4. “ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. “ 1 Timothy 4:14 "What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?" (James. 2:14). What do we do with the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

5. "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead“ James. 2:17) "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone“ James. 2:24 What do we do with the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

6. “ If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:8 What do we do with the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

7. We Are Like Pencils

8. "There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be." In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying,

9. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

10. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you want to become a better pencil.

11. You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.

12. The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

13. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.

14. The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its Maker's purpose. Now replacing the pencil with yourself; always remember these rules and never forget them, in this way you will become the person you want to be.

17. You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

20. On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything. 5th

21. Everyone is like a pencil... created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose. By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

22. MOTHER TERESA IN HER OWN WORDS “ I am only a little pencil in the Hand of God writing a love letter to the world.” Mother Teresa taught us by her sample what it really means to ‘live’ the Gospel.

23. Some people have a JOB in the church while others involve Themselves in a MINISTRY. What is the difference? JOB V MINISTRY

24. If you are doing it just because no one else will, it is a JOB. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it is a MINISTRY. If you quit because somebody criticized you, it was a JOB. If you keep on serving, it is a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

25. If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a JOB. If you stay with it even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it is a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

26. If your concern is success, it is a JOB. If your concern is faithfulness, it is a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

27. If you will do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it is a JOB. If you are committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it is a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

28. It is hard to get excited about a JOB. It is almost impossible not to get excited about a MINISTRY . An average church is filled with people doing a JOB. A great and growing church is filled with people involved in a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

29. Where do we fit in? What about us? If God calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB. If you have a JOB, give it up And find a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

30. God does not want us feeling stuck with a JOB, but excited and faithful to Him in a MINISTRY. JOB V MINISTRY

31. You were Made to do Great Things!

32. Allow the Hand of God to continue holding you and may the nip of your pencil leave a legible mark in the lives of others as the love story is told to the world with you being part of it !

33. “ SEEK YEE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” Matthew 6:33 MISSION

34. THE GREAT FIAT "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38)

36. Let us search our ways, and seek, and return to the Lord - Lamentations 3:40

37. Father, How time flies. It seems that only yesterday I’d made a commitment to serve in Your vineyard and now the crucial time arises and again I come to you Lord to seek confirmation and affirmation from you. Glancing over these past few months, I view them with mixed feelings.

38. There were moments when my service was truly exceptional, exuberant and at times even flamboyant. Everything I touched turned to gold. They said I had the Midas touch. I saw how my little contribution touched the hearts of many, filled them with joy and understood truly that in giving to others, I had actually received more, much more.

39. It was during these moments of consolation that I experienced your hand working and giving me the strength and fortitude to persevere. I wish to spend some time in recounting these periods of grace and give thanks to you for giving me the undeserved privilege of serving you and your people in the small ways that I have contributed

40. And Yes there were moments when…. (sigh), the thought of it alone makes me squirm. Countless occasions where the puzzle could never fit. Everything I did with well mannered intentions just wasn’t enough.,,, Oh the many harsh words that were thrown back and forth and constant objections just took the better of me.

41. It was easy for me to point the finger and shift the blame on others and worse still on the Devil as if he was not doing enough damage. And the more I complained to you, the more it persisted. What is wrong with these people I thought. Why can’t they listen to me? It was only when I looked within myself that the painful truth was revealed. It was me that you wanted to change. The old man had surfaced. With an inflated ego, Pride and false humility had crept in. How odd that my prayers were answered by the sending of these people to bring about what you wanted to ‘cut and prune’.

42. Truly YOU were also there too in the darkness. This time teaching and admonishing me through the people I work with. Broken and humbled, I was then ready to listen. I will look to these specific incidents…….. Lord and ask for forgiveness and the graces necessary so as to be able to deal with these situations better should they recur.