Nougat 11

Make no bones about it, Christ Will return! And many believers would say the signs are suggesting it may be sooner than we think. This is good news, for it means that the suffering many undergo currently (some for the sake of the Gospel), will cease. But if as believers, we accept that all humanity are created to be caretakers; then upon Christ’s return we will need to report on our stewardship. If it is acceptable that God’s Spirit enhances our lives for stewardship, then we can consider the possibility that our accounting includes how we receive the Spirit. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money … [and the one to whom the least talent was given replied] ‘I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’”

Matthew 25:19, 25 NLT

How have we engaged the Spirit of God? Are we the kind who don’t believe in and thus don’t engage God’s Spirit at all?

Or are we on the learning curve, a little nervous about giving reign to an entity we don’t understand? (As Migliore describes it, Faith seeking understanding)

Perhaps we are out there, manifesting gifts and encouraging others to do likewise. Is that us?

However we responded parallels the examples of the servants described in the prior nougats. We can be the servant who got 5, 2, or 1 talent for as long as we choose. Let’s recognize however, that whichever we’ve been gifted with, it is still a blessing from God, intentionally. Since we receive blessings to bless others (see Genesis 12), our lack of Faith does not qualify as a good reason to avoid using our spiritual gifts. What’s the saying – ignorance is no excuse for the law (see Haggai 2:10-23). And the best way to get a deeper understanding of God’s Spirit, is praying and then living.

We pray that God’s Spirit will be clearly manifested in our lives, asking for God’s affirmation and living our belief in real ways. It’s that simple. It’s that scary -exciting. God choosing each of us as vessels to convey God’s blessings to others.

And when we do realize, do we also realize God’s desires community, hence gifting each of us? Even before Christ’s Ascension, God could have opted to leave us in our deplorable state. But God’s chosen to bless us all. Each one helping and complementing each other for God’s glory. And when we all get it; what a difference we will make!

May God’s return find us faithful.

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May all we seek be found in Christ