Romans 12:3-8 King James Version (KJV) 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. We have all done it. I have recently and from times past compared myself with others. It is not only degrading myself, but it degrades God. I have said many times oh I am not a prayer warrior like so and so, or my art looks sick compared to yours. I have also heard people tell me that I can't draw a straight line. Well maybe God wants you to draw crooked lines. Here's a little secret most of my lines are crooked. I can't draw a straight line without a ruler. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. When we compare ourselves with others it can cause our faith to lessen. It can cause us not to participate in what God has called us to do. Then we retreat from the enemy. We hunker down and feel we are of no use in the body of Christ. But you say I can't do what my sister or brother can do. Well here is a little info. God didn't call you to do what they do, He has called you to do what He has placed in your heart to do. And what God gives you to do is just as necessary to Him as what others do, and it is all for the His Glory. As the scripture says, which is one of my personal favorites in: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. It's not about our ability to do anything. It's about Jesus. We are all just clay in the Potters hand. The Father molds us into what He wants us to be. What He needs us to be. Isaiah 45:9 King James Version (KJV) 9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? We choose every day if we will be used by the Father or sit back on the sidelines and watch the battle afraid of not measuring up to others and to what God has put in us. He didn't put us here to be spectators. We are to use those gifts and talents in this battle we are in. Not hide them. Luke 8:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. We are to be that light for Jesus. [ A Lamp on a Stand ] We are to exalt and exhort our brother's and sister's. Lifting each one up to God. And when we feel weak, Jesus is the Lifter of our heads. He is our Refuge, our Protector and our Front and Rear Guard. None of us are alone in this battle. Yes, we may feel that way sometimes, but trust in the One who will never leave or forsake us. I guarantee He will be right by your side. 1 Corinthians 12:4-29 (NIV) 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. What you do is just as important and needed in the Body of Christ as what I or any brother and sister do. We all have special unique gifts that shouldn't be thrown out. That shouldn't be overlooked. If we all did the exact same thing, what kind of body would Christ have? I am humbled by what I do. I am thankful that God has placed in me abilities that He chose just for me. And you should too. Even if it is just drawing crooked lines. Abba Father, I am in awe of the amazing gifts and talents you have placed in each of Your children. I thank You Father that we can use those abilities to help others, to encourage and to heal. To spread Your Word of salvation to all the world. I ask You to forgive me of my short comings. Forgive me of all the times I have compared myself to others. Each person is unique and gifted and I pray that we all will use those gifts for Your glory. That we will we will step out of our comfort zones and be a shining light to a world of darkness. I give You all praise, honor and glory, in the mighty name of Jesus Yeshua HaMashiach. Amen
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