Thought for Tuesday, July 17th

July 17, 2012

God’s Gifts - God’s Calling

Every child of God is blessed to have certain gifts and talents and in accordance with those gifts and talents God often gives a call to use those gifts and talents in some form or fashion to be used in what we like to call a ministry.

For the modern day Christian the task is to seek God’s divine direction to determine where those gifts and talents can be best utilized, maximized and employed to the greatest effectiveness to achieve God’s work and will and to bring Him honor and glory.

Sadly many tend to hide their talents under the proverbial bushel and they neglect to use their gifts and talents.  There are others who try to get involved but they choose to get involved where they have no calling or ability to be successful.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each person in the body of Christ would unconditionally seek to serve and humbly submit and surrender to the leading and guiding of God’s spirit to employ and engage each of their gifts and talents to the optimum effectiveness and efficiency to which they could be employed: thus answering  God’s call on their life and thereby serving Him together with others to achieve the upmost for His highest.

“You cannot choose your calling.  Your calling chooses you.  You have been blessed with special skills that are yours alone.  Use them, whatever they may be, and forget about wearing another’s hat.  A talented chariot driver can win gold and renown with his skills.  Let him pick figs and he would starve.”

-       Og Mandino

    For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans  11:29

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:4-12

God wants to maximize the potential of your gifts and talents for His glory.

Are you willing to answer the call?

Today’s Prayer

Father, I am always in awe of your greatness, your glory, your beauty, and your majesty; and I know I am so blessed to be counted among your children and so honored to be called and allowed to serve You.  May I allow you, by your Spirit, to maximize my gifts and talents for your honor and glory.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman