Daily Bible Study

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Day 13 1 Corinthians 12 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. What do you do with the gifts people give you? Do you toss it aside, return it for something else, put it in a closet and forget about it, or do you display it proudly? Paul told the church in Corinth about the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Not only did he tell them about the gifts, but he also showed them how important each is to the body of Christ. As Christians, there is a schism in the body. Many churches and denominations don’t believe in or preach that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to Christians today, or that they are important to the body. They skip over this chapter and others regarding gifts and roles of Christians in the body of Jesus Christ. Yet they will freely admit that the Word of God is inerrant and true for today. You can’t teach the Bible is true and leave out vital parts. It’s like trying to breathe without lungs. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Paul taught the people they were important to the body of Christ and were equipped with gifts from the Holy Spirit to edify the body of Christ. Among those gifts are the power gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those gifts are wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Paul told the church the Holy Spirit gave them several of those gifts as He chooses. Other gifts from the Holy Spirit included gifts of administration and operation. Every Christian has a measure of faith. It takes faith to believe Jesus is the Son of God and believe in Him. Faith spoken of here is the power gift that goes beyond. It takes faith to a whole new level. It says, God said it and I believe it. No questions asked. It’s knowing that when you pray, God will answer. It might not be the answer you’re looking for, but you know it’s the answer God is giving you and it will be better than what you hoped. With the power gift of faith, you can use the other power gifts the Holy Spirit gives you. You know when something isn’t right, and Satan is messing with your life. That’s the discerning of spirits. You can with the authority given you by Jesus Christ, rebuke and cast him from you. Neither Satan or his demons have any place in a Christian’s life. Along with discerning of spirits, you have the word of knowledge, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. You can speak a word in season to those hungering for a Word from God. You can hear what God is saying directly to you. Diversities of tongues is communion directly with God, praying one on one with God. It’s also being able to speak to someone you don’t know, in a language only known to the person hearing it and giving that person God’s message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ. This was displayed on the day of Pentecost when God poured out the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room and Peter and the other disciples gave a message heard and understood by all the different countries assembled in Jerusalem for Pentecost. You see more ministries in healing and prophecy than you do any of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. You need to be careful of these two gifts as not many people who claim to be prophets in the church are true prophets. A true prophet is one whose prophecy is true 100% on the time. It is not someone who gives a general prophecy about something that could cover anything and claim it as accurate. Healing ministries can also be fraudulent. Ministers using people who weren’t sick to defraud the public into believing they can be healed. You can be healed by the Holy Spirit and many people through the centuries have been. You don’t need fake healers to promote the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul covered the gifts of administration and operations in other Scriptures. They are just as important as the power gifts of the Holy Spirit. The body of Christ cannot operate without all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action. You have a vital role in the body of Christ. What are you good at? That is your place. The body of Christ cannot function properly without the gift the Holy Spirit instilled in you. Not everyone is called to the same office. Not everyone is a pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, or apostle. But you are all one of those. You are all called for one purpose, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. You can’t do it without the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. It’s Jesus command to every Christian. Are you operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit? You have more than one. Let’s pray: Father, let Your gifts flow through me and out to all those who need what You gave me. Let me encourage and show Your love to everyone I encounter. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 26 March 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay