11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
A gift is something that is given without the giver looking for something in return. In our text today the giver is Jesus and we are the recipients’ and it is quite clear why we are given gifts. The writer tells us that they are given to prepare us for works of service (12). Every one of us is given the opportunity to develop the latent gifts and talents that we possess. However, unless we recognise that we have been given gifts we will never take the time to develop them. And this is the crux of the matter. Developing something takes time and effort. Let us looks at the old process of developing a photograph to illustrate the point. Once light is exposed unto the photographic plate (This is plate or film that contains chemicals which are light sensitive) the image is created. It is there on the plate but it cannot be seen by the natural eye. Rather like the gifts we have been given, they are there but at present are invisible. To make it visible it needs to go through another process called development. Here the plate is subject to harsh chemicals which dissolve away unexposed film leaving the exposed areas which are then treated further to harden them.
This is not unlike us in our Spiritual lives. For our gifts to develop there are some things in our lives that must be dissolved away. We sometimes make the mistake of saying these are my habits and are part of my culture, so I cannot stop this or that. So how do we get rid of these ‘habits’ or behaviour which are stunting our growth?
Let me suggest a few ways:
1. Start to read and believe what the word of God says about you; Psalm 139:1-3; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:14 are good starters; you are wonderfully made and so on.
2. Change the way you think about things, then habits will drop off.
3. Start looking after yourself. Eat good food and enjoy your life.
As your gift develops it will bring you into the presence of the great and the influential. God will open doors for you which will transform your life.
Today start to develop your gift, It will take time but with God all things are possible.
Read one verse today, Matthew 19:26 and meditate on this!
Pastor Bell's Words To Live By 