June 13, 2023

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

What it means

Here’s a good reminder from the Apostle Peter that God gifts each one of His children with very special gifts that He does, in fact, expect for us to use for His honor and His glory. Specifically in this verse, it sounds like the overriding expectation is that we should use it in a manner of serving others, and not trying to somehow claim glory for ourselves. Also, we are to incorporate a little bit of Colossians 3:17 in how we use our gifts – not just giving a half-hearted effort but doing it as if we are doing it for The Lord. Skip ahead to verse 11 – “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” In other words, we shouldn’t just try to use our gifts and not give God our best, but let it all go…don’t hold back…and give God glory in the process.

What it means to me

I was struck in the second session of The Chosen-3 where Jesus had just given His disciples instructions to go out and, basically, do what they had seen their Master do – heal the sick, raise the dead, spread the good news, etc. “Little” James approached Jesus and asked Him if He would be willing to heal him of his limp, so that he would be better equipped to handle the task at hand. Jesus very lovingly told James that although He was capable, and willing, to heal him…how much more powerful and effective his ministry would be if he still had his disability, and how that would really force people to see the hand of God in what James was able to accomplish. The apostle Paul shared this same principle in 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Or, another way in looking at this, “whenever I am weak, I clearly show the strength of The Lord in whatever I am able to accomplish in His Name.” Isn’t that what this is all about?

Love you guys, talk to you on Thursday!

In Christ,

Brian