BRING GLORY TO GOD BY SERVING OTHERS WITH YOUR GIFTS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2023.

SUBJECT: BRING GLORY TO GOD BY SERVING OTHERS WITH YOUR GIFTS!

Memory verse: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5 vs 16.)

READ: First Peter 4 vs 10 - 11:

4:10: As each one has received gift, minister it one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

4:11: 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 dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

INTIMATION:

Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. The way you're "wired" is not an accident. God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purposes. They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit. Some people, well aware of their abilities, believe that they have the right to use their abilities as they please. Others feel they have no special talents at all. Everyone has some gifts; find yours and use them. All our abilities should be used in serving others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment. 

How is God glorified when we use our abilities? When we use them as He directs; to help others, they will see Jesus in us and praise Him for the help they have received. God would be glorified because the origin of the gifts is Himself. All of us are blessed by God with natural gifts from birth. Though these gifts are not the same as the Spirit--given gifts (First Corinthians 12 vs 8 - 11), they are God-given in the sense that all we are is from God. The Scripture, in John 3 vs 27 notes, “...A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” Though some people use their natural gifts for their own self-gratification and profit. However, the God-given natural gifts that every Christian has must be used for the benefit of others. 

God gives us gifts so we can serve one another with them. To use them effectively, we must (1) realize that all gifts and abilities come from God; (2) understand that not everyone has the same gifts; (3) know who we are and what we do best; (4) dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success; (5) be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service. God’s gifts defer in nature, power, and effectiveness according to His wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us. Since all gifts originated from God, whether miraculous or not, then they must be used according to the will of God.

Be a beacon of good works—don’t deny the world your God-given abilities and talents in helping those in need of them. Our abilities should be faithfully used to serving others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment. Some people, well aware of their abilities, believe that they have the right to use their abilities as they please. Others feel that they have no special talents at all. Incidentally, everyone has some gifts God has deposited in us; find yours and use them. Even as we seek to discover our gifts, if you see a need, seek to meet it. You may find gifts in areas you might not have guessed. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You, most gracious Lord, for the talents and abilities You deposited in me. Endue me with the spirit of selflessness that I may serve You and others with my abilities and talents, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!