Use Those Gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11

God is so good. He is loving and gracious and merciful. He provides and protects. He blesses us so far beyond our expectations.

And He invites us to work with Him to fulfill His plans. That just blows my mind.

The Sovereign Creator, the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God of the universe invites us—you and me—to help fulfill His plans. I often say He could certainly do it better without me, but He chooses to bless me by allowing me to participate.

He’s given His children gifts to use to serve Him and others. And everything we do with those gifts must be done for His glory, and His glory alone. God has given me the gift of encouragement, and He uses that gift as I speak, write, sing, act or provide a shoulder to a hurting friend. And I pray every time I’m blessed to use my God-given gift that I do give glory to Him. I remind myself regularly that anything I’m able to do—everything I’m able to do—is only because of God’s amazing love and grace for me.

You’re gifted as well. Do you know how God has gifted you? If you don’t, find out. And then joyfully use your gift to serve others and glorify God.

Promises, Promises (2 Timothy 1:8-11)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-11

I’m not sure where to begin. These four verses contain so much to encourage! But I want to focus on three great promises.

We have been saved. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have committed your life to Him, you are saved. The old fleshly self has died, and you are being transformed into the new creature God has designed you to be. There is nothing you can do on your own to be saved. It is truly a gift from God. He is so gracious and so merciful that He desires all to be saved—but He’s also so loving that He gives us the choice.

We have been called with a holy calling. Each of us has been called to serve God uniquely. He has blessed us with gifts that we can use to serve Him and others. Paul was a “preacher and an apostle and a teacher.” Others of us are encouragers or are merciful or are hospitable. It doesn’t matter what your gift is as long as you use it to bring glory to our God

We will live eternally with God—Father, Son, and Spirit. Oh, this is the greatest promise of all! If you’ve given your life to Christ, you will never really die. The flesh you live in now will certainly die and decay, but your soul, the true you, will live forever in the presence of the Sovereign Lord God.

I pray you’ve accepted the gift of salvation. I pray you’re using the gifts God has blessed you with. And I pray you’re anticipating eternity with God with joy.

Don't Neglect the Gift (1 Timothy 4:13-16)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 4:13-16

When we accept the gift of salvation and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, God bestows spiritual gifts upon us. Some of us are gifted preachers or teachers. Others have the gift of hospitality or administration. Still others are encouragers or are merciful.

And each gift is critical to complete the body of Christ. In God’s economy, the volunteer who faithfully folds the bulletin each week is as important as the most renowned preacher. Therefore, we cannot “neglect the spiritual gift” God has given. Each of us is just important to God as our fellow brothers and sisters.

If you’ve been given the gift of hospitality, open your home for a neighborhood Bible study. If you’re an encourager, write notes of affirmation to your child’s teacher or to your pastor. If you teach, be certain you diligently study God’s word so you speak only words of truth.

You can be certain of this: God will use you and your spiritual gift. But you need to be prepared to do as He asks. You need to be willing to use your gift to glorify God, not yourself.

Don’t “neglect” your spiritual gift. Instead, joyfully use it to serve God and others, knowing He will, one day, say, “Well done, my faithful servant.”

It Makes Me Smile (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10

We are encouraged by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are comforted by them.

And we rejoice in them.

When I see a child of God use his or her gifts and talents to serve God, it brings me great joy. I have been blessed to know some amazingly gifted actors, singers, and writers. I am honestly in awe of their talents.

But what really makes me rejoice in them is when I see those gifts and talents used to glorify the Lord.

Before I left California a year ago, I was privileged to perform at a faith-based theater. Some of those young people were seriously talented—I mean, Broadway-talented. Certainly some of them aspire to make a career of theater, but when I’d watch them worship the Lord on stage, I would truly rejoice. (I miss that theater … but that’s beside the point. J)

God has given each of us gifts and talents to be used for His glory. Not all of us are destined for the stage, but each of us can serve Him. Practicing hospitality. Teaching. Praying. Showing mercy. Giving encouragement.

When I see my friends using their gifts to glorify the Lord, I can't help but smile. I truly rejoice. There’s nothing better!

Whom Are You Pleasing? (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6

God has called each of us to serve Him. We’ve all been given spiritual gifts, and the number one purpose of our using those gifts is to glorify Him. You may have been called to teach or preach (see Ephesians 4:11). Or you may be a generous giver or have a heart to show mercy (see Romans 12:8). You might love to help others or perhaps you’re a gifted administrator (see 1 Corinthians 12:28).

No matter our gifts, using them should never shine the light on us. None of us should “think of himself more highly than he ought …” (Romans 12:3). We should never “seek glory from men”; rather, everything we do should be “pleasing … God who examines our hearts.”

When you use a gift the Lord has given you, are you so focused on pleasing God that it doesn’t matter what others might say? Would you preach or teach even if no one ever told you that your words had encouraged or convicted them? Would you give generously to your church if that giving was never acknowledged—even by the IRS? Would you be merciful to those less fortunate, never hearing a “thank you”?

If you can say, “Yes, I’d serve anyway even if I never, ever received any human kudos,” then you’re serving for the right reasons. You’re using your gifts as God intended. But if you sense that sometimes you seek a bit of glory for yourself, then ask God to help you examine your motives.

And serve “not as pleasing man, but [as pleasing] God …”

Your Wonderful Gift (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Each of us is gifted by God to serve Him in a way only we can. And when you stop to think about it, God’s gifts in us are gifts to us.

God doesn’t need us to do His work. He is more than able to reach people and care for them without us. In fact, I’m sure there are times when we hamper His work.

Yet He loves us so much, He allows us to join Him in His kingdom work. He uses us to serve others, and He gives us the privilege of seeing how that service impacts them.

What an amazingly wonderful gift!

So some of us evangelize. Some of us preach. Some of us teach. And all of us equip the saints and build the body of Christ. And though there may be thousands of preachers, God uses each uniquely. And though there may be thousands of teachers, God speaks through each differently.

I regularly speak to women’s groups, and I’m far from the best speaker around … yet, when I speak, God uses me in a way He doesn’t use anyone else. He gives me a unique style, unique ways of using words. And He touches lives in a unique way—through me.

How has God gifted you? Do you know? If you don’t, talk to someone you trust, who knows you well, and ask them what they think. Find a gift assessment tool. And when you find out how God has uniquely gifted you, join Him in His kingdom-building plan.

And thank Him for allowing you to be a part of that plan.

Do the Lord's Work (1 Corinthians 16:10-12)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Doing the Lord’s work …

We have been created for a purpose: to love our Lord—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love others (see Mark 12:30-31). How we demonstrate that love may be different as we use our God-given gifts to serve Him and others.

Some of us may preach or teach. Some of us may open our homes to encourage others. Some of us may offer mercy to the hurting. Some of us may pray without ceasing, interceding for those in need.

I’ve probably written this before, but I find it absolutely amazing—and overwhelmingly humbling—that God chooses us to do His work. We, who are weak, fleshly, flawed, are a critical part of His kingdom-building.

Amazing.

Yet, so often, we take this sacred responsibility for granted. We serve Him when it’s convenient for us. We help others when we have nothing better to do.

If it doesn’t interfere with our social lives, our television watching, our sports … well, then we can serve God, then we can do the work He’s called us to do.

The greatest commandment, according to Jesus Himself, is to love God. And the second is to love others. To show our love for Him, we must do what He calls us to do. We must do His work.

No hesitation. No “I will when I have time.” No “I will if there’s nothing better to do.”

If we all did what God’s called us to do, if we truly loved Him, if we strove to serve others with love … how different might this world be?

Let’s do the Lord’s work. Joyfully. Diligently. Humbly. And maybe we’ll change the world.

The Importance of ALL Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:27-31a)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31a

Paul writes extensively about giftedness in this chapter, and today’s verses sum up his argument:

Each is a member of the body, not the whole body; each stands related to the body as a part of it, and all have a common relation to one another, dependence upon one another, and should have a mutual care and concern … This were to make the church a monster: all one as if the body were all ear or all eye. Some are fit for one office and employment, and some for another; and the Spirit distributes to everyone as he will. We must be content with our own rank and share, if they be lower and less than those of others. We must not be conceited of ourselves, and despise others, if we are in the higher rank and have greater gifts. Every member of the body is to preserve its own rank, and do its own office; and all are to minister to one another, and promote the good of the body in general, without envying, or despising, or neglecting, or ill-using, any one particular member. How blessed a constitution were the Christian church, if all the members did their duty! (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary of the Whole Body)

Even though all gifts are important, and we shouldn’t look down on “lesser gifts” (see yesterday’s devotional), Paul

closes this chapter with an advice (as the generality read it) and a hint: An advice to covet the best gifts, charismata ta kreittona--dona potiora, præstantiora, either the most valuable in themselves or the most serviceable to others; and these are, in truth, most valuable in themselves, though men may be apt to esteem those most that will raise their fame and esteem highest. Those are truly best by which God will be most honoured and his church edified. Such gifts should be most earnestly coveted. (Matthew Henry)

Healthy Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18-26)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18-26

A healthy body is one whose parts work together just as God intended. Eyes, ears, hands, feet. All working together so the entire body can function as it should. When one “member” doesn’t work correctly, the rest of the “members” often have to compensate. For example, when one is blind, his or her other senses often become more acute.

And so it is with the body of Christ.

Each member works together in order for the entire body to be healthy. Yet, just with the human body, some members seem “less” than others. We don’t think much about our big toes, for example. We don’t think they’re nearly as important as our ears, for instance. And yet, if you’ve ever had a broken toe, you know how in inhibits your ability to walk well.

We sometimes think the same of our positions in the body of Christ. I’m not a preacher, you say. I just greet people once a month. But think about it: If you’re the first person someone visiting your church sees, you can have a tremendous impact on how they view your church … and even how they view Christians, in general.

We are all important in God’s eyes. We have value. Tremendous value. And if we all work together, doing exactly what God called us to do, then Christ’s body will be healthy.

And if His body is healthy, made up of healthy members doing what they’ve been called to do, then this world will be impacted positively for Christ.

So, I guess my question is: How healthy are you? Are you strong, doing what you’ve been called to do? Or do you need a checkup?

Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

If you believe in the God of the Bible, have accepted salvation through the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and have committed your life to God—Father, Son, and Spirit—you are part of the body of Christ.

God has gifted you uniquely to serve Him and His people in a way no one else can. In several places in the New Testament, spiritual gifts are mentioned, both implicitly and explicitly. Today’s verses list several gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, and healing.

Yes, knowing the different kinds of gifts God gives is very important. Even more importantly, we need to know what gifts God has given each of us—and use them.

Most important of all, thought, we need to remember that, as many gifts as there are, there is one Spirit, one God who gives these gifts. And “one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

If you don’t know how you’ve been uniquely gifted, ask the Spirit to reveal your gift to you. Seek counsel from godly men or women. Find a program that will help to assess your strengths.

Once you’ve determined your gift, use it to glorify God and serve His people.