The Gifts of God-DD 1/12/2011

"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you," 1 Tim 4:14

In his great benevolence and loving kindness, God, through the Holy Spirit, supplies each of us with an amazing gift. During the first century, many gifts were given that were supernatural in nature.

• "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Cor 12:7-11

During these times, the people relied on signs and miracles to prove the existence of God. Even John wrote of the many miraculous exploits of Jesus, "that we might believe." Today, however, we walk by faith and not by sight.

The good news beloved is that God still gives gifts liberally.

• "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Rom 12:4-8

First century or today, the tie that binds is that the gifts of God are created to be used for the benefit of each other and the glory of Him who made us. Each and every one of us has a gift. Let us identify it, develop and use it for what it was intended.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee