Daily Insight - Use Your Talent And Don't Despise It

Daily Insight - Use Your Talent And Don't Despise It
I am happy welcoming you to the last week of this month. I saw these pictures online which have gone viral because as at the time I share them over 2 thousand persons have already shared the post. People love to associate with hard work, diligence and use of talent. They love creativity and commitment no matter the sex. People shared this picture because they love the courage of this young lady who despise shame and what people might say to make a name for herself. I know that this post will fetch her more job.
Beloved, the greatest undoing to your generation and yourself is to hoard or despise it. If this young lady had despised her talent as a painter, who would have heard her name? To be honest to yourself and your generation, you must discern and find out your talent and make good use of it. Some of the friends of this young lady would have taunted her on her love for painting but she ignored that because all of us can't be doctors, lawyers, Engineers at the same time. I know she has become a sought after with this post.
Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. Remember that you can't build a reputation on what you intend to do but on what you have done.
After reading my daily insight on Stop Your Emotional Suffering, someone wrote to me saying "More grace to you my brother. I so much like your post online now and I like it so much. Please sir, can you forward same to my WhatsApp? I need it for daily reflections and I owe it to you. God bless you in life, family and ministry in Jesus Christ name."
My talent is to write - books, devotions, insights, food for thoughts and on certificates and gifts items outside my calling as a priest. I thank God that I have discovered them and have been using them to edify souls and people that read most of my post can attest to it. If I hoard it, God and my generation will not be happy with me. Presently, I write the certificate of two schools in Asaba and for my Diocese,
So it is in your case. Use your gifts and talents no matter how negligible it may seem to men. God who gave it to you want your generation to benefit from it. People are waiting to hear your name as a painter, engineer, Carpenter, Electrician, an author, doctor, nurse, etc. Your generation is waiting to hear your name. Don't keep them waiting, do something today. Have a fruitful week.
Tabugbo @Asaba

Every Gift And Blessing From God Has A Price Tag

Devotion for Tuesday January 23, 2018

Topic: Every Gift And Blessing From God Has A Price Tag

Text: Genesis 39:7 – 19

It is never a mistake that God made some people beautiful or handsome. The way some people abuse these blessings and gifts, gives me cause for concern. God has never made mistake in blessing us. If we abuse our gifts, we will pay dearly for it. Our beauty, blessings and gifts are snare to us because they will either make or mar us. It forbids pride in it, and requires constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. 

On the other hand, we should have full control over our eyes, lest they infect our hearts. Potiphar’s wife couldn’t set off her eyes from Joseph in her husband’s house, lusting after him (Genesis 39:7). She became a snare for Joseph because he was handsome and a young man of honesty and integrity. When Joseph refused to consent to her request, she framed-up Joseph and he was subsequently imprisoned. The frame up and imprisonment was the price Joseph paid for the gift God gave to him. 

Many people have paid similar prices. Some fell into the hands of the devil and his agents. Some after the fall could not even summon courage to rise again. There is nobody gifted by God in terms of beauty, handsomeness, intelligence or talent that hasn’t been tempted or that will not be tempted. What matters is your reaction when temptations come. Will you yield to their temptation because you want to avoid going to prison or being punished? If you have framed up or betrayed someone, God requires you to go and make necessary restitution. Despite the price Joseph paid, God was with him and he was loved and privileged above all others in the prison. Sing SS&S 235; Abu 183

Food for Thought: Every gift and blessings from God has a price tag.

Memory verse: Genesis 39:19

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need O God, never to abuse your gift upon my life or a stumbling block to other people because of their gifts.

Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of Mary

Devotion for Saturday January 13, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of Mary

Text: Matthew 26:6 – 13

Matthew and Mark didn’t mention the name of this woman that anointed Jesus. It was John that mentioned her name as Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1 – 2). She had a precious oil of great value at home and decided to anoint Jesus with it before His crucifixion and death. Many people who witnessed it including his disciples were indignant about it. They queried the rationale behind such a ‘waste.’ Even if the oil was sold and money given to the poor, what would have the buyer used the oil for? However, Jesus Christ was quick to rebuke them saying that what Mary did was good for the reasons he advanced in Matthew 26:10 – 12. He also quickly added that Mary’s act will become a memorial of her and her name will be mentioned wherever the gospel would be preached. 

Beloved in Christ, what would have made Mary to become a household name if not for utilizing her gift to serve God? Your story and destiny can still change if you can use what you have to serve God this year. Yours may be your time, strength/power, money, wealth or any other thing with which God has blessed you. As you use any of your gifts or talents in the service of God and humanity, you will certainly be making a memorial for yourself. It will change your destiny and bring you before men. Sing A&M 357; Abu 193

Food for Thought: Using our gifts/talents for the service of God and humanity is the best way to appreciate the giver of the gifts/talents.

Memory verse: Matthew 26:7

Prayer: Lord God, help me to appreciate you, the source of my gifts through serving you and humanity in Jesus name. Amen.

Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of Peter

Devotion for Friday January 12, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of Peter

Text: Luke 5:1 – 11

Peter and his colleagues had toiled all night without anything to show for their efforts. Apparently, they were set to go home and rest because they were already washing their nets when Jesus appeared and requested to use their boat. Some people would have seen the request as adding to their frustration because it means they would stay longer. But Peter gave out his boat. He didn’t take time to consider the request. He acted promptly. 

Beloved, God is requesting to use that your property for the sake of the gospel. Will you oblige him? After using Peter’s boat, Jesus commanded them to go for a catch. Though Peter, as a professional fisherman tried to bring reason into the command, acted as commanded. The result was amazing and outstanding. It contradicted the laws and principles of fishing. For allowing Jesus use what he has, brought Peter into one on one with Jesus Christ the Saviour of mankind. That turned the story of Peter. 

Dear child of God, do you know that making what you have available for the Master’s use can change your life and destiny? Had Peter and his colleagues gone ahead to sell the fish, they would have made fortune out of the catch but they saw a far greater blessing in following Jesus Christ and thus they abandoned all and followed Him. That singular act and decision of Peter changed his life, story and also immortalized his name. Yours can be so if you will give your talent/gift for the Master’s use. Sing SS&S 798; Abu 239

Food for Thought: All we can hold in our cold dead hands is what we have given away. -Sanskrit Proverb

Memory verse: Luke 5:3

Prayer: Lord, as I give in charity and for the gospel what you have used in blessing me, may your blessings come upon me the more in Jesus name. Amen.

Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of David

Devotion for Thursday January 11, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Talents/Gifts – The Example of David

Text: 1 Samuel 16:14 – 23

In our clime, a musician was seen as never do well until recently. Most musicians of 1980s back ended up poorly. Then, nobody wants his child to be a musician but it was music that distinguished David and brought him to limelight in Bible days. No talent from God is too small or unworthy to be despised. I once read about a Yoruba woman without a degree that lectures in Harvard on fine art. The gift of that woman made way for her. This was the case of David to as we have in our bible reading for the day. He was skilled in playing musical instrument and when the spirit of God departed from Saul, one of his aides suggested David as one who was skilled in playing music that can calm his melancholy. It was in that service, he rose to prominence in the land of Israel that Saul became envy of him and sought for ways to kill him. The story of David and Saul teaches us that no amount of envy against you and your talent/gifts can stop what God has ordained to be in your life. Are you talented and people are against you in your office, neighbourhood, and school or church that people are now plotting your downfall or how to eliminate you? Their plan cannot work. If Saul didn’t succeed in killing David, they will not succeed in your case. Keep using your gifts and touching lives. God will perfect his words in your life.  Sing A&M 361; Abu 128

Food for Thought: No talent/gift is inconsequential. Therefore use your talent to make name for yourself.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 16:18

Prayer: Almighty God, grant that I will not undermine the gift in me.

Utilize Your Talent/Gifts – The Example of Joseph

Devotion for Wednesday January 10, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Talent/Gifts – The Example of Joseph

Text: Genesis 40:5 – 23

Joseph’s gift/talent was to dream and interpret the dreams. He was not stingy with that gift. He dreamt about his brothers bowing to him as a king and another time his parents bowing to him. His dreams elicited hatred from his brothers who sold him into slavery. But being a slave didn’t stop him from using his talents even while in prison, he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s servant. Some people would have ignored those servants but not Joseph. He showed concern towards their sadness and inability to understand their dreams. When they told him about their dreams, he gave the right interpretation. His appeal that chief butler should remember him was ignored but he continued his life until another opportunity came when Pharaoh dreamt and there was no interpreter. Then he was remembered. His gift sorted him out and he came out from prison to become a Prime Minister in a foreign land. The way you use your gift matters to God and humanity. God who gave you that gift expects you to use it to serve Him and humanity, and until you begin to use them it cannot manifest the more and bring you before men. If Joseph had shown indifference to the fellow prisoners, when the need arose for an interpreter, he wouldn’t have been remembered. Therefore put your gift into use and it will sort you out. Sing SS&S 1138, Abu 240

Food for Thought: Talent without tact is only half talent – Horace Greeley.

Memory verse: Genesis 41:13

Prayer: God, help me to utilize the gift you gave me just as Joseph did and let it bring me before great men in Jesus name. Amen.

Utilize Your Gifts

Devotion for Tuesday January 9, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Gifts

Text: Proverbs 18:16

Gifts are something bestowed on us. If we can afford such thing, we can’t call it a gift. The author of Proverbs says the gift of a man and not the wealth. This gift can be talent, wisdom, knowledge, craft, art, etc. The gift makes way for the owner and brings him or her before great men. From this verse of the scripture, there are three things we should note of. 1) Every man has a gift. This truth is illustrated in the parable Jesus gave about talents in Matthew 25:14 – 30. There was no servant without a talent. Though some of the servants had more talents than other servants, none was left without one. 2) Talents are meant to be utilized. In that same parable, the king condemned the servant that didn’t utilize the talent he received. For every talent God has given to us, we must utilize them or else on the day of reckoning, we will be condemned for not using them. 3) When we use them, it brings us before kings. A look at that parable in Matthew 25:14 – 30 shows us the reward of using our talents. Those that used theirs were brought before the king for commendation and reward while the man that hid his talent was condemned and cast out into a place of regret.  In the days ahead, we will look at some examples of those that used their talents and how it brought them before kings. What are your gifts/talents? How are you utilizing them? Sing A&M 331, Abu 109

Food for Thought: “Concealed talent brings no reputation” – Erasmus.

Memory verse: Matthew 25:20

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to utilize my gifts and may they bring me before great men in Jesus name. Amen\

Use Your Gifts Efficiently

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 10, 2017

Topic: Use Your Gifts Efficiently

Text: Romans 12: 6 – 8         

God’s gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to His wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. He gives spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. God graciously bestows upon members of the church different talents and gifts, and we are to use them according to His will. It was never designed that all Christians should be equal as per talent. God designed that men should have different endowments. Everything is according to grace (favour) from God (2 Cor. 6:1) which should not be treated with disdain. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.

What are your gifts or talents? Here we have prophets, servers, teachers, encouragers, givers, leaders. It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts. Have you discovered them? How effectively are you using them to glorify God and serve humanity or are you hiding your talent? As Pastor, Teacher, Banker, Fashion Designer, Hair Dresser, Bible Study Teacher, Civil or Public Servant, etc, we all should use our gifts effectively and efficiently. Remember we will all give account of our stewardship here on earth no matter where you serve (Rom. 14:12).

Food for Thought: How effectively are you using what God gave you?

Memory verse: 1 Peter 4:10

Prayer: God, help me to understand what my gifts are and enable me to use them efficiently and effectively 

UNLOCK YOUR HIDDEN TREASURE: Devotion for Friday March 4, 2016

UNLOCK YOUR HIDDEN TREASURE: Devotion for Friday March 4, 2016

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 9                        Memory verse: v 8

To every human being, there are deposits of treasures/gifts, which are waiting to be unlocked. These treasures or gifts can only become real and ours when we take some actions. There are many ways to unlock our hidden treasures. Majority of the ways are through revelation, challenges of life, reading of books, practices, etc. I became an author through the revelation I received from reading of books by my mentor, Robin Sharma. Some of his books opened my eyes to the enormous gifts in me and I realised that I can do something. Beloved, there are gifts/treasures and talents in you that are yet to manifest because you are not aware of them. I pray that God will reveal them to you. You will not die without realising that you have those gifts without using them for your generation in Jesus name.

Joshua had a task of leading the people into the Promised Land. He saw the kind of obstinate and rebellious heart they displayed under Moses. However, despite all these, God told him that he will succeed in leading them into the Promised Land on the condition that he incessantly meditates on the word of God. Josh 1:8b says, “For then ... (NKJV).” It means that “The grand means of inspiring and increasing true courage, is daily attention to the principles and precepts of the Bible, for the purpose of understanding and obeying them” as Family Bible Notes posited. For Joshua to discover his ability in leadership, he must as a matter of priority, read and meditate on the word of God to unlock that treasure in him. Some of us have the talent of becoming inventors, great athletes, great evangelists, pastors, teachers, doctors, nurses, etc, but fear have hindered us from attaining such greatness. God has an assurance for you in 1:9.

Food for Thought: Fear is the greatest obstacle to attaining our greatness in life.  

Prayer: Lord God, remove every fear in me that is an obstacle to the manifestation of the treasures hidden in me in Jesus name.

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT: Devotion for Sunday January 10, 2016

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT                        Sunday January 10, 2016

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21                  Memory verse: v 17

There are differences between being financially rich and being rich towards God. Wealth is very uncertain (Prov.23:5). Those who are rich should understand that their riches came from God. He alone grants the grace to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly and not having a heart to use them rightly (6:17). Riches are meant to be used for doing good deeds to people (6:18). Those who are rich must be generous and must not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money, instead they should hope in the living God for their security. This is the reason for the words of Christ in Mk. 10:24.

We can be rich in good deeds even if we don’t have material wealth. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. These things we have in us are for the enjoyment of ourselves and those we meet or those who come to us on daily basis. There is the admonition to guard what has been entrusted to Timothy. These things are of two dimensions; his congregation and his talents/gifts. The reason for this is because of false teachers who brought wrong doctrines into the church. We still have many of them now. Beware, so that you will not be deceived.

Food for Thought: How best can you use your wealth for the service of God and humanity?

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to use my wealth to serve you and humanity.

TAKE YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

TAKE YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME    Wednesday June 17, 2015

Text: Mark 10:17 – 23                   Memory verse: v 21  

Proper understanding of God blessings upon our lives matters so much in the way we use them. What does your money, wealth, talent, gift, etc, mean to you? Here is an example of how Jesus Christ tried to redirect the orientation and understanding of this young rich man concerning his wealth. Jesus told this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor but this doesn’t mean that we should as well sell all our possessions. Most of His followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to serve others. The essence of Jesus saying this is to make us understand that we must not let our possessions or money keeps us from following Him. We must remove all barriers to serving Him fully.

Jesus lovingly broke through the young man’s pride with a challenge that answered the question of what the man lacked and exposed the barrier that could keep this young man out of the Kingdom of God: his love of money. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). See also Matthew 22:36-40). The young man did not love God with his whole heart as he had presumed. In reality, the man’s wealth was his god, his idol. If he could not give it up, he would be violating the first commandment. 

Friend, what about you? Have you given up all that can hinder you from serving God?

Food for Thought: What barriers are keeping you from serving God?  

Prayer: God, expose any barrier that is keeping me from taking up my cross to serve you faithfully in Jesus name.