The Spiritual gifts within you.

1 Timothy  4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Apostle Paul's first letter to Timothy in the verses above pose a reminder that we all possess spiritual gifts, bestowed upon us by God, to be nurtured and shared for the edification of His Kingdom.

Paul's instruction to Timothy begins with a crucial command: "Do not neglect your gift." The first step in honouring our spiritual gifts is recognizing that we have them. Each of us is uniquely equipped by God with talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts meant to serve His purpose. These gifts are not just for our benefit but for the community, the Church, and the world.

1 Peter 4:10 tells us, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." Whether your gift is teaching, hospitality, leadership, or compassion, recognize that it is a divine endowment, a token of God's grace tailored to you.

Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of diligence and devotion in cultivating our gifts: "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them." Spiritual gifts, like any other talents, require nurturing. Just as a musician practices daily to perfect their art, we must invest time, effort, and prayer into developing our spiritual gifts.

Let us consider the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants who invested and multiplied their talents were rewarded, while the one who buried his talent out of fear faced condemnation. This parable reveals the importance of actively engaging with and growing our gifts.

Join a ministry that aligns with your gifts, seek mentorship from those who excel in similar areas, and constantly seek God's guidance through prayer and study of His Word. By doing so, we honor God and become more effective instruments of His will.

The ultimate purpose of recognizing and cultivating our gifts is to use them for the glory of God and the benefit of others. Paul urges Timothy to give himself wholly to his gift so that "everyone may see your progress." Our spiritual gifts are not meant to be hidden or used sparingly; they are to be exercised boldly and generously.

In  Romans 12:6-8, Paul writes, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

When we utilize our gifts in the service of others, we reflect the love of Christ and fulfill our role in the Body of Christ. Our actions, driven by the spiritual gifts within us, can inspire, uplift, and bring others closer to God.

In conclusion, do not neglect the spiritual gifts within you. Recognize them, cultivate them with diligence, and use them wholeheartedly for God's glory. When we do this, not only will our progress be evident to all, but we will also contribute to the flourishing of God's Kingdom on earth.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord   thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name

2. Lord,  thank you for the unique gifts you have bestowed upon each of us in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, help us to recognise these gifts, to diligently cultivate them, and to use them in service to you and others in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.