Using Your Talents For God

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2272ra

This week we have been looking at different servants of God and seeing what their lives and examples mean for us. As we have seen, God is calling us all to be faithful servants. No matter our age, background, past or ignorance, God wants you to be a servant. This morning I want us to focus on our talents. The more we use our talents, the better the servant we will be.

God has blessed us all in more ways than we can count. We all enjoy a measure of blessings both physical and spiritual. All people have talents even though some have more than others. As servants of God we must use these talents and abilities for the good of the Lord and His kingdom.

Jesus reminds us of this in the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. There Jesus tells about how a man who was about to go on a journey and left his slaves in charge of his possessions. He gave one man five talents, another two talents, and another one talent. The one who received five talents went out and double his talents and had ten talents. The one with two talents went out and gained two more. However, the one who had received one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and buried his talent.

When the master returned he found that the men whom he entrusted five talents and two talents went out and double their portions. He responded to them by saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21, 23).

When the master found that the one talent man went and hid his talent he said, “You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest” (Matt. 25:26-27).

The first two slaves took the talents their master gave them and put them to use and ended up getting more talents. The slave with one talent took what he had and didn’t put it to use. This made the master unhappy when he returned home. The reason was because the salve did absolutely nothing! He hid his talent and didn’t use it.

Folks, it profits us nothing if we take the talents we have and do nothing with them. God expects us to take what He has given to us and put it to use. It doesn’t matter if we have five talents or one; the end result is the same…put your talents to use for the good of the kingdom and great things will happen.

You may be thinking, “I don’t really have a talent that I can use to be a servant of God.” The truth of the matter is, you have several talents that you can use to be a servant for God. Think of all the things that you are able to do. Take those things and put them to use as a servant for God.

We are all blessed with talents that we are able to use as servants of God. Whether it’s teaching, leading, encouraging, comforting, etc., we must take the talents God has given us and use them as His servants. Don’t be like the man who took his one talent and buried it. Instead, be like the men with five talents and two talents who took what they had and gained more. That’s what true servants of God do. They use what God has blessed them with.

Thought of the Day: “Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.” - Henry Van Dyke

May God bless you in your daily walk!

Jesus- A Sacrificial Servant

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/yscvhp

This week we have looked at four different men who all were faithful servants of God. Each had his own difficulty and obstacle to overcome and did. As we begin to bring our week to a close, I want you to think with me for a minute about the greatest servant who ever lived, Jesus Christ.
Matthew record, “"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:27-28). Jesus Christ was, is and always will be the greatest servant to ever live. Think about all the things that He did. We often read about how He took time to heal those who were sick, eat with those who were considered sinners, and even wept with those who were mourning. Yet, of all the different ways that Jesus was a servant there are two events that stand out in my mind.

The first one is found in John chapter 13. Here we read how Jesus bent down on his knees and washed his disciple’s feet. He even went so far as to wash the feet of the one who was going to betray him, Judas. Many people may be wondering why Jesus, the Son of God, would bend down and wash the feet of His disciples. Shouldn’t they be washing His feet? Jesus gives us the reason for His doing this when He tells His disciples, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:14-15). The reason that Jesus took the time to perform this act that was meant for a slave, was because He wanted His disciples to see the importance of serving others. If Jesus was willing to serve, so should we be willing to serve also.

Although this act of service was great, there was another incident that has proven to be even greater. It took place over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was beaten and bearing His own cross, went up on that hill and laid down His life for you and me. Paul said, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). Jesus Christ demonstrated His greatest act of service when He went to the cross and laid down His life in our place. You see, His life was not taken from Him, He gave it willingly. Jesus said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father" (Jn. 10:17-18).

Jesus, the greatest servant to ever have lived, came to this earth to serve God and others. He made serving others His life. In fact, serving others was the reason that He gave His life. He died so that He could serve you and me. Think about that for a moment. An innocent and just man, was willing to go and suffer pain and humiliation on a cross, the death of a criminal, because He wanted to provide and serve you. His act of service paved a way for you and me to have an eternal home in heaven someday. John wrote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). Jesus Christ was, is and always will be the perfect example when it comes to being a servant.

It is my hope and prayer that you will follow in the footsteps of Jesus and become a better and more faithful servant, both to God and others.

Thought of the Day: “They gave Him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of His career.” ~W.E. Orchard

May God bless you in your daily walk!

Unfaithful Oppressor To Faithful Servant - Paul, A Servant Of God

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/yrk2gg

Many people today feel that they have been so bad in the past that they could never be forgiven for their sins. It is because of the past that many feel that can never be a servant for God. This week we have already looked at three men who were not very likely people to be servants of God. Yet, all three, despite their past and background, went on to become great servants in the kingdom of God. Today’s lesson is no different. The individual we will discuss this morning was a hater of Christians. In fact, in Acts 7 we see him right there in the middle of the stoning of Stephen. Chapter 8 begins by telling us that this man was ravaging the church. His name was Saul.

Saul was a great persecutor of God’s people. He made it his life persecuting Christians and their families. Yet, Saul would eventually change. In Acts 9 we read how he was blinded by a light on the way to Damascus. There he was told to enter the city and he would find out what to do. Saul eventually became a Christian and had his name changed to Paul.

At first, even the disciples were afraid of him but eventually they saw Paul the same way the Lord did, as a valuable member of the Lord’s kingdom and a faithful servant. Paul wrote at least thirteen books of the New Testament. He helped begin several congregations of the Lord’s people. He was constantly traveling trying to encourage and uplift the saints.

This man who at one time went out and found Christians to throw in prison and persecute, went on to become persecuted himself. Paul wrote about being beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, hungry, thirsty, in danger from robbers, in danger at sea, in danger from Gentiles, and even in danger from his own people ( 2 Cor. 11:24-29). Yet, through all of this, Paul continued to be a great servant in the Lord’s kingdom.

What a great example Paul is for us today. Having found out that he was doing wrong by persecuting Christians, he quickly changed his ways and became obedient to God. There are so many people today who think they are doing right but like Paul, need to be pointed in the right direction. If Paul can change from the man known as Saul, you and I can change today when we are wrong. We can make things right and become faithful servants of God.

For those who are servants but at times have to suffer hardships and difficulties, Paul’s a great example for you because he was willing to endure the worst of situations in order to serve God. He didn’t let hardships and difficulties get in his way.

So my question for you this morning is, “Are you are faithful servant of God?” If the answer is no, why not? Your past is no excuse. It wasn’t an excuse for David or Peter and it’s not an excuse for you. Your background is no excuse. It wasn’t an excuse for Andrew and it’s not for you either. Even your ignorance of the word is no excuse. It wasn’t an excuse for Paul and it’s not an excuse for you either. God expects us to all be faithful servants.

My prayer for you today is that you will see what God has called us all to be, faithful servants of His and that you will start this very day making things right with God and living everyday as a servant. No matter what you have to endure to serve God, it’s worth it. Paul demonstrated that. After all, it is the faithful servants who will be rewarded on the Day of Judgment.

Thought of the Day: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong”

(2 Corinthians 12:10).

May God bless you in your daily walk!

Weak Servant To Strong Servant - Peter, A Servant Of God

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ljc4o

He was the leader and spokesman for the entire group. He is perhaps, more well-known than any other apostle. He accomplished many great things for the Lord and His kingdom. Yet, one event is what he is most known for. His name is Peter.

Although he is one of the biggest names among the apostles, there is one incident that all people seem to remember when it comes to Peter, his denial. In Matthew 26 Jesus tells his disciples, “You will all fall away because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee” (Matt. 26:31-32). Peter being outspoken like he was, responded to Jesus by saying, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Mt. 26:34).

Peter was confident that he would remain faithful to the Lord. He could never imagine falling away from Jesus. Jesus told him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." Upon hearing Jesus declare that he would deny him, Peter responded, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you" (Matt. 26:35). Matthew records, “so said all the disciples.” Peter vowed that he would even die before he denied Jesus.

Unfortunately, the rest of the story unfolds in the latter part of Matthew 26. There we read how Peter did in fact deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. He even went as far as to curse and swear that he did not know who Jesus was (v.74).

Imagine having one of your closest friends deny knowing you even to the point of cursing and swearing. How heart breaking that must have been for Jesus even though He knew it was going to happen. Imagine being Peter, you just left the man who has spent the last three years of his life teaching and training you out by himself, alone, even though you promised you would never fall away even if it meant death. How could someone who denied the Lord like Peter did ever be considered a great servant.

The answer is found in the very next verse after he cursed and swore he did not know Jesus. There Matthew records, “And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly” (v. 75). It was after making the greatest mistake of his life that he realized what he had done. He went out and wept bitterly. Peter knew he was wrong. He knew he chose his own life over the life of his friend.

Interestingly enough, Peter went on to realize that the person he was unwilling to give his life for was the one person who was willing to give His life for Peter. Paul said, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Peter went on to lead the apostles in carrying out the great commission. In fact, in Acts 2 we read how he stood up and preached the first gospel sermon. How is that for a man that only days earlier denied the one he was now preaching about? Peter went on to become a martyr, dying for the man who he at one time denied.

There may have been a time in your life when you were like Peter. Perhaps, you have even denied Jesus in front of friends and family. If that’s the case, you still have an opportunity to repent for your sins and live a life pleasing to God. Peter went from a man who denied Jesus to a man who stood up and preached Jesus even to the point of his death.

Thought for the Day: “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” - Napoleon Hill

May God bless you in your daily walk!

Leading Others To Jesus - Andrew, A Servant Of God

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!
Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/377rhl

He is one of the most bypassed characters in the Bible, only being mentioned twelve times in the in the New Testament. He’s the brother of one of the greatest men to have ever lived and yet, few know who he is. He was originally from Bethsaida (John 1:44). He was the first of all the disciples to be called (John 1:35-40) although many other disciples overshadow him. His name is Andrew.

We are first introduced to Andrew when he decided to followed after Jesus. After having spent the day with Jesus, John records, “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, we have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus (John 1:40-42). This began what became a habit for Andrew. For in the few times we read of him, he is usually leading someone to Christ.

Although, living his life in the shadow of his brother, Andrew became a great servant for God. The first thing he did after having discovered the Messiah was to go and get his brother and bring him to Christ. In John 6 it was Andrew who brought the young boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus when no one else knew what to do. He said, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish” (John 6:9). In John 12 we read about some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. They came to Philip about their request and Philip turned and went to Andrew. It was both Andrew and Philip who told Jesus about the incident with the Greeks (John 12:20-22). In all three instances we see Andrew leading people to Jesus.

Although very little is known about him, one thing is evident. Andrew spent his life bringing people to Jesus. It did not matter whether he knew the person or not. He made it a point to lead people to Jesus. He did not let fear of rejection, time, distance, race, culture, or age stop him. He knew Jesus was able to take care of all their needs so he led people to Christ.

As people of God we are called to be servants. As servants it is our responsibility to lead others to Christ. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20). This command given to the disciples is a command that we have today. The “Go Ye” means, “Go Me”. It is me who is to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. You may be thinking, “I can’t go into the entire world, into places that are in another country and overseas, I just can’t do it.” The truth is, you don’t have to leave the country to make disciples of the Lord. All God expects from you is that you go and try to convert those who are lost. Whether they are in Africa, Asia, another state, or across the street does not matter. God just wants you to go and try to reach the lost with the gospel message.

Andrew was a great servant in the Lord’s kingdom. Although only mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament, the times he is mentioned we see him leading others to Jesus. Andrew may have not realized the example he was setting for us today. After all, his brother was the more popular and outspoken one. Yet, the example that we see from his life is one that we all need to implement into our own lives. When we see people who are lost and dying in sin, we need to reach out to them and bring them to the only one who can cure their sins, Jesus Christ.

Thought for the day: “The gospel is like a lion. It doesn't need to be protected, it needs to be turned loose.” - Anonymous

May God bless you in your daily walk!

The Past Is No Excuse - David, A Servant Of God

This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ubnb5

He was an adulterer. He lusted after a woman that was not his wife. After seeing her bathing, he called her over to his palace where he slept with her. He was a liar. Experiencing the consequences that often follow a sinful decision, he began trying to cover up his mistakes. He was a murderer. When he realized his sins would find him out, as Moses told us in Numbers 32:23, he did the unthinkable…he took an innocent man’s life.

What is your impression of the man I just described? If you are like most people you would probably have very negative feelings toward this man. Why? Most people do not like to hear of this type of behavior. I described this man as an adulterer, a liar, and even a murderer. What if I told you that this man really lived? How would you feel? You might not have any respect for him, right? What if I told you that this man went on to become one of the most well known and respected servants in the Old Testament? What if I told you this man was David?

David is a man who is described as being a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). Yet, despite the great things that David accomplished, he had a past he could not escape. He was an adulterer, a liar, and even a murderer. However, this did not stop him. He found a way to get beyond his past and to become a great servant for the Lord.

What about you and me? Is God calling us to be servants in His kingdom? You are wrong if you think He hasn’t called you. As people of God we are all called to be servants in His kingdom, whether we are preachers, teachers, elders, or just members. I have talked with several people over the past few years who all basically said the same thing when asked about being a servant. These people did not feel they could be of service to God in His kingdom because of their past. They felt they had too much baggage to be of any use as servants for God. The truth of the matter is we are all of use to God as servants no matter what our past is like.

No matter what you have done, you can get forgiveness for your sins and become servants for the Lord. John tells us, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9). Sometimes the toughest part is not the asking God for forgiveness, but the forgiving of ourselves and moving forward. As humans we struggle with forgiving ourselves. We find it hard to forget about the things we have done in the past. The Hebrew writer tells us that our sins and lawless deeds will be remembered no more (Heb. 10:17). Although we have a tough time forgetting our past, God does not. He forgives and forgets. Remember David, he was a liar, an adulterer, and even a murderer and yet he was forgiven of his past and he went on to become a greater servant. He probably never forgot about his past but he did not allow that to stop him from accomplishing great things for the Lord. We can do the same.

Don’t let your past get in the way of the future that God has planned for you. Accept your responsibility and become a great servant in the Lord’s kingdom. One man, one weak and sinful moment he is remembered for. Yet, one of the greatest servants the world has ever known. David, despite his past, went on to become a great servant in the kingdom of God. He made a choice not to let his past get in the way of the things he was called to do. If we will let go, God can forgive us and use us as servants in His kingdom.

Thought of the Day: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

May God bless you in your daily walk!

© Our Daily Walk, Justin Morton, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.