Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Devo # 26 "Don't Think You're All That" part 2

God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one bod "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith y, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:3-6a NIV)

Yesterday, we discussed the fact that the writer, the Apostle Paul, though he was "top dog" over the church, recognized his dependence on God's grace! So we too need to remain humble, in recognition of God's unmerited favor towards us. Today we will examine the phrase, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Our gifts, talents resources and even our training and experiences are God given or God granted. If we are highly gifted, acknowledge that before God and give Him the glory. It is not necessary to pretend that we are not gifted and blessed. In fact many of us are gifted beyond measure! The purpose of those gifts is not for our own glory, but God's. These gifts, resources, talents, experiences and opportunities are to be used as a blessing to the body of Christ and to the world. If we do not yet recognize our gifts, we are nonetheless valuable before God and a precious member of the body of Christ. Everyone has something to give even the newest baby Christian!

Lord, thank you for the gifts and blessings you have given me. Help me to have a right assesment of my gifts, talents and resources and what I bring to you and to the body of Christ. Help me to serve the body, using these gifts and blessings with a spirit of service and humility. To Your Glory Lord!
In Jesus name Amen!