Month: October 2016

Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 HCSB

I can remember touring a glassblowing factory with my parents when I was a child. I was impressed with how they created artistic sculptures by putting hot molten glass on a long hollow tube into which air was blown to mold the glass into a specific form. wikiHow reports that glassblowing was first developed in the Middle East around 300 BC. Since then glass-blown products have become indispensable to daily life, as well as to scientific innovation, and glass blowing has emerged as a major art form. The temperature in the furnace where the glass is heated stays at about 2000 to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit.

The people in Peter's time may have been well aware of glassblowing and the “fiery ordeal” that was required to melt the glass before molding. Peter used this analogy to make a point about the Christian life. As Christians we should expect difficulties or “fiery ordeals” to come our way. Such difficulties are tests of our faith from God to help us grow and become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Challenge: What “fiery ordeals” are you facing in your life? Trust in God and His Holy Spirit to give you what you need to make it through the difficulties you are facing. Count your “fiery ordeals” as tests that God has allowed to help you grow as His disciple.

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 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. 1 Peter 4:10-11 HCSB

God has gifted every believer in several ways. Each believer has been given some talents and abilities. Some can teach, some can preach, some can sing, some can play an instrument, some have accounting abilities and can serve on the finance team, some have the ability to greet others and make them feel welcome. The list of the many ways God has gifted people seems limitless. Every person is different and has been given unique gifts and abilities from God.

God has also given each believer life experiences that often equip them for helping others in similar situations. Therefore, he or she may be able to understand and empathize with another person who is experiencing similar circumstances.

God also gives people specialized training. One may be a carpenter while another is a banker and another is a farmer. A person's learned skills can be used by God to serve His church and bring glory to Him.

I believe that God also gives each believer a passion for a certain area of ministry. Some like to work with preschoolers while others enjoy working with adults or even those with special needs. God will give each person who has a desire to serve an area of interest where he or she can best be used to minister to others.

Peter challenges us to use the gifts that God has given us to serve others. We are to be good managers of what God has given to us. Our desire should be to glorify Him through Jesus Christ.

Challenge: All of these (talents, life experiences, training, and passion) should come together to give you a clear path to a ministry opportunity where you can best be used by God to serve others and bring glory to Him.