Here's a recap...
The evening began with some delicious food with an Asian flair. Thank you Colleen and Debbie for making our evening delicious as well as fun! The always lovely Wendi Braswell brought us up to date on Spring and Summer trends...get out those bangle bracelets and bring on the neon!!
Then we talked about our SHAPE. Not our physical shape but what shapes us as individual daughters of God. Rick Warren, author of A Purpose Driven Life has an acronym he uses that aptly outlines all the factors that make us so unique.
S. Spiritual Gifts - What are yours?
H. Heart - What are you passionate about?
A. Abilities - What special abilities or talents do you have?
P. Personality - What type of personality do you have?
E. Experiences - What's your story?
We focused on spiritual gifts because that's the hearbeat of FTGI... Our mission is to grow a company of women committed to using whatever God-given GIFTS we have to bring hope and healing to a hurting world. So let's identify our gifts and get moving!!!
Here are the great things about spiritual gifts...
1. Everyone gets to play!!
This is not an exclusive club. Every believer is given gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that... A spiritual gift is given to each of us...
2. You don't have to decide!!
No pressure here to decide which gifts you want! Your gifts have already been determined by the Holy Spirit and He distributes them as He sees fit. I think it's safe to say we can rely on the Creator of the Universe to give us the gifts that are just perfect for us and the plan He has for us.
1 Corinthians 12:11 says... All these (spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.
3. They are to be used to serve others.
The second part of verse 1 Cor. 12:7 says the gifts are given to us...so we can help each other.
Ephesians 4:12 says: (the gifts are given)...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
As we grow this company of women we need every single one of you and your unique gifts. Rick Warren made a statement that really resonated with me...
Most of us start out as originals but end up as carbon copies.
We need to be ever aware that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made!! (Psalm 139:14)
If we try to become anything other than what God himself created us to be, we are denying the world of a beautiful gift. If we neglect to nurture and excersize the gifts we've been given it's like having an amazing present sitting on a shelf that never gets opened.
1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to... Eagerly desire spiritual gifts. It doesn't say to casually check them out but...eagerly desire them.
So...delve into Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 and read all about the gifts. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you which specific ones you've been given. Some of them we all have! Once you know what they are get moving!!
There is work to be done and lives in need of your touch.
Save the date for our next Girls Night Out Friday July 17th...
Lots of Love,
Tracey and Cynda
P.S. Pictures are up on Facebook.
Visit our website at www.forthegirlsinternational.org
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