Verse of the Day 7/18

 

1 Peter 4:10-11Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 i read today's verses in a devotional from John Piper this morning and couldn't help but think of them in relation to yesterday's post and the thoughts of walking through that open door of opportunity.

 

There is so much in these couple of verses and so much more in the passage (read below).  They speak of the "varied" grace of God.  It is multi-colored, multi-faceted.  His grace will supply the energy and strength to meet the varied, the mutli-colored needs of our world.

 

John Piper reminds us that it is not a grace that is supplied once for all, received and then forgotten about when he writes, "when you fulfill your spiritual gifts to serve someone tomorrow, you will be serving "by the strength that God supplies" tomorrow.  The word is "supplies" not supplied.  God goes on, day by day, moment by moment, supplying the "strength" in which we minister."

 

When we see the turmoil in the middle east and the world around us we can't help but think that "everything in the world is about to be wrapped up" (V.7 The Message).  May we take nothing for granted and make the most of the opportunities that God presents to us, in the future grace that only He can supply us with "day by day".

 

Blessings,
Mike

 

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1 Peter 4:7-11The Message (MSG)

^7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!