Not My Gift, His Gift

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.  

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.  
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul opens by telling the Corinthians he doesn't want them uninformed about what comes from the Holy Spirit — not a list of independent gifts to divide up, but grace flowing from one Spirit, one Lord, and one God who empowers it all. That distinction matters: you don't "have" a gift the way you own a possession; you have the Holy Spirit, and He makes His gifts available as He wills. Like a multi-tool that carries a knife, a saw, and pliers all in one, having the Spirit means every gift is available to you, not just the one you feel most comfortable claiming.

Paul is also clear about the purpose: the Spirit's manifestation is given to each person for the common good, not for status or self-promotion. So, the goal was never to figure out which gift is "yours" and rest there, it's to stay open and available to whatever the Spirit wants to do through you, whenever He wants to do it.

Have you limited yourself by thinking "I don't have that gift" instead of staying open to however the Spirit wants to work through you?
        
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…  

1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).  
2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me and for the grace gifts You freely give. Forgive me for boxing You in by claiming only the gifts that feel comfortable. Keep me open and available to bless others however You choose today. Amen.
   
3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.  

Faith Step:
Ask the Holy Spirit in prayer today to use you for someone else's good, without specifying how — and stay alert for the opportunity.