Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Joint Venture

JOINT VENTURE
1Corinthians 12:4-11
v.7: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

Happy 2011! Now that we’re in full throttle for God, (See Full Throttle 4 God devotion) let’s examine this partnership. Joint venture is a business term that forms an alliance (al-LI-ance means association, treaty, pact) between two firms, or people. The New Year’s resolution we just gave God, if you followed through with Full Throttle for God, was forming a partnership with the creator of the entire universe. Now that’s what I call a partner!

Just as it was a little frightening to be named as a disciple for Jesus, living full throttle for God, and becoming His partner can be intimidating (in-TIM-i-DATE-ing means threatening, scary), too. There’s really nothing to fear. We are promised that we’re never alone in this venture (VEN-chur means endeavor, dare, task). Jesus remains as our nourishing vine (John 15:1-5), and walks beside us every day.

No one is a bystander in God’s kingdom! He chooses to work through humans to accomplish His Gospel mission (telling others about Jesus) on earth. We’re not only the branches that the gardener prunes, we’re also the workers cultivating (KUL-tiv-a-ting means growing, educating) the fruit to be harvested. (Matthew 9:37-38). On earth, we work the largest garden ever! So how does the Father equip us for this partnership?

The Father provides one or more spiritual gifts to every child for the work before us. The Father knit that special gift into our personalities and unborn (sleeping) talents. Ask Him what is your unique gift and purpose, if it’s not clear to you. There is no such thing as a non-gifted believer. We’re after all, His workmanship, created in Jesus for the purpose of good works (Ephesians 2:10). The special wiring is the Holy Spirit Who’ll manifest, (show, make plain) our special gifts.

The Holy Spirit’s leading and Jesus’ sap of nourishment that flows from the vine into the branches (you and me), is how we produce fruit for God’s kingdom. The Spirit then lives and works through God’s kids to exhibit acts of service. God’s power is behind and through it all!

Instead of shrinking away from accepting and following your life’s purpose, I encourage you to embrace this joint venture. Full throttle for God will rock your world!

Take Home Nugget


God’s awesome power is present inside you. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey God in whatever He brings before us. Won’t you check out the lesson that accompanies this devotion to see the various gifts available to God’s kids? Which ones do you possess?
Take stock, child,
For your life has come due.
You know God’s made you wild
For the task that He’s prepared for you!

J.D. Griffith
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