Taylor Hicks reacts after being announced the winner of season five of American Idol on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
'AMERICAN IDOL' GIVES FOX BIG RATINGS
NEW YORK -- New "American Idol" Taylor Hicks wasn't the only winner on Wednesday night.
Fox capped a stellar fifth season for the hit competition when an average of 36.4 million people tuned in to the finale - spiking to almost 43 million the last half hour - according to Nielsen Media Research.
The "Idol" TV audience was only about two million viewers shy of the Oscars for being the most-watched television event of the year after the Super Bowl.
"The show obviously has become a national phenomenon, beyond a television hit," said Mike Darnell, head of alternative programming for Fox. "It really is like the Super Bowl - an actual event, not just a big TV show."
The huge audience watched the prematurely gray Alabaman Hicks win out over 22-year-old Katherine McPhee, of Los Angeles.
photo & story courtesy seattlepi.nwsource.com, 05/25/06
10God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. 11Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE TEACH US ABOUT THE ABILITIES THAT GOD GIVES US?
Please know that there is a difference between talent and the spiritual gifts or abilities that God gives to each person who trusts Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior.
Both Taylor and Katherine, the 'Idol' finalists, have musical talent. This kind of talent or ability is God-given to both Christians and non-Christians. It can be genetic and or developed by lots of practice.
Talents can be used with even greater impact when combined with spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to every follower of Christ for the purpose of glorifying God as we build His Kingdom.
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE adds this from the study notes:
4:10,11 Some people, well aware of their abilities, believe that they have the right to use their abilities as they please. Others feel that they have no special talents at all. Peter addresses both groups in these verses. Everyone has some gifts; find yours and use them. All our abilities should be used in serving others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment. Peter mentions speaking and serving. Paul lists these and other abilities in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, and Ephesians 4:11.
Millions of people will now be "worshipping" the newest 'American Idol', but you can worship God by using the ability He's given you to serve Him.
- Read the other verses mentioned above to get more details on spiritual gifts.
- Ask your youth leader or pastor for help in discovering and using your spiritual gifts. This might be at your church or through some outreach project.
- Whenever you see reports on the latest 'American Idol' this week, let it be a reminder to worship God by serving Him with your abilities.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.