I used this as a devotional for my Women's Connections Ministry Team and thought that I would share it here.

Our Connections verse that I chose last year is in the NASB (New American Standard Bible) translation because I thought the wording was better for what we were trying to communicate. I looked again at the verse in the NIV. It reads;
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:11-12

Three things that we as a team, (and you individually), can take away from these verses as we look into the New Year.

1. Your gift is to make you strong. As we work together and use the gifts that God has given us, remember that your gift is not to be a burden. It is to make you and those around you strong.

2. Your gift encourages you in your faith. As we plan and enjoy the events we plan, may it encourage your faith in Jesus. Our simple acts of service like serving coffee, preparing decorations, making craft preparations, and chatting with a new person at a Connections evening, will encourage you in your walk with Jesus. Using our gifts encourages our faith in an unseen God. It helps us also to be encouragers of others in their faith.

3. Our gifts are meant to aid us in sharing the gospel. Romans 1 goes on to say that “I am not ashamed of the gospel,… For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last…” (vs. 16-17). Our spiritual gifts encourage our faith, which is of God, which spurs us on to tell the good news to those who don’t know it. When you have good news to tell – you shout it out!! Use your gift to bring people to a relationship with Jesus.

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” 1Corinthians 1:7
Remember that you are just as God designed you to be. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and delights in your working together with other followers of Christ – especially when we feel weak. Jesus really takes off then!!