Everyone's Gift Matters

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (v. 27 NIV)

Imagine the frustration a race car driver would feel if he pulled in for a pit stop only to see half of the pit crew remain on the other side of the wall. What if the tire changer sat sulking because he wasn't allowed to fill the gas tank? Would that lead to victory?

As crazy as such a scenario sounds, it happens all too often in churches where members have taken vows to be an active part of the body of Christ, yet sit on the sidelines. They have been created by God, redeemed by Christ, and equipped with gifts through the Holy Spirit, but they do not use the gifts God has entrusted to them.

This not only hurts the joy and fruitfulness of the believer but it is also harmful for the overall ministry of the church. When members of the body neglect to identify or use their spiritual gifts, the whole body suffers (v. 26). Have you identified the unique talents and gifts that God has given to you for service in the church and beyond? Don't just sit there; get up and get serving!

Prayer: Everlasting Father, help me to identify and use the spiritual gifts that you have entrusted to me for service in your kingdom. Amen.

Used with Permission

Remember the Needs of Others

Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him."
Sensationalizing World Missions

There are missionaries who are born adventurers; while wholly consecrated to Christ and utterly devoted to the glory of God, they are for all that very much in love with the physical excitement that accompanies missionary activities in some parts of the world. These have done excellent work and must be classed with the true servants of Christ and messengers of the cross.
Do It Yourself

Deliverance from sin is not deliverance from human nature. There are things in human nature, such as prejudices, which the saint has to destroy by neglect; and other things which have to be destroyed by violence, i.e., by the Divine strength imparted by God's Spirit. There are some things over which we are not to fight, but to stand still in and see the salvation of God; but every theory or conception which erects itself as a rampart against the knowledge of God is to be determinedly demolished by drawing on God's power, not by fleshly endeavour or compromise (v. 4).