Do you belong to a church that feels like family? Do you think of its members as your brothers and sisters? My husband and I joined our church yesterday and the people definitely already feel like family. Lately, the Lord has been showing me how important that kind of family unity is in our church and in our world. Without unity, we are just a bunch of opinions pulling back and forth and going nowhere. God’s Word is the ultimate uniting and progressive force! When we base our actions on what He says to do, we work together to accomplish great things for Him.
You know how the Bible says we all have gifts? In 1 Peter are two verses that tell us how to be good stewards of whatever gift has given us. We ALL have gifts. God inspired Peter to say so:)
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
There is so much good stuff here!
“AS we have received gifts“… this is confirmation that you definitely have a gift. I have a gift. That gift was not earned, but given by God. It is not whether we have a gift, but because we have a gift, that Peter feels led by the Lord to tell us what God expects from us.
“Minister to one another“… Because God gave us a gift, we are to use it on each other. It was not meant to be kept and treasured for ourselves. God knows it will do more good being given away. That makes sense because we have differing gifts. We can encourage and strengthen the body of Christ by allowing our God-given different gifts to be used in ministering to each other. Some people have the gift of encouragement. I used to not know that was a gift. Things you think are small gifts can sometimes be the biggest and most needed. We can use all that we are to glorify God in some way!
“As good stewards of the manifold grace of God“…. What sticks out here to me is the words, ‘steward’ and ‘grace.’ Our gifts are not something we own exactly. Gifts are ours to use for God. It is kind of like if a boss gave his construction employees hammers and pens and forklifts. They are tools meant to be used to complete jobs for him. As a boss would only give tools to people he himself judges to be worthy, God does the same. By His grace and His reasons, He gives us tools to use for Him. He gives everyone tools!
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,”… Oracles of God? That is a high calling, to speak His holy words, but we should take our gifts that seriously.
Whatever we do, let us do it with all the holiness and reverence that God deserves with His words, His way, His love. With the ability that He provides, let us glorify Him for the gift, with the gift and just because He gave us a gift!
“to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.“… This. This is the purpose of everything we do with our gifts, because of our gifts. I cannot embellish these words or say it any better than Peter did. The glory belongs, not to us, but to our ruling King, forever!
Reading this makes me excited! How about you? Do you know what your gift is? If so, isn’t it exciting that God chose You to play a part in His Kingdom? Are you using Your gift? If you are not sure of your gift, please ask someone in the church that you respect, such as the pastor or elders. They can pray for you and give you direction. They will be encouraged that you want to know and use your gift. Your gift can make a difference in whether a person hears about Jesus or sees His love demonstrated. Through God, you can reach someone for Him! How cool is that?!
It is without pride that anyone can say he or she has a gift, or uses that gift because it comes from outside of ourselves. It comes from God. One thing I have found…When we realize God gave us a gift and we have a willing heart, get ready for an adventure! Gifts and willing hearts are meant to go together and glorify God! we are all special enough to be given gifts! God thought so:)
Dear Father God,
Thank You for giving us gifts. You are the only One good so Your gifts are good. Please help us focus on what our gifts may be in our time with You. We want to serve you to the best of our ability, even if we think we do not have much ability sometimes. Please shine light on what we can do for You with what You gave us. Give us opportunities and people to serve as your gift-bearer to others. As Paul says, help us to be ministers of our gifts without pride, but with the purpose of drawing attention to You. We love You more every day! Amen
Have a wonderful Monday, folks! Love and prayers to all!
Just me. Just His.
Tina
Glory in the Morning 