Years ago a fire destroyed a large warehouse that contained many tons of ice. Although the firemen had tens of thousands of gallons of water available to extinguish the fire, they could not be used. The ice was in “cold storage” and beyond reach. The building burned to the ground even though it was full of “frozen water.”

God has given each one of us unique gifts and talents, skills and abilities to do His work. We all are as different as our fingerprints and designed to do things that honor Him. Too often we imagine that what He wants us to do is beyond our capabilities.

We tend to see problems and issues that would require massive amounts of money or large numbers of people to bring change. We look beyond the immediate to the distant and find excuses not to do what God places before us.

If you recall the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus He invited ordinary men to join Him in His work. They had no special training but they did have a special commitment. We read that “they spent time with Jesus.” These “ordinary men” put aside their personal interests and began to see life through His eyes. He taught them to see the spiritual needs of others and how to meet those needs.

If we are willing to “spend time with Jesus,” follow Him closely, listen to Him carefully and pray to Him sincerely, we will be able to do the same.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to always be alert for opportunities to tell others of Your love, salvation and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

It was her first day at work and the manager was carefully going over the responsibilities of his new secretary. After carefully explaining her tasks, he said, “Now I’d like to tell you a few things about myself so you will know what kind of person I am.”

He then began telling her about his college career - how he excelled in academics and athletics. He then started to talk about his accomplishments with the company, how he received one promotion after another and was rewarded with raises and bonuses. He spent a great amount of time bragging about himself.

Finally, in her frustration she asked, “Tell me sir, have you ever had a group photo taken of yourself?”

Many worry about being properly recognized for their position and status. We want others to know what we can do and how well we can do it - whether they are interested or not. We want others to look us to us and stand in awe of our accomplishments.

However, Peter warns us to remember that it is God’s recognition that matters most. Human praise is one thing but God’s approval is all that counts. In His own time, God will bless our efforts and honor our work. We must also remember that the recognition may not come in this lifetime. But if we are faithful to Him and give Him the glory, He will surely reward us in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, whatever we do in life is because of Your grace. The talents and skills, the abilities and strength come to us to give back to You in loving service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Once, during a performance before a large audience by the great violinist Itzahk Perlman, a string suddenly broke. The loud snap stunned the orchestra and the conductor silenced them. The audience, too, waited silently, expecting him to pause and replace the string.

Quickly he motioned to the conductor and requested that they continue playing the concerto at the precise point where they had stopped. Perlman then joined them using only three strings.

At the conclusion of the concert the audience gave him a long, standing ovation for his brilliant performance. Finally, when they paused he said, “Sometimes it is the artist’s responsibility to find out how much music he can make with what he has left.”

Often we are tempted to focus on how little we may have rather than on how much God has given us. We emphasize our fears and failures rather than God’s grace and goodness. We look into the mirror and say, “If I had one more string, I could play brilliantly.”

God will give us the skills and talents, strength and power to do whatever He calls us to do.

Prayer: Lord, may we always serve You faithfully and sincerely with each of the gifts You have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

A young, unemployed musician had spent weeks walking the streets of New York looking for work. One afternoon he walked into a theater, sat in the front row watching the organist closely. Finally the organist stood up and left the stage for a break. At that moment he jumped up, ran to the organ, sat down on the bench and started to play an inspiring blues song.

Immediately, the owner ran onto the stage and began to reprimand him for what he had done. But the crowd began cheering loudly and clapping wildly. As he listened to the response of the audience, he realized what had happened, and turned to the musician and said, “Want a job?"

"Yes!" said Count Basie and the career of one of the world's most recognized musicians began at that moment.

God often presents opportunities for us to use the gifts and talents he gives us. Many times those in need pass in front of us. There is no shortage of people who are waiting to hear God's message and learn of His love, salvation and hope. But we fail to seize the moment because we are occupied with worldly pursuits.

Prayer: Lord, grant us Your approval and blessings by making our efforts to serve You successful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Years ago, a Jewish immigrant from Russia gave his son a violin for his eighth birthday. After months of lessons and hours of practice, he became very accomplished.

Years later while performing at a concert, he paused and shared a funny story about an experience he had that day. The audience laughed heartily and applauded loudly. He was so delighted and encouraged by their response that he decided to end his career as a violinist and become a comedian. So began the career of Jack Benny - a career that brought joy and happiness to countless thousands.

God has something very special for each of us to do. And he wants to do through us what He has not and cannot do through anyone else. Each of us has a special place in God's heart and a unique role to play in His world. Scripture plainly says "To every man his work."

We often struggle and strain to discover what God has for us to do. But, if we are open to the nudging of His Spirit and develop the gifts He has given us, He will present many opportunities for us to serve Him.

Prayer: Lord, we ask that You guard us and guide us as we follow the paths You have planned for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Arthur Rubinstein was one of the world's most celebrated pianists. He often wondered what the critics and his audience would say if someone else appeared to play in his place in a concert.

One night, with an assumed name and made up to look different with a disguise, he performed a concert before a large audience. After the concert, the critics agreed, "The gentleman who played this evening wasn't in a class with the great Rubinstein."

We are reminded in Proverbs that "A good name is more desirable than great riches; and to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

God has called each of us to a life of service.

He has given us gifts and talents that He expects us to develop and refine. As we work with what He has given us, we develop a reputation for our accomplishments – whatever they may be. We become known to others not only by what we do but how well we do it. Our reputation, or our "name,” is a result of what we do with what God has given us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to "earn" a good name, and bring great honor to Your name in doing so. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

After graduating from college, a son said, “Dad, now that I have completed my education, I must find a field where I can use my talents to their best advantage.”

“Great,” he said. “You can have that cornfield right over there.”

All of us have talents, God-given talents. But they only have value when we put them to work.

God has placed within each of us a deep desire to do great and wonderful things. Some of us are created to do one thing, and some another. But each of us is created to do something. Some will become leaders, others of us will follow. Everyone is called. And when God calls us, He equips us and enables us to do what He has for us to do.

When we realize that we were made in the image of God, it is only natural that we would want to fulfill the plan He has for us. As we refine our talents and expand our abilities we will be giving back to Him what He first gave us. Life will then be fulfilling and satisfying because we will do what He has called us to do.

Prayer: Father, we are grateful for the talents that You have given us. May we depend upon You for guidance as we honor You by using the skills and talents You gave us: in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 12: 6-11