Month: January 2026

Gifts from the God for service

January 31, 2026

All of us have a purpose from God. We were born at this time in history to fulfil our God given purpose. God has made us and gifted us all to do His work.

The great news is we do not have to fulfil His purpose alone. He gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us and the Holy Spirit gifts us to complete our tasks.

In the Bible we see there are four main places that talk about gifts from God to individuals to serve and gifts to the church for equipping.

The first group of gifts is found in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. These are often called the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit decides who gets what gift.

[4] There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. [5] There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. [6] God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. [7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. [8] To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. [9] The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. [10] He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. [11] It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

The second group of gifts is found in Romans 12:6-8. Bible scholars sometimes call these the gifts of the Father. In this list it tells us the gift and the importance of using them well.

[6] In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. [7] If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. [8] If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

In the third list of gifts it talks about different roles within the church. These are sometimes called Christ’s gifts to the church. These gifts are found in Ephesians 4:11-12. The purpose is to equip the church for service.

[11] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

In the final list of gifts it only lists two gifts, but it gives us information on how to use them – for the good of others and to use the strength and energy God provides. It also reminds that the reason for our service is to bring glory to God. This list is found in 1 Peter 4:10-11.

[10] God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. [11] Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

I really find these lists of gifts helpful in our service of God. God has a purpose and destiny for each of us. Just like God said to Jeremiah, He knit us together in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He made us and gifted us to serve Him in this time.

As Christians we have the Holy Spirit within us as and this is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11). He gifts us to serve God, by serving others, and He empowers us to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Today I would like to remind us all that not only were we made by God for this times in history, but He made us to serve Him by giving us gifts and power from heaven. Let us purpose in our hearts to use our gift well.

One another

January 25, 2026

In the Bible it uses the words “one another” a number times in the New Testmant. It talks about how we are to interact and care for each other. Here are three examples.

Serve one another

1 Peter 4:10 – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

The Apostle Peter tells us the importance of using our gifts to serve one another. We are all made a particular way, with special gifts, that enable us to serve one another. It is important to find, develop and use our gifts to make each other’s lives better.

Love one another like Christ loved us

John 13:34-35 – So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. [35] Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Jesus told us to love one another like He loved us. This is no easy task as He loved us completely and died on the cross for us. However, when we use our gifts and love one another from our hearts, we not only fulfil Jesus’ command, but we show we are truly His disciples.

Encourage one another

Hebrews 10:24-25 – Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

All of us struggle at times and we all need encouragement. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the need to both motivate one another to do good works and to encourage one another. We should take some time to ponder who in our life needs encouragement and how we can do it. Often a kind word or a short text can make a difference.

Loving and caring for one another is just so important in this life. Jesus, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter talked about this a lot in the Bible. In what ways can you put these verse in to practice today?

Prayer for your evangelism efforts

January 22, 2026

I have learned over the years that prayer always precedes evangelism. Prayer helps us to be prepared and in a right place with God. It also lets us to know who we should share our faith with and when is the right time.

At times I have tried to boldly share my faith with someone at the wrong time and they were just not open to listening. Where at other times when I am more in tune with the Holy Spirit after praying, it just flows and the person has been open.

Below is a prayer I pray regularly. It helps me to be in a right place with God and more open to the Holy Spirits promptings.

Prayer

Dear God,
I pray that You will use me to reach others for Christ. Please help me to be effective in sharing my faith. Please help me to know whom to talk to and I pray that You will give me the right words to say when the time comes. I pray for all my family, friends and neighbours. I pray that the Holy Spirit will draw them to Jesus and make them aware of their need for salvation. Please use me to lead them to Christ. I also pray Lord that when people come to You that You will help me to teach them about You and how to follow You each day. I pray that I will help make disciples.
I ask this in Jesus’, Amen.

Evangelism tip #3 – Have some tools ready

January 20, 2026

Today is my third post in my evangelism tips series. This one is about being prepared before hand.

Evangelism tip #3 – Have some evangelistic tools ready

There are a variety of evangelistic tools that you can use to reach people. Sometimes people seem to want to talk about things at the strangest times. Having something on hand can help in those situations. Here are a few examples –

Tracts – Like the tract in the image above, you can keep one handy in your purse or wallet just in case an opportunity arises. They are very handy if you don’t have much time or perhaps are a bit nervous about sharing your faith. You can give it to someone to read later. I have a friend who reads it through with people and answers their questions as they arise.

Audio messages – A simple gospel message recorded may be all it takes to reach someone. Perhaps you could record your testimony or what you believe and give it to people who ask questions.

Websites – Look out for websites that may help you to reach your friends. If people have tricky questions I might send them to a page on GotQuestions.org. If they want to know how to begin a relationship with Jesus, I might send them to BillyGraham.org, or my own website here.

DVDs – The “Jesus film” is a great way to reach people. In just over an hour you see the whole life of Christ and at the end if gives the opportunity to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour. You could buy one for yourself and one to give away! Or like the tip above, you can refer them to the website.

Evangelism tip #2 – Know some Bible verses

January 18, 2026

Today is the second post in my series of top evangelism tips that have helped me lead others to Jesus.

Evangelism #2 – Know some relevant Bible verses

Work out a simple presentation by putting a few verses together and memorise them. You might like to write them in the back of your Bible so you can refer to them easily.

If you can’t remember them all, remember the first one and put references to the next one in your margin of your Bible. One of my friends has “Go to Romans 3:23” in the margin at Romans 3:10, then the next one in the list below.

“Romans road” is a great place to start –

The Natural State Of Man – Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”

The Reason – Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

The Cause – Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”

The Penalty – Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Love of God – Romans 5:8 “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ”

The Remedy – Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”

The Decision – Romans 10:13 “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”