Daily devotional, 20 May 2024 Using gifts
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:10-11
As a person who loves giving gifts, I also love seeing that the recipients enjoy using what I have given them. I am thrilled to see them wearing it or playing with it, or delight in eating it. I believe most parents and gift givers are the same way too. We love seeing the gifts appreciated and maximized for its value.
Followers of Jesus like us should be aware of the gifts the Lord has bestowed upon us. We are not to just shrug it off leaving it unopened.We must make sure that we know the gift that we have received, and we should make the most out of it.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
The Apostle Paul has encouraged early believers to make use of the talents and skills bestowed by the Lord, so that everyone can hear the Gospel, and be encouraged in the Lord.
He said that everyone has a unique skill that He can make use of, and that such a skill need not be compared with someone else’s because each one is equipped according to God’s plan.
"To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
So whether the gift is for you to do full time work in church, be in the choir or worship team, make social media materials to spread God’s message, volunteer in Sunday’s school or sports or youth ministry, the important thing is you get to use your calling to further God’s Kingdom and spread His message of salvation.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
1 Corinthians 12:5-6
It is important that as followers of Jesus, we know that our foremost calling is to share the gospel to as many people so that they too can be saved. This may be one of the last words of our Messiah, Jesus Christ, but it is one of His most important commands for us.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
We should always have the heart of a brand new follower of Christ, who would love for everyone to know Him. We should maintain that zeal. We should always have that dedication. We will know it by constantly keeping in touch with the Heavenly Father through consistent quiet time and bible reading, as well as regular worship and studying of His words with other believers. And as we discern, we should remain on fire in spreading His message.
"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Revelation 3:16
We should never let God’s calling fall on deaf ears. He has equipped us. He has bestowed gifts upon each of us. We must know what that gift is and how best we can use it. It is never too late to discover it, and get to use it.
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Have you deciphered your calling? Do you know which of your talents you are supposed to use to spread God’s message?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you very much for giving us the gifts that could help us grow in our faith and let others get to know you. Thank you for enabling us to use these gifts so that we can heed our Great Commission for us which is to make disciples of all nations. I thank you for redeeming me and giving me this opportunity to follow You. Amen.
