We Are Gifted for One Another
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV) There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
Nobody on earth will have all the gifts and talents upon them like Jesus did, but God will grant us the grace to operate in the gift or gifts that He has given us.
The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the interpretation of tongues, the gift of faith, the gift of healings, the working of miracles, the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, and the discerning of spirits. Neither do we get to choose the kind of spiritual gift or gifts that the Holy Spirit distributes to us. The diversities of gifts distributed throughout the body of Christ is what make us dependent on one another, and that’s the wisdom of God, so that nobody can attract attention to themselves because only God should be worshipped.
We will be able to operate in the gifts when the Holy Spirit is in our lives. The gifts must manifest among us through the work of the Holy Spirit. We can tap into the operation or manifestation of the Spirit, but it doesn’t mean it is with us 24/7. Therefore, we will need to minister by faith regarding what Jesus said and has commissioned us to do when the gifts do not manifest.
It is important for us to set aside time for the Lord daily, to seek His face through worship, be open to His answers to our prayers when we read the Word and journal. We relate to God throughout the day through the Holy Spirit who resides in us, and He will lead us primarily through the Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We should be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to minister to someone and not just seek Him to bless our lives.
The key to being an effective channel of blessings for the Lord is love for the Lord and for the people. How can we minister on behalf of God to the people?
1) We need to love God.
2) We need to have a love for people.
3) We need to be bold in prayer.
4) We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
5) We need to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The harvest is plentiful, and the labourers are few. The question is are we willing to respond to the prayer of the saints and the call of God to be the labourers in the harvest field? Jesus has said clearly we can do the work that He had done while on earth and greater works than those we will do. God has given you gifts. Use your ministerial gifts to serve and build the church.
Sermon Series: What Can Jesus Do that I Can Also Do
