November 26 – Your Gift

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Read: Daniel 2:24-3:30, 1 Peter 4:7-5:14, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 28:15-16 

Relate: Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Have you taken any assessment that can help show you? How recently? Do you have five minutes? Here’s a link to a good and very quick (but not necessarily thorough) online assessment:

Spiritual Gifts Test

React: So, what does it say your gifts are? Do you agree? Were there any surprises? In what ways are you using your giftings on a regular basis? In what ways can you make small changes in your daily life to better use those gifts? What are some other gifts you believe you have that weren’t included in this assessment? How are you using them?

In case any of you are curious, the test told me my top five are faith, apostleship, intercession, teaching, and tongues. No. There aren’t any surprises and I can almost laugh to see how easily and often they are each applied in my daily life. Other gifts that I believe I have that aren’t on this list I believe I have are that of a worshiper, writer, and a student. Yes, I do believe the ability to study is a gift, not a curse. So there it is. Of course, I expect your answers in the comments. 😉

Respond:

Dear God,
I am so thankful for the diversity not only in appearance and culture, but also in passion and talent among Your people. Forgive me for the times I have jealously wished I had other gifts that might seem more important rather than appreciating where You have blessed me. Forgive me also for the times I have looked down on the gifts and passions of others simply because they are not ways You have stirred my heart. Help me to use my gifts to be a blessing to Your Church and Your world. Help me also to help nurture and develop the gifts You have placed in others so that Your health can be a healthy, growing body of love. 
Amen