God is our refuge

In this life, there will be pain, struggles, etc. I believe and trust in God as my refuge in everything.

A refuge is "a shelter or protection from danger or distress." Based on this definition, God is my shelter from danger/distress. I never have to face anything alone. In anything (and everything) I can turn to Him.  And when I take refuge in God, I will be satisfied. He will spread His protection over me. (Psalm 5:11).

When fear overwhelms me, I can take comfort knowing God will keep me safe.  There will be affliction and suffering in this life. I know God is stronger than all of life. I never have to be afraid of the road ahead. He goes before me.

That brings me comfort. I never have to live in fear. Fear distracts me from the life God wants for me. I don't have to fear because God is stronger. He is our refuge.  

lukewarm

I can hide it from everyone. I can put on a good face. I can say and do the right thing. However, is that really what God calls me to? Recently I read Crazy Love (Francis Chan) and there is a chapter "Profile of the Lukewarm."

I never classified myself as being a "lukewarm Christian." Reading that chapter convicted me. I am a lukewarm Christian. I lost my passion for God.

Romans 12:11 states, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Zeal means passion and the opposite is apathy. Now I know I'm not apathetic. 

I want to be moved out of lukewarm Christianity. I either want to be on fire for God or completely cut off. I know that sounds drastic but isn't that what God calls me to? To be completely on fire for Him? I used to equate being on fire for God emotion driven but maybe it's not.

I don't know where this is going or where God is leading me. All I know is that tonight God revealed to me that I'm lukewarm and I want to do something about it. Life is too short not to be passionate for God.

spiritual gifts

The following is an inventory of spiritual gifts:

1. Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28)
2. Discernment (I Corinthians 12:10)
3. Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11-13)
4. Exhortation/encouragement (Romans 12:8)
5. Faith (I Corinthians 12:9)
6. Giving (Romans 12:8)
7. Helping/hospitality (I Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:13)
8. Knowledge (I Corinthians 12:8)
9. Leadership (Romans 12:6)
10. Mercy (Romans 12:8)
11. Pastoring/shepherding (Ephesians 4:11-13)
12. Prophecy (I Corinthians 12:10, 28)
13. Serving (Romans 12:7)
14. Healing/miracles/tongues (I Corinthians 12:9-10, 28)
15. Teaching (I Corinthians 12:28)
16.  Wisdom (I Corinthians 12:8)

(This list is adopted from the book Wake Up, Generation by Paige Omartian p. 82)
Out of the preceding list, I believe my "gifts" include serving, discernment, exhortation/encouragement, and faith. I challenge you to prayerfully ask God what areas He has blessed you in spiritual gifts.