DEVOTIONS

Monday, January 17 – “For by the grace given me I say to every on of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3) One of the greatest dangers that you face, as a follower of Jesus, is your ego.  As people praise you for the talents that you have been given, receive their praise.  But never forget the source of your talents.  You are who you are because of who created you and saved you.  God has given you talents, not to bring attention to yourself, but to bring attention to the good news of Jesus.

Tuesday, January 18 – “I wish that all of you were as I am.  But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” (1 Corinthians 7:7) You believe that the world would be a better place if everyone was like you.  But be honest, how boring would that be?  Your weaknesses are made up by someone else’s strengths and vice versa.  You are gifted.  Everyone is gifted.  We simply aren’t all gifted with the same talents.  Don’t begrudge someone else their talents.  Simply be the best you that you can be.

Wednesday, January 19 – “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect our ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.’” (Acts 6:2) As the church grew, the disciples could no longer handle everything on their own.  This verse isn’t a knock on waiting on tables.  It’s a recognition that the disciples needed help sharing the good news of Jesus.  They couldn’t be everything to everyone.  They needed to stay in their lane and make room for others to find their lane.  If you’re doing everything, there’s no room for anyone else.  Staying in your lane helps others to find their lane.          

Thursday, January 20 – “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!’” (Luke 10:40) How much time have you wasted getting upset that someone else isn’t doing what you want them to do?  Nobody’s talent is being a Karen.  Martha was so preoccupied with what she thought Mary should have been doing, that she stopped using her talent.  Stay in your lane and be the best you that you can be, regardless of what anyone else is doing. 

Friday, January 21 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) Do you know your talents?  Ask God.  Do you know how to best use your talents?  Ask God.  Do you want to help someone else discover their talents?  Ask God.  This is why you are invited to make a covenant with God, at the beginning of this new year.  Ask God and he will reveal to you your talents, as well as the best way for you to use your talents in this new year. 

Saturday, January 22 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) In other words, get all you can out of life, while you have it.  Try new things, explore, make mistakes, learn from your mistakes, taste success.  In all of it, never forget to lean into God and give him all of the credit.  God gave you the present as a gift.  The way to open your present is to use the talents that God has also given you.