Hello my dear
Our reflection continues on the Holy Spirit, perhaps the most misunderstood person of the Trinity.
May 25
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. … Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? So all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But arrive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a more excellent way. 1 Cor 13:1, 29-31
As I prepared this weekend’s reflection, I was stuck by the fact that it is easy to get confused with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And I felt convicted that this third reflection was good permission to delve further.
Most of us have memories of our childhood living with our parents or another adult who was responsible for our welfare. With that responsibility came the expectations of the routine food, clothing and shelter. In some instances, for a birthday, good behavior or special occasion (Christmas or graduation perhaps), we would find ourselves blessed with a treat. A gift, don’t at our favorite restaurant or special privileges. These often encouraged us to continue to behave appropriately.
In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is with us from the moment we confess Jesus as our Christ. But living in us, does not signify the manifestation of spiritual gifts. And unlike the natural order of life, the gifts accorded us by the Holy Spirit are not short-term incentives, but are actually intended for the benefit of God’s people, or for our education and most definitely for God’s glory. There are many gifts, and according to verse 29 – 30, no one person has every gift.
That means that the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives results in different manifestations of gifts (God’s Power), but we nevertheless ought to expect that we have access to operate one or more of the gifts.
God does Not play favorites, so we each of us have a gift in operation, but we just may need to ask for it. In some instances, we might already be operating under the gift without being aware of what it is. But. . . There are greater gifts, And that is what we should seek earnestly after. And those three are ALL available to us, should we but ask.
Faith, Hope & Love, May we find that more excellent way.
Dear Lord
Today we acknowledge that we might not be aware of the spiritual gift which you have specially assigned to us. Open our eyes, ears and hearts so that your glory May be realised in and through us. Please confirm those gifts as per Romans and 1 Corinthians 12. We further crave and strive for the greater gifts which you offer and ask that they become Living proof that our Guardian, our Comforter, our Advocate, your Power dwells in us. Fill us with the gift of Faith, rekindle our Hope and Sony us afresh in Love. This is our prayer in the birthday celebration of your church, we ask in no other name, But in Jesus’s name; amen
