It is pretty obvious to all of us that we have unique personality types. Many of us have taken tests to determine our personality profiles. You may have heard of the Myers-Briggs personality types, or the, well known, “type A” description of high energy, intense, driven people.

It would make sense then that we have different spiritual gifts that fit our personalities. It would also make sense that certain gifts in others connect with us in our Christian development. Some of us love to hear the deep meaning and context of bible stories, and others empathize with the feelings experienced by the people in the stories.

Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 saying, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

God made all of us and knows we are different, we learn differently, teach differently, and love differently. It is important to recognize this to avoid wasting our energy on comparing techniques trying to decide which is “better.” They are all good if they are centered on the one thing that we all have in common, the need for God’s grace and Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, you have made such a beautiful fabric of people, personalities, and characters in our world. Help us remember that if the focus is on what You did for us through Jesus, the techniques and styles are just different ways you are reaching your people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever noticed that with the right tool every project seems to go smoother and get better results. Rotating your tires if you have a couple floor jacks and an air wrench makes the project take less than half the time. Having two ovens when cooking for a big party at home. A hand truck (dolly) when moving appliances around. The right paintbrush for those tough to paint moldings. For those of us in the north, a snowblower! Sometimes a task is impossible without the right tool.

In John 15 Jesus talks about being the vine and we being the branches. He expects us to bear fruit, to go and do his work, spread the gospel, make disciples. In verses 7-8 Jesus says ” If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples..” So when we come to the difficult projects of doing God’s will, like witnessing, teaching, praying, trusting, he will give us any tool we need for the job, all we need to do is ask.

Dear Lord, when we come to those tough projects in being a Christian, help us ask for the tool we need, whether it is money, faith, determination, love, foregiveness or wisdom, and take on the project rather than seeing it as impossible. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There is a technique I have seen a couple times during concerts in large stadiums or shows, in the middle of one of the songs, the spotlights are randomly moving quickly around the stadium. What looks like hundreds of lights moving all around and then dramatically at one time, they all converge on the performer as he or she begins to sing.

This image comes to mind when I read Romans 11:36, “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever. Amen.”

Everything on earth including everyone, was created to put the attention on God and glorify him. We all need to remember this as we go about our activities and decision making. Are we putting the attention on God, and bringing glory, or “positive attention” to him?

Dear Lord, you created everything, including us, for your purposes and your glory. Help us remember in everything we do to bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We all probably ask God for things that are beyond the bare necessities of life; Wants rather than just needs. I think God is pleased that we include him in all aspects of our lives and hears our requests, regardless of what they are. How he responds is based on his plans for us. However, when we receive what we ask, or God answers with something even better, it is important to remember that these things are blessings from God.

Deuteronomy 8:10 says, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”and verse 18 says, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

It is said that God gives us what we ask for, or something better. Let us be thankful in advance with confidence in God’s care for us.

Dear Lord, you hear our prayers, know our needs and know even our secret desires. Thank you for giving us all we have, all we need, and answering our prayers, in your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You probably know someone, or maybe you are someone who doesn’t worry about things, has a general comfort that everything is going to work out fine, and are confident that God has things working just the way they are supposed to.

David writes about this in Psalm 5:11-12 saying, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

We all can be like those described above. If we really put or confidence and trust in God, we can be happy, regardless of our circumstances, knowing that God’s favor surrounds us and he has things under His control.

Dear Lord, thank you for caring for and protecting us when we rely on you for support. Help us demonstrate this trust in you in ways that show others your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.