LIFE LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERB 18:16 (NIV)



"A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."


10 SECRETS ABOUT YOUR GIFT OR TALENT


1.Whatver your gift is , was given to you by God to glorify Him . Not you. Matt 5:16 (NIV)"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2.Never expect immediate gratification from your gift . If not you would be discouraged and give up . The key is this , while you are doing other small jobs to keep yourself going . you focus more on your gift , sharpening your skills in preparation for your D DAY to come . Amen. It will surely come , so never give up on it .Job said something powerful in scripture , he said "I will wait " for my change to come , my opportunity and it came when rather than condemn his friends , he prayed for them , what happened ? there was a turning . Job 42:10"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."
3.your gift will only make room for you , when you have prepared yourself for it , not before . The opportunity will surely come when you are ready to go . David prepared himself in the wilderness. Luke 12:47"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."
4.Your gift will require seasons of preparation . Is not six months or one year .no, no . Jesus was trained for 30 years for a three year ministry . Joseph was trained for 13 years , Moses was trained for 40 years before the appointed time . All had different assignments , so the years they spent in the wilderness varied. Remember when the time came, God was the one that introduced Jesus and not Him when He spoke. Matt 3:17 (NIV)"And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
5.your gift would definitely require your time and focus -If you have a gift and you don't put time and hours into it , you will never get to where your gift would take you . So it would definitely require your time and effort .Eph 5:16 (NASB)"making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
6.While you are sharpening your skills , there is always a God ordained helper in secret watching keenly , without you noticing .until the appointed time , just like David you would be recommended as the best man for the job before the King .1 Samuel 16:18 (NLT)"One of the servants said to Saul, "One of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that--he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him."
7. your gift would require money always , to buy materials , calls , information and things you would need to sharpen your skills . All this things don't come with immediate gratification .No o! I call it time of sowing in tears . But don't and never be discouraged . pay day is also coming . Gal 6:9 (NLT) says "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."
8.Isolation - most times when God is preparing you , he takes you into isolation , fewer friends and he puts you in a place where the distractions will be less .For John's ministry to become effective , God never started His ministry in the cities of Judea , but in the wilderness . John 3:1 (NLT)"In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,".
9.Prayer - consistent and persistent prayers . Why? It simply helps you to know that without Jesus you cannot use that gift to become anything. He gave you as a gift . John 15:5 (NLT)"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
10. Thanksgiving - If you don't appreciate God for the one who has blessed you with the gift , you might lose it , if you begin to take all the glory due to His name , that you are the " man " . Luke 17:18 (NLT)"Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"



Prayer : Father bless my gift O lord I pray in the name of Jesus , Amen.



you will win !! Amen.