The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "God’s Helping Hand" for Monday, 4 September 2017 - Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "God’s Helping Hand" for Monday, 4 September 2017 - Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good. 8 To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses.

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We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. [Romans 12:6 (NIV)]
A few years back I was shopping with my wife. All of a sudden, I got the urge to go to the frozen food section and look at ice cream. I didn’t really want any ice cream; I just had a strong desire to go look. When I turned the corner, I saw a small, elderly man standing in front of a freezer door. He seemed very happy to see me and asked, “Can you reach up there and get me that box, please?” I replied, “Sure.” I was about halfway back to where my wife was when I stopped dead in my tracks. I felt a strange, yet exhilarating feeling. That had to have been God using me to help somebody, I thought.
I had been struggling with guilt, feeling as if I didn’t have any worthwhile talents for serving the Lord. Then I remembered that the Bible says we all have different gifts for ministry. Maybe one of my gifts is my willingness to help out in small ways — serving meals, setting up tables, or grabbing something on a shelf too high for someone else to reach. I believe that God knew that man wanted something he couldn’t get himself and, knowing I was willing to help, sent me. We all have abilities with which to serve God; we just don’t always know it.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Tyrel Williams
Hello Upper Room readers! I am so blessed and honored to have the opportunity to share my message with you all! I have been blessed beyond anything I could possibly imagine. I have a wonderful wife and 2 beautiful children that I love with every inch of my soul, and a wonderful family and friends. There are so many ways that the Lord has blessed me far beyond anything I deserve. With that being said, I wanted to share with you something that is very special in my life.
Some of my favorite memories growing up have been doing things outdoors. Whether it was going fishing with my Dad and Uncle Robin, playing baseball, going boating with my family, or sitting around the campfire with my dearest friends, I always look back and remember how much joy that brought me. Doing things outdoors has taught me patience, how to adapt, how to be competitive, how to learn from my mistakes, and how to enjoy the gifts and opportunities the Lord has given me. I think the thing I enjoy the most about being in the outdoors is just how simple, yet strangely complicated things are. Just sitting there thinking about God's creation and how complicated and special it really is puts everything into perspective for me.
Another aspect I love about being outdoors is that it is a special, personal time that I can spend with the people I love. If I'm alone, I can spend my time praying, listening and enjoying God's creation. If I'm with a friend or loved one, I can use that time to talk, listen, and enjoy their company.
I do however regret some of the time I've spent outdoors, because I've missed opportunities to say things that needed to be said. I focused too much on what we were doing and missed critical opportunities. There are many things that I really wish I would have shared when I had the opportunity. I have a loved one in particular where I had so many opportunities to talk to him about the Lord; but I just didn't. I never got up enough courage to have that conversation. I really regret that now because that loved one has since passed away.
My message today focused on using the spiritual gifts that God has given you. You may not think that you have a certain spiritual gift, but do not let that stop you from trying. The world needs Jesus Christ more than ever. The Gospel will never reach those who need it if we stay silent. If there is anything that I hope you take away from this post, it is to be courageous and take a chance to share the message of Jesus Christ with a friend or loved one. It will be the most important conversation you have with those that you love. Take the chance, take advantage of the opportunity.
Your Brother in Christ,
Tyrel Williams
The Author: Tyrel Williams (Missouri, USA)
Thought for the Day: God can use me, if only I am willing.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we are your servants. Use us as you see fit for the glory of your kingdom. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who feels useless

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The Upper Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Understanding God’s Word" for Sunday, 3 September 2017
Read Acts 8:26-40

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Acts 8:26 An angel of Adonai said to Philip, “Get up, and go southward on the road that goes down from Yerushalayim to ‘Azah, the desert road.” 27 So he got up and went. On his way, he caught sight of an Ethiopian, a eunuch who was minister in charge of all the treasure of the Kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia. He had been to Yerushalayim to worship; 28 and now, as he was returning home, he was sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Yesha‘yahu. 29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot, and stay close to it.” 30 As Philip ran up, he heard the Ethiopian reading from Yesha‘yahu the prophet. “Do you understand what you’re reading?” he asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” And he invited Philip to climb up and sit with him.

32 Now the portion of the Tanakh that he was reading was this:

“He was like a sheep led to be slaughtered;

like a lamb silent before the shearer, he does not open his mouth.

33 He was humiliated and denied justice.

Who will tell about his descendants,

since his life has been taken from the earth?”[Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7–8]

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “Here’s my question to you — is the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip started to speak — beginning with that passage, he went on to tell him the Good News about Yeshua.

36 As they were going down the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Here’s some water! Is there any reason why I shouldn’t be immersed?” 37 [Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Yeshua the Messiah is the Son of God.”] 38 He ordered the chariot to stop; then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip immersed him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch saw no more of him, because he continued on his way — full of joy. 40 But Philip showed up at Ashdod and continued proclaiming the Good News as he went through all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

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Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [Acts 8:30 (NIV)]
In 1965, I was in a special reading class to develop my comprehension skills. When I walked into the class on the first day, my immediate thought was, I’m stupid, because I would be sitting at a table with other people my peers had called “stupid.”
Acts 8:30-31 reminds me of this reading class. An Ethiopian eunuch was reading aloud a passage from Isaiah when Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch replied, “How can I . . . unless someone explains it to me?” When Philip explained how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, the eunuch became a Christian whose witness could then help spread the gospel.
My special reading class taught me skills that enabled me to graduate from college. But like the eunuch, I still need help understanding scripture. I attend a weekly Bible study, where we study God’s word and its meaning for our lives. Through our study of scripture we deepen our relationship with God and are able, like the Ethiopian eunuch, to proclaim the gospel message.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Debbie Pierce
I was ten years old when I attended special reading classes. All these years later, I still remember how embarrassed I felt. I immediately labeled myself stupid. And with that label came shame. At the time, I didn’t understand that my comprehension problems were a result of my inability to stay focused. I was a daydreamer. The places I traveled to in my mind were far more interesting than the words written on the pages of my books. So when it came time to write a book report, I couldn’t write one. How could I write a report on something I read but didn’t retain. So I attended special reading classes. The students read aloud and the teacher engaged us in discussions. She asked us questions about the story, and instructed us to write down our impressions. I learned skills that to this day, I still use because I have a short attention span. My mind starts wandering if I don’t take notes and highlight passages in a book. But learning those skills, didn’t remove the label I attached to myself. For many years I considered myself too stupid to enroll in college. I carried memories of those special reading classes around in my head and allowed them to disable me.
Years later I was employed at a bank. I enjoyed learning about debits and credits and was adept at bookkeeping. One day, the Comptroller of the bank suggested I take some accounting courses. My immediate thoughts were, “Me, take a college course? I’m too stupid to do that.” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized the Comptroller saw something in me I couldn’t see myself. So, I enrolled in an evening Accounting 1 course at a local college. I got an A. Then I took Accounting 2, another A. I started taking business courses and worked my way up to a mid- level management position at the bank. But something was missing. The young girl in those special reading classes had a dream of working with animals. I never pursued those dreams because I thought I was too stupid.

I was in my mid-thirties when I decided to try. A junior college offered an Associate’s Degree in Animal Science. But the Admissions Counselor informed those courses were not available during night. I would have to attend classes during the day. I lived alone. How on earth would I support myself if I quit my management job at the bank? I got a job waitressing. I worked full-time nights, and went to school full-time during the day. Waitressing is hard work. So is taking 5 courses a semester. But I did it. And I graduated with honors. The day I received my degree was the day I finally removed my I’m stupid label. I started a pet care business and went back to college to get a Bachelor’s degree. Next year, I’m retiring.
I had mixed emotions when I sent today’s meditation to the Upper Room. To be honest, after I sent it, I was hoping it would get rejected. The old shame and embarrassment was paying me a visit. But God made me realize what I wrote could encourage other people. None of God’s children are stupid. Each of us is knit together for a special purpose. [Debbie Pierce]
The Author: Debra Pierce (Massachusetts, USA)
Thought for the Day: Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it (Prov. 16:22, NRSV).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to understand scripture so that we can proclaim the gospel. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone learning to read

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