Monday, July 25, 2011

SOAP 07/25/2011; 1 Peter 4:10

Today's reading: Isaiah 43, 44, 45; 1 Peter 4

S) "10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
1 Peter 4:10 (NASB)

O) First of all, he said "each one" was gifted. God doesn't simply redeem, He also blesses. Part of that blessing is a gifting in one area or another (or in some cases, several areas). Anyone who turns their life over to God is first forgiven, then restored, then blessed (hence the "manifold grace of God"). We recover a lost destiny and a large part of finding that destiny is to discover what tools (gifts) we've been given. Then, we cannot sit idly by... you have a gift, use it! God never intends for us to keep our gifts to ourselves.

A) I try to conciously humble myself because I know how easily I can get prideful. I don't mind sharing that before God got His arms back around me, I was a terribly arrogant, prideful jerk. Having said that, in God I know that I have received certain gifts. It is my heart's desire to use those gifts to bless others in Jesus' name. For example, I know I have the gift of teaching, and so I love to be used in my church's school of ministry (NDSM!). Recently, I've also developed a passion for marriages and some level of gifting for counseling and so I want to pursue that more. I need to continue to pray that God creates opportunities for schooling and opportunities for employement of this gifting and passion. I know He has a purpose, I just need to seek the details surrounding my destiny in this.

P) Father, thank You for equipping us, then calling us to action. You never ask us to do something that we cannot do in You. You promised that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength. Holy Spirit continue to shape me, and mold me into a usable tool for the LORD. I want to help people and I want to glorify Your name, Father. Direct my steps so that I can fulfill the destiny you have for me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

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