YOU'RE A GIFTED CHILD!

SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 12:27-31a (NRSV)

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.

DEVOTION

Every single night when I pray I ask God to make me healthy, happy, holy and holy with spiritual gifts and talents that can be used to glorify God, edify The Church, and horrify the enemy!

In the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul adamantly makes the argument that all Christians are given spiritual gifts from God and that all gifts are to be appreciated and that no gift is too small to bring God glory!

It seems to me, that as Christians, we are sometimes guilty of celebrating some gifts and ignoring others. It is usually the visible gifts that lead to ministries like pastoring, preaching, and evangelizing that are uplifted, whilst invisible gifts such as the gifts of helps, grace, mercy, or forgiveness go virtually unnoticed.

Dear ones, this is a shame! This is why Paul reminds us that all of our gifts work together, just as all of the parts of our bodies work together! I would hazard to guess that there is not one amongst us that would elect to cut off our pinkie finger because it does not seem all that important.

In the same way that we value even the smallest of our body parts, we ought to esteem all of the people--visible and invisible--who work diligently for Jesus within the Body of Christ.

I believe that it is time for us to say thank you to the person who cleans the church by taking out the trash, washing the windows, and sanitizing the bathrooms. It is time to uplift the person who makes the tea, cooks the fellowship meal, and scrubs the dishes afterward. It is time for us to remember the person who silently prays in the midnight hour, offers a listening ear to the pastor, and/or plays basketball with the neighborhood youth!

Each of these "unsung heroes" of the faith make it possible--in some form or fashion--for the good news to go forth unencumbered within their spheres of influence.

Because of their selfless, faithful, and invisible actions, someone is able to hear the good news message that God loves all of us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

My friends, it is time to examine ourselves. If we have been making excuses regarding why we have not been actively using our God-given spiritual gifts and talents to share the good news, the gig is up!

God is saying to us today, "You are a gifted child!"

Each of us is uniquely made to give God glory in a way particular to ourselves. God needs--and wants--us to use our gifts to share love and good news within our spheres of influence!

No matter how big or small, young or old, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, male or female, white or brown we may be, GOD's Spirit has given us gifts and talents to be used to share good news with your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even your enemies!

You are a gifted child! Will you put your gifts to work for Jesus? If so, please pray with me:

God, I confess that I have been hiding my gifts from the Body of Christ! I want to bring them out into the open. You have gifted me to be good at so many things; please show me how I can utilize my gifts to share the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost! If you can use anything, Lord, you can use me! I love you and I want to share our love with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

If you would like discover some of your spiritual gifts, please Google "Spiritual Gifts Inventory" and choose an inventory that appeals to you. Most "tests" are approximately 140 questions and should help you to broadly discover how you might use your spiritual gifts and talents to share good news!






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PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com