Today’s Bible Reading:
Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14
Topic: Spiritual Gifts
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14:1 & 12
1 Follow the
way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts…
12 … Since you
are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the
church. (1Cor 14:1 & 12 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
After giving us teaching on spiritual gifts (chap 12) and
the supreme importance of genuine love above all gifts (chap 13), Paul offers
guidance and encouragement in the proper use of spiritual gifts (chap 14). Here
we learn that spiritual gifts are to be beneficial to individuals and to the
assembly of believers—the Church. Therefore, we should “eagerly desire” these God-given gifts. Furthermore, we are
instructed that some gifts primarily serve to build us up individually (a good
thing), while others serve to edify the whole assembly (an even better thing).
That we “try to excel in gifts” shows
us that our skill in using gifts should improve with experience over time.
APPLICATION:
As a pastor, teacher and leader in the Church, I must
encourage an environment of learning about spiritual gifts. I must strive to
provide a safe atmosphere in which believers are allowed to practice, make
mistakes, improve and eventually excel in using their God-given gifts.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to lovingly guide and release saints in the
use of spiritual gifts.
For our best and Your glory. Amen. -AP
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