SCRIPTURE: Romans (NIV) 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7-8 If it is serving … teaching … encouraging … contributing to the needs of others … leadership … showing mercy … .
OBSERVATION: God’s grace has given each one a gift, or gifts, and made us useful to the body. If our gift was the same as everyone else, there might not be opportunity to be used, but the scripture says we all have “different” gifts. It is the difference that makes us valuable. Sometimes it is being flexible.
APPLICATION: If I administer my gift/s with diligence, I will be used. I may get tired of being used, but I must train myself to see that if I am being used, I must be useful. Being useful is so much better than being useless! Let me write that again: being useful is so much better than being useless!!!
PRAYER: Jesus, use me; O Lord don’t refuse me. Surely there’s a works that I can do. And even though it’s humble, help my will to crumble. Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you. Amen.
Personal note: Today the Lord had me live out these thoughts before I read the above SOAP from the past. We are spending most of this week at a church camp. Today, I ate lunch early so that I could help by washing the pots and pans used to prepare and serve lunch. But when I arrived at the sink, I was told I was not needed, others would be coming to do that work. As I walked away, I saw my wife working with the laundry, so I made myself useful by helping to wash and dry and fold and store the aprons, towels, etc. used in the kitchen. After that I came to our room to prepare tomorrow’s SOAP. Most of the time God gives me the lesson before having me take the test, but today He had me take the test, and then explained the lesson. My “gift” today was not the ability to wash pots and pans, but the willingness to be flexible and have a good attitude with the change. It was a gift of seeing how I could be useful. 😊
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 