What Is Your Response?

Thanks for joining me on my blog! Praying your day is going well. Enjoy this post!

Remember Jonah and the whale in the Bible? God calls Jonah to warn Nineveh to repent. Jonah doesn't want to do what God called him to do. He runs away, boards a boat, and thinks he's escaped. Then a big storm arises and he ends up being tossed overboard and getting swallowed by the whale. He thought if he ignored what God wanted him to do, he could skip over that part and go on to something else.

(This is Milo, hiding.)











How did Jonah respond? By running away. What is our response to God's call on our life? How are we using the talents God has given us? Whether it is a talent for writing, or encouraging, or ministering, or serving, or something else, are we using that talent? Or, are we like Jonah and running away until a better talent comes along? Are we burying our talent so others won't know that we are writing for Him, or singing for Him, or witnessing to others? Are we just barely using our talents? Just enough to say that we are using them, but not to the full potential God intended?

We should be excited to use our talents!

We should look for ways to use our talents for Him, to grow our talents to inspire others, to encourage others. As writers, we should write, sharing God's love with others through stories, devotions, songs. As encouragers, we should look for opportunities to share a smile, a good word, to lift up those around us.

Pray for opportunities to grow your talents. The more you write, the more you study the craft of writing, the stronger your writing becomes. The same with other talents. Are you using your talents for God, or hiding them away, hoping nobody sees them?

We should be excited to use our talents for God. What is your response? What is your talent and how are you using it for Him?

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Twelve Unlikely Heroes By: John MacArthur

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a review. Twelve Unlikely Heroes caught my attention because sometimes I feel insignificant, like there is no way God could use me or my abilities to do His work. If you feel this way sometimes, too, then this book is for you. By reading the front flap we learn, “We have reason to hope. God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes. The testimonies of these biblical saints demonstrate a powerful truth—that God delights to work through weak, imperfect, and broken people in order to showcase His power, wisdom, and love.” No matter what your ability or talent, even if you think you don’t have any, God can use your willingness to show His love, truth, and glory. John MacArthur reveals the stories behind Enoch, Joseph, Miriam, Gideon, Jonathan, Jonah, Esther, John the Baptist, James, and Mark. If God could use a rebel, a social misfit, and a coward in the Bible, He can use the same kinds of people now. All you need to supply is the willingness to do His will. As stated in the introduction, “The greatest heroes are those who are the human means God uses to change people forever—for their good and His glory.” Most of the time it is the most unexpected and ordinary people God uses. In Jonah’s case, he was running from God; he would rather die than preach forgiveness to the Ninevites. Despite his determined disobedience and running away, God still used him. This book is for anyone who needs encouragement or is interested in the back stories of these biblical saints. If you feel that you don’t have the ability or talent to be of use to God, be encouraged! If you are willing, God is able. Step out in faith and let Him use you to perform His glory!