Daily Grace: Encouragement for Every Step of the Way

WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY 2024

TEXT: I Corinthians 12:1-11

1: Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

2: You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

3: Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

5: There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6: There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8: To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

9: to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

10: to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

11: All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: SPECIAL GIFTS TO EVERY BELIEVER

Spiritual gifts are meant to unite the Church and provide us with tools to serve one another and reach out to the world with the message of the gospel.

Unfortunately, those gifts that appear to be 'sensational' are given more preference over the others that seem to be 'muted' and 'salient'. But we must understand that, first, all of these gifts are from the Holy Spirit.

This means that no human being has monopoly over any or all of the spiritual gifts.

Second, God works through those endowed with these gifts to achieve His purpose on earth.

Third, every gift is allotted for the common good of all and not for personal gains or for making money as is common among many so-called miracle workers today.

Lastly, these gifts are not based on request. It is the Holy Spirit that determines who gets what.

Therefore, what I do with my spiritual gift must be accounted for when I finally meet God in eternity.

QUESTION: Do you know the nature of your spiritual gift and how have you been using it?

PRAYER: O Lord, give me the grace, strength and wisdom not to be conceited about my spiritual gift, in Jesus name. Amen.