Abilities: September 1, 2010

Today's Word for Wednesday September 1, 2010

ABILITIES

DEFINITION
Capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, or financially; competence based on natural skill; talents; special skills or aptitudes.

SCRIPTURE

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12: 6-8

"And to one He gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability." Matthew 25:15

"If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies." I Peter 4:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

As Christians, we are all part of one body, the Church of Christ. We are put here on earth with one purpose and that is to build Christ's Church. To accomplish this, God has given us different abilities and no one person has the ability to do the work of the Church alone.

God expects us to be diligent in using our abilities for His service and not for our personal advancement or enjoyment. It is also important for us to not be jealous of the abilities that others may have. The scripture tells us that it is most important that we be faithful to use our abilities to glorify God because He is the one that has given us our abilities and has a specific purpose in giving us each one.

To those that God has given the ability to earn large amounts of money, God has a word of caution in Deuteronomy 8:17-18:

"You may say to yourself, 'my power and the strength of my hands has
produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it
is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth."

If you have received greatness in life, whether by your wealth or by a position of power or leadership, remember that God has given you this ability and you have a responsibility to use what you have accomplished to bring glory and honor to God.

We have noticed with our six children and 20 grandchildren that no two children are the same. God has given each child specific physical abilities and spiritual abilities based on their ability to use them properly. And we as parents and grandparents have a responsibility to guide our children to help them make the most out of the abilities that God has given them. We are to do this to bring honor and glory to God and to further His Kingdom.

Often we have seen children and adults with real talent and ability fail to use their God given ability to accomplish anything of merit. Worse yet, we have seen people use their talents that God has given them for evil purposes.

All children want to excel and be successful but for some, achievement comes much harder and more slowly based on the fact that they do not have the same ability as a sibling or a classmate. We need to give special encouragement and praise to the child that works hard at their talent but struggles.

Parents have the responsibility to see that children that seem to have greater ability and are faster learners do not become lazy. They need to be stimulated with new challenges.

As Christians we need to work daily on the abilities that God has given us. Are we using our abilities wisely? It is wrong for one to sit back and not use an ability that God has given you. God also expects us to reach out and nurture those who need help in finding their "niche" in life. Are you doing this?

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 2:20.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."


PRAYER
Help me today dear Lord, to use the abilities that You have blessed me with to Your glory. May all those that I meet see Christ through me. May each family member and each friend do all they can today to reach out to help someone in need. Help me to grow in You and to be mature in my Christian walk.