The word for this week is "neglect". We find it in these two portions of Scripture:
1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. KJV
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will. KJV
In both cases this is the Greek word "ameleo". Strong's Concordance says: to be careless of. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to regard not. Over the years that I have spent in ministry, I have come across so many people who have tried to follow other people in what they were doing instead of finding out what God had for THEM to do, and doing it! Paul was exhorting Timothy to pay attention to the gifts that God had placed within him, and to put them to use. The gifts, talents, anointing and opportunity that God has placed in YOUR life are what HE has used, and will continue to use, to draw attention to Himself through you! Your success in your career, as a husband and as a father have caused those around you to stop and take notice! You are reaching people in your realm of influence that most of us will never know! Remember, especially when the enemy tries to pressure you to do more, that 1 Samuel 15:22 says THIS:
22 Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. AMP
Our simple and faithful obedience to the Word of God and the leading of Holy Spirit is well pleasing to the LORD and will bring great rewards in the life to come, as well as abundant blessings in the here and now! In Hebrews (above) Paul is exhorting the believers to not neglect, but to take full advantage of, all that belongs to us as Blood Covenant partners with JESUS and members of the family of God. When we find out what belongs to us, and learn to appropriate those blessings, HE is glorified as He confirms the WORD that WE speak with signs, wonders and miracles (Mark 16:20). Rather than being this hard life of "toeing the line", ours is a glorious life of walking in the supernatural provision of Almighty God! Why would we ever want to neglect that? Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Life":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
