One of my co-workers is an awesome cook and she loves to bake. I can attest to her baking skills, as I have had the pleasure of sampling some of her delicious delicacies. She makes the best fudge ever, and don’t even get me started on her lemon bars.
Yup, the girl’s got skills!
Now me on the other hand; baking is not my gift. I’ve never baked anything in my life that didn’t already come pre-packaged. My culinary skills are limited and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. My co-worker blesses me with her delicious goodies, and I bless her by enjoying them and exhorting the fact that she’s awesome cook; which is her unique way of showing her love and appreciation to others.
Exhortation is my gift. I love to encourage others to do what they’re good at and to operate in the gifts that God gave them. Everyone is blessed with spiritual gifts and talents. It pleases God to see us use our gifts in the proper way for the greater good of His church, and everyone gets to play.
1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 of The Message says “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!”
Our church just started a four part series about Spiritual Gifts. I’m excited to learn more and to see more spiritual gifts manifested, not only for myself but for all who want to cultivate their own gifts; gifts like Mercy, Prophecy, Healing, Serving, Teaching, Leadership, the list goes on and on.
Is there a gift you hope to strengthen or develop to help build others up? Or are you curious and want to learn what your spiritual gifts are? If so, share what you’re hopes are for the series, and here’s a little encouragement just for you….
Ephesians 5:10 from The Message says, “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.”
Be encouraged today and every day.
Best regards,
~Trish
Thank you for your encouraging message! May God continue to bless you.
Thanks for the reminder that Spiritual gifts are for believers to give glory to God by “unwrapping” those gifts for others to grow & be strengthened! God is so good to all of us!
I love The Message version of that passage reminding us that each of our spiritual gifts “originates in God’s spirit.”