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Getting into S.H.A.P.E. S – Spiritual Gift H – Heart/Passion A – Abilities/Talents P - Personality E - Experiences

Why we unapologetically ask you to get involved: 1) God has gifted and called you to it!

Why we unapologetically ask you to get involved: 1) God has gifted and called you to it! 2)You (and others) will be blessed as you do it!

Why we unapologetically ask you to get involved: 1) God has gifted and called you to it! 2)You (and others) will be blessed as you do it! 3)Your investment will change eternal destinies & the world!

A good summary statement about your S.H.A.P.E.: Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling when you are using your GIFTS and ABILITIES in the area of HEART’S DESIRE in a way that best expresses your PERSONALITY and EXPERIENCE.

What kind of useful experiences have I had? You’ve had family experiences. You’ve had educational experiences. You’ve had vocation, a-vocational, “vacational” experiences. You’ve had painful experiences.

Everything?! And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

A good perspective: Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:19-20 (NLT)

We praise our God, the source of all comfort: All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3

He does not forsake us: He comforts us in all our troubles… 2 Corinthians 1:4a

My personal & confidential

It makes sense only in the rearview mirror: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Keirkegaard

God comforts us so that we can be of some earthly good: …so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. Vv. 4b-c

God never wastes a hurt: “He wants you to be open to ministering to people who are going through what you have already been through!”

Christ will use our painful experiences for our good: For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Christ will use our painful experiences for our good: We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Corinthians 1:5-10 (NLT)

A biblical proverb: Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

A modern proverb: We don’t change so much when we see the light as when we feel the heat!

A godly perspective: And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Philippians 1:12-14 (NLT)

An incredible experience: Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt. Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

A really great day: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel! John 12:13 (NKJV)

A not-so-great day: “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Mark 15:12-13 (NLT)

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE IS… IT’S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING!! BETTER YET… IT’S SUNDAY, BUT JESUS IS COMING!! ARE YOU READY?!