“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline
When you use the gifts God has given you, you will find that God will give you the power you need. The power of the Holy Spirit can help you overcome any fear of what some might say or do to you, so that you can continue to do God’s work. (from Life Application Study Bible)
Father, help me not to give in to timidity, but to stir up the gift You have given me. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, love, and discipline. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Since every person possesses different abilities and spiritual gifts, the body of Christ can fully function only when everyone takes advantage of what God has given them.
Romans 12:6 tells us, "And since we have different gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them accordingly. Society may favor certain talents, but they might not suit us as individuals. By failing to look at a gift's true value, we not only cheat ourselves, but we cheat God as well.
"Isn't He, the Potter, greater than you, the jars He makes?" asks Isaiah 29:16 (Living Bible). "Will you say to Him, 'He did not make us'? Does a machine call its inventor dumb?" God has created us for a purpose¬we should follow the direction He lays out.
Each of us should be content with what God has given and exult in our own uniqueness. "Now there are varieties of gifts," Paul said to the Corinthians, "but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
1 Peter 4:10 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: