1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Romans 12:6-8
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show
mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to
another prophecy,to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Ephesians 4:11-12
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up.
There was a period of 6 years that my kids and I lived with my ex-husband and his wife. It was financially easier this way and provided a more stable environment for the kids. As a family, we would do what we could to help the homeless. We took in transients (rail riders) on two occasions. We offered a homeless man an afternoon of warmth and a hot meal. My ex-husband has taken meals to those who were struggling to feed themselves and their families. Cree, my 18 year old daughter has found the joy of serving in a local mission for men and families. My daughter Cherokee and I have bought gift cards to fast food restaurants and given them to the homeless we see on the streets. If someone is in need, we have tried to meet that need as a family. We don’t have a lot. We live pay check to pay check, but we give of what we have. If we know someone needs something and we can meet that need, then we do.
God has given each one of us a gift/gifts that he expects us to use in serving others. It doesn’t have to be difficult. If you can’t volunteer in a local ministry, then ask God to open up opportunities in your daily life to give you the chance to use your gifts. If you can volunteer in a local ministry, then find a way to use those God given gifts there. I am an introvert. Being around a lot of people and social situations causes me anxiety and exhausts me, but I love to connect with people through the internet, so I use this blog and Facebook to encourage others and connect people to Jesus. God has opened up an avenue for me to use my gifts and natural tendencies to glorify His name. My 5 spiritual gifts are: Exhortation, Mercy, Pastor/Shepherd, Faith, and Intercession.
A Challenge:
I am challenging you to take a spiritual gifts test. Click here to take the one I took. Once you take the test, I challenge you to look for ways in your every day life to use those gifts to serve others. Pray for God to reveal to you how He wants you to use those gifts. God WILL open up opportunities, He is simply waiting for you to ask. Open your heart to the needs of others. Look around to those who are in need (those we would normally ignore in our hurry through life).
I would love to hear from you. Let me know how God has used you to serve others. God bless you, my friend!
Patti Burris 
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