Verse of the Day 5/29

Verse of the Day 5/29

1 Peter 4:10-11   As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.   Revised Standard Version (RSV)

It was a busy Memorial Day weekend, the three day weekends are often times that I try to catch up on things around the house and this weekend was no different.  Between raindrops I was able to get some projects done but I realized that my 60  year old body is not what it used to be and I'm a little sore from putting some muscles to use that hadn't been used in a while.  But it was good to put them to use, in fact it was a reminder that those muscles should be put to use more often, God has given us muscles, He has given us gifts and instead of sitting back and let someone else do the work, we should continue in the power that God supplies, not for ourselves but for His glory.

There have been times when I've heard a Christian say, I'm too old for that now, let the younger generation take over.  But if you still have the power that God has provided, perhaps you should be putting that power to work in training the next generation.

John Piper writes, "The Lord gives spiritual gifts to every Christian, including the faith to use them.  Let us pray that He will measure out to us mighty measures of faith.  Find your gift.  Embrace it by faith.  Use it in the strength that God supplies so that God will get the glory and you (and those you love) will get the joy..... When you fulfill your spiritual gift 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."

God has given you spiritual gifts, use them, don't retire, use them for God's glory.  Read the short passage from The Message below, may it encourage you to put your gifts to use "through earth's little while."

1. Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
   My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
   Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
   Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
   • Refrain:
     O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
     For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
     I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
     My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Peter 4:10-11 The 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!