December 2, 2020
Because we are starting the month of Jesus’ birthday, the idea of ‘gifts’ is on my mind this morning. The word ‘gift’ has warm and wonderful connotations. A gift is something we give to someone on their birthday or other special occasion, because we care about them. We will be giving Christmas gifts soon. God cares about us and gave us the best gift ever, His own Son! He also gave us spiritual gifts.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
There was a time when I thought God did not give me a gift. I felt useless in the church because I could not find “my thing” to do for Him. Some people can sing like angels or preach or teach or play instruments well. I was very concerned until my best friend’s dad told me, “You are meant to be the best Tina God made you to be.” That phrase is part of the reason I am writing the blog. He encouraged me to be me and not compare myself with others. What a blessing to have that godly encourager as a friend! God used him.
If God can use a Christian-killing man like Paul and a little boy named David and a prostitute named Rahab and Moses who stuttered, He can certainly use every one of us. Not only can He use us, He wants to use us! No big talent is needed, just a big faith in God and the desire to please Him. We receive His gift and can serve each other with it.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10 ESV
Paul lists some spiritual gifts here. The Spirit of God gives us what He deems best.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ESV
Dear Father,
Thank You for making us like we are and loving us as we are. Show us please, how we can serve You in the church as part of Your team. We thank You for Your gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit who teach and direct our hearts and hands and feet. We want to please You by actually using the spiritual gifts You gave us. Please help us remember it is Your ability that fully equips us to serve. Nothing else matters more than pleasing You. We love You so much! Amen
GROWwork:
Write down, or think of, ten things you are good at or enjoy doing. Write down things you did as a child that you used to love. Can any of these be used for God? He allows us to do Kingdom work!
Might He be calling you to be an encourager or something else that will show others the love of God? I will pray that you find that. It is NEVER too late to begin giving your gift back to God and watching Him work through you.
You are loved. You are special. You are gifted! Prayers for God’s best to you all,
Tina
Glory in the Morning 