Thursday, September 15, 2016

There are many things we can do to help meet the needs of others around us. 1st Peter 4:7-11 lists things all of us can do: commit to having a servant heart, pray, love, offer hospitality and look for ways to serve others. Peter says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Notice, it’s God’s grace that we’re to administer faithfully. All of us are gifted to do something. You might never know what you’re gifted to do if you don’t roll up your sleeves and give it your best effort to help. It might be, as you are attempting to help, a person asks you a question, and you do your best to answer it. Whisper a quick prayer for God’s help. Those few words could be used of God to touch their real need. This is often how God shows you your gift. Then, when you start exercising your gift remember, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” Fill the reservoir of your mind with God’s word, and then draw from that reservoir what you believe would be helpful to the person in need. Peter goes on to say, “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides.” Do you get the point Peter is making? Whatever we do, it is to be done “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever, Amen.” God doesn’t look for ability or inability. He looks for availability! Whether you’re gifted or not, if you’re available to be used by God, He will bless.