Gba ohun èlò náàNehemiah: God's Invitation to RebuildÀpẹrẹ
The Importance of Your Gifting
It happened every year for nine years of my childhood: the school talent show. What seemed like a fun and joyous event often brought insecurity and scrambling. While I could fill out my multiplication tables and (barely) pass art class, a unique talent was something I had outside my back pocket. While girls were flipping, singing, and juggling, I admired their abilities.
As followers of Christ, we are given something much better than a talent: spiritual gifts. Offered from the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift has been given to all of us—not that we would win a talent show, but to bring glory to God. Ezra revealed his God-given gifts in Nehemiah 8. In God's perfect timing, Ezra was able to present the law of Moses to a crowd hungry for the truth, as proven by their spontaneous and bold reactions to the teachings.
However, Ezra wasn't the hero of that story, and neither are we today. Ezra was simply a vessel God used to bring about a multitude of worship from his people.
According to Romans 12:4-8, are there many spiritual giftings? Why do you think this is?
Prayer: God, thank you for seeing us in our sin and still choosing to use us. I surrender my gifts and abilities to your will so I might bring more glory to your name.
Bonus Reading: Romans 12:4-8
Ìwé mímọ́
Nípa Ìpèsè yìí
Often touted as a “leadership” book, Nehemiah is rich in application. The way Nehemiah led the exiled Israelites in Persia to rebuild and reoccupy Jerusalem was as much an exercise in surrender and supplication as it was leadership and strategy. In this 21-day reading plan, we’ll look to Nehemiah as a role model in prayer, obedience, perseverance, and, yes, leadership.
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