“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
Romans 12:6-8 NLT Whatever the gift may be that you have been given by God, use it to benefit His body, the church. Holding back your gift only handicaps the body of Christ. As a pastor I can't tell you how many times the church has suffered because someone didn't utilize their gifts or talents. Perhaps it was a person who could sing and didn't contribute to the choir, perhaps a person who had the available time to serve in other areas but chose not to because it was "inconvenient". In the church we cannot afford to think of self. There is a definite problem in the body of Christ with getting people to grasp the reality of how they are affecting the efficient and effective work of the church because of their lack of understanding their gift(s) or their outright unwillingness to serve. Imagine what the church would be, and could do, if everyone who says they love Jesus simply practiced their professed faith by serving in the body of Christ. I urge you to understand the significance of your contribution to the local church. Your time, talent(s), and treasure can help further the work of God's kingdom. Your withholding only paralyzes the church and renders it incapable of fulfilling its potential. Think of it this way: If everyone in the church served Jesus like you what kind of church would we have? I beg you today, saints, to give your best for the cause of Christ! God spared no expense when He became a man and died in our place for our sins. He has saved our wretched lives from eternal destruction. I ask you one thing. Is He worthy of your best? Is He??? Then why are we living for the here and now rather than the then and there? May God help us to focus. May His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Please pray this simple, yet powerful prayer: "God, please help me to understand what you have given me to do in your church and help me do it for your glory. In Jesus name! Amen. "
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
![]() Rev. Curtis Norris Archives
March 2020
|