REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by the then (2013) staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, is an updated version of their blog first posted on July 26, 2013.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Can God Use Me?”
Psalm 78:65-72
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a man wakes from the stupor of wine. 66 He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame. 67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim; 68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved. 69 He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever. 70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Do you ever wonder if God can use you? Maybe you’re an accountant or an IT technician, and you’ve always wondered if God could use someone like you.
David was a shepherd by trade. He was the youngest of eight brothers, given the job to watch the family’s sheep. God took this young shepherd from the sheep pens and made him the king of Israel. David took what he learned from shepherding sheep and applied it to shepherding a nation. He took what he already knew and used it for God’s work. In v. 72, it describes how he shepherded God’s people. He did it with integrity of heart, a pure heart. He also used the skills that he learned as a shepherd to lead.
This is how David was used by God to make an impact in God’s kingdom. If God can use a young shepherd to lead a nation, God can also use you, right where you are, using all that God has given you.
Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” God has given you gifts for an important role in the body of Christ. What are you doing for the Lord today?
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving me and giving me gifts, abilities, and experiences for Your purposes. Please show me how I can serve You. I want to be used by You to influence and impact people’s lives for Your glory. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Acts 9
Lunch Break Study
James 5:1-6 (NIV): Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Questions to Consider
- What strong warning does James announce to those who are oppressing the poor?
- What sins of oppression are illustrated by James in vv. 3-6?
- Have you taken the opportunity to financially assist those who are in need around you, in your community, your church, your family, etc.?
Notes
- James warns that any attempts to insulate oneself from difficulties by becoming rich will lead to sins of oppression and incur God’s judgment upon the oppressive ways. In fact, all of the riches that have been accumulated will rot and corrode.
- James notes that the rich have hoarded wealth by indulging in excessive and self-centered lifestyles; they have made their money at the expense of others; they have destroyed innocent lives. God will one day bring justice to such oppressors. Christians are not to usurp God’s role as avenger and the one who brings about justice; rather believers must patiently wait.
- Personal response
Evening Reflection
In what ways did you sense that you were God’s steward in the things that have been given to you for the sake of God’s Kingdom?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please keep my heart pure when it comes to world’s riches. Help me to use what I’ve been given to bless others. Amen.