Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
Where would we be without Veggie Tales? I was lacking inspiration for my next post when my little man picked out "A Snoodle's Tale" as his bedtime story. This is my absolute favorite Veggie Tale movie and I love one line so much I bought the book after seeing the movie. One little boy (snoodle) is talking with his creator (representing God) and asks, "'But sir, if you made this incredible land, can't you make Snoodles obey your command?' The big one smiled warmly, then said to the small, 'A gift that's demanded is no gift at all.'"
Every time I read/ hear that last line I get a little sentimental. God doesn't make many demands of us. You can review the 10 commandments for a few...but as a whole - our daily "requirements" are limited. My old pastor told us repeatedly that God is not addictive. We need to make an active choice every day if we want to follow Him. Following God is one step - and it is a big one. But there is more to our walk in this life. God has given us all spiritual gifts. You may know what yours is, or at least have an inkling. If you don't know, pray for guidance and wisdom as to what it is! When you ask, expect an answer, and I truly believe one will be given to you (Read James for more information on this). When you discover your gift, I pray you use it for the glory of God. Remember, you don't have to. He doesn't demand that of us. As Bob and Larry have reminded us, "A gift that's demanded is no gift at all." I felt a call to write devotions and about my faith for years before I began this blog but I ignored it because I always found something else to do. God wanted me to write - but He didn't force me to.
Now, I write twice a week and it's not a lot, but it's something. Something I hope He puts on his fridge because he is proud of me. There's a fun mental picture (also from A Snoodle's Tale). Your work on God's fridge. I'm sure he has a big one. He has a lot of children out there doing things to make him proud. Be one of those children. I pray you find your gift and that you use it to be a light to the world and do not leave it hidden away for only you to see.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank you for making us all different. Thank you for blessing each of us with spiritual gifts. You do not demand that we use our gifts, but I know that you intend for us to use them, or we wouldn't have them! Help us choose to accept our gift and use it [them] in the way you intend. We love you and in Your Son's Name we pray. Amen.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 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.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
Every time I read/ hear that last line I get a little sentimental. God doesn't make many demands of us. You can review the 10 commandments for a few...but as a whole - our daily "requirements" are limited. My old pastor told us repeatedly that God is not addictive. We need to make an active choice every day if we want to follow Him. Following God is one step - and it is a big one. But there is more to our walk in this life. God has given us all spiritual gifts. You may know what yours is, or at least have an inkling. If you don't know, pray for guidance and wisdom as to what it is! When you ask, expect an answer, and I truly believe one will be given to you (Read James for more information on this). When you discover your gift, I pray you use it for the glory of God. Remember, you don't have to. He doesn't demand that of us. As Bob and Larry have reminded us, "A gift that's demanded is no gift at all." I felt a call to write devotions and about my faith for years before I began this blog but I ignored it because I always found something else to do. God wanted me to write - but He didn't force me to.
Now, I write twice a week and it's not a lot, but it's something. Something I hope He puts on his fridge because he is proud of me. There's a fun mental picture (also from A Snoodle's Tale). Your work on God's fridge. I'm sure he has a big one. He has a lot of children out there doing things to make him proud. Be one of those children. I pray you find your gift and that you use it to be a light to the world and do not leave it hidden away for only you to see.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank you for making us all different. Thank you for blessing each of us with spiritual gifts. You do not demand that we use our gifts, but I know that you intend for us to use them, or we wouldn't have them! Help us choose to accept our gift and use it [them] in the way you intend. We love you and in Your Son's Name we pray. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment