Devotions with Pastor Jerry Schmid

THE UNOPENED GIFT
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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (Jas. 1:17). Paul asked, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). 
            
There are many gifts from God that we leave unopened or under-utilized.

As children, even some adults, became really good at present-peeking.  You could search through the entire home when no one was watching of course, looking in all the obvious places; the bedrooms, closets, under beds, in every drawer, high shelves, each nook and cranny, every cabinet, under sinks, and even between sofa pillows.  You would shake each box hoping to hear a sound making clue, or maybe going to the ultimate extreme of carefully unwrapping and re-wrapping the gift, after careful inspection of course.

But what about the gift that God has specifically given to you? Have you left it in an unopened box, placed it in a dark little corner of your life, hidden it away like a secret that no one should know or find?  These are the gifts of love, compassion, purpose, and the potential impact for God that we could have for His Kingdom and even more; which we allow to sit quietly hidden, waiting, to maybe someday be opened and released.

Oh, but if I open it, it may be recognized, or what if I fail to use it right? May I remind you that Peter was given a gift but he failed when he stepped out of the boat, he failed when he cut off a man’s ear, again when he denied Christ three times, and yet Christ said unto Peter “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Then at the day of Pentecost Peter proclaimed the work of the Holy Spirit.  He opened the box given to him by God and wisely used it.

Isn’t it time you stopped ignoring the box; the gift God has set before you? Isn’t it time you tore off the wrappings of God’s present to you, examined it closely, and allowed God to purposefully utilize His amazing gift to you?  Oh, and if you need to read the instructions, God gave you all you need to be successful in His instruction book, the Bible. 

So then if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach. (Rom. 12:7)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10-11)

Enjoy the Gift God has given you. You won’t even need batteries! It comes complete with His Power.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Jerry Schmid