POINT TO PONDER: I was shaped for serving God.
REFLECT: How did today's reading impact you?
I was shaped to serve God!
       "Your hands shaped me and made me" 
   (Job 10:8 - New International Version)

       "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises." 
   (Isaiah 43:21 - NJB)
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used? The intended function always determines the form of the building. Before God created you and I, He decided what role He wanted you to play on earth.
You are God's hand crafted work of art- not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without forethought. You are a custom-designed one-of-a-kind masterpiece. And not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support His shaping process.. This means nothing that happends in our lives is insignificant -even 3-4 day power outages! God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others, and shape you for your service to Him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences, unless He intended to use them for His glory. By identifying and understanding these factors we can better understand God's will for our lives.
Whenever God gives us an assignment, He always equips us with what we need to accomplish it. Five important factors form our SHAPE.
  1. SHAPE: Unwrapping your Spiritual Gifts.
    2. (Romans 12, I Cor 12, Eph 4, I Peter 4.) God gives every believer Spiritual gifts to be used in ministry. They are for the benefit of others, remember, it's not about me. Do you know your spiritual gift(s)? We have resources to help... just ask. If you're an internet fan like me, here's an online test to start... (http://www.cforc.com/FAQs/Spiritual_Gifts_Discovery_Tool/Online_Version/)
  2. SHAPE: Listening to Your Heart.
    3. The Bible uses the term "heart" to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Another word for heart is passion. When you serve God from your heart, you serve with enthusiasm and effectiveness.

So... figure out what you love to do-- what God gave you a heart to do-- and then do it for His glory!
PRAYER:
"Gracious Father, thank You for Your creativity and love in shaping me - all the details of my life. I desire today to identify and understand more about how You've wired me to serve You. Please remind me of Your design, and direct me to take action today. Amen
FOR MY CONSIDERATION:
    In what way could I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?
This week's Memory verse: 
 	“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”  
 I Peter 4:10 (NIV)
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