chose where to START

When I think about the word start, there are many things that come to mind.  Our middle daughter was on the track team when she was in middle school, and runners would prepare for their races and hear the start gun go off when the race started.  There is a start button on your Microsoft windows software (not on my Mac).  Most board games have a place to start.  On the GPS when you chose a destination there is always a place to start.  Even some cars have a button that starts them now.  Often the place to start is your current location.

Right where you are is the best place to start.  I have heard people say for years that they have to get right or do things so that God will save them or help them.  The Bible and God says something totally opposite.  He says start with me.

2 Corinthians 5:17
 NLT

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

1 John 2:12
 NLT

I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

The Christian life starts as we realize what God has done in our lives.  He makes us new and forgives our sins.  That is the greatest starting place of all.  Over the last 7 weeks at The Community fellowship we have had someone start with, or accept, Jesus as his or her Savior.

Another great start for the Christian is realize that we have potential given to us by God.  We are doing better then we think we are because of what God has done.  On top of that we have been given gifts or talents by God.  A great start is to simply start using what God has given us.

Romans 12:6-8  NLT

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well.  If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Find out what your gifts are.  Ask the people you are around, study the Bible (the verses above and 1 Corinthians 12) and find some resources to help you understand what those gifts might be.  Begin to use them.

Remember they are and will always be for God’s glory and to help others.  In fact I am convinced that these spiritual gifts that we use to serve God not only are a good starting place, but they are also a great way to start demonstrating God’s love to the people you are around.  People need God.  The happenings around us and the people around us are showing that truth.

Start loving people as God’s does.  Start using what God has given you.  Start giving God all the glory if you are not already.

I pray that God will start something awesome in each of us as we seek Him this Christmas season!

Romans 12:9
 NLT

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.