Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 16
Wednesday


THE BIBLE GUY

READ:
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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Having then gifts
differeing according to
the grace that is given
to us, let us use them.
__Romans 12:6
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When the youth group in Rich's church needed Bibles for study, he went on a search for more than 70 copies. He got what they needed, but he never stopped collecting and distributing Bibles.

People and businesses donate money; others give him new and used Bibles to share. The motto on the side of the van he uses for this ministry explains his simple desire: "Need a Bible? ask me for one." Rich is an ordinary guy, a heating and plumbing technician, who carries on this ministry in his spare time. His nickname around his church is "the Bible guy."

Do you ever wish you could have a special ministry like Rich's? The Lord has given each of us at least one spiritual gift to use for His kingdom purposes. The apostle Paul lists several in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, and some are mentioned in 1 Peter 4:9-11.

If you don't know what gifts you have, volunteer for a ministry in your church that interests you, or meet a need you learn about. Then ask yourself if you saw God work through you and if you had joy as you served. Ask fellow believers if they think you're gifted in that area. And ask the Lord to help you determine where you fit in His plans.

The Lord wants to use you too. __Anne Cetas
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````````````````Help us, Lord, to work together```````````````````
````````````````With the gifts that You bestow;```````````````````
``````````````````Give us unity of purpose``````````````````````
````````````As we serve You here below. __Sper`````````````````
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Christians who bury their gifts make a grave mistake.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11*********

4 There are diversities of
gifts, but the same Spirit,

5 There are differences of
ministries, but the same
Lord. 6 And there are
diversities of activities, but
it is the same God who
works all in all.

7 But the manifestation of
the Spirit is given to each
one for the profit of all:

8 for to one is given the
word of wisdom through
the Spirit, to another the
word of knowledge through
the same Spirit, 9 to another
faith by the same Spirit, to
another gifts of healings
by the same Spirit, 10 to
another the working of
miracles, to another
prophecy, to another
discerning of spirits, to
another different kinds of
tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues.

11 But one and the same
Spirit works all these
things, distributing to
each one individually as
He wills.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Believers may be tempted to be proud of the gifts God has bestowed
upon them. But a careful look at 1 Corinthians 12:11 shows the
absurdity of this attitude. God the Holy Spirit graciously and
sovereignly bestows gifts to each believer. It is humbling to realize
that none of the gifts are given in response to personal merit or
holiness. Every gift is graciously bestowed for a sovereign reason by
the divine Gift-giver. __Dennis Fisher