“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”  (2 Timothy 4:2).

Timothy was a young preacher.  He wasn’t as experienced as Paul. He had much to learn. Paul gave him great advice. Obviously Paul was the voice of experience regarding today’s verse. He knew this young man needed to be ready, with patience, to give a word of either reproof, rebuke or encouragement.  If Timothy would receive Paul’s words and apply them, he would certainly be gifted to preach.

No matter what our gift, God is there to equip us for service. And if you are blessed with a godly, spiritual mentor, take heed to this person’s words. One day you may be passing that advice on to another believer.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 30 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

When Paul wrote the two letters to Timothy, he knew there would come a time he wouldn’t be there for him.  Paul knew Timothy’s potential.  He recognized his God-given abilities.  He charged him to be strong in Christ and use the gift of teaching.  By doing so, he would make disciples who one day would teach others.  Paul had mentored Timothy giving him the good news of the gospel.  He was passing the torch unto someone he felt was gifted to teach.

Do you remember those who mentored you?  If you feel gifted to teach, use your gift and enable those you teach so they can one day teach others.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 29 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“Even  so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church”  (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Do you remember how much zeal you had when you were first saved?  Were you eager to learn and grow?  If you were like most, you wanted to know God’s will for your life. It seemed you would never know what that was going to be.  In the meantime, you remained faithful to your church, waiting on the Lord for an answer.  The day finally arrives and you’re so excited!  It’s time now to be a “body builder.”  You’re going to use your gift to encourage those in your church. As a work in progress, don’t stop seeking to excel.  Be the best you can be, not only for your benefit, but for those who make up the Body of Christ, the Church.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, they were having some problems in regards to spiritual gifts.  The people desired many spiritual gifts, but sadly, only to edify themselves.

As you seek to know or use your spiritual gifts, remember it’s not all about you.  You are called to be a Body builder.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 28 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you”  (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).

Aaah, nothing like “falling back” in Daylight Savings Time, is there?  An extra hour.  A longer sleep.  A day that seems a lot less rushed than usual.

Daylight Savings Time was instituted to help the American public manage their daylight time.  To increase productivity.  To help manage what’s been given—24 ours.

The Lord’s done the same. The gifts we’ve been given probably aren’t as apparent to us as tto those to whom we’ve ministered.  The ways God intends us to show His love won’t be showy, spotlight kind of opportunities—they’ll come naturally, and quietly.

Managing our gifts is up to us.  Managing does not, I repeat:  does not, entail storing our gifts in a closet somewhere.  Managing means looking for places where His love, the kind we can show, is needed most—and then showing it.

Sure, the time’s changed this weekend—His call for your life has not.  Use the gifts He has blessed you with—and use them often.  Be a good manager of God’s gifts to you.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 27 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“So the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai, Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”  (Haggai 1:4 NLT).
You’re right, Lord.

No, there’s nothing extravagant about my home, except for the fact that it came directly from Your hands.  Luxurious would describe nothing at all about our little farmhouse.  Fancy would have to be reserved for another parcel of land other than the one whose deed bears our name.

But You’re right.

There are a lot of things I spend more time, effort and sweat on than Your home—he one inside me and the one I attend every Sunday and Wednesday.

I’m doing very little to keep your church filled, strengthened and swept free of cobwebs and dirt-dobber nests.  I put little thought to inviting others over to Your house.

I’m spending more time selecting my Sunday-best than praying for the hearts and minds that’ll be in attendance, refurbishing Your house with new hearts and lives.

There’s more to caring for a home than just living in it, isn’t there?  It’s checking the corners for termite damage.  It’s cleaning the filters on the furnace.  It’s scrubbing the toilets and repairing the shingles.  It’s not just laying my head down at night trusting You’ll accomplish what needs done.

It’s making sure the little things I allow in my heart do not tear down what You’re building up to glorify and honor You.  It’s not taking for granted the overwhelming privilege of being welcome in Your house.

There’s a little bit of housework I need to be doing—in me.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 26 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Pray for a spirit of holiness among the believers in your church. Ask God to impact each believer with the need to lead authentic, Spirit-led lives.
From Home Missions: Pray for the growing cowboy ministry in Texas.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsover things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there.  And she constrained us”  (Acts 16:14-15).

We find another example of a woman using her spiritual gift in the story of Lydia. She was a business woman and possibly quite wealthy.  She had the gift of hospitality, which she immediately wanted to use for God.  Once her spiritual eyes were opened and she and her household were baptized, she invited Paul and company to come to her house and abide with her. I picture her as a gracious hostess.

I remember one of my early mentors. She was given to hospitality. Whether for a meal or just a visit, people always felt comfortable in her home.

Times have changed.  Invitations into homes for a meal or an overnight stay are rare. It doesn’t seem convenient or we’re too busy with our lives.  If you feel you have the gift of hospitality, don’t be afraid to use it.  Dare to be a Lydia.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 25 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  And it came to pass in those days that she was sick and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.  Then Peter arose, and went with them.  When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise.  And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord”  (Acts 9:36-42).

Today’s verses tell the familiar story of Dorcas, just an ordinary woman using her gift to make a difference in her world.  We could sum up her life with two facts: First, she loved the Lord.  Secondly, she sewed garments to help the needy.   She didn’t have a modern sewing machine, so her work was done by hand. Every stitch was a labor of love.  If you feel there’s not much you can do for the Lord, think of Dorcas.

People loved Dorcas and were deeply saddened when she died. But God wasn’t finished with her.  When Peter prayed and raised Dorcas from the dead, there was great joy. The event made an impact on the city of Joppa.  Many “believed on the Lord.”  This all came about because one woman was willing to use her gift for God’s glory.  Are you using your gift or gifts to make a difference in your world?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 24 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions.