>6570b8.jpg
>6570cd.jpg
>
>THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN® LIFE Daily Devotional
>November 4, 2004
>
>----------
>Gifted for a Reason
>by John Fischer
>
>God made us to fit into His family and gave each of us gifts that will
>help define our place in that family. That gift is a special ability to
>meet other people’s needs. It’s what helps us serve better. Serving other
>people is not an added little project for us to take on so we can be
>purpose-driven; it is an integral part of our identities. You were made to
>serve, and you were given gifts to help you serve better.
>
>Your gift is by nature just that: a gift, so it is not hard to do.
>Sometimes it may take effort to get yourself into a place where you can
>exercise your spiritual gift, but once you start serving, the gift comes
>naturally. If you’re not sure what your gift is, ask somebody.
>
>What I mean is: we are not very good judges of our own gifts. Our gifts
>are for others, and for this reason, those who receive the benefits of our
>gifts are the best qualified to tell us what they are. For instance, if
>people naturally come to you for advice because you always speak
>practically into their lives, then they are probably telling you that you
>have the gift of wisdom. If people call you when they need something done
>because you always get things done on time and with limited effort, they
>may be telling you that you have the gift of service or administration. If
>people confide in you because they know that whatever they say, you will
>not turn them away, they may be counting on your gift of mercy. If
>whenever you teach a Bible study or a small group, people come up to you
>and tell you what they learned, then they may be telling you that you have
>the gift of teaching. Ask the people around you to tell you specifically
>how you affect their lives.
>
>Of course you have to exercise your gift before anyone can benefit from it
>and tell you what it is. Knowledge of these things doesn’t come out of a
>vacuum. How do you start serving if you aren’t sure what your gift is?
>Best to simply get involved with a small group or in some capacity in your
>church or community. As you reach out to people in general, a certain
>expertise will take shape. It will be hard to miss. It’s a blend of what
>you like to do, what comes easily, and what those around you confirm.
>
>Having a role to play in the family of God can be the difference between
>wondering why we are here and knowing why. And that can make all the
>difference in the world.
>
>For more study on spiritual gifts, read Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians
>12:4-31; Ephesians 4:4-13.
>
>
>----------
>[]
>
>
>Miss out on one of the Daily Devotionals? View the online archives at:
><http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx>http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx
>
>Have questions regarding the Daily Devotionals? Browse our Frequently
>Asked Questions at:
><http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/absolutefm/afmtopics.asp>http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/absolutefm/afmtopics.asp
>
>You are receiving this daily email (Monday through Friday) because you
>requested a subscription to the Devotional from purposedrivenlife.com. You
>are subscribed as [log in to unmask] If you wish to unsubscribe, click the
>link below.
>
><mailto:[log in to unmask]>Click
>Here to UNSUBSCRIBE
>
>IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNSUBSCRIBE USING THE LINK ABOVE, PLEASE USE THE
>UNSUBSCRIBE FUNCTION AT
><http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/ddadminister.aspx>http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/ddadminister.aspx
>
>Purpose Driven Life
>Customer Service
>20 Empire
>Lake Forest, CA 92630
|