What Is Your Gift

Good Morning! 

What are you doing with the gifts God has given you?  You do KNOW that God has given you a gift, don’t you? Every believer is endowed with a special gift from God that He wants us to use. Some are gifted in being able to speak the message of Jesus to people.  Others are gifted in helping their fellow believers in times of need. Still others have been given the means to provide for all.  We could keep on going … but the point is that YOU have a gift from God that is intended to be used for HIS glory.

So … what is your gift?  One of the joys I had as a husband was seeing Miss Norma discover her gift.  She was endowed with the gift of mercy.  She displayed her gift in the church setting as she willingly worked in the nursery at each stop along the way … until her health prevented her from doing so.  Outside the church setting, Miss Norma served as a volunteer at Southern Regional’s Mother-Baby unit.  One might ask how bathing and rocking a newborn would be a display of mercy … until they hear of when she had to comfort a father who had just lost his wife in childbirth ... or had to hold a mother of a newborn that had to go to NICU.  God gave her the ability to help people in their time of need. 

So … what is your gift?  In the ministry I have at the nursing home, I have observed some of my co-workers who have that special ability to make things go smoothly.  One such person is Elba. Elba is originally from Brazil.  She sweeps into the different homes each week – going from patient to patient, asking in broken English if they want to attend the service, helping move them into the room where we gather.  She seeks out chairs for those who are ambulatory … and helps align the wheelchairs of those who aren’t.  She gives each one a hug … spending a few moments with each one individually.  After the service, is the first one to help get the chairs back in place.  Elba exhibits the gift of helps … a gift often overlooked but very necessary for those in ministry.

So … what is your gift?  Peter writes …

1 Peter 4:10-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Some points to consider on this good day:

·         The gift God gives you is to be used to serve one another.  If our gift is one that is visible …  for example, the gift of teaching, we should teach with confidence; if our gift is service, we should do so with joy.  We should rejoice in the opportunity to use our gift to enhance the life another.

·         The gift God gives you is a trust He places in you.  Note that Peter tells us that we should be good stewards of the gift.  A steward is a person who has gained the trust of another.  God endows you with a gift because He knows that you can do what that gift requires.  And, while you may feel that you are not able, you can know that He is able to give you the strength to carry through.

·         The gift God gives you is for His glory alone. Miss Norma would be mortified to hear me talk about what she did.  Elba would just smile and continue to move forward.  The point is that each gift is given to bring glory and honor to God. 

So … what is your gift?  Find out … and then use it to the max.

God bless each one of you this good day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your gracious endowment of gifts to Your children. Show each one of us where we can serve You and our fellow humans. Encourage us to use the specific gift we have for Your glory.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  1 Peter 4:10-11