Lisa Notes: What do you have to give?

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:8

I have nothing to give.

I don’t know if you ever feel this way, but sometimes I do. What do I have to give?

So I needed this shot in the arm from John Piper’s lesson on “We were eager to share with you our own souls.”

Here’s a partial list of things we as believers always have to give:

You have Christ (Romans 8:10)
You have the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
You have the word of God (1 Corinthians 2:13)
You have spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
You are a fountain (John 4:14; 7:38)

This is not a matter of personality. This is a matter of faith. Trust him, and give yourself.
~ JOHN PIPER

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35

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What can you give today?

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Craig · 714 weeks ago

Perfect Lisa, just perfect, when I have nothing to give, nothing of earthly value, not enough strength, not enough love, I have HIM. To share him, to imitate him, to reflect him. When we have nothing. We still have everything. Such good thoughts. Thank you. God bless and keep you and all of yours Lisa.
My recent post Love doesn’t leave business unfinished

1 reply · active 714 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 714 weeks ago

You've said it well, Craig. "When we have nothing, we still have everything."

Php 3:8 "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

Renee · 714 weeks ago

So very true, Lisa. Sometimes from my recliner I wonder what I have to give...but we have Christ to give. Beautiful reminder of all that we have and all we have to give in love.
My recent post You Will Hear A Voice

Renee,
You give so much, even from your recliner. Your words reach out far and wide giving hope and Jesus to all who read them. Thanks for being a mouthpiece for Christ.

Trisha · 714 weeks ago

Lisa,
This is beautiful! Thank you for the encouragement.
My recent post Perfect Timing

You're welcome, Trisha. I think of how much you give of Jesus every day to that family of yours, both immediate and extended. May the Lord keep you strengthened to continue being the encouragement you are to so many right now.

floyd · 714 weeks ago

We have everything to give because of who He is inside of us. In the end that is exactly what we're designed to do. Give of ourselves. A warm reminder, thanks.
My recent post THE FIRST TIME

Oh, for more faith to live out of the reality that he's given us everything that we need--because he lives inside us. Could we be more blessed? I think not.

Carol · 714 weeks ago

Wise and encouraging post!

Kristin · 714 weeks ago

Lovely reminder when I so often feel like I don't have anything worthwhile to give. <3

Found you @ Spiritual Sundays (I'm #60!)

barbarah 65p · 714 weeks ago

Sometimes we fall into a trap of feeling we can't give because someone else has more or better gifts. But God calls us to give what He has entrusted to us, and He blesses and uses it, like the loaves and fishes, to meet the need. And what a blessed reminder that we have Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God -- all sufficient to meet anyone's need! We just need to be the conduit through which He can work.
My recent post The Week In Words

Sarah · 714 weeks ago

Oh Lisa...this is good b/c I always think I have nothing to give. Wishing you a great week

michellederusha 35p · 714 weeks ago

I appreciate the list, Lisa -- we don't need anything more than that, do we? And God is always at hand, ready and willing for us to share him.

bekahcubed · 714 weeks ago

An excellent reminder--and so wonderful that we don't need a certain personality or "par level" of earthly comforts in order to be able to give. Instead, God has given us everything that we need for life and godliness--and everything that we need in order to give ourselves away.

Jen · 714 weeks ago

Lovely -- always we have something to extend to others because the Holy Spirit dwells in us...

Misty · 714 weeks ago

Love this post. Love the quote.. It is not a matter of personality, but of faith. Thank you for this!
My recent post Jesus Loves

Right, Misty. Sometimes I want to hide behind my introverted personality and use it as an excuse for not giving more. But as much as I’ve been given, I need to give it back away and share with others. It definitely is a matter of faith.