Your God Given Purpose
Friends, today's devotional comes from my friend D. Andrews in San Diego, CA.
Good Morning Ladies (and few gents),
Today’s devotion included below “You’re More Than a One-Talent Girl” is a reminder from GiG Sharon that, “If we don’t use what God has given us because of fear, then He will not entrust us with more. It could very well be that He will take away what He’s given us and give it to someone else who has the courage to use her (or his) gifts and talents to accomplish her God-given purpose.”
GiG, I had a similar conversation with a co-worker 10 years ago. She was frustrated about her circumstances and felt she was doing more than others in holding students accountable for their academics, behavior, etc. She knew what she was doing would benefit her students in the long run, but was easily discouraged. In one of her venting sessions I simply asked her to consider the parable of the talents.
In life (DEA’s World) there are one, two, and five talent people. A five talent person, a teacher in this case, can’t expect the same level of ability, dedication, or cooperation from a one or two talent teacher. Each person is working with the gifts and abilities God has given and when she or he demonstrates obedience and accountability then more is often given. However, if we spend our time looking at what others are doing instead of focusing on what God has called us to do personally with the talents He’s given, then we’ll miss out on the blessings intended for us. OUCH or Amen! Well, I don’t think my perspective or answer set too well, but I thought it was important that I share the lesson God had taught me. What a person does with it after that is her or his business.
The bottom line—do what He has called us to do and don’t speculate, evaluate or hate on what He’s called others to do. In other words, just be the best me I can be because that’s all I was commissioned to do.
Often it is out of fear that we size up others, fear—we’ll miss out, not measure up, or be taken advantage of in some way. Yet, there’s an antidote for those feelings—feast on the Word.
“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT
GiG, one characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up—to be like big brother, big sister, or like their parents. This is also true when we are born again. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How sad it is that because of fear some believers never grow up. Oh, lack of growth isn’t often diagnosed as fear, but when we peel away the excuses, fear is often at the root.
Peter comparing new believers to babies said that they “long for the pure milk of the word” (v. 2). Baby Christians must sip scriptural truths that they understand. Then, like a growing child, they shoot up as they feast on Bible passages, gradually taking in more and meatier principles and topics.
The Holy Spirit, who indwells God’s followers, illuminates the Word. That is, He makes the meaning clear to us who seek to understand. God’s Word is a feast for our heart, mind, and spirit. If we eat up, we’ll be nourished. A nourished believer is rarely a fearful believer. OUCH or Amen!
May we be encouraged today to not neglect our spiritual nourishment.
God’s Got It…so have FAITH—God responds when we walk by faith, not when we wish by faith.
Have a “Wake Up” Wednesday, July 11, 2018—when the Spirit fills us, fear flees.
Called to serve and encouraging others to thrive,
DEA
Check out today's Coffee and Conversations: Back to the Basics..Again https://youtu.be/V2Hel3F7I88
