1 Peter 4:10
Growing up in Christ involves more than learning how to stand on the Word and receive God’s blessing. It involves more than developing our spiritual gifts and exercising our faith to live victorious and successful lives.
Those things are good. They are part of Christian growth. But the fact is, we can do all those things and still be big, spiritual kids who think the Christian life is all about us.
All about us getting blessed … about us feeling satisfied … about us getting the opportunity to be all God created us to be.
As mature believers, we must outgrow that kind of thinking. We must realize that our lives, our blessings, and our spiritual gifts are not given to us just for our own enjoyment or fulfillment. They are given to us so that we can serve others for the glory of God. That’s why 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace …” (Amp).
I was shocked the first time I realized what that verse was actually saying. I’d always thought my spiritual gifts were for me. I figured God gave them to me to help me succeed in life. But Peter said they were given to me for others!
That means if I have a teaching gift, it’s not there just so I can be a great teacher. It’s there so others can learn. If I have an evangelistic gift, it’s not there just so I can conduct miracle crusades. It’s there so others can get saved. If I’m gifted at business and making money, it’s not just so that I can accumulate wealth. It’s so I can bless others and advance the kingdom of God.
Grownup Christians understand that. They realize they aren’t saved simply so they can live happy, prosperous lives. They are saved so they can give their lives away. Their purpose is to use the gifts they’ve been given and the anointing they’ve received to minister to as many people as possible so that God can bless others through them.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:1 – 10
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”