Good morning! A few weeks ago, I was able to ride down the California coast. The sights were absolutely stunning. While I took many pictures, they didn’t capture all the things my eyes saw. I can vividly remember the sound of water flowing through creeks. From those creeks flowed a beautiful water fall. From the cascading clear water fall the water flowed into turquoise waters in the ocean. Each body of water was experienced in different ways. Each more breath taken than expected but all emptied into a larger body of water. Today, we will conclude our review of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, on spiritual gifts and the significance of them to the body of Christ. Join me as we finish the chapter.

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. ²⁸ Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

²⁹ Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? ³⁰ Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! ³¹ So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31a NLT

Paul shared the list of spiritual gifts once more, not because we forgot (if so, look back at prior 2 week devotionals), but so that we would remember the value of each gift and the necessity of the body of Christ to be unified in love. Each gift is given by God, not man. Christ is the head of the body. Will you allow Him to use you as a vital part or minor part of the body in accordance with the spiritual gifts given to you?

If you are unsure about your spiritual gift or unsure of how to use it, pray and ask God to reveal it/them to you. Also, many churches offer a spiritual gifts assessment course. Ask your church if they have it available and if you can take the assessment.

Father God, thank you for allowing us to be a part of the body of Christ. Father, you are so gracious and merciful toward us. Lord, thank you for forgiving us, before we repented of our own sins. There is no love that is greater than yours, that you would give up your life for our sins before we were born, because you knew we would need a Savior. Lord, we repent of the sins we have committed (known and unknown). Lord, may your grace and forgiveness abound in us. Lord, while we may not have all the gifts, Lord we want to work together as an effective part of the body of Christ. Lord, don’t let our gifts go dormant. Lord, we want to be obedient to your call on our lives. May the spiritual gifts that you have given to us be used in a mighty way. Use us in incredible ways to bring glory to your name. Lord, we also pray for the families of missing children. Lord, you know the hurt, pain and worry each parent feels. Lord, you know the needs of those children who have been abducted and abused. Lord, move our nation’s leaders and your people to end this war against our innocent children. Lord, our children are not commodities to you. Lord, change this situation in our culture and across the world. Lord, heal those who have been harmed by someone’s desire to prey on innocent children. Lord, comfort the families whose children were murdered or are still missing. Lord, end human trafficking, rape and abuse. Lord, equip us with the voices and gifts we need to make lasting change in this world. Lord, be with us today. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

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