"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" - 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV).
There was once a famous church that rose up on a hill. It was packed with some of the richest men and women in society. However, when it came to its mission budget, compared to others with the less affluent, it paled. The church had all these individuals who had entrepreneurial gifts but lacking generosity.
Another church was famous for the gift of prophecy. However, it was quite obvious by the the way members lived they were far from being guided by the Word of God. Where the church had this gift of prophecy there lacked one of teaching!
Joel 2:28 says the Holy Spirit has been imparted on the church- "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." As a result, we have a supernatural gifting of help (John 14:16), strength (Ephesians 3:16), guidance (Romans 8:14), and much more working within us.
Yet these gifts depend on each other to operate successfully. Where there is a gift of miracles there ought to be administration; where there is a gift of healing; there ought to be wisdom and knowledge, and so on. The challenge often starts where we start promoting some gift above others, to a point of worship. "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ" (I Cor 12:12), Paul writes. "God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it" (vv 24 -26).
Today, other than looking up to another's gift at the risk of ignoring yours or sidelining those that are less pronounced, know every gift us for a purpose, which is to build the body of Christ!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for the gift you have blessed the church with and may we use all in harmony for the growth of your church, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
