Supernatural Gifts - Encouragement Café - July 5, 2016

Supernatural Gifts
By Noelle Dey
Tuesday, July 5, 2016

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.  There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT

I inherited the supernatural ability from my mom.  All I have to do is furrow my brows and squint my eyes.  Then my piercing stare magically fixes any behavioral problems.  My daughter stops in her tracks and immediately says, “Sorry!”

So, you can imagine how confused I was when my fail-proof-metaphysical weapon wasn’t working.

My friend is the children’s ministry director and she needed help in the Sunday school classroom.  Without hesitation, I volunteered.  I knew that working with children wasn’t a part of my gifting, but good Christians say “Yes,” right?

Sunday after Sunday, extra-energetic third graders swarmed around me.  Some were extra energetic times ten (translation= out of control).  I tried the death stare.  Nothing.  I tried standing in between the troublemakers.  I got hit in the crossfire.  My hair started graying faster.  More Nice-n-Easy (hair dye that is).

I was exhausted by the time I got home from church.  One particular Sunday, I snapped at my husband and daughter for breathing too loud.

But, TGIM.  Thank God it was Monday. 

God opened my eyes the morning after my Sunday meltdown.  In my quiet time, He showed me two verses.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things…” (Matthew 25:21, 23)

My first responsibility is my husband and daughter.  They are my “few things” and they shouldn’t get the leftovers of my patience and goodness.  I strive for Matthew 25 faithfulness starting with my family.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.  There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

My heart to help was Spirit-led.  But my gifts are better suited in other areas.  When I explained this to my friend, she asked me to be a greeter and she put the greeter in the Sunday school classroom.  Saying “hello” and sending the crazies on their way… now that’s my style!

In an emergency, I will still step foot into the Sunday school classroom, but not on a consistent basis.  I need to be faithful with the few things God has given me.  I am confident that God will open avenues for me to help in areas where He has given me an abundance of grace.

·      What are your spiritual gifts? 

·      Are they being used when you serve?

·      How can you remain faithful with your “few things” as you minister to others?

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us that we are one part of the body of Christ.  We are not the whole body!  Give us wisdom in our personal ministries so that we keep first things first.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!Cross references:

© 2013 by Noelle Dey.  All rights reserved.

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