Friday, August 20, 2010

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Today's Topic Summary
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Group: takeaminute@googlegroups.com
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/topics

- -- Friday, 8/20/10 -- USING GOD'S GIFTS THE WRONG WAY -- Judges
14:6a [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/t/5a7ef438ed7f09db


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Topic: -- Friday, 8/20/10 -- USING GOD'S GIFTS THE WRONG WAY -- Judges 14:6a
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/t/5a7ef438ed7f09db
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---------- 1 of 1 ----------
From: "J.R. & Bonnie Ricks" <j-r-and-bonnie@dogwoodministries.org>
Date: Aug 19 05:39PM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/msg/87f902a01f18aa38

Take a Minute is a daily devotional ministry of

Dogwood Ministries, Inc.

If you need prayer. contact our partners in ministry.

SJ <http://sjministries.co.uk/> Ministries - Ministry of Prayer

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All other requests, please see the end of the devotional

for Dogwood Ministries addresses

USING GOD'S GIFTS THE WRONG WAY -- Judges 14:6a NIV

The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart
with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.

Samson had been given a gift by God - incredible strength. When the lion
attacked Samson, scripture says that the "Spirit of the Lord came upon him,"
and he was able to tear the lion apart with his bare hands. Apparently
Samson's great strength was the only gift he received from the Spirit,
because in other matters, he wasn't exactly a spiritual giant.

Take this situation of his marriage to the Philistine woman, for instance.
First, Samson was determined to marry a Philistine woman rather than
choosing a bride from his own people - even though God had specifically told
them not to marry outside of Israel. Second, he didn't bother to give God
the credit when he was able to kill the lion. In fact, he didn't tell
anyone at all what had happened, including his parents. Last, he used the
situation with the dead lion as a means to selfish ends, posing a riddle to
his new wife's people that they could not possibly solve without assistance.
Here was a man, gifted by God in a very special way, who used his gift for
selfish purposes rather than for what God intended.

Each person who becomes a child of God is given a special gift by the Holy
Spirit - at least one, and sometimes more, gifts of the Spirit that God
intends to be used for His purposes and for His glory. But we, just like
Samson, sometimes get our priorities skewed, turning these gifts toward
selfish ends. making them profit us in some way rather than edifying the
body of Christ and bringing glory to God.

What are your gifts? What special Spiritual gift (or gifts) has God given
you? Have you prayed to receive the gifts of the Spirit (there are at least
twenty-one of them!)? Have you studied the gifts you've been given,
learning how to better use them in God's service? Have you prayed for
understanding and direction in knowing what God wants you to do with your
gifts? Or are you a Samson, turning your gifts to your own interests, to
fill your ego and possibly your wallet?

Pray for the gifts of the Spirit. Pray earnestly. And when you receive
them, ask God to show you how He wants you to use them in His service and to
His glory.

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. .
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There areAugus different
kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to
each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1
Corinthians 12:1, 4-7 NIV

August Budget Report

Dogwood Ministries Monthly Budget: $1,500.00

Received as of 8/20/10: $1,805.00

Received toward computer needs: $2,132.79

Excess placed in reserve: $1,592.79

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Thank you for your support!

God bless you all!

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