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You were born with gifts and talents. My question today is, “Are you using them or are you burying them?” And if you are using them, are you giving it 100%? And are you using them cheerfully? The reason why these questions are being asked today is because God wants to use you, but He needs your full participation.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23-24, “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.” We work for Jesus. The reason why we have been given each gift is so that people will not only see Him, but also glorify God.

So, if you sing, let God use your gift to praise and worship Him and encourage others through the words of the song. If you dance, dance for Him. If you write, write blogs, articles, books, or poems for Him. If you are a leader, lead with love and humility. The list could go and on. But the point here is that you use your gifts and use them well and for His glory.

Too many people are using their God-given gifts to bring glory to the world or themselves over God. And that’s not right. Jesus warns us in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” If the Lord has placed gifts and talents within you (which He has), then let God use you for His glory. Let Him bless others through you. Whatever you do, don’t hide your gift or sit on it, because time is running out. Find your place, pray, and use your gifts well.

I’m reminded of the story of the three servants in the Bible (Read Matthew 25:14-30). In a nutshell, they all had talents that were given to them by their master, but they didn’t all use them. Two of the servants used their talents well and the master blessed them with more. Yet, one buried the one he was given. He made excuses of why he didn’t use his talent. And the master was very upset with him and called him a wicked and slothful (lazy) servant and cast him into hell.

At the end of the day, this parable shows us the illustration of what will happen if we don’t use what Jesus has given us or if we’re being lazy and slothful in our service. Jesus said in Matthew 25:29-30, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. Now, throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NLT)

Whoa! This is a warning. I don’t want to go to hell, and I believe you don’t want to go there either. So we have to get busy doing whatever God has called us to do. Even if it’s the smallest task.

No doubt, we are living in the last days and Jesus is telling us today, that we need to make sure that we are busy doing the Father’s will. Meaning, doing what we’re supposed to be doing with what has already been given to us. We were created to serve God and others. And at the end of our lives, we want to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” But in order to hear those amazing words, we have to have done well, shown the goodness of God, and been faithful servants.

So find your place. Play your part.  Use your gifts. Don’t be lazy. And live a life poured out. Meaning, give it everything you’ve got! Do what God has called you to do and serve well. And don’t give up or stop when things get tough. Finish this race! It’s almost over. You were created for a purpose…so let God use you!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

P.S. Join me for my next call on “Let’s Talk” where I’ll be talking about “Becoming a Woman that God Can Use.” You don’t want to miss this talk on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 @ 8:30pm (CST)! (Call # 567-704-2763, Code: 12345#). I’ll be talking more about the tools you’ll need to do what God has called you to do! More details to come on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org! SAVE THE DATE!!!       

*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, if this post and ministry has blessed your life, please consider making a donation of any amount today to help further the gospel here @ http://www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org/.

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