Scripture: Romans 12 v 4 - 8: "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."
We are truly blessed with that which God has given us for they are mighty gifts indeed. Firstly, He gave us life with His own breath breathed into Adam. That first breath of life has continued in each person ever born and when death occurs that breath ceases.
He gave us the Bible, our handbook to keep that life, and even enhance it. In the Bible is all we need to know to be saved out of this world into His eternal kingdom. The account of creation, the creation of humans, animals, plants, sea and land, the Flood, the Exodus, the Passover, the Hebrews, the Law is given for us to know the Lord.
Followed by kings, judges, prophets all speaking to us from God's wisdom and agenda. Then the enormous gift of His Son, Jesus, who gave His life to set us free.
He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors. They are given to teach and disciple all believers.
God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gave us nine gifts to enhance our spiritual lives. He also gave us nine fruits to grow within us to change us to be like Jesus.
We receive from the Holy Spirit:
- gifts of healing,
- tongues,
- interpretation of tongues,
- faith,
- miracles,
- a word of knowledge,
- a word of wisdom,
- prophecy,
- discerning of spirits.
These gifts are valuable and available to believers right now. Those who preach that these gifts are not for today, as they faded out after the Bible was published, are missing out on wonderful blessings through unbelief. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are found in Galatians 5 v 22 - 23. They reproduce the nature of Jesus in us.
God gave us the free gift of salvation. We cannot work for it, nor earn it by being good. It's not like Santa who only gives gifts if we are good. We must receive salvation as a gift when we repent of the bad stuff and are cleansed by the Blood of Jesus.
There are also ministry gifts as in the verses above. He has given us grace so that each of us gets what is appointed to us. Some have a prophetic gift that operates by faith. The more faith we have the stronger the prophecies will be. Do not despise prophecies but do judge them for truth as many false prophets are trying to deceive us.
There is a gift of ministering and we must wait upon God to reveal it. One of my most precious ministry gifts is this Prophetic Fire blog to enable me to share the treasures God has given me over nearly 50 years. This blog has been going for 7 years now and it was a gift given by beautiful friends through the grace of God.
We all have something that God can use to exhort people to greater effort to help those who are struggling, or sick, or lonely. We can exhort people to reach out to save the lost or to bless God's storehouse with tithes and offerings.
There are those with a teaching ministry who convey great truths with simplicity to uncomplicate Bible verses, revelations, visions and dreams. There are those whom the grace of God designated to be givers who give with humility and love. They are blessed with more than others to allow the overflow to bring light to many.
There are gifts of administration from God that produce that blessed army of helpers, rulers, accountants, secretaries and unsung heroes. God blesses such workers with diligence and excellence.
We are all members of one body, the Body of Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Messiah, Saviour, Lord, Healer, Creator of mankind. We owe Him everything, we own nothing. If we are His, He bought us and everything we possess. With His own life.
So if He wants to move funds from one account to another He will lay it on our hearts to comply. If He wants to heal someone He needs the nearest available hands. He may send that person on a long journey to be near the person with the right gifts.
The only gift we can give Jesus is our selves. Willing to do anything that pleases Him. Willing to sacrifice any pleasure to be available when we are needed. He always outgives the givers.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly thank You for the abundance of what You have given us. Forgive us for taking so much for granted and neglecting to pay it forward when we are able. Change us Lord to be like Jesus who gave His all to save us, and let us give, pray, love as You direct us. In Jesus' name. Amen.