2021-01-22
Romans 12:6 NIV
We shouldn’t say, ‘I’m no use to God,’ or ‘I’m not needed in the church,’ or ‘There’s no way God could use me.’ We’re all gifted by God, and we’re called to use our gifts to bless others, build up the church, and display His kingdom to a watching world. ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised’ (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).
Every Christian is a minister, and has a ministry. We might think that ministry is reserved for pastors and leaders, or people who’ve been to theological college. But we can all use our gifts to minister to other people, every day. It could even be something as simple as praying for someone who’s having a tough day, encouraging someone who’s lacking confidence, or helping someone who’s struggling.
Since the Holy Spirit decides which particular gift each of us receives, we don’t need to let jealousy and competitiveness weigh us down. Paul wrote: ‘For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?’ (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). Each of us is gifted differently, and each of us is gifted perfectly. The Holy Spirit in His divine wisdom has given to each of us the precise gift, or gifts that will enable us to function most effectively in the body of Christ. So let’s start using our gifts today.
Isa 12-16; Matt 9:14-26; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
2021-01-21
1 Corinthians 12:11 NCV
The Bible says, ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit’ (v.4 NCV). The word ‘gifts’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘charis’, which literally means grace. That means we can’t earn, qualify for, work for, or deserve a spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit ‘decides what to give each person.’ We don’t receive our spiritual gifts through study, practice, or inheritance. They’re not even highly developed natural talents. They are characteristics and attributes given by grace, which enable us to carry out God’s will in God’s way.
We’re not designed to serve God by just drawing on our own strength and abilities, but by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit within us. It can help to picture a gloved hand. A glove on its own can’t really do anything useful. It’s only when there’s a hand inside the glove that it can really fulfil its purpose. We’re like the glove – we can’t accomplish much by ourselves. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, He can move us and enable us to accomplish what God wants us to do.
When we think about the plans God has for us, we might worry that we won’t meet His standards. But the truth is that He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. If we were, He wouldn’t have needed to send Jesus to secure our salvation. Jesus told His disciples, ‘If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5 NIV). We need to allow the Spirit to work within us, lean on God’s power, and keep our hearts completely open to Him.
Isa 8-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
1 Corinthians 12:11 NKJV
The Bible says, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (v. 4 NKJV). The word gifts comes from the Hebrew word “charis,” which literally means grace. That means you cannot earn, qualify for, work for, or deserve a spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit gives them to each of us “individually as He wills.” They are not something you get by study, practice, or inheritance. They are not highly developed natural talents. They are supernatural endowments that enable you to carry out God’s will in God’s way. And you will never discover God’s way until you realize that you are not meant to serve Him by drawing on your own abilities, but by depending upon the indwelling power of His Spirit. In a sense, you are like a glove; the Holy Spirit within you fills that glove, moves it and accomplishes through it what needs to be done.
A young pastor once said to an older pastor, “I’m discouraged because God expects the very best from me, and as hard as I try I can’t always give it to Him.” The older pastor said, “Son, God expects nothing from you but failure!” Then he added. “But he has given the Holy Spirit to you so that you need not fail.” Jesus told His disciples, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NKJV). The secret to success is not just in activity, but in abiding! Your job is to learn the ways of God, and lean on the power of God.
Soul food: Isa 8-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
1 Korintiërs 12:11 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Daar is ‘n hele verskeidenheid geestelike gawes, en tog kom hulle van dieselfde Gees’ (1 Korintiërs 12:4 NLV). Die woord ‘gawe’ kom van die Hebreeuse woord ‘charis,’ wat letterlik genade beteken. Dit beteken dat jy nie ‘n geestelike gawe kan verdien, daarvoor kan kwalifiseer of daarvoor kan werk nie. Die Heilige Gees gee hulle aan elkeen van ons ‘soos Hy dit goedvind.’ Dit is nie iets wat jy deur studie of oefening kan kry of kan erf nie. Dit is nie hoogsontwikkelde natuurlike talente nie. Dit is bonatuurlike skenkings wat jou in staat stel om God se wil op God se manier uit te dra. Jy sal nooit God se wil kan doen voordat jy nie besef dat jy nie veronderstel is om Hom te dien deur krag uit jou eie vaardighede te put nie, maar dat jy op die inwonende krag van sy Gees moet vertrou.
Jy is, in ‘n mate, soos ‘n handskoen; die Heilige Gees binne-in jou vul daardie handskoen, beweeg dit en bereik daardeur dit wat gedoen moet word.
‘n Jong pastoor het een maal vir ‘n ouer pastoor gesê: ‘Ek is moedeloos, want God verwag die beste van my, maar maak nie saak hoe hard ek probeer nie, ek kan dit nie altyd vir Hom gee nie.’ Die ouer pastoor het gesê: ‘Seun, God verwag niks van jou nie, behalwe mislukking!’ Toe het hy egter bygevoeg: ‘Hy het egter vir jou die Heilige Gees gegee, sodat dit nie nodig is vir jou om te misluk nie.’ Jesus het vir sy dissipels gesê: ‘…Wie aan My verbonde bly en Ek aan hulle, dra baie vrugte, want sonder My kan julle niks doen nie’ (Johannes 15:5 NLV). Jou werk is om God se maniere te leer en op die krag van God te steun.
Sielskos: Jes 8-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 89:38-52; Spr 3:1-2
2021-01-20
1 Corinthians 10:13 NCV
God’s plan for turning temptation into triumph isn’t for us to endure temptation, but to escape it. That calls for us to do two things:
1) Don’t get into a tempting situation. If we know we struggle with a particular temptation, we should avoid going where it’ll be right in front of us. Temptation is all around us, so we need to ask God for the discernment and wisdom to recognise when we’re heading towards a tempting situation, and for the strength to turn away before we get there. In The Message, we read, ‘I refuse to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things’ (Psalm 101:3 MSG). We need to set ourselves boundaries and then stick to them to avoid getting caught up in temptation.
2) If we do get into a tempting situation, we need to get out of it quickly. The Bible doesn’t say we are to fight temptation, it says we are to flee from it. Paul tells Timothy, ‘Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts’ (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT). He warns the Corinthians, ‘Flee from sexual immorality’ (1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV). Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph. ‘Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice…and said, “Come to bed with me!”‘ (Genesis 39:6-7 NIV). But Joseph fled, leaving his coat behind.
There’s absolutely no shame in running away from temptation in order to protect our moral and spiritual health. Whenever we find ourselves in a tempting situation, we need to pray for the strength to run away from it. ‘The Lord knows how to save those who serve him when troubles come’ (2 Peter 2:9 NCV).
Isa 4-7; Matt 8:28-34; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
