Serve Well - by Greg Laurie -
If your gift is serving others, serve them well. -Romans 12:7
Some time ago, I was actually at a fast-food restaurant getting some food with the grandkids. I placed a rather complicated order and couldn't help but notice how well the employee handled it all.
Then she said, "Oh, you're Greg Laurie!"
As we talked a little, I found out she was a Christian. Then I understood even more why she was so cheerful and polite. I asked her if she liked her job.
"I love my job," she said.
I thought, "That's how we all should be."
Whatever you're doing, whether you're working at a fast-food restaurant, serving in church, or working in healthcare, serve well.
Here's the mark of a person whom God has called to serve: they recognize a need and then jump in and do something about it.
On the other hand, I think some people have the gift of complaining. They just seem content with finding fault-all the things the church is doing wrong in their estimation.
But people with the gift of serving see a need and then meet that need because they want to help out.
Has God given you this spiritual gift? What a wonderful gift it is. So, if you're checking on your neighbors and praying for them, that is great, and if you're picking up the groceries for them, that is great too. Because whatever you're doing to serve, it matters.
The Bible says, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received" (1 Timothy 4:14 NLT). Or, as The Message puts it, "Keep that dusted off and in use."
Be faithful in the little things, and God will open up greater opportunities for you. Because, as Warren Wiersbe has said, "You can never be too small for God to use, only too big."
A Righteous Desire
�But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.� (Matthew 6:33)
The Pharisees of Jesus� day were quite �religious� in their behavior, but our Lord often took them to task because �all their works they do for to be seen of men� (Matthew 23:5).
God�s Kingdom Is First Priority: The Lord�s admonition in our text was given to focus His followers beyond the �ordinary� desires and needs of their physical existence. We are expected to �look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal� (2 Corinthians 4:18). As promised, when we are rightly focused, �all these other things shall be added unto you� (Matthew 6:33).
Yielded to Righteousness: We become �servants� of those things that we �obey.� We obey that which we have �yielded� ourselves to (Romans 6:16). It is not possible to �serve two masters� (Matthew 6:24). Our �members� (our physical bodies) can either become �instruments� (weapons) of ungodliness or of righteousness (Romans 6:13). We either �walk� after the Spirit or after the flesh (Romans 8:1).
Doggedly Pursue Godliness: �But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness� (1 Timothy 6:11). Even though our �new man� longs for righteousness, and we consciously yield ourselves to seek and serve God�s kingdom, �with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin� (Romans 7:25).
We must never become slack in our diligence. �Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall� (1 Corinthians 10:12). HMM III
�But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.� (Matthew 6:33)
The Pharisees of Jesus� day were quite �religious� in their behavior, but our Lord often took them to task because �all their works they do for to be seen of men� (Matthew 23:5).
God�s Kingdom Is First Priority: The Lord�s admonition in our text was given to focus His followers beyond the �ordinary� desires and needs of their physical existence. We are expected to �look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal� (2 Corinthians 4:18). As promised, when we are rightly focused, �all these other things shall be added unto you� (Matthew 6:33).
Yielded to Righteousness: We become �servants� of those things that we �obey.� We obey that which we have �yielded� ourselves to (Romans 6:16). It is not possible to �serve two masters� (Matthew 6:24). Our �members� (our physical bodies) can either become �instruments� (weapons) of ungodliness or of righteousness (Romans 6:13). We either �walk� after the Spirit or after the flesh (Romans 8:1).
Doggedly Pursue Godliness: �But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness� (1 Timothy 6:11). Even though our �new man� longs for righteousness, and we consciously yield ourselves to seek and serve God�s kingdom, �with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin� (Romans 7:25).
We must never become slack in our diligence. �Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall� (1 Corinthians 10:12). HMM III
The Faith of Our Mothers
�When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.� (2 Timothy 1:5)
The �dearly beloved son� (v. 2) of the apostle Paul was a young disciple whose strong and sincere Christian faith was due, more than anything else, to the lives and teachings of a godly mother and grandmother. As Paul wrote to Timothy in his last letter, �From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus� (2 Timothy 3:15).
Timothy�s mother was a Christian Jew (Acts 16:1), but his father was a Greek who evidently was not a believer. In the ideal Christian home, the father is to assume spiritual leadership (Ephesians 5:22, 25; 6:4), but countless fathers, for some reason, are either unable or unwilling to do this. Many have been the homes where a mother or grandmother, usually by default, has had to assume this all-important responsibility, and the Christian world owes these godly women a great debt of gratitude. The writer himself was raised in such a home, and much of his own concern for the Word of God is due to the concerned dedication of a Christian mother and two Christian grandmothers.
It is significant that the fifth of God�s Ten Commandments requires children to honor their parents, and it is the only one of the 10 that carries a special promise: �Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth� (Ephesians 6:2-3). Every godly parent is worthy of real honor every day�not just once each year. And when a Christian mother, like Timothy�s mother, must assume all the responsibility for leading her children in the ways of God, she deserves very special praise. HMM
�When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.� (2 Timothy 1:5)
The �dearly beloved son� (v. 2) of the apostle Paul was a young disciple whose strong and sincere Christian faith was due, more than anything else, to the lives and teachings of a godly mother and grandmother. As Paul wrote to Timothy in his last letter, �From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus� (2 Timothy 3:15).
Timothy�s mother was a Christian Jew (Acts 16:1), but his father was a Greek who evidently was not a believer. In the ideal Christian home, the father is to assume spiritual leadership (Ephesians 5:22, 25; 6:4), but countless fathers, for some reason, are either unable or unwilling to do this. Many have been the homes where a mother or grandmother, usually by default, has had to assume this all-important responsibility, and the Christian world owes these godly women a great debt of gratitude. The writer himself was raised in such a home, and much of his own concern for the Word of God is due to the concerned dedication of a Christian mother and two Christian grandmothers.
It is significant that the fifth of God�s Ten Commandments requires children to honor their parents, and it is the only one of the 10 that carries a special promise: �Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth� (Ephesians 6:2-3). Every godly parent is worthy of real honor every day�not just once each year. And when a Christian mother, like Timothy�s mother, must assume all the responsibility for leading her children in the ways of God, she deserves very special praise. HMM
Righteous Friends
�Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.� (James 4:4)
The phrase �a man is known by the company he keeps� has been used in English-speaking countries since the 1500s. Not only is the saying biblically based, but it is easily observable in everyday life.
Friends Shape Friends: �Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend� (Proverbs 27:17). In our text above, James notes that the world�s friendship so contrasts with the heart and mind of God that such a friendship turns our relationship with God into enmity. The apostle John gives the clear reason: �For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world� (1 John 2:16).
Friends Love Each Other: �Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you�.I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you�.These things I command you, that ye love one another� (John 15:14-17). This is pretty simple. If I love the Lord Jesus, and you love the Lord Jesus, then we will love each other�because we have a common friend!
Friends Stick Together: Because of our common love for the Lord Jesus, we do not forsake �the assembling of ourselves together� (Hebrews 10:25). Neither do we follow the �counsel of the ungodly,� or hang around �in the way of sinners,� or feel at home with �the scornful� (Psalm 1:1), because there is no fellowship in �righteousness with unrighteousness� (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Godly people will have godly friends. HMM III
�Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.� (James 4:4)
The phrase �a man is known by the company he keeps� has been used in English-speaking countries since the 1500s. Not only is the saying biblically based, but it is easily observable in everyday life.
Friends Shape Friends: �Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend� (Proverbs 27:17). In our text above, James notes that the world�s friendship so contrasts with the heart and mind of God that such a friendship turns our relationship with God into enmity. The apostle John gives the clear reason: �For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world� (1 John 2:16).
Friends Love Each Other: �Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you�.I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you�.These things I command you, that ye love one another� (John 15:14-17). This is pretty simple. If I love the Lord Jesus, and you love the Lord Jesus, then we will love each other�because we have a common friend!
Friends Stick Together: Because of our common love for the Lord Jesus, we do not forsake �the assembling of ourselves together� (Hebrews 10:25). Neither do we follow the �counsel of the ungodly,� or hang around �in the way of sinners,� or feel at home with �the scornful� (Psalm 1:1), because there is no fellowship in �righteousness with unrighteousness� (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Godly people will have godly friends. HMM III
Undeserved Suffering
�Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?� (Psalm 10:1)
This cry of the psalmist has been echoed times without number by those persecuted for their faith. �Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?� (Psalm 44:22-24). Consequently, one of the great mysteries of life is the suffering of the righteous. How can a God of love and power allow such undeserved suffering in His creation?
The fact is, however, that there is no such thing as undeserved suffering, �for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God� (Romans 3:23). The reason there is suffering in the world is that there is sin in the world. Even though one�s particular experience of suffering may or may not be directly related to his particular sin, all of us are sinners before God, and therefore deserving of nothing but suffering and judgment in the sight of a holy God.
It is not suffering that is undeserved but God�s grace and mercy! �Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us� (Titus 3:5). There has only been one person in all history whose suffering was undeserved, and He suffered for us, �the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God� (1 Peter 3:18).
Our sufferings are not undeserved, but neither are they uncontrolled, for God �worketh all things after the counsel of his own will� (Ephesians 1:11). There are many good reasons why God permits a faithful Christian to suffer, but even if one cannot discern the particular reason at the time, he can at least �rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ�s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy� (1 Peter 4:13). HMM
�Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?� (Psalm 10:1)
This cry of the psalmist has been echoed times without number by those persecuted for their faith. �Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?� (Psalm 44:22-24). Consequently, one of the great mysteries of life is the suffering of the righteous. How can a God of love and power allow such undeserved suffering in His creation?
The fact is, however, that there is no such thing as undeserved suffering, �for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God� (Romans 3:23). The reason there is suffering in the world is that there is sin in the world. Even though one�s particular experience of suffering may or may not be directly related to his particular sin, all of us are sinners before God, and therefore deserving of nothing but suffering and judgment in the sight of a holy God.
It is not suffering that is undeserved but God�s grace and mercy! �Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us� (Titus 3:5). There has only been one person in all history whose suffering was undeserved, and He suffered for us, �the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God� (1 Peter 3:18).
Our sufferings are not undeserved, but neither are they uncontrolled, for God �worketh all things after the counsel of his own will� (Ephesians 1:11). There are many good reasons why God permits a faithful Christian to suffer, but even if one cannot discern the particular reason at the time, he can at least �rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ�s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy� (1 Peter 4:13). HMM
If God Calls You to Teach . . . - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. -1 Peter 4:10
People sometimes ask me what it's like to stand up and preach at a crusade. It's an awesome privilege as well as a somewhat scary responsibility because I want to make sure that I represent the Lord well.
I want to make sure that what I say is biblical, and I want to rightly divide the Word of God because that's what people whom God has called to teach are supposed to do.
By the way, I'm the least qualified person who has ever been called to be a teacher. I was a poor student. I never studied, I failed tests, and I was a big goof-off.
But since then, I've learned to study, prepare, and put a lot of effort into the messages I preach. I know that I'll be held accountable for everything I say.
Writing about spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul said, "If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well" (Romans 12:7 NLT). In other words, work at your craft.
Musicians, for example, work on their skill set. They practice. In the same way, if you're a preacher or teacher, then study, prepare, and get your message ready. It's a privilege to speak for God, and the Bible actually warns that teachers will receive a greater judgment.
So, how do you know whether God has called you to teach? It's very simple. I've often said that if you want to find out whether you're a leader, then lead and see if anyone follows. The same goes for teaching. If you want to know whether you're a teacher, then teach and see if anyone listens to you.
If you have the gift of teaching, then develop it and cultivate it. And if God calls you to teach, then teach well.
The Tongue of the Learned
�The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.� (Isaiah 50:4)
The prophetic words of our text were spoken by the Lord Jesus in the context of His suffering: �I gave my back to the smiters�I hid not my face from shame and spitting� (v. 6)�and His attentiveness to the will of His Father despite the suffering ��The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back� (v. 5). The amazing love of Christ is seen in the fact that, in the midst of His intense personal pain, He could still continue, even on the cross, �to speak a word in season to him that is weary,� as He comforted His mother, spoke salvation to the dying thief, and even sought forgiveness for His executioners.
In all this, He was �leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps� (1 Peter 2:21). How easy and natural it is to complain and rebel when we are suffering. We seek comfort and counsel from others, when we (like our Exemplar) should be comforting others with �the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God� (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Though we cannot comprehend it fully, we must simply believe the mystery of the incarnation. God became man in Jesus Christ, and the omnipotent One �learned�obedience� (Hebrews 5:8). He was omniscient, yet somehow He �increased in wisdom� (Luke 2:52), as well as stature, and as He studied God�s Word, wakening �morning by morning,� He learned to hear the voice of the Father, thus receiving �the tongue of the learned,� that �gracious words� might proceed out of His mouth (Luke 4:22).
May the Lord grant each of His younger sons and daughters this gracious �tongue of the learned,� as we, like His Firstborn, awaken each morning to hear His voice. HMM
�The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.� (Isaiah 50:4)
The prophetic words of our text were spoken by the Lord Jesus in the context of His suffering: �I gave my back to the smiters�I hid not my face from shame and spitting� (v. 6)�and His attentiveness to the will of His Father despite the suffering ��The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back� (v. 5). The amazing love of Christ is seen in the fact that, in the midst of His intense personal pain, He could still continue, even on the cross, �to speak a word in season to him that is weary,� as He comforted His mother, spoke salvation to the dying thief, and even sought forgiveness for His executioners.
In all this, He was �leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps� (1 Peter 2:21). How easy and natural it is to complain and rebel when we are suffering. We seek comfort and counsel from others, when we (like our Exemplar) should be comforting others with �the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God� (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Though we cannot comprehend it fully, we must simply believe the mystery of the incarnation. God became man in Jesus Christ, and the omnipotent One �learned�obedience� (Hebrews 5:8). He was omniscient, yet somehow He �increased in wisdom� (Luke 2:52), as well as stature, and as He studied God�s Word, wakening �morning by morning,� He learned to hear the voice of the Father, thus receiving �the tongue of the learned,� that �gracious words� might proceed out of His mouth (Luke 4:22).
May the Lord grant each of His younger sons and daughters this gracious �tongue of the learned,� as we, like His Firstborn, awaken each morning to hear His voice. HMM
The Dreamers
�It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.� (Isaiah 29:8)
The dreamers of this world are not only the utopian idealists and the contemplative meditationists. The really impractical dreamers are those who most pride themselves on being pragmatic materialists and scientific naturalists, dreaming that by their own efforts they can bring about perfection on Earth. The fact is that this world is not the real world but only a temporary world that, like a dream, will soon fade away in the light of God�s eternal day, when we awake in His presence to experience the world as God intended it.
In our text, it is significant that the sleeping men are dreaming only about eating and drinking. In the same manner, those whose interests and desires are centered in this world only will find all their objectives have turned to nothingness. �For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever� (1 John 2:16-17).
In that great day when the real world that will last for eternity arrives, all the �multitudes� in �all the nations� of the world� those who have ignored the will of God and who have thus, in effect, been �fighting against mount Zion��will finally awaken, but it will be too late. How urgent it is that men now awake to God�s Word and God�s will. �Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light� (Ephesians 5:14). HMM
�It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.� (Isaiah 29:8)
The dreamers of this world are not only the utopian idealists and the contemplative meditationists. The really impractical dreamers are those who most pride themselves on being pragmatic materialists and scientific naturalists, dreaming that by their own efforts they can bring about perfection on Earth. The fact is that this world is not the real world but only a temporary world that, like a dream, will soon fade away in the light of God�s eternal day, when we awake in His presence to experience the world as God intended it.
In our text, it is significant that the sleeping men are dreaming only about eating and drinking. In the same manner, those whose interests and desires are centered in this world only will find all their objectives have turned to nothingness. �For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever� (1 John 2:16-17).
In that great day when the real world that will last for eternity arrives, all the �multitudes� in �all the nations� of the world� those who have ignored the will of God and who have thus, in effect, been �fighting against mount Zion��will finally awaken, but it will be too late. How urgent it is that men now awake to God�s Word and God�s will. �Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light� (Ephesians 5:14). HMM
The Gift of Giving - by Greg Laurie -
Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. -2 Corinthians 9:6
Research has found that it's actually good for you to do an act of kindness or generosity for someone else. Scientists have discovered that our brains release neurotransmitters that make us feel good when we do good.
Psychologists refer to this as the "helper's high."
The Bible tells us there is actually a spiritual gift of giving: "If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously" (Romans 12:8 NLT).
You don't have to be wealthy to have the gift of giving. I know some wealthy people who are very generous and have this gift, but I also know people living on a more moderate income who also have the gift of giving. They're just always doing things for other people. If you have that gift, then use it for God's glory.
While it's true that God has given certain people the gift of giving, it is also true that every Christian should give to the Lord on a regular basis. Have you discovered the joy of giving? Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 NLT).
I'm not saying we should do this for endorphins; rather, we should do this because the Lord has told us to do it.
God makes this amazing promise to the faithful giver: "'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test'" (Malachi 3:10 NLT).
If we would obey God in this area, it could revolutionize our finances. And it could revolutionize our lives.
Be Encouraging - by Greg Laurie -
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. -Romans 12:8
Some people don't know how to pay compliments to others. They're always critical, always critiquing this or that. And when they do pay a compliment, it's more of the backhanded variety.
For instance, they'll say, "Hey! You're on time!" or "You look great for your age!" or "You're so pretty. Why are you still single?"
While there is no spiritual gift of criticism, there is the spiritual gift of exhortation, or encouraging others. The Bible says, "If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging" (Romans 12:8 NLT).
The word exhort relating to the spiritual gift of exhortation means to motivate, to stimulate, to excite, and when necessary, to correct. It's urging someone on.
Someone with the gift of teaching will tell you how to do something, but someone with the gift of exhortation motivates you to want to do it.
Some people are great with the details of Greek and Hebrew, historical background, and so forth. It's fantastic. Then others give messages that make you want to go and change the world. The church needs both gifts today.
I think Jesus gives us the model of how to properly exhort in His message to the seven churches of Revelation, and specifically to the church of Ephesus.
Loosely paraphrased, here's what Jesus said to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2: "I know you guys work hard, and I know you're discerning. I know all that you do for me, and I appreciate that. But I have this issue with you. You have left your first love. So, remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works quickly."
Jesus started with compliments and affirmation, followed by a word of criticism, and then the solution.
The church needs teachers, but we also need people with the gift of exhortation.
The Blessing of Compassion - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. -Romans 12:4-5
I can think of times when I've walked into a hospital room and haven't had the words to say, or I haven't known what to do. But my wife has simply walked up and said just what they needed at that moment.
The Bible tells us there is a spiritual gift of showing kindness and mercy. Romans 12:8 says, "And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
Some people have an extraordinary, supernatural ability from God to show mercy, compassion and kindness to those who are in need.
When you're in a hospital bed you don't necessarily need a Bible expositor. You don't necessarily need an evangelist unless you're not a Christian. Then it would come in helpful of course.
When you're hurting, you need someone who has the gift of mercy, compassion, and showing kindness. When you're in pain, you don't always want a sermon. In fact, sometimes the last thing you want at the time is a sermon.
Someone who understands how to show compassion and empathy can make a huge difference. You might have that gift. It's an awesome spiritual gift, by the way. So, develop it, cultivate it, and use it.
The Bible says, "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other" (Romans 12:4-5 NLT).
Some people are outgoing, while others are more reserved. Some people have what we call "the gift of gab," but others don't have a lot to say. Some people see the big picture, and others see the details.
God has created us all differently, but we all have something to contribute with the spiritual gifts He has given us.
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