“HE GAVE!”

Ephesians 4:11-16                    (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.

15 Rather, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, WE ARE TO GROW up in every way into HIM WHO is the HEAD, into CHRIST,

16 from WHOM the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Admiring the writings of the Apostle Paul, I’ve often desired to have his abilities to articulate things the way he could.  He could paint things so clearly and beautifully that previously were felt in my spirit, but I just don’t have the ability to arrange the words adequately to express my thoughts.  I used to have, what I thought, a better command of the English language, but when GOD delivered me from the Brain Hemorrhage HE chose not to fully restore that function.  

We ALL are BLESSED with exactly what GOD has determined to be what we need to accomplish HIS Purpose for our time on this earth.  “HE GAVE” us the things we need to complete our assignment that HE created us for.  We don’t attain those things by our good works, but “HE GAVE” them to us!  Just like John 3:16 says “"For GOD so loved the world, that HE GAVE his only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life”, the ability to save our souls is TOTALLY completed by CHRIST, WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!!!

Do you think “HE GAVE” us the words that we use to tear others down?  What about the schemes we conjure up in our minds for personal gain?  Scripture instructs us to “GROW UP in every way into HIM WHO is the HEAD, into CHRIST”!  We WILL have to give an account to HIM one day, and I shudder to think about what I will have to answer for?  

Sometimes HE uses “trials and tribulations” to “direct our paths” to where we will grow into MATURE MANHOOD .......for HIS GLORY?  For the Apostle Paul, GOD used a blinding LIGHT on the road to Damascus.  For me, HE used a “massive Brain Hemorrhage” to adjust my focus.  GOD uses different happenings in our lives to accomplish HIS Plan for us.  Are you SEEING HIM in your “trials and tribulations”?  Or are you still immature and seeing “naturally”?  Remember, “HE GAVE” us our circumstances to transform us into HIS IMAGE.  Don’t think you have done it on your own.