Dear Heavenly Father,
In 1Corinthians 12:28(NLT), You tell us, “Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.” These are the ministries of service and guidance that You have placed in the body of Christ to help Your people. You then go on to tell us in 1Corinthians 12:31 that we should desire the most helpful gifts, but the way of life that is best of all is to demonstrate the same love for Your people as Jesus Christ.
The Christmas holiday is very special one for children because it is a time when, as parents, we do our very best to give them good gifts. Most kids will have toys on their list, things they can play with and that will keep them entertained. Kids are not mature enough to discern that toys aren’t a necessity but something they want. In most cases, small children are not at a stage to understand or desire gifts that are going to truly add value to their lives. They want the stuff they believe will be fun. Parents watch them with joy, but know that as Christmas comes and goes, their kids quickly lose interest in these toys. Sometimes they put them aside and never pick them up again.
Your gifts are exceedingly precious, and as mature adults, it is timeout for child’s play. We must have the maturity to discern the overwhelming goodness and power of the gifts You offer. We must desire to please You by serving Your people through the love of Christ. Some believers don’t yet have this kind of hunger in their hearts. They don’t hunger to love and serve Your people as You have commanded. They have their own agendas on their minds. Some want to be preachers, pastors, or prophets simply for the perks they believe these ministries will offer. Being of service isn’t their main goal. They want an ego boost, or they are power hungry and try to use Your precious gifts for their own personal gain.
We ask You to bless us with more money, new cars and homes, and vacations. All these things will entertain us in the moment, but what can they do for our spirits? How will they help us be a witness to the gospel, bear spiritual fruit, or make a spiritual investment in the lives of others?
Your Son, Jesus Christ, asked in Mark 8:36(NKJV), “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Very rarely do we ask You for the gift of loving others in a greater way. Some believers have never prayed to be more spiritually mature or have more wisdom, or even a stronger and greater relationship with You. Please help us to open our eyes Heavenly Father, so we can shift our priorities. Gifts that will help us become spiritually strong and store up treasures that will last an eternity; these are what matter most.
Thank You for working in us through the power of the Holy Spirit to produce his fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Then we can be spiritually strong and be the blessing to the body of Christ that You desire us to be. Please increase within our hearts the desire to love greater so we can be the children of light that You have made us. Thank You for our Blessed Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and thank You for the Holy Spirit. Let Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“What Matters Most”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.