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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
October 9
USING OUR GIFTS AND TALENTS
To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the
common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).
After I taught a class on spiritual gifts, a young man came to me
and asked, "Is my gift prophecy or exhortation?"
Knowing him very well, I was careful as I responded, "I don't
think either one is your gift. But if I have ever known someone
who has the gift of helps, you're it. You're sensitive to the
needs of other people and always ready to help."
A look of disappointment came over his face. "I knew it!" he
responded. Struggling with a low self-image, he was pursuing what
he wrongly perceived to be a greater gift. You will never be
fulfilled trying to become something you are not.
God hasn't distributed gifts and talents equally, and for that
reason alone we can be assured that our sense of self-worth isn't
to be based on what we do. Our self-acceptance comes from our
identity in Christ and our growth in character. Show me someone
who understands who he is as a child of God and whose character
exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit, and I will show you someone
with a healthy self-image.
Every child of God has the same identity in Christ and
opportunity to grow. When our identity is firmly established and
we have matured to the point where the fruit of the Spirit is
evident, we will feel fulfilled when we use our gifts and talents
to edify others.
God has known us from the foundation of the world. He has
entrusted us with certain life endowments. He will certainly lead
us in a way that makes use of our gifts and talents. It is our
responsibility to take advantage of every opportunity as it
arrives. Tragically, many people go to the grave with their music
still in them, never contributing to the symphony of God's work.
They never realize their potential nor taken the risks that faith
requires. They hang onto the security of the tree trunk, but the
fruit is always on the end of the limb.
Lord, I don't want to go to the grave without having accomplished
my purpose. Use my gifts and talents to glorify You and edify
others today.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.27151.1.1698058.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.27151.2.1698058.
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