“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:16 NIV
Welcome to the 42nd weekly devotional recap. This week, we focused on embracing our roles as members of the body of Christ and the impact of actively serving with our unique gifts.
We began on Monday with a charge to remember that God gave us unique skills, talents, and graces for the primary purpose of serving His kingdom and its causes (1 Peter 4:10). As a child of God, you must remember that He created you for His glory and pleasure (Revelation 4:11). Your gifts are not mere coincidences. When you serve with them, you glorify the One who gave them to you. Find your place in the house of God and serve with joy, remembering that it is the greatest honour to be used by God.
On Tuesday, we were reminded that each member of the body of Christ carries something that contributes to the effective functioning of the whole (Ephesians 4:16). God didn’t design His church for a few people to do everything (1 Corinthians 12:12–27); He placed each of us there for a reason. When we all bring what He has given us, the body functions completely, and His presence is felt even more. You are a vital part of the body, and you have something valuable to give (1 Peter 4:10).
Wednesday’s devotional taught us that for the message of Christ to spread to the ends of the earth, we must be willing to give it all it takes, including our resources. Your giving is one of the clearest ways to measure what you truly value (Matthew 6:21). If you believe that the Gospel is the power of God to save, then giving towards its spread will be your natural response. Jesus has done the work; now play your part by sponsoring it. Decide today that your resources will power the spread of the Gospel in your day.
On Thursday, we learnt that the growth structures for both the believer and the local church are built on discipleship. Jesus gave ministry gifts to the local church to train believers through a system of discipleship (Ephesians 4:11-12). You are a believer today because someone preached the gospel to you. This should not end with you. As you received it, the responsibility is yours to pass it on to the next generation (Matthew 28:19-20). You are being equipped to build others up after you. Without this structure, there will be no growth.
We ended the week with a reminder that God values faithfulness over visibility. No church assignment is too small; each act helps the whole. Often, what seems minor forms the foundation of God’s work. David’s faithfulness in tending sheep came before being trusted with a kingdom (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Serve faithfully in any role; every act matters and will be rewarded.
Dear believer, you have a part to play in service to God and meeting the needs of your brothers and sisters. Decide today that you will not be the reason someone is left hungry, unsupported, or uninspired (Romans 12:4-8).
Have a blessed weekend.
Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 14–19; Hebrews 8:7–9:22