And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ… (Ephesians 4:11-12, NASB)
A few weeks ago, I was running a high school golf tournament in Killeen, Texas. I had catered Rudy’s barbecue for the players and coaches. When the dust has settled, there was a lot of food left. I called my son, hoping he and his friends could polish it off. As it turned out, there were only two of them and I needed a Plan B. I really didn’t want the potato salad, cole slaw, beans and turkey breast going to waste in my fridge.
I thought of Jeff Lawyer, a friend from Wildflower Country Club and a part of our Thursday Links Fellowship. Jeff is a regular volunteer at Feed My Sheep, a local food bank. Jeff also spends time with the homeless, handing out blankets and items to make their lives a little better. It’s his thing. I called Jeff and he came down, opened up Feed My Sheep, and said they could use the food the next day.
I may be preaching to the choir. You’ve found your thing, and you’re busy exercising your gift.Every now and then we’ll hear someone use the phrase “that’s not my thing.” Start talking about missions to Africa? “That’s not my thing!” I’ve said that one myself. Volunteer in the nursery at church? “That’s not my thing!” Ring the bell for the Salvation Army? “It’s freezing—and not it’s my thing!” If Dr. Howard Hendricks were still with us, he would say, “That’s fine, but what is your thing?”
God has blessed each of us with gifts. Do you know your spiritual gifts? Maybe teaching, leadership, hospitality, mercy, evangelism, serving, or giving? If you would like to know, you can visit www.spiritualgiftstest.com, take the short personal assessment, and see where your spiritual strengths lie. Mine are faith, discernment, and exhortation.
In writing this devotion, I may be preaching to the choir. You’ve found your thing, and you’re busy exercising your gift. Some of you teach, visit prisons, serve local charities, organize fundraisers—giving your time and resources. I am sure many of you consistently pray for friends and family in your lives. Several of you lead Links Fellowships throughout the country. And our ministry, like all churches and missions, exists because of the generosity of faithful friends.
But maybe you haven’t joined “the choir.” You’re young in your faith or your faith has never been matched with action. Now’s the time. Find out what your gifts are. Take the test, or ask a friend who knows you well. Then start exercising your gifts. Little by little, you’ll build up the strength of your service. And believe me, others aren’t the only ones who will be blessed!
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Bill Euler
April 22, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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