Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,
I have got lots of self-esteem...it is humility I need. This is the heart attitude that one has that is totally given over to God as a living sacrifice. It makes sense...If I have given everything I have over to God than I have nothing left of me. I have abandoned all of "me" for Him. I so need to be reminded that whatever gifts I have are gifts from Him to be used to honor and glorify Him...I cannot take credit for them. Certainly, we should recognize the gifts that God has given us, exercise them in faith but then move on. Don't think much on them...just do what the Lord has called you to do. There is nothing in the bible to encourage a superiority complex. We are here as His servants...our gifts are to be used for His glory not for our own. I love where Paul says to be sober about our gifts...not to think arrogantly or vainly about them but to think "sanely" about them...or be in your right mind thinking on them. Hahah...no delusional thinking allowed.
1 Corinthians 4:7 says: "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? "
Don't overvalue or undervalue yourself. Listen to what Paul says about Himself in 1 Corinthians 15:10:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
We should also not be envious of the gifts God has blessed others with. We are all members of the same body and each person is uniquely made in the image of God, gifted and created specifically for the works that God prepared for him to walk in. That is such a beautiful way for us to see it. Each one of us is important to the Lord...for there is no partiality with God.
Whatever gift we have, our Lord has measured it to us. In fact what do we have that we have not been given. It is all from Him. .Our life then is a stewardship. Do you see how important it is to give yourself totally to Him. Never concern yourself with all the extraneous details in life...the most important thing...the most needful thing you can do to have all the fullness that Colossians says is in Him, is commit yourself to Him: soul, body, mind and will...to live out Romans 12:1-2. Everything else is detail...His job. Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all else will be added. He's given you a gift to use for His glory to advance His Kingdom. You will not see all that God can do with that gift unless you become a living sacrifice. Present yourself to Him. He will use it...It is His gift...He will do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.
Be content with what the Lord has for you as a member of His body. Be faithful to do it. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Love
Mom
