Day 19

January 29

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. -Ephesians 4:7, 11–12 (NLT)

As you grow in grace and in prayer, it’s important to ask God about the gifts He has entrusted to you for serving the body of Christ. This is not the moment for false humility, shrinking back, or letting shame or fear define you. This is the moment to come before Jesus in true humility and ask Him how He sees you. How has He gifted you so that you can be a gift to His church?

Paul encouraged Timothy to fan into flame the gifts imparted to him. What in your life needs to be rekindled?

– Do you need to mother or father the next generation of builders and sent ones?

– Do you need to grow in hearing from the Lord and proclaiming His Word?

– Do you need deeper compassion for the lost—and a desire to train others to share the good news?

– Do you need to protect and defend the flock God has entrusted to you from the deceit of the world?

– Do you need to rightly divide the Word of God, helping others understand and apply it?

“Freely you have received; freely give.”  Sometimes God calls us to bloom where we are planted rather than waiting for a perfect opportunity. At other times, He sends us somewhere new so we can use our gifts among people who are hungry for them. Listen and obey—because freely you have received, freely give.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for the gifts You have given me. Thank You for the ways You have gifted others. Help me honor each person You have given as a gift to Your church. Help me rise into my calling and become who You created me to be for the sake of Your body. I repent of any religious pride, shame, or fear that has held me back. Holy Spirit, fill me with Your gifts (1Corinthians 12:1–22; Romans 12). Help me give according to the power at work within me (Ephesians 3:20). Fill me, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Becca Holcomb

International Worker in Dakar, Senegal