DESIRE SPECIAL GIFTS FROM ABOVE - PART 1
As Christians, we have the privilege to position ourselves in order to receive special gifts from God. Its a choice that can make all the difference, as we go for it. God is ever willing to bestow on His children special abilities for all manner of impact and creativity. And today's topic is to reinforce the truth that we are built to function with multiple abilities. I hope that we spend time after reading this devotional to reflect on the essence of the message, which will sprout forth the desire for special endowments from above, worthy of high regard.
Reference: Exodus 35:31 New International Version ( NIV ) 'And he has filled him (Bezalel) with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.'
Bezalel was the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, and with knowledge and with all kinds of skills. God also gave Oholiab, the son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.
To grasp the understanding of the referenced Scripture or the circumstance that formed the setting, let us look at a wider view of the context. In the process of making a terbanacle, Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills, to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others..." (Exodus 35:30-35 NIV).
The ability to seek divine gifts in the presence of God, receive and function in them is priceless. Every session in the presence of God, properly harnessed, is an opportunity to receive any special ability or gift. Gifts from above can only drop into your hands, if you position yourself to receive such specifically. That means, be intentional about it. When you don't desire them, you don't receive them. Our regular prayer requests for favour flow in this pattern: prayer for journey mercies, provision for business, promotion at work place and divine safety for family members. So too often our minds are locked on one track. We're looking for divine blessings and opportunities, but we overlook divine gifts. Greater blessings and opportunities can also be connected through gifts.
In acts chapter 6, The Bible told us that God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. But some Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria - members of a group who called themselves “Free Men", started arguing with Stephen. They were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him (see Acts 6:8-14 CEV). Notice that His gifts came from God.
From today, we can make up our minds to pray for God to favour us with every special gift. Already, the Bible tells to covet earnestly the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31 KJV). Yes God already encourages us to do so, even as much as we want. Isn't it amazing that God tells us to covet the best? To covet means, yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another). However, this time, they are gifts from above, not another man's property or belongings. Now its up to you to demand the best from God. For instance, you can desire the greater manifestation of wisdom of God in your prayer times.
You can ask Him for special and extraordinary ability and understanding in any field of life, so you can teach and help others, just like Bezalel, Oholiab and Stephen.
Scripture Reading - Romans 11:29; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Romans 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10.
Exuberant Declaration: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gifts with distinctive features for fulfilling my purpose in Christ. Today, I celebrate the Spirit of God in me, who endows with special abilities and helps me to unearth new gifts, ideas, and talents as I seek Him in this direction. The more I position myself to receive greater gifts from God, the more I become sensitive and receptive to the needs of others. Therefore, I'm inspired and motivated on a daily basis by the desire for exhilarating experience with God's Spirit, as He demonstrate Himself in His manifold wisdom through me, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
