Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 (Focus on verses 10-11)

7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observations:

God is gifting his people.
We are to serve one another as stewards a of God’s grace.
as one who speaks — speaking what God gives.
as one who serves — serving with the strength God gives.

So that God is glorified in everything.

Application:

Sometimes my problems seem bigger than God.  Sometimes the crap people are living through seems bigger than God.  Sometimes the complexity and mystery of this world seems bigger than my view of God.

No doubt, we are in a spiritual battle.  The powers of darkness are arrayed against the knowledge of God.  Satan seeks to pervert and diminish the greatness and the truth of God from the minds of people and will do anything to keep us from trusting Him and receiving His love, grace and truth in the Gospel.

Every follower of Jesus Christ who has received His grace has been gifted by Him.  Through the faithful application of those gifts we get to bring glory to God.  We get to  enlarging the world’s view, understanding, and experience of God.  Whether by serving or by speaking– words and actions are meant to enlarge the view of God in this world.  Jesus gives gifts that “make” God bigger.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father I was dismayed yesterday to hear of how one of your children is being kicked around by sin.  Its awful what has happened to him.  May your grace prevail in this broken world through your people. Please bring healing.  Please empower your church to speak your words and to serve with your strength.  AMEN.