GIFTS

 Gifts are on most peoples’ minds these days: what to give to whom; how many to buy; how much to spend; will I get good stuff? I thought now would be a good time to share a different look at gifts – the spiritual kind. The following is a devotional by Teri Ferguson. Teri has been a long-time friend of the ministry. Each week she sends out a devotional that is widely shared across the Internet. I asked her permission to share this recent edition:

“Good Morning,

Today’s scripture comes from the Book of 1 Peter: ^‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ 1 Peter 4:10 (New International Version) We are urged throughout the Bible to do as our Father in Heaven does. The Bible tells us over and over that Jesus Himself did what He saw His Father in heaven doing. Today’s scripture clearly tells us to use the gifts we have received to serve others. It goes on to say that to do so is being a faithful steward of God’s grace. Dictionary.com defines the word ‘steward’ as ‘a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.’

To me that says that we are acting as God’s agent in regards to the gifts He has generously endowed us with. Are you sharing your God- given gifts with the world in the way in which He intended them to be shared? Perhaps you are gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Or maybe there is a song or a poem or a story trapped within your heart that longs to be released by you writing it down. Perhaps you are filled with great wisdom. Do you share it with others, even when given the perfect opportunity and urging? Perhaps you are gifted athletically. Or to you, the organization of an area or process seems so very simple to determine and complete. Maybe you are extremely creative. Doable, creative ideas may flow easily for you. Perhaps you are visually artistic. Or you may have such a gift of empathy that you feel the pain of others. Perhaps you instinctively know to proceed each time, in every kind of situation. You might be a master with money. Or maybe you are gifted with spiritual discernment or prophesy. You may be totally comfortable teaching others or have an innate ability to speak confidently to an entire auditorium. Each one of us is gifted by our Father with good gifts. Are you sharing that gift? Imagine for a minute that you are suddenly struck with an idea for the perfect gift for someone you love dearly. You manage to painstakingly locate or carefully craft this gift for your loved one. Finally the day arrives when you are able to present your gift to your loved one. You are full of anticipation and absolutely certain he or she will love it. As you watch in horror, he or she inexplicably takes your gift and without even opening it, tosses it up high upon a shelf. How would you feel right then? Upset and quite befuddled I am sure! I have to imagine that our Father God feels the same way at times about many of the gifts He has given to us. Our Lord God has endowed you with a gift…be it physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual…and He did it for a reason. He did it for a purpose. My prayer this week is that we would ponder the wonderful gifts our Lord God has given to us. The Bible tell us no one hides a lighted lamp under a basket or the bed (Luke 8:16), but instead they place it in the open for all to see the light. May the Lord Jesus Christ help each one of us to be the very best stewards we can be of the gifts He has given to us. P.S. What’s the gift you’ve been hiding under a basket?”

(Two more of Teri’s devotions, “DNR” was posted here on May 6, 2010 and “OH, HOW HE LOVES US” on September 28, 2010. Both can be found in our archive for May and September 2010 archives.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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