Monday, August 31, 2026

          Near the end of 1 Corinthians, we find Paul closing the letter with these words: “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand” (1 Corinthians 16:21).  A quick aside, the way Paul ended his letters is worth a study all its own.  His conclusions were nothing short of powerful and sensational.  Paul wrote much of the New Testament.  We believe he wrote no less than thirteen letters and possibly fourteen (depending upon whether one believes Paul wrote Hebrews which is debatable).  Paul was also a missionary, a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a church planter.  The Bible tells us much about his work in these areas. If we could summarize Paul’s ministry in three words, we might choose these—available, resourceful and faithful.  He was available to be used by Christ in whatever way our Lord thought best.  He was resourceful—he knew and relied on other Christians and served God with what he possessed.  He was faithful in serving the Lord all the way to the end of his life.
            When we read today’s verse, we see that Paul mentioned his hand—"my own hand” to be precise.  He used his hand to write letters of instruction, encouragement and even correction to individuals and local churches in the early days of the Church.  We can think today of what we have to use for the Lord.  Maybe our hands could be used to write letters, send texts or prepare a message of hope for others.  We could use our hands to serve in disaster relief in Western North Carolina.  We could use our hands to prepare meals to serve those who might be hungry.  We might use our hands to help those who have fallen—physically or spiritually.  Our hands could be used to teach others how to read and study the Bible.
            God may ask us the same question that He asked Moses.  “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘What is that in your hand?’” (Exodus 4:2).  We all possess something that can be used for the Lord and to be of service to Him.  We have something in our hands—whether big or small.  Even today, God calls us to be available, resourceful and faithful.  Knowing what we have in our hands is an important step in serving God as well as we can and stewarding well the blessings that He has given to us.  Aside from knowing what you have in your hands, the Lord may call us to assess the time that we have available to us and how that time can be redeemed for His service. 
            We rarely think that God can use our failures and weaknesses but He can.  God may use our failures to help someone else avoid the same traps and heartbreaks that we have experienced.  Our weaknesses may be opportunities for us to see the strength and glory of God magnified for others to see.  Paul learned this truth firsthand, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Those who have journeyed through sickness, the loss of a loved one or personal failure may not think of themselves as having anything to offer out of their weaknesses.  But, God can easily and powerfully use the things that we write off as weaknesses or failures.  He can transform these things into something good and wonderful for His glory.  He can use these things to advance the gospel into the lives of those who might not otherwise hear this good news.
            With Paul as an example, you might have more today than you realize that would allow you to be available, resourceful and faithful.  Small things entrusted to God can often do exceedingly and abundantly more than all we could ever ask or imagine.  Remember Jesus fed a multitude of more than 5000 men, women and children with just one little boy’s lunch.  God still multiplies and makes sufficient the things we bring to Him with our hands. As a new month prepares to start, think about what you can do for God’s glory with your hands.  How can your hands lift high the good news of the gospel message?  God has made your hands and mine.  By faith, we ask Him to use what our hands hold and possess. Have a great Monday!