HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 318
page A316
Strengths & Weaknesses continued
• G A L AT I A NS 4 :9 | Why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the
weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
Keep your eyes and heart focused ahead on all that God promises for those who stay
strongly committed to him. Looking back will only create setbacks as you long for the
comfort and pleasures of past sin.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :9 | Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best
in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ
can work through me. (See note on page 1055.)
An awareness of your own weaknesses emphasizes God’s strength. God’s strength is best
shown when he uses your weakness to do incredible things. Then you know the power is
from God, which proves he is working through you as he promises.
• E Z E K I E L 3 4 :4 | “You have not taken care of the weak.”
God’s people become stronger when they care for the weak. In this way, you are passing
on the strength of God’s care for you.
How do I know what my strengths and weaknesses are?
• DA NI E L 1 :1 7 | God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding
every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret
the meanings of visions and dreams.
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• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :1 1 | It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone
decides which gift each person should have.
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First of all, recognize that God created you and gave you the specific strengths and special
abilities that you have so that you could serve him in a way unique from others.
• J O H N 1 4 :1 6 | “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will
never leave you.”
• E X O DU S 3 1 :3 | “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability,
and expertise in all kinds of crafts.”
• R O MA NS 1 2 :6 -8 | 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. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
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.
Start by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal how he has specially gifted you. Ask him to show
you your strengths and how to use them to serve God.
• E PH E S I A NS 1 :1 6 -1 7 | I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,
asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and
insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Pray for wisdom and understanding. God will reveal how he wants to use you.
• DA NI E L 1 :4 | “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make
sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good
judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”
• MAT T H E W 2 5 :1 5 | He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and
one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on
his trip.
• 1 T I MOT H Y 4 :1 4 | Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy
spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
Often your strengths are more evident to others than to yourself. Seek the advice
of others to help you determine your strengths and weaknesses. There are also
many excellent assessment tools specifically developed to help you discover your
spiritual gifts.