“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (I Cor 12: 4-6)
A young man desperately wanted to be a preacher. The reaoson was simple. All his life he had seen it was the preacher who was acknowledged. In his church preachers sat in the front seats. They were paid above all else. Everyone wanted to be a preacher and end up as a pastor of a big church. You became a star!
The young man got his wish and became not just a preacher but a Pastor of a mega church. He hit it off and everyone wanted a piece of him. It was good to be called a hero by just about all.
However, something happened. In order to carry out his duties succesfully the young preacher found he needed even the least of people. There was always a need to keep the church tidy. For the service to start he needed someone to manage public address system. And if he made an altar call for people to accept Christ he relied on ordinary ushers and behind the scenes intercessors.
Then it dawned on him. What made a Pastor shine was because of all those working behind him using their different but equally important gifts to build God’s kingdom.
So often in Christian circles, it is so easy to find those glorifying one person over others because they stand out in front of the crowd. The truth is God has blessed his church with multiple gifts, all working in unison, to further His kingdom. Hence the Apostle Paul reminds us, “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues” (I Cor 12:27 -28). When all these gifts are used complimentary and not in competetion of each other, God’s kingdom is enlarged.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for all the gifts you have blessed the church with to extend your kingdom, and may we the church use all complementing and not competing with each other, for your glory, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
