THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Last month I addressed the division in the Church regarding the Holy Spirit. We may not agree on everything, but surely, we can agree to “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
As Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death (departure), He explains in John 15:26 that although the world will hate you, He would be sending you the Holy Spirit to strengthen you to be a disciple. In John 16:7 (Amplified version), Jesus said to His disciples, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. Jesus goes on to say that He has more to say to them, but they cannot bear it now. But when “He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” and bring glory to Jesus by taking from what Jesus has and giving it to you. What does Jesus have? What came down from heaven like a dove when He was baptized? The anointing...the Holy Spirit. They are reminded that Jesus had said earlier, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” What were the things that Jesus was doing? He was preaching, teaching, healing the sick, proclaiming the kingdom, casting out demons, raising the dead, bringing hope to the hopeless. So, we are to do greater things than this? Yes, but we need power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is why Paul spends so much time explaining the gifts we have been given. Paul said that he didn’t want us to be ignorant about the spiritual gifts! (1 Corinthians 12) He wrote this in a letter to the church at Corinth. This word was for all people in the church, not just to the original disciples and is still for all people in the church. These people lived in corrupt times. Sexual sins were rampant and war and political corruption ruled the world. People were violent, angry, perverted, unredeemed and without God. The argument that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer needed is ludicrous. |
There are many manifestations of the Spirit, but all are given for the common good. These manifestations are: the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit and they are given as God determines. And may I add, they are given in accordance with the need of circumstances.
We were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor 12:13). Not just some....ALL. We are all part of one body. We can’t say, “I don’t need you or I can’t work with you.” We can’t discount the working of the Spirit or question other’s beliefs. If we consider others in error, then we should pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us and them. The word says, “...that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” 1Corinthians 12:24-25
We were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor 12:13). Not just some....ALL. We are all part of one body. We can’t say, “I don’t need you or I can’t work with you.” We can’t discount the working of the Spirit or question other’s beliefs. If we consider others in error, then we should pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us and them. The word says, “...that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” 1Corinthians 12:24-25
We must remember however, that in the end times there will be those who are false and it will take the discernment of the Holy Spirit to recognize them. But, 1 Timothy 4-6 gives us direction.
There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. |
We can recognize them as we operate as the body of Christ. Have a pastor who ministers the truth, friends who read and live by the word, and a body of believers who operate under the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember these people deny the POWER of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that “..in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” We need to draw near to the Spirit of Christ so that we can discern the truth.
KLN
Next month the ministry gifts.
KLN
Next month the ministry gifts.
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake.
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake.
Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for the upcoming Corridor Connections meeting @ May Farms
-Pray for BM for healing in his back and upcoming surgeries to go well.
-Pray for RG, he is home from rehab, but still needs healing for his back.
-Pray for SD for healing in her back from a bad accident.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather,
the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8: 14-16
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather,
the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8: 14-16