On Another Note-It Starts with Me 3 (Remember What You Have)

Hello family, 

It is a cold, wet, and rainy day here. I know that some of you have had snow and others are enjoying warm weather, and someone somewhere is somewhere in the middle! God bless you wherever you are! 

Though I am still in recovery and haven’t gone back to work yet, I still get to talk to my students from time to time. Sometimes one of my students will become distraught because they feel like they do not have what they need to accomplish a given assignment. Most often, my advice to them is simple. “You have a bank of strategies; you have learning tools–rulers, scratch paper, calculators, and your notes. Remember to use what you have.”

As we journey forward this year, my words to you are the same! Remember what you have!

In this past week’s writing plan, we looked in Ephesians 4 to see what we have. Ephesians 4:7 tells us that Jesus has given each of us a full measure of grace to fulfill our purpose in Him. These rich and abundant gifts of grace are for the body of Christ! These gifts should not be used to lord over others or heap praise upon ourselves.  

We also have been given gifts in the body of Christ. These gifts are called the 5-fold ministry gifts and are listed in Ephesians 4:11. They are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. God gave these gifts to the church to help us! Verses 12-13 outline how they help us. Christ gave these gifts to prepare us to serve and to make the body of Christ stronger.   

Some refuse to acknowledge these gifts or will attempt to devalue them. But we need these gifts in the body of Christ. Be grateful for WHO God has given. If you operate in any of these ministry gifts, thank you for the work you do.   

Let’s look again at the four areas outlined in Ephesians 4:1 (Amplified Version) and the passages we scribed this week.   

Godly Character– When serving the church, right living matters. Titus 2:11-14

Moral Courage-Use the gifts you have to edify others. The gift is not for you but for the whole body of Christ. Romans 12:3-8

Personal Integrity-We were made right with God by His grace. Titus 3:5-7

Mature Behavior-You are like servants who are responsible for using God’s gifts. So be good servants and use your gifts to serve each other. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Take these questions to your journal or ponder them in your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of improvement and respond obediently by applying the Word of God to your life. 

• Am I using the grace gifts God has given me to benefit the church?  
• Where do I see the grace gifts operating in my life?
• Am I using the gifts God gave me to promote unity in the body of Christ?

Remember, the FREE It Starts With Me printable journal pages can help you reflect on your time in God’s Word! Grab it here. 

Your friend in the journey, 

Erica 

REMEMBER, The Word W.O.R.K.S. Walking in WHOLENESS, OBEDIENCE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and KINGDOM SUCCESS through the Word of God. 

Want to know more about who you are in Christ? Find out what the Word of God says about you with the new My Identity Scripture Writing Journal. Available in printable form on Etsy or workbook form on Amazon.