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What’s the key to having a job that’s a joy, coworkers that are cooperative, and working for a company that’s successful? What’s the pathway to promotions and profits, to raises and rewards? What’s the key to even revitalizing a failing company, revamping slumping sales, and rebuilding a dying business? Is it all about competence, the skills of the employees? Is it all about chemistry, the sticking together of the employees (happy-hour together)? Is it all about creativity, the smarts of the employees? Is it all about character, the sincerity of the employees? Or is it all about culture, the stuff that makes the company who they are? While all of those “C’s” are important, the main ingredient, the key, is CHRIST!

What a testimony of skill, success and strategy. What a testimony of victories won, battles fought. What a sight! Yet, when God looks at us, we are His Trophies of Grace. However, we are not trophies because of our skill, success and strategy. We are trophies despite our sins, screw-ups, and struggles. Yet, God has done something wonderful in each of our
lives and God has put us on display. Since God’s GRACE has transformed you into a Masterpiece, you ought not mind being His Mouthpiece to witness to others!

Are you tired? Are you tired of seven-year-old babies being shot and killed while inside their home? Are you tired? Are you tired of being afraid in certain parts of town that you may be car-jacked, robbed or even killed? Are you tired? Are you tired of marriages falling apart, leaders morally falling down, young people falling away from the church, and members falling out with one another in the church? Are you tired? Are you tired of sitting in a funeral wondering whether Pookie is in heaven or hell? Are you tired? Yes, I’m tired but I got Good News which leads to Great News! A changed heart changes everything!

“Get back in the kitchen. It’s not time for that, yet. I told you to boil it not fry it. I know you don’t expect me to serve Jesus anything looking like that. Where your hairnet? Where’s Mary? I need some help.” Her mouth was moving a mile a minute. She wanted everything just right for Jesus. Martha had welcomed Jesus into her home but Mary, her sister, (knowing the value of silence) had welcomed Jesus into her heart. Martha wanted to give her best to Jesus but Mary (knowing the value of silence) wanted to receive His best for her life. When you know the value of silence, you will always use it at the right time. I’m convinced that homes would be healthier, marriages sweeter, friendships stronger, and the workplace more effective if folks only knew the value of silence.

NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! Have you ever been in such a NOISY situation where you wanted to just holler, “QUIET! I Can’t hear even hear myself THINK!” Traffic! Music! Conversations! Weather! Emergency Vehicles! Airplanes! Crying Babies! Unfortunately, even Gun Shots! All make for a noisy situation. Noise can be disturbing and distracting but it can also be dangerous and deadly (i.e. not hearing a train signal or vehicle blowing their horn). Even SPIRITUALLY, some have ended up in stormy situations because there was too much NOISE and they were listening to the wrong things and could not HEAR the voice of God.

Selfies, Facebook Posts, Photoshop, Snap-Chat – Social Media has made it easy for folks to paint a picture of their wonderful life! We capture the best moments, we post the prettiest pictures, we share our most blessed accomplishments! But sadly, for many it’s just a cover-up: hiding the hurt, glossy over the guilt, prettying up the pain. But how do I do it, Pastor? Where is the balance? How can I love myself without becoming selfish? How can I think positive about myself without becoming prideful? How can I be happy and humble without becoming haughty and hateful? What do I need to do to truly LOVE MY SELFIE?

We must define what spiritual gifts are before we discuss what they do. A Spiritual Gift is any ability empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in the ministry of the Church. God has given us gifts: some appearing more natural (teaching, showing mercy, or administration); others less natural (prophecy, healing, and etc.). The purpose of Gifts and what are they for? Spiritual gifts are given to Build up the Church!