Using Our Talents Wisely

by Richard Thetford

Life is what we make of it. A Blacksmith takes five dollars’ worth of iron and makes it into horseshoes and gets twenty dollars for them. A machinist fashions the same iron into needles and gets hundreds of dollars. The watchmaker takes the same iron, manufactures mainsprings, and receives thousands of dollars. Similarly, one person uses his time and talents to advance his own earthly interests. Another takes the same opportunities, and through wisdom and the counsel of God’s word, shapes and molds his life for eternity. He refines his character so that he is worth something to the world and God. It’s entirely up to you and me whether we develop our lives into a noble accomplishment, our character into a thing of beauty, and our talents into a source of glory to God. A life without aims or purpose shows no intelligence or forethought.

What have we done with the life God has given us? How have we used our talents to the glory of God? With reference to the one-talent man, Jesus said, “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30). How will we answer God when we are asked what we have done with our talents? God has told us that He expects us to understand His will and do it. Ephesians 5:17 says, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, “...When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...” Let’s ensure that we are using our talents wisely.

How to Spot a Fool

by Heath Rogers

· They hate knowledge - Prov. 1:7, 22

· They bring shame, grief, and bitterness to loved ones - Prov. 10:1; 17:25

· They make light of sin and evil - Prov. 10:23; 14:9

· They think they know everything - Prov. 12:15; 28:26

· They won’t control their tongue - Prov. 17:27-28

· They don’t want to listen; they only want to talk - Prov. 18:2

· They disappoint and frustrate those who trust them - Prov. 26:6

· They never learn from their mistakes - Prov. 26:11; 27:22

· They won’t control their temper - Prov. 29:11

“Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly” (Prov. 17:12).

The Ways We Show Ingratitude

By Ethan Tidwell

Every year we celebrate Thanksgiving, where we give our thanks, say our thanks. Really though we should always be thankful especially to God for all He’s done.

One of the ways we show ingratitude is by not praying regularly. Prayer is our way of staying connected to God, yet many of us forget to thank Him for all He’s done. Do we truly count our blessings each day, or do we take them for granted?

Even more, when we sin, we take Christ’s sacrifice for granted. Every time we choose wrong, we put Him back on the cross. Remembering to pray, to thank God, and to appreciate the gift of salvation can help us avoid these moments of ingratitude.

Gratitude to God is not just a feeling or a passing thought; it is something that should be expressed through our actions. One of the clearest ways to show our gratitude to God is by living in obedience to His commands, offering our lives as a living sacrifice in service to Him. The apostle Paul captures this idea in Romans 12:1, where he urges believers to offer themselves fully to God as a response to His mercy and grace. "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.”

Another essential way to show gratitude to God is through prayer. Prayer is not only a means of asking for help or guidance, but it is also a vital tool for giving thanks. The Bible repeatedly encourages believers to express gratitude through prayer. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to make thanksgiving a continual practice in our lives.” "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." With these words God deserves all the praise, glory, thanks, and honor.

Meditate on this:

John 10:17-18

¹⁷ “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”