Friday Thought – December 16, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

NOTE: I started writing a Monday through Friday morning devotional in 1996 and have written them ever since. With retirement coming Sunday, I’ve decided to lay down this ministry, too. It’s been my pleasure to offer these brief words of encouragement and insight. I appreciate all the positive comments I’ve received through the years. Blessings -- Steve

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

No two of us are alike. Our preferences are different. Some like traditional music, some contemporary. Some prefer peace and quiet, some want activity and noise. Some like to read and study, some like to work with their hands doing something practical.

Our skills and abilities are different, too. Some don’t mind speaking to a large group and others wouldn’t do that for any reason. Some can add numbers quickly in their head and others struggle to do it with a calculator. Some can listen to a furnace and immediately diagnose the problem and some can’t even figure out how to work the thermostat. Some can comfort a crying baby and bring it peace and others seem to set the babies crying just with a look.

We’re different --- different preferences, different skills and abilities. God has designed us for different places and different tasks in His kingdom and He has provided what we need for those places and tasks. Each of us is made different by God, but in each of us it is His power that works in us in the unique ways He has made us. While each of us works in a different way, we all are working for the same goal --- to glorify and please the Lord.

We don’t have to all be alike. In fact, God accomplishes far more through us because we are all different!

His, by Grace, Steve