"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The Christmas tree has been taken down for a week or two and we don't
want to look at the last stale Christmas cookie. Some of the clothes we
received for Christmas have stains. The toys we have given to the
children are already broken and winter is dragging on. The devil is
smiling as bored and depressed people file into church. Satan tries to
discourage preachers with the insinuation that nothing they can say
will do any good anyway.
The Holy Spirit has provided us with all kinds of ammunition for a
fresh assault on spiritual apathy. The OT and Epistle, is good news to . . .
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The Christmas tree has been taken down for a week or two and we don't want to look at the last stale Christmas cookie. Some of the clothes we received for Christmas have stains. The toys we have given to the children are already broken and winter is dragging on. The devil is smiling as bored and depressed people file into church. Satan tries to discourage preachers with the insinuation that nothing they can say will do any good anyway.
The Holy Spirit has provided us with all kinds of ammunition for a fresh assault on spiritual apathy. The OT and Epistle, is good news to wondrous to keep secret. Our God who will make everything new gives Zion a new name. To what can His mercy be compared? The Gospel lesson from Sunday, is the familiar report of the first miracle. Only God can turn water into quality wine. Yet, this miracle is nothing compared to the miracle of our rescue from death and the devil. Let the preaching by the power of the Holy Spirit impart to our people's hearts a sense of genuine wonderment at the fact: that we re God's gifted people, so let us give thanks to Him for His gifts to us and use them with joy. Let us ask the LORD to energize us, to recognize the gifts we have been given and use these gifts to His glory.
All Christians have been gifted
By grace from God above,
Equipped to build and strengthen
The church in faith and love.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - A church can become a graveyard if its members bury their gifts.