“HE GAVE!”

Ephesians 4:11-14                        (ESV)

“11 And “HE GAVE” the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of CHRIST,

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST,

14 so that WE MAY NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

If we truly understood WHO GOD really is, having FAITH in HIM wouldn’t be an issue at all.  For me, slowing down and KNOWING HE IS GOD is a key step, as the enemy wants to get me in a vortex of making a living and be a success in earthly things so that I won’t be able to acknowledge GOD and HIS principles.  Lying and deception is what satan is all about because he is “the father of lies” (John 8:44)!  

Man was created by GOD to Glorify HIM.  But we don’t have the built in desire to discover GOD, nor HIS attributes, without that being instilled within us by HIM.  “HE GAVE” us all a desire to know more about HIM.  The enemy offers counterfeit everything, something that isn’t genuine and original, that fails miserably to satisfy!  The enemy uses anything he can to remove us from worshiping ALMIGHTY GOD, for whenever that occurs, he has lost the battle!  Time, wealth, health, whatever we adore more than GOD can be used to sidetrack us from being used for HIS Glory!  

Scripture states that “HE GAVE”, not only different talents and resources, but even our different personalities to be used in different “positions” to Glorify HIM.   We are to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of CHRIST”!  We ALL have a calling and a purpose, and it’s not to have the largest bank account, nor the largest membership rolls, nor the most college degrees!  GOD can (and often does) use the least to do HIS greatest work.  After all, HE created the universes with NO HELP from anyone or anything, HE doesn’t NEED to be assisted to accomplish anything!!  

Now I’m certainly not the best example of how a person can be used by GOD.  It seems that I am forever thinking I have a better idea for my life than the HOLY SPIRIT.  But when I SLOW DOWN and operate at the pace the HOLY SPIRIT is moving, it becomes evident to me that the enemy is camouflaging his lie in an attempt to make me miss what “HE GAVE” me!  Just like in John 3:16 where Scripture says “GOD GAVE” HIS ONLY SON, when I see “HE GAVE” there are no additional requirements!  HE DID IT ALL!!!