Scripture
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is “the same God who empowers them all in everyone. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 )
Observation
These scriptures are a great reminder our or being blessed with spiritual gifts from the Lord to serve Him by serving others. God bestows these gifts upon us when we pray to receive the gifts of the Spirit for His purpose and will to serve and minister to others.
Application
What’s so cool is when we are affirmed in the gift(s) that God has given us and we are able to align our spiritual gift(s) with God’s assignment and call upon our life. His spiritual gift(s) are given that as we move in the Spirit and in a spirit-filled way, we will be used for His glory and honor. When we operate in our gifts, may it not bring attention to ourselves, but to point to what God is wanting to do through us. This is such a fine line in bringing attention to ourselves and bringing glory and honor to what God is doing. This is what we call stewarding God’s gifts.
The power of alignment is when we are affirmed in our call and assignment. Then, with God’s spiritual gift(s) upon us and aligned with our call and assignment; oh, to see what God can do through us. Yet, we must know our call and assignment. I’ve heard the story of the student who spent so much time on a paper, and felt it was one of the best paper’s the student had ever done. Only to find out that when the student turned the paper in, the grade was a “F”. Great paper, wrong assignment.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your call on my life as a pastor, and the gift(s) that you’ve blessed me with. Thank you that I have the anticipation and excitement to cease the moments of opportunity for your purpose and will. However, may you guide me to me discerning to the call you’ve place on me and using my gifts to serve you. May I not focus on the wrongs assignment(s) or let what you do become about me, but always about and pointing to you.
