Don't Flirt With The Devil
1 Peter (5:8-9)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
James (4:7)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Satan is a formidable enemy, to be sure, but in a personal sense, he is not as directly dangerous to us as the world or our own human nature. The chances of him confronting us individually are small in comparison to the influences of our ever-present hearts and the world in which we conduct our lives. Certainly, as our Adversary, he "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour". But unlike God, he is not omniscient. While he can be only at one place at one time, he has many assistants.
We are far more likely to be confronted by one of his demon assistants than the Adversary himself, which is bad enough. However, he and his demons have constructed attitudes, institutions, systems, and entertainments into the course of this world, which they effectively use against us, even when they are absent from the scene. Most of their evil influence comes from the system.
We need to remember, though, that God has put a wall of protection around us, so demons can go only so far in their attempts to corrupt us and destroy our loyalty to God and His truth. Their major responsibility before God at this time appears to be to provide tests for us to meet and overcome, in the same way God used Satan to test Job and to tempt Christ. In this respect, they play a large role in helping us to recognize evil.
Resist the devil', stand steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." Be self-controlled, be alert, and resist him!" Peter's first term, "be sober," urges us not to let fear of him fluster us to the point that we cannot think clearly. The second term, "be vigilant," charges us to be fully awake, to set ourselves in a state of watchfulness and readiness. The third term, "resist him," is a command not to turn and run but to stand firm.
This instruction lets us know that Satan is not all-powerful. With the protections God provides, including His continuous presence and alert regard for His children, Satan can be beaten. The same Jesus who has already defeated Satan is on His throne, overseeing our well-being. His protection is not something we flaunt, but is power we can rely on.
How, then, do we resist? How do we hold our ground by going on the offensive?We must "Resist him, standing firm, 'or solid' in the faith." Putting this into military terms, a soldier would be likely commanded, "Do not surrender! Do not give up any ground! Do not back down! Move forward with all you've got! Reinforcements are right behind you."
We have the God-backed promise that Satan will flee! Who can resist God's will? The key words here are "standing firm" and "faith." "Standing firm" or "solid" is used in the sense of "unmovable." When linked with faith in practical terms, it means we are absolutely sure or immovably convicted in the face of a strong test.
As true Christians in the faith, we must be the one's who chooses to live a righteous life, the one's who consciously resists the subtle inroads of compromise. God envisions a person who remains wary of anything that might erode commitment to a godly life.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm (1:1)
There is a progressive deterioration toward more involvement in sinful living! The casual passerby slows down and, before you know it, he takes his stand.
On the other hand, by taking a firm stand for righteousness, we will be "like a tree firmly planted by streams of water"--one that cannot be eroded by the winds of wickedness and unrighteousness.
Unfortunately there seems to be a permanent settling down, an abiding, a permanent dwelling. Don't live your way of life in the sphere of "the scoffer," the one who continually makes light of that which is sacred--the blasphemous crowd.
We shall be happy many times over if we maintain a pure walk with our Lord, free from even the slightest flirtation with evil. If we begin to "walk" in "the counsel of the wicked," it is easy to slip slowly into the habitation of the scoffer.
Reverend William Bowers
Friday, 10 January 2014
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Let's Stay Sensible
When is the last time you thought about the character quality of sensibility?
As pastors, we’re charged with the task, remember?
“The overseer must be sensible” Titus (1:7-8)
Sophron is the term. It has in mind “thinking appropriately.” It means you’re not given to extremes. You’re able to see between the lines and apply some common sense.
We have some funny eccentrics in the Christian ranks some real nutty people. “Where there’s light, there’s bugs.” It’s really true! They're usually people who have big, thick Bibles and notebooks full of notes on everybody'. I mean, they've got all of this information, yet haven't won a person to Christ in 50 years.
They're out of balance. And there’s another group that believes “a miracle a day keeps the devil away.” They drive up and see a parking place at the supermarket and they think it’s a MIRACLE! And they tell their friends about it. It’s not a miracle it’s just that a car wasn't there. Pull in, park. Get a life! There is even 'bereaved parents whom believe their dead son is performing miracles at their house. They claim a mysterious oil that weeps from the walls of his bedroom leaves messages! Then there is people that think their toaster has burnt the face of Jesus on their toast Some of you see shapes in clouds or fire and 'Oh it's an angel', another MIRACLE!
We can fall into that kind of extremism when there’s not somebody near us jerking on our coattails telling us we're getting kind of nutty. Some people even see faces of Jesus in a pizza! That’s a lack of sensibility.
I want to say stuff like that to every one of the CEOs I meet. Every one of the hot shots who made it by the grace of God. And every one of us senior pastors.
Don't forget to tingle every once in a while. Don’t forget to cry over the joy of good health, and the freedom of living in your country, and the thrill of studying the Word, and the privilege of anybody sitting and listening when you talk.
Reverend William Bowers
When is the last time you thought about the character quality of sensibility?
As pastors, we’re charged with the task, remember?
“The overseer must be sensible” Titus (1:7-8)
Sophron is the term. It has in mind “thinking appropriately.” It means you’re not given to extremes. You’re able to see between the lines and apply some common sense.
We have some funny eccentrics in the Christian ranks some real nutty people. “Where there’s light, there’s bugs.” It’s really true! They're usually people who have big, thick Bibles and notebooks full of notes on everybody'. I mean, they've got all of this information, yet haven't won a person to Christ in 50 years.
They're out of balance. And there’s another group that believes “a miracle a day keeps the devil away.” They drive up and see a parking place at the supermarket and they think it’s a MIRACLE! And they tell their friends about it. It’s not a miracle it’s just that a car wasn't there. Pull in, park. Get a life! There is even 'bereaved parents whom believe their dead son is performing miracles at their house. They claim a mysterious oil that weeps from the walls of his bedroom leaves messages! Then there is people that think their toaster has burnt the face of Jesus on their toast Some of you see shapes in clouds or fire and 'Oh it's an angel', another MIRACLE!
We can fall into that kind of extremism when there’s not somebody near us jerking on our coattails telling us we're getting kind of nutty. Some people even see faces of Jesus in a pizza! That’s a lack of sensibility.
I want to say stuff like that to every one of the CEOs I meet. Every one of the hot shots who made it by the grace of God. And every one of us senior pastors.
Don't forget to tingle every once in a while. Don’t forget to cry over the joy of good health, and the freedom of living in your country, and the thrill of studying the Word, and the privilege of anybody sitting and listening when you talk.
Reverend William Bowers
Seek Peace And Pursue It
Psalm (34:14)
As you glorify the Lord God, you’ll be glorified in Him. You will find that your attitude is contagious. When you glorify God, it has a healthy impact on others. They will see your example and want to glorify Him as well.
You can trust God’s Spirit in you to bring that peace from the nature of Christ into your life as needed. But first you must be yielded to the Spirit in every area of your life to experience peace.
You need to stop holding onto any sins that you still have, for holding onto your sins will cause confusion that will keep you from experiencing peace. You need to have an intense desire to belong to the family of God.
There is always pressure among peers, to go along as they do in order to be “one of the boy’s. You need to bend and bow to God’s will fully surrendering your life to Him before, you make people bend to your Godly standards of behavior, do not bend to theirs. You need to be the head not the tail. If you allow yourself to be intimidated, into what you know in your heart and mind is wrong, you are weakening your resolve to do the right thing, impairing your ability to make the right decisions. The power of things you yield to in life grows stronger, while what you resist grows weaker.
You need to say “yes” to the things that are right in your life, and “no” to the things that are wrong in your life, for the more you say “yes” to what is right the stronger you become and the greater power you have to say “no”. Remember success in life comes from the ability to say “no.” Not the ability to say “yes.”
The Lord Jesus Christ faced temptations, He overcame them by quoting the Word of God to the devil. He not only said “no”, but was able to give the reason for saying it. The devil then departed and left Jesus alone. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, and peace returned to him.
For Jesus submission to the Father and resistance to the devil, and a refusal to sin strengthened His spirit, adding statue to His manhood. In addition He had memorized vast portions of scripture, which gave weight to His words. The principle applies to all areas of life, not just your Christian walk. If you want to succeed, you have to say “no.”
Life would be different for all of us if we had learned and obeyed these principles when we were younger. God is giving you the opportunity to learn it now and do it right. The choice is yours.
The freedom to choose between alternatives is the only true freedom you have. Choice is your only real freedom, so my dear brothers and sisters use it wisely. Your choices are shown in the company you keep. Show me your companions, and I’ll show you their character.
Appraise your life. Set occasions aside for evaluation and regrouping, recognize when you need to do this. Are you really happy, genuinely challenged and fulfilled in life? In light of eternity, are you making a consistent investment for God’s glory and His cause? Is the direction your life taking leading you toward a satisfying and meaningful future? Can you honestly say that your in the center of God’s will for your life?
Reverend William Bowers
Life A Mist?
James (4:13-17)
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
Life? "A mist,"answers James. Although we give the appearance of security, our lives are marked by uncertainty, adversity, brevity. All the more reason to gain perspective on how to live it. Walking with God gives perspective. It doesn't guarantee we'll live longer, but it does help us to live better. And deeper. And broader. Because you know nothing about the day, week, month or year before you, commit yourself anew to Him who knows the times and the seasons.
Have you noticed how many day-planners are available these days? And then there are the time-management self-help books: how to increase your efficiency, how to make every moment count, how to invest your time wisely and productively. While all those voices and handy products scream for your attention, I'd like to play devil's advocate and tell you how to waste your time. Five proven ideas come immediately to mind:
First, worry a lot. Start worrying early in the morning and intensify your anxiety as the day passes. Worry about your own failures and mistakes--about what you should or could have done but didn't. To add variety, worry about things you should not have done but did. Hanging around negative people is another secret you won't want to forget. Remember:
Potential ulcers need fresh acid. Second, make hard-and-fast predictions. Of course, you'll need to ignore that little throwaway line in the fourth chapter of James: "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow." But forget that comment and set your expectations in motion. Be as specific as you can. For example, one month before his July 1975 disappearance, Jimmy Hoffa announced:
"I don't need bodyguards."Third, fix your attention on getting rich. You'll get a lot of innovative ideas from the secular bookshelves (I counted a multitude of books on the subject last time I was in a book store) plus you'll fit right in with most of the hype that's pouring out of entrepreneurial seminars and high-pressure sales meetings. Fourth, compare yourself with others. Not only will you ricochet between the extremes of arrogance and discouragement, you will also spend the time not knowing who you are.
Fifth, lengthen your list of enemies. If there's one thing above all others that will keep your wheels spinning, it's perfecting your skill at the Blame Game. With a full arsenal of suspicion, paranoia, and resentment, you can waste endless evenings stewing over those folks who have made your life miserable. Put these five surefire suggestions in motion, and you can forget about all the hassles connected with being happy, efficient, productive, and contented. Within a couple of months, those things won't even be on your agenda. All this sounds like foolish exaggeration, doesn't it? But just stop and think: How much time are you already wasting on some of these things?
Reverend William Bowers
James (4:13-17)
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
Life? "A mist,"answers James. Although we give the appearance of security, our lives are marked by uncertainty, adversity, brevity. All the more reason to gain perspective on how to live it. Walking with God gives perspective. It doesn't guarantee we'll live longer, but it does help us to live better. And deeper. And broader. Because you know nothing about the day, week, month or year before you, commit yourself anew to Him who knows the times and the seasons.
Have you noticed how many day-planners are available these days? And then there are the time-management self-help books: how to increase your efficiency, how to make every moment count, how to invest your time wisely and productively. While all those voices and handy products scream for your attention, I'd like to play devil's advocate and tell you how to waste your time. Five proven ideas come immediately to mind:
First, worry a lot. Start worrying early in the morning and intensify your anxiety as the day passes. Worry about your own failures and mistakes--about what you should or could have done but didn't. To add variety, worry about things you should not have done but did. Hanging around negative people is another secret you won't want to forget. Remember:
Potential ulcers need fresh acid. Second, make hard-and-fast predictions. Of course, you'll need to ignore that little throwaway line in the fourth chapter of James: "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow." But forget that comment and set your expectations in motion. Be as specific as you can. For example, one month before his July 1975 disappearance, Jimmy Hoffa announced:
"I don't need bodyguards."Third, fix your attention on getting rich. You'll get a lot of innovative ideas from the secular bookshelves (I counted a multitude of books on the subject last time I was in a book store) plus you'll fit right in with most of the hype that's pouring out of entrepreneurial seminars and high-pressure sales meetings. Fourth, compare yourself with others. Not only will you ricochet between the extremes of arrogance and discouragement, you will also spend the time not knowing who you are.
Fifth, lengthen your list of enemies. If there's one thing above all others that will keep your wheels spinning, it's perfecting your skill at the Blame Game. With a full arsenal of suspicion, paranoia, and resentment, you can waste endless evenings stewing over those folks who have made your life miserable. Put these five surefire suggestions in motion, and you can forget about all the hassles connected with being happy, efficient, productive, and contented. Within a couple of months, those things won't even be on your agenda. All this sounds like foolish exaggeration, doesn't it? But just stop and think: How much time are you already wasting on some of these things?
Reverend William Bowers
Jesus Is The Way
John (14:6)
No matter how much you enjoy where you are living at present, there's always a longing in your heart for the place you call 'home.' And how much more so for those who have been born again into God's redeemed family!
The world has its beautiful shorelines and landscapes, but deep down we yearn, like Paul, for our heavenly Father, heavenly family and home. 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians (1:21-23).
Leaving this life to be with Christ, in Paul's judgment, 'is far better.' Far better than what? Anything else! Nothing here can compare with what awaits you there! No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it-what God has arranged for those who love him. 1 Corinthians (2:9).
You ask, 'How will this transition happen to us?' At death, 'The dust our body' returns to the ground it came from, and 'our' spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes (12:7). Our bodies will 'fall asleep in Christ. 1 Corinthians (15:18). Our God-indwelled spirits return to His presence, delighting in 'the fullness of joy' and reveling in the 'pleasures forevermore' that are found in abundance at His right hand. Psalms (16:11). While we wait, anticipating our best days, heaven's hosts rehearse for the drama of the ages, the awesome return of Christ and our accompanying Him in our glorified bodies! We say, '. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation (22:20).
Apart from the way there is no going. Apart from the truth there is no knowing. Apart from the Life there is no living. God says, "Remain in Christ, and rest yourself. He is the way the truth and the life." Our salvation rests solely on God's strength, not our own. Our safety is in Jesus Christ's power, 'not ours.
Our protection depends on the Father's firm grip, not ours. No one, including the devil, can see the vital union that connects us with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because it was Christ's death and resurrection that perfected us because of His finished work, not our own. 'All roads lead to Heaven.' But how can they? Judaism sees salvation as a judgment day decision based on morality. Buddhism guides your life according to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. Hindus anticipate multiple reincarnations in the soul's journey through the cosmos. Many philosophers deem life after death as hidden and unknown, 'a great leap in the dark. Some people package Christ with Moses, Mohammad, Confucius, and other spiritual leaders. Christians believe in one life, one death, and an eternity of enjoying God.
Humanist don't acknowledge a creator of life. Jesus claims to be the source of life. Spiritualists read your palms. Christians consult the Bible. Hindus perceive a plural and impersonal God. Christ-followers believe' there is only one God. 1 Corinthians (8:4). Every non-Christian religion says, 'You can save you.' Jesus says: My death on the cross saves you.' All ships don't sail to Australia, and all flights don't lead to America, and all roads don't lead to Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. He offers us a unique invitation in which He works and we trust, He dies and we live, He invites and we believe. 'The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent. Go about your Fathers business.
Reverend William Bowers
John (14:6)
No matter how much you enjoy where you are living at present, there's always a longing in your heart for the place you call 'home.' And how much more so for those who have been born again into God's redeemed family!
The world has its beautiful shorelines and landscapes, but deep down we yearn, like Paul, for our heavenly Father, heavenly family and home. 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians (1:21-23).
Leaving this life to be with Christ, in Paul's judgment, 'is far better.' Far better than what? Anything else! Nothing here can compare with what awaits you there! No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it-what God has arranged for those who love him. 1 Corinthians (2:9).
You ask, 'How will this transition happen to us?' At death, 'The dust our body' returns to the ground it came from, and 'our' spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes (12:7). Our bodies will 'fall asleep in Christ. 1 Corinthians (15:18). Our God-indwelled spirits return to His presence, delighting in 'the fullness of joy' and reveling in the 'pleasures forevermore' that are found in abundance at His right hand. Psalms (16:11). While we wait, anticipating our best days, heaven's hosts rehearse for the drama of the ages, the awesome return of Christ and our accompanying Him in our glorified bodies! We say, '. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation (22:20).
Apart from the way there is no going. Apart from the truth there is no knowing. Apart from the Life there is no living. God says, "Remain in Christ, and rest yourself. He is the way the truth and the life." Our salvation rests solely on God's strength, not our own. Our safety is in Jesus Christ's power, 'not ours.
Our protection depends on the Father's firm grip, not ours. No one, including the devil, can see the vital union that connects us with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because it was Christ's death and resurrection that perfected us because of His finished work, not our own. 'All roads lead to Heaven.' But how can they? Judaism sees salvation as a judgment day decision based on morality. Buddhism guides your life according to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. Hindus anticipate multiple reincarnations in the soul's journey through the cosmos. Many philosophers deem life after death as hidden and unknown, 'a great leap in the dark. Some people package Christ with Moses, Mohammad, Confucius, and other spiritual leaders. Christians believe in one life, one death, and an eternity of enjoying God.
Humanist don't acknowledge a creator of life. Jesus claims to be the source of life. Spiritualists read your palms. Christians consult the Bible. Hindus perceive a plural and impersonal God. Christ-followers believe' there is only one God. 1 Corinthians (8:4). Every non-Christian religion says, 'You can save you.' Jesus says: My death on the cross saves you.' All ships don't sail to Australia, and all flights don't lead to America, and all roads don't lead to Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. He offers us a unique invitation in which He works and we trust, He dies and we live, He invites and we believe. 'The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent. Go about your Fathers business.
Reverend William Bowers
Billy Graham A False Prophet!
The whispers about Reverend Billy Graham being a "False Prophet", or being a Freemason, have circulated throughout Christian circles for years. But, in March, 1997, Cutting Edge discovered that the official state Masonic website for Louisiana and Michigan both listed Reverend Graham as a "Famous Mason". Billy Graham says he believes people can be saved without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior.
Graham is "Hailed as the world's preacher" and "one of the world's most beloved and respected leaders". If Billy Graham was" a man of God, the world would not love" him so.
The Bible teaches that those who are Christ's will be hated by the world, 1 John (3:13) 2 Timothy (3:12) John (17:14). But Graham is of the world,1 John (4:5) (5:19), and therefore "beloved and respected."
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you, John (15:19).
Billy Graham is not hated by the world, but rather, by the admission of his own book, he is "beloved and respected" by the world, and "Hailed as the world's preacher." This alone is a mark of a false teacher. As Luke (6:26) says,
Woe to you when men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Mr. Graham is not a false prophet (because he is not a prophet), but he is a false teacher. He is not a real Christian, but a false one, and is an enemy of God James (4:4).
Billy Graham writes: "We should accept abortion in these cases: rape or incest or if the delivery of the child is a threat to a mother's life."
Even sincere Christians may differ on whether or not abortion is ever justified, especially in difficult situations such as rape or incest, or when tests reveal that the unborn child has severe abnormalities.
You shall not murder" Exodus (20:13). Killing an unborn child is murder no matter how the child was conceived (rape or incest) or what abnormalities he or she may have, Exodus (21:22-23) life for life. The Lord makes the mute, the deaf, and the blind (Exodus 4:11), and it is cruel hatred and murder to kill them.
Reverend William Bowers
The whispers about Reverend Billy Graham being a "False Prophet", or being a Freemason, have circulated throughout Christian circles for years. But, in March, 1997, Cutting Edge discovered that the official state Masonic website for Louisiana and Michigan both listed Reverend Graham as a "Famous Mason". Billy Graham says he believes people can be saved without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior.
Graham is "Hailed as the world's preacher" and "one of the world's most beloved and respected leaders". If Billy Graham was" a man of God, the world would not love" him so.
The Bible teaches that those who are Christ's will be hated by the world, 1 John (3:13) 2 Timothy (3:12) John (17:14). But Graham is of the world,1 John (4:5) (5:19), and therefore "beloved and respected."
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you, John (15:19).
Billy Graham is not hated by the world, but rather, by the admission of his own book, he is "beloved and respected" by the world, and "Hailed as the world's preacher." This alone is a mark of a false teacher. As Luke (6:26) says,
Woe to you when men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Mr. Graham is not a false prophet (because he is not a prophet), but he is a false teacher. He is not a real Christian, but a false one, and is an enemy of God James (4:4).
Billy Graham writes: "We should accept abortion in these cases: rape or incest or if the delivery of the child is a threat to a mother's life."
Even sincere Christians may differ on whether or not abortion is ever justified, especially in difficult situations such as rape or incest, or when tests reveal that the unborn child has severe abnormalities.
You shall not murder" Exodus (20:13). Killing an unborn child is murder no matter how the child was conceived (rape or incest) or what abnormalities he or she may have, Exodus (21:22-23) life for life. The Lord makes the mute, the deaf, and the blind (Exodus 4:11), and it is cruel hatred and murder to kill them.
Reverend William Bowers
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Our Partnership With God
1 Corinthians (12:4-11)
I don't know how some in today's church got the false idea that the preacher is a servant and the folks in the pews are just members. No one is a bystander in God's kingdom! All believers are in partnership with the Lord, 2 Corinthians (6:1). He chose to work through mankind to accomplish the gospel mission on earth. To borrow a biblical metaphor, we are the workers cultivating and harvesting His fields, Matthew (9:37-38).
God gave one or more spiritual gifts to every single believer to aid in the work for His kingdom. We each need this special "wiring" to carry out our unique role in His plan. He knits that spiritual gift into our personality and inborn talents to create a useful and effective servant. And just to be clear, there is no such thing as a non-gifted believer.
Believers are the Lord's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works, Ephesians (2:10). Spiritual gifts are not our own abilities. The Holy Spirit manifests them through us. Remember, it is the sap running from the vine into the branches that produces fruit, John (15:5). In the same way, the Spirit lives and works through God's followers to bring forth acts of service. The Lord's power is behind it all. Think of that when you are tempted to shy away from God-given opportunities.
God's awesome power is present in and available to every believer. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey the Lord in whatever He calls us to do. Don't waste your life sitting in a pew! Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest John (4:35).
1 Corinthians (12:4-11)
I don't know how some in today's church got the false idea that the preacher is a servant and the folks in the pews are just members. No one is a bystander in God's kingdom! All believers are in partnership with the Lord, 2 Corinthians (6:1). He chose to work through mankind to accomplish the gospel mission on earth. To borrow a biblical metaphor, we are the workers cultivating and harvesting His fields, Matthew (9:37-38).
God gave one or more spiritual gifts to every single believer to aid in the work for His kingdom. We each need this special "wiring" to carry out our unique role in His plan. He knits that spiritual gift into our personality and inborn talents to create a useful and effective servant. And just to be clear, there is no such thing as a non-gifted believer.
Believers are the Lord's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works, Ephesians (2:10). Spiritual gifts are not our own abilities. The Holy Spirit manifests them through us. Remember, it is the sap running from the vine into the branches that produces fruit, John (15:5). In the same way, the Spirit lives and works through God's followers to bring forth acts of service. The Lord's power is behind it all. Think of that when you are tempted to shy away from God-given opportunities.
God's awesome power is present in and available to every believer. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey the Lord in whatever He calls us to do. Don't waste your life sitting in a pew! Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest John (4:35).
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