PRAYER PROMPT ••• Last night, our church’s choir, handbells choir, and an assortment of musicians lent their talents to create a masterpiece Christmas celebration that won’t be forgotten.
It was the collective talents of dozens who joyfully shared their gifts to a church full of people, but more importantly, to an audience of One to be praised.
And before the performance, I had the opportunity to talk with a new friend who is launching a ministry to help impoverished women in our community turn their lives around financially, professionally, personally, and most of all, spiritually.
Her willingness to give and serve (and the volunteers who join her) will be a gift that will change lives.
In both these cases, people gave (are giving) their talents back to God.
The gift of music or the gift of compassion…
The gift of time, the gift of a servant’s heart…
The gift of testimony, the gift of teaching…
These are just a few of the gifts God gives us, and when we use them for His purpose, we give them back to Him.
1 Corinthians 12 speaks of spiritual gifts.
Some key verses today are 7 and 11, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”
What are yours?
Talking about our own talents is hard.
It feels like we’re bragging, doesn’t it?
But when we identify our gifts and give credit to God (where it’s due!), it’s not boasting.
It’s acknowledgment.
Revelation 4:4 speaks of 24 elders who wear gold crowns, and in verse 10, they lay their crowns at the feet of Jesus.
In verse 11, the elders say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
While we won’t see our crowns until we get to heaven, we can do the same with our gifts.
Let’s lay our gifts at the feet of Jesus because He alone is worthy.
He can use our gifts to change the world and have a forever-impact on His Kingdom!
Today, as you pray, thank Him for the talents He gave you.
Ask Him for opportunities to use them for His glory.
