Floodgates of Heaven Devotions: Do not only that which comes natural, but that which comes through DISCIPLINE!

Today’s Reading: 1 Chron. 10-12, John 6:45-71

Today’s Reflection: 1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.

Have you honed ALL of your capabilities, or only half? It is not uncommon for us to develop our skills and gifts in the areas where we are most naturally inclined. However, in order to be truly equipped and most effective in our service to our King, we must also strengthen the areas where we are weak and vulnerable.

In our text, I can’t help but think that these men who were just as proficient with one hand as they were the other, did not get there through natural development.

Let’s face it; most people are predominantly strong in one or the other, but not both. I don’t believe these men to be any different, at least from the natural side. However, these men ARE different from most, in that they were willing to maximize their capabilities on the battlefield, which meant extreme discipline to train themselves for equal performance regardless of which hand they were to use.

As for application, I believe that the body of Christ is to maximize our capabilities if we are to truly make a difference in getting the Gospel to all nations of the world. This means that we shouldn’t just operate in what is natural or easy for us, but we should also learn to strengthen ourselves in areas that may be naturally uncomfortable for us, but which can give us great advantage should the need arise for such physical and/or spiritual disciplines.

Some of God’s greatest and most accomplished soldiers of the cross, such as Paul the Apostle and tent maker, or Luke the disciple and physician, or Peter, another disciple who was also a fisherman, were stretched by their callings to go beyond what came natural to them, and to develop ALL of their gifts and talents, be they natural interests, business skills, or spiritual gifts in nature.

The truth is, at some point in their ministry, all of their skills were used as “Kingdom Assets” to further the cause of Christ. As for us, we need to ask ourselves if we are using ALL of our strengths, assets, faculties, and capabilities for Christ, or do we have an entire “left hand” or “right hand” that is yet to be strengthened for the work of The Lord?

Consider this a challenge today: write down all of the areas in your life that have potential for God’s use, then get busy!

One of the disciplines required for developing our gifts, talents and skills for God's Kingdom is that of continued study throughout the Word of God. Join us today to utilize Floodgates of Heaven as one of those tools to help you in that process.

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Floodgates of Heaven
Volume 2
Entry 140 of 365

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