Tuesday 8 October, 2013
Romans 12:3-8
3 God’s grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the amount of faith God has given you. 4 Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose. 5 So also we are many persons. But in Christ we are one body. And each part of the body belongs to all the other parts. 6 We all have gifts. They differ in keeping with the grace that God has given each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it in keeping with the faith you have. 7 Is it your gift to serve? Then serve. Is it teaching? Then teach. 8 Is it telling others how they should live? Then tell them. Is it giving to those who are in need? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.
Who are you and what you think about the gifts God has given you.
Present yourselves as a living sacrifice, do this in everything you do, by the power and strength God gives you. Take time to evaluate yourself, and where you are in your Christian life. Not on your feelings, but on the truth of what God says about you.
Reflect on all God has told you since your salvation. The degree to which you accept what God has said about you, will give you confidence, courage and ability to function any day, and with any task. This will be according to how much you believe what God has said.
Do you prophecy? If so, use it in accordance with your faith. Do you love to serve? Then serve with all joy. Do you come alive when you teach, then find somewhere to use your gift of teaching. Do people respond to your encouragement? What a blessing it is to spur someone to hang in there, take that extra step, or to keep trusting when life is bleak. Do you have a heart to contribute to the needy? Give generously, as Jesus said “whosoever you do to the least of these, you do to me” Do you naturally take the lead at church, at work or with your friends? Remember, God has given you this gift, be diligent and have integrity.
Thank you Lord that I am made in the image of God, I am filled with the Spirit of God and, I am part of Your plan.
Written by Cath Croft
Demos Shakarian was the founder of a organisation called the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International which at that time and still now has an impact on Christians all around the world. A biography about him called ‘The Happiest People on Earth’ was written by John and Elisabeth Sherrill in 1975.
He was quoted as saying that if you find your gift and do it, you will be the happiest people on earth.
His primary gift was serving.
Since that time a number of respectable studies into the characteristics of churches has shown that churches that help their members identify and exercise their gifting have very high rates of contentment (personal fulfillment).