The real hope is that our natural and supernatural giftings would collide and point to the glory of God. Do we fight morning traffic for the task or the one who gets Glory if we do the task in His shadow? Dwelling in the Shadow of God Bezalel - name in Hebrew meaning in the shadow of God Exodus 31: 1-6 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you Natural & Supernatural: Called, Filled, Gifted

When the two merged - the results lasted for centuries. Bezalel is the first mention in scripture of someone being filled with the Spirit of God. He was known as someone who dwelt in the shadow of God. His identity was firm because he had received it from the Father. Exodus 36: 2-7

2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more. Not dwelling in the Shadow of God Matthew 25: 14-30 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ Rewards

How can we truly operate in our gifting if we don’t trust the heart of the One who gives those gifts. Don’t miss what the Master said when the servant was faithful or what God says when we are faithful: 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ The Message translates joy of your master as entering into partnership. Spiritual Giftings Romans 12 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 6-8 If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. 9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 1 Cor 12 4-11 Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel clear understanding simple trust healing the sick miraculous acts proclamation distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

27-31 You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”: apostles prophets teachers miracle workers healers helpers organizers those who pray in tongues Are we willing to give our lives as Romans says so we can live Ordinary Extraordinary Lives? Exercise

Take this time to be quiet: ask God to call to mind one natural gift & one supernatural gift that He would like you to dedicate to Him this week.

Exercise

Take this time to be quiet: ask God to call to mind one natural gift & one spiritual gift that He would like you to dedicate to Him this week.

My Prayer For This Week

Where are the places Lord that these two gifts can collide, point to Your Glory, and bring life to those in my life who so desperately need You?