Having a Heart for Jesus

Next month, we are reminded of the role our heart plays in our lives. The American Heart Association designates February as National Heart Month. We are encouraged to take the necessary steps needed to protect our health and are provided with an assessment which underscores risk factors that can interfere with our heart health. At some point in our lives, we may have wondered if someone close to us died from a broken heart. According to cardiologist Dr Michael Brodsky this isn't far from the truth. Brodsky states, "An emotional broken heart can really kill you." To read this article in its entirety visit a Google.com and type in keyword phrase broken heart and Dr. Brodksy.

We see the tie-in between our emotional and physical health; yet, we often neglect one important component. We may forget, from time to time, the importance of our service to God and how, it, too, impacts our heart. In today's Purpose Driven Life Devotion, Rick Warren shares some insight on this topic in his When Serving God, Listen to Your Heart Take a moment to read this devotional and then click back to this blog.

Indeed, we are given different gifts, talents and opportunities. Yet, we sometimes focus on the gifts, talents and opportunities that others have and may make unfavorable comparisons. You may have often heard that we are to 'bloom where we are planted'. Perhaps you are experiencing some financial, marital or significant problems that just seem overwhelming to you. You would like to serve abundantly, but you just can't right now. You feel anxious because you want to feel that God is using you. Your desire is to bloom elsewhere.

Have you ever watched a fellow Christian perform an act of service and wish that you could be used by God in the same way? For some time now, you may have felt that the door to more service continues to remain closed. You are puzzled as to why this is so. Have you, in fact, felt that intense frustration of wanting to more fully serve, but just couldn't?

Or, perhaps, you sometimes feel that because you have more free time than many of your friends, there is an unspoken assumption that you can serve beyond your capacity to do so. For example, let's suppose that you have spent several hours at a hospital assisting a friend and have just gotten home. You feel weary and a bit anxious, when the phone begins to ring. Will this be yet another request to serve? Again, you may feel a bit frustrated and resentful.

In either case, these feelings of frustration and resentment really aren't serving any purpose in your life. They are, in fact, negative emotions that stand between you and the service you can, at this time, perform. If you can relate to any of what you just read, take some time now to consider how you can best serve God.

First, remember to keep the focus on what is important. God designed us for many specific service roles throughout our lives. We are to be obedient to only Him in the way in which this service is carried out. Seek scripture to learn about the role of service in your life. Please see Serving Others

Second, search your heart right now. What does God want you to do for Him? Maybe, you are very occupied with helping members of your family with their problems. Don't discount this as not serving Him. However, just because your plate is overflowing with needs that have to be filled, you will be called to serve. Don't overlook these opportunities. When possible, open your heart to the needs of others outside your family. Look for the open doors and walk through them. If your service is limited right now, keep in mind that the time will come again, when you can more actively serve in many different capacities.

Third, if you have much free time and enjoy serving, pray and ask God to show you what He has designed for you to do. Even if you have been serving Him in many ways, it's important to check in with Him, frequently, to ensure that you are serving in ways that He deems best.

Fourth, make certain that you continue to take care of your own physical and emotional needs so that you won't burn out. It's always important to set boundaries, so that in your heart, you feel the real joy of giving.

Finally, our hearts are overjoyed when we know that we are doing God's work. There is no better feeling for our overall health than to allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in our actions. By doing so, we see the fruit produced by our obedience. The joy that radiates from your face and spirit will be felt by the children in your life, and they will truly see that you have a heart for Jesus.

Faith in Action - Serving God throughout 2010

God designed each of us with a special purpose in mind. You and I have unique talents and abilities and spiritual gifts that God designed us to use for the benefit of His kingdom. Sometimes we are unsure as to what our spiritual gifts are and/or how we are to use them. However, the Bible is clear in informing us that we are given such gifts, and it is our obligation to put these gifts to good use.

In Hebrews 5:12-14, we learn that we are expected continue to grow and learn in the World and develop as mature Christians. When we were new Christians, we were not equipped to do the work of a maturing Christian. As our faith strengthens, we develop the confidence to put our spiritual gifts into action, and God commands us to do so.

As mentors to children and teens, it is also our responsibility to help them discover what their gifts are. Children and teens model our behavior and can be influenced by our actions. If we are active, participative Christians, they see the difference we can make. Children and teens are learning about their own capabilities and talents and are often eager to participate but may be hesitate to proceed. We need to provide them with guidance and some freedom so that they can explore and discover what they too can do for the kingdom.

By visiting Spiritual Gifts List and Gift Definitions you will see which books of the Bible discuss spiritual gifts. (Keep in mind that I have not purchased any materials yet through this website, but I am impressed, thus far, from the material that I have seen.) Take just a moment, now, to visit this web page. Scroll down until you see the tabulated list of spiritual gifts. For example, by looking under Romans 12, and clicking on exhortation, you will be connected to the scripture that speaks about this gift. You will also be provided with various resources to help you develop your own spiritual gifts and foster those you see emerging in the young people in your life. As you go through this process, continually ask God's guidance. As always, spend time in prayer seeking His will for you. By doing so, God can more effectively use you to help others.

For hypothetical purposes, let's say that you are teaching a second grade Sunday school class. You notice that one of the students, who has always been unusually shy, approaches you and asks if he can help one of the new students with a Bible related coloring project. Of course, you give your consent. You step back, and watch, in awe, as she quietly but effectively helps the new student to relax and feel part of the group. On subsequent Sundays, you see that this once shy student is repeatedly called to interact with other new students. Through astute observation and by being obedient to God's use of you, you discover that this student quite possibly has the gifts of mercy and service. She undboutedly has many additional gifts to offer, but, for now, is being called to use these two. By becoming sensitive to this student's desire to use her gift, you have given her an opportunity to explore and develop her inner calling.

As we know, sensitivity is often one key, in helping young people develop their talents and gifts. We need to apply this same sensitivity throughout 2010, as we help children and teens discover and use their very unique spiritual gifts, as well. This can be accomplished by often stepping back and observing what the young people in our life like to do at church or for the community at large. Talking about ways children and teens can serve will also provide some clarity and direction as well.

Explore the following websites for additional information about Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Gifts Inventories

Spiritual Gifts Inventory
Children and Spiritual Gifts - Ministry Tools
Spiritual Gifts Bible Teaching, Online Test and Resources
Spiritual Gifts for Kids, Helping Your Child Understand God's Plan

May Jesus provide you and your family with blessings throughout 2010, and may you be open to the many ways He will call you to serve throughout the year.