God’s Children #3

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it 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 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact: We have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us to remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and we never forgot it. Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not to offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You. Father, help us today to praise You for our gifts and to exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell