{"id":28876,"date":"2023-11-20T13:53:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T18:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/?p=28876"},"modified":"2023-11-20T13:53:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T18:53:19","slug":"unearthing-our-talents-for-the-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/unearthing-our-talents-for-the-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Unearthing our talents for the Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Matthew 25: 14 -30<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moment to Ponder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of a series of parables recorded in Matthew where Jesus tells about the future.\u00a0 The focus of the parable of the talents is not on the master\u2019s journey, but what the servants did while he was away.\u00a0 In trust, each servant is given talents according to his ability.\u00a0 There is no indicator when the master will return, and the servants are left to organize and plan their strategies, so as to maximize their potential with what they have been entrusted. The master returns, and don\u2019t we feel it for the third servant?\u00a0 Whereas the first two servants report exemplary performance, the third servant has missed out on opportunities that were available to him.\u00a0 He missed out on entering into his master\u2019s joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This parable is an extremely clear explanation from Jesus as to what was expected of his disciples after his departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Master has entrusted us with his valuable resource \u2013 to take care of his kingdom, and we have been placed in various spheres of life to sow and to scatter. \u00a0\u00a0No one has received more or less than he can handle.\u00a0 Each of us has been entrusted with different gifts and abilities \u2013 how are we using them?<\/em><\/strong> Do we use our resources for the benefit of others or just for ourselves? As we live in anticipation of our Lord\u2019s return, let\u2019s use our time and resources wisely.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kingdom grows when we invest our resources rightly.  Our gifts and talents are exemplified when we use them for God\u2019s glory.  As we use our talents, we discover more about ourselves and God.  As we use our talents, God reveals possibilities never before imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t know when, but, his return is certain<\/em>.\u00a0 Oh to find out that you have only cheated ourselves!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Identify one ministry within your congregation in which you can participate and make the decision to get involved.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Moment in Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve as you have asked.\u00a0 Help us not to be too ready with excuses, as to why we can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t, but give us the courage to step out armed with everlasting assurance that as you have sent, you have promised to be with us always.\u00a0 Lord, may you find us faithful. Amen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Sister Claudette Marshall<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Matthew 25: 14 -30 Moment to Ponder This is one of a series of parables recorded in Matthew where Jesus tells about the future.\u00a0 The focus of the parable of the talents is not on the master\u2019s journey, but what the servants did while he was away.\u00a0 In trust, each servant is given talents according…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":610,"featured_media":28877,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-moment","ctfw-has-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28876"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28878,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28876\/revisions\/28878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}