FRIDAY April 25, 2025
Are You Neglecting Your Spiritual Gifts?
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
1 Timothy 4:13-14
Notice the three important disciplines given to Timothy––attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Are you following Paul’s instructions to Timothy for your own life? Are you a disciplined reader of God’s Word? Do you study doctrine as taught in the Scriptures? Are you attending church each week to hear the pastor’s message? If you are not attending services regularly, how are you going to be exhorted and encouraged about things that need to be changed in your life?
Paul gave Timothy another exhortation. He was not to neglect the spiritual gift that was given to him through prophecy––the laying on of hands by the elders and the words spoken over him. You see, God has given believers in Christ spiritual gifts. Altogether, there are 21 spiritual gifts that can be used in the body of Christ. They are seen in Ephesians 4:11-12, in Romans 12:6-8, and in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
Do you know your spiritual gifts? How are you using them? Or are you neglecting your God-given gifts? In the church, God desires for you to use, not only your natural gifts and talents, but also your spiritual gifts to bring Him glory and honor. Allow the Lord to develop and shape your spiritual gifts, as He opens doors of opportunity for you to use them.
Always take into account that the greatest gift you have been given is the gift of salvation: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God has also given you the gift of the Holy Spirit: “...you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). When God fills your life with His Spirit, He will empower you for service.
When you find your spiritual gift, God will give you an opportunity to use it.
~John C. Maxwell~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
