A Daily Dose of Good News
Friday, January 8, 2021
Pastor Steve’s devotion is offered at https://youtu.be/6T3UU6Uq4xc
A printer-friendly version of this devotion is available at DDGN 20200108
You can discuss this devotion with Pastor Steve at steve.wachtman@me.com
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:11-16)
God is Counting on You
Friends, I’m going to join Timothy’s exhortation to his community of faith
And likewise encourage your:
No not neglect your gifts
Which was affirmed and celebrated as gifts of the Spirit at your baptism.
Like all other gifts
God gives them so that you can use them
In service to God’s way of love and hope in the world.
And isn’t that the way it works with the gifts that you give.
At least I know it works that way for me.
Once you give a gift,
You pay attention as to whether the recipient
Actually enjoys or uses the gift … ?
Do do not neglect your God given gifts.
God gives them, counting on you to use them
For God’s purposes.
And as you bless others in that way
You, in the process, find yourself blessed as well!
And those gifts, I believe, are God’s answer to the dilemma
Which we addressed in our Daily Dose of Good News yesterday,
Namely, what are we going to do about all the fear and hatred in the world today?
We’re going to heed God’s call for love and reconciliation
Using the gifts God has given us for that very purpose.
If you’d like a reminder as to the particular gifts God has given you
Here is a link the Spiritual Gifts Inventory
On the website for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
After responding to prompts on the survey,
You will receive a report as to which spiritual gifts from scripture
Align with your responses.
Then you can give prayerful consideration
As to how you are or can be using those gifts for God’s purposes …
At home, at work, in the community, at church …
Please know also,
Our Director for Equipping Ministers Laura Hudson is available
To help you discover and utilize your gifts as well.
My gifts are leadership, hospitality and faith.
My girls grumble about that gift for hospitality
Every time I want to have another party here at the house!
So do not neglect your gifts
Celebrate them and use them.
God is counting on you to do so
For the sake God’s mission of love and reconciliation in the world.
Amen.
