Celeste Zepponi: BLOG:Hour with Jesus

Day 28, Hour with Jesus, Toolbox

I didn’t just walk up the stairs to step out on stage Friday night, I felt like I was lifted up the stairs. I felt carried by all those praying for me and by all the excitement and anticipation of all things in Christ, so prevalent in the atmosphere of “Women Celebrate” retreat conference.

My talks are designed to encourage each person to recognize the joyful truth that each one of us, as Baptized Christians, has been given special gifts and specific ministries. We are each commissioned to recognize and develop our gifts to build up the body of Christ. No one on earth can fulfill your particular ministry except you. Jesus waits for your yes. Our ministries are carried out in the ordinary moments of our daily lives; it is in the little things, the next thing to do, and the next person to love. One ministry is not more or less important or needed than the next. All are necessary parts to make up the whole body of Christ. And it is the one Holy Spirit who acts in each of us to accomplish God’s will through us.

 Using our gifts to serve can be compared to us being tools in God’s toolbox.

• A tool has no power or vision of its own to comprehend the builder’s designs.
• A tool is available, sharpened and ready for use.
• A tool is picked up for use, and a tool is put down when the builder if finished.
• A tool is only a tool, placed among all the other needed tools in the toolbox.
• A tool is only useful in the hands of the master builder, the Holy Spirit, who can use it to create beautiful and useful works.

May God give us all the grace to be favorite, well worn, and useful tools!

Many thanks to all of you who have joined me in praying for Women Celebrate retreat over these 28 days. You share as part of my service in this retreat. May you be greatly blessed always!

Celeste

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“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given…” 1 Corinthians 12