and then he could marry his daughter.

Jacob honored his agreement, but at the end of seven years, Laban switched daughters, and Jacob ended up marrying Leah, the older daughter. Jacob wasn’t pleased at all, but he took Leah as his wife. He was married to Leah, but he loved Rachel. It’s a very complicated story, but eventually Jacob had twelve sons and a daughter from four different women. God can even use our bad choices for His glory, and Jacob is an example of this truth.

Jacob ended up working twenty years for Laban and became wealthy while there. After a time, Laban wasn’t happy with Jacob. God told Jacob that he needed to go home, so he packed up and took his family and servants and flocks away without telling Laban.

“And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead” (Genesis 31:20-21). 

When Laban found out, he was livid. He accused Jacob of kidnapping his daughters. That seems odd since his daughters were married to Jacob. So Laban took out after the “kidnapper.” When he caught up with them, things could have been bad, but Laban and Jacob reached an agreement and made peace. Was Jacob’s trouble over? Not hardly. After 20 years of being away, he was headed back to his home and would have to face Esau.

There are many lessons found in Jacob’s life. The choices we make are important. Jacob could have let God work in him and through him, but he listened to his mother’s voice instead of going to God, and his choices made his life more difficult. God would have worked it all out so that Jacob would have been given the inheritance.

In spite of Jacob’s poor choices, God was with him and protected him. Along the way, Jacob matured and came to trust God. Some lessons only come from experience, and they can be hard lessons to learn.

Jacob was the son God chose to inherit God’s promise to Abraham; God knew that Jacob would have twelve sons who would establish the great nation of Israel. God also knew that the Messiah would be born from the tribe of Judah. It would have been much easier if Jacob would have chosen to trust God and allowed Him to work out the details, but Jacob made mistakes and paid the price for those mistakes.

Too many people think their sins in life are too big for God to forgive. That’s wrong. God wants all people to come to Him. He will use our sins and mistakes, just like He used Jacob’s.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

If you’ve sinned (we all do), repent and ask for forgiveness through Jesus, then serve the Lord.

I often wonder what Jacob thought during his rebellious years. He had been told the family history of how his grandfather, Abraham, had been called from a pagan life to establish a nation and how Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were very old and hadn’t had any children, so they tried to help God by having a child with Sarah’s maid, Hagar. Lots of trouble came from that child, but God blessed Abraham and Sarah, his wife, with a son, who was the son promised by God. That son was Isaac, who was Jacob’s father.

Jacob should have learned to trust God from listening to his family history. Did he think Esau was the one to continue the promise from God? Jacob was busy living his life when God saw it was time for him to understand that he was the one who was chosen. Jacob had to stop running from God.

That’s how it is for all of us. We cannot serve God on our own terms. Jacob was about to get a lesson from God that he would never forget. He had sent all of his family away from him, and he was alone. But he wasn’t alone; someone was there.

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him” (Genesis 32:24-25).

Jacob knew the “man” was God, but struggled anyway. We all wrestle with God. We choose to work our own will rather than saying, “Thy will be done.” Life would be so much more satisfying if we didn’t fight God’s will.

Jacob had to be alone in order for God to deal with him. Then Jacob wrestled with God. God allowed the struggle until Jacob was ready to submit. Still, the struggle left a mark on Jacob. His thigh was never the same but was a reminder of his fight with God. Jacob knew who he was fighting and had wrestled all night.

When Jacob was at the end of the fight, God told him to let go. But Jacob wouldn’t give up until God blessed him. “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said Jacob” (Genesis 32:27).

Of course, God knew Jacob’s name, but Jacob had to say it out loud. Names are important, and the name Jacob means “heel holder” or “supplanter.” The name was given to him because he had fought at birth to be the firstborn and held onto Esau’s heel. By saying his name out loud to God, he was actually confessing to a lifetime of fighting. God knew him better than he knew himself, and changed his name.

“And he said Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).

The name Israel means “God prevails.” At any time during the night of wrestling, God could have ended the fight but allowed Jacob to fight until the fight was taken out of him. Then his name was changed to Israel. The twelve sons of Israel are the tribes that comprise the nation of Israel.

In Scripture, God sometimes refers to the nation as “Jacob” and sometimes as “Israel.” When the nation is in rebellion, it’s called “Jacob,” but when it’s in a right relationship with God, it’s called Israel. Today, that nation has been established under the name of Israel, although they are mostly opposing God, but God will never turn from them. Although they will face some very troubling times, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble, God will fight the battle when they call upon Him. One day they will recognize that Jesus came to them first as their Messiah, but they rejected Him. When they finally call upon Him, He will finish the final battle.

The final seven years of Earth history is known as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, not the time of Christians’ trouble. Just as Jacob sent his family away prior to his wrestling with God, Christians will be taken away, and Israel will stand alone in the final battle…until they submit to God.

Christians are in a battle, too. Like Israel, we quite often wrestle with God. Today, there is much apostasy within the church. God’s truth is being questioned, and sin is being accepted. This is one of the signs that we will be taken Home soon. The Rapture will take us away from the time of Jacob’s Trouble, but until then we battle against Satan. Or at least we should. Actually, we need to let God battle for us against the wiles of Satan.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:7-8).

Remember, Satan was defeated at the cross. Jesus is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and He will prevail. Today, Satan knows he was defeated but is too prideful to give up. He still wants to destroy as many humans as he can. When he puts temptation in your path, resist. When he plants thoughts in your mind that you aren’t good enough for God, resist. God never gave up on Jacob, and He will never give up on you.

Christians have a wonderful blessing, and that is the Holy Spirit living inside of us. King David could pray that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t be taken from him, but Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Certainly, there is evil in the world, and Satan’s minions cause problems, but we don’t have to fight them alone.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

When you wrestle with God, or are tempted to sin, remember that God is your strength. Lean on Him.

God doesn’t want us to be ignorant of the fact that we fight spiritual battles every day, but He wants us to be armed and trained to fight the spiritual battle. The war was won at the cross, but we still have spiritual battles to fight, and we need to know who the enemy is. Paul told us who we wrestle with.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

The enemy is evil and part of the unseen spiritual realm. We can feel the evil but don’t often see it. As we draw near to the Rapture and the subsequent Time of Jacob’s Trouble, evil spirits seem to be manifesting more often. Put on the armor of God, and don’t take it off. Don’t let your guard down.

If you or someone you know is going through tough times, find out who the fight is against. Are you fighting God by choosing sin and expecting Him to bless you? Have you made choices in life that have caused problems in your life now? Learn from Jacob. Submit to God and let Him lead you. Don’t blame God for the results of your own choices. If you rob a bank, you go to jail; if you engage in sexual sin, your health is affected. If you dabble in the occult, you’ve invited demons into your life.

Life turned out good for Jacob after he quit fighting God. He still faced many more challenges in life, but God prevailed.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).