Mindy Lee Hopman

…and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:37-38 (NASB) 

Thank goodness my husband is a numbers person, because numbers are not my strength, nor my passion.  However, I love words.  I love reading words, writing words, speaking words, and sharing words.  We enjoy spending time in The Word together, but he is not a man of many words.  We compliment each other beautifully and we work together as one in our marriage.

As our skill sets compliment our marriage, the Spiritual gifts found in the body of believers works together as ONE body to accomplish ONE purpose in order to bring ONE glory and honor.

When we believe, a quickening of the Holy Spirit ignites a new life within.   The new life does not come from man, but rather from God. It has nothing to do with how many times we go to church or how much we pray or serve, or how “good” of a person we are.  It has everything to do with the regeneration of the Spirit within.  God moves a believer out of darkness and into the light by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit allows for the believer to see differently, think differently, and feel differently.

The Holy Spirit equips each believer for God’s Kingdom in order to fulfill His purposes.

God gives each one of us a unique gift which is meant to be joined with the gifts of other believers in order to create ONE body in Christ.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12-13‬ (ESV)

Our Creator knows what our strengths are, and the gift He gives fits each of us perfectly. We each have our own gift to use in the body of Christ in order to do God’s will.  All things work together for good, and in all things we bring Him glory when the body of Christ is healthy and functioning as ONE.

God’s purpose for you is to know your gift, recognize it, and use it within the body.

Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 (NLT)

When you are functioning within your gift, you are running in your lane and you can’t help but bring God glory!

You cannot run your race well if you are carrying baggage from the past. Let go of the weight of the world.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

You cannot run your race well if you are trying to run another person’s race.

Let go of your measuring sticks. The comparison trap will try to kill you.

God has created a lane especially for you.  You have your own race to run. 

No man in the world is at liberty to neglect the means that God has appointed. Charles Spurgeon

The race is yours to run.  Your heart will not find peace and contentment until you are running in your own lane.

You get to do this!

Let go of the weight of the world, recognize your gift, find your lane and run!

When saying “goodnight” to my daughter she embraces me with the best hugs.

As a child hugs her parent…Embrace your gift – Embrace God. Embrace God – Embrace JOY!

We bring God naches when we keep our eyes on the prize, let go of sin that keeps us back, and run in our own lanes.

Ready. Set. Go!

Today is your day!

Heavenly Father,
I praise You for who You are and what You do behind the scenes that no one even notices.  While You can see the big picture, we can only see a snapshot.  I praise You for the presence of the Holy Spirit who fills us and guides us once we believe.  Help us to recognize our gift that we have from You by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give us opportunities to grow our gifts and to use them.  Let us lay aside anything that is keeping us back from running our very own race in our very own lane.  May You give us power and strength to endure the difficult days, and the joy to overcome. May we bring You naches when we are running for You in our own lanes!
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen

Running the race with you,

Basking in His Light

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