One Body, Many Members...

Gifts of the spirit, what are they? 

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 COR 12:4-11.

 

What different world it would be if we lived accordingly. And, it will be a different world when the Lord Returns and we will live and reign accordingly. For now,  let us keep in mind, if we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. 

 

The greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not ~ Matthew Henry.

Trust in the Lord God Jesus Christ!

Do you believe that I am the Son of God? And, do you believe that I died for all men and women and that I rose from the dead? Then why do you continue to be distracted and anxious about your loved ones? Do they not also belong to me?

Would I refuse to work in their lives just as I work in yours? I have not put you in charge of saving them. I have already done that. Nor have I charged you to change them. Your task is to love, to forgive, to pray for them and to turn them over to Me.

Come closer to Me yourself and I will do the rest. Trust Me!

Being in the World but not of it...

A quick review of the movie - Heaven is For Real!

He posted a statement on the Heaven Is For Real Ministries website Friday responding to controversy over Malarkey’s revelation and standing by his claims of visiting heaven and meeting Jesus.

“I know there has been a lot of talk about the truth of other Heaven stories in the past few days. I just wanted to take a second and let everyone know that I stand by my story found in my book Heaven is for Real,” the statement read. “I still remember my experience in Heaven. I just want to keep telling people about my experience because it has given hope to so many people.”

Burpo added that he knows some people have doubts about his story but said that no one coaxed him into sharing it.

“I hope that my story continues to point people to Jesus,” he wrote. “He really, really loves you.”

Amen!

The only problem with the movie is the adults! They are skeptical and are supposed to be Christians;  including the character/role of the father. The first scene in which we should be skeptical about the adults and parents concerning their knowledge of the Bible and God in this film is at the church when we see the pastor (Pastor/Father to Colton) collapse on the stage near the podium.

People run up but no one is praying around him speaking in tongues (presence of the Holy Spirit). The next scene is when the pastor is recovering and the church elders are seeking a substitute preacher. They go directly to the world as would a cooperate recruiter. 

The adults in this film reach out to the world for help first in all instances. And, this becomes typical behavior by the adults in the film. We never see them seeking the Lord first in any instance. Oh, we see some local pray for Colton but as for the main characters- no. We don't see the mother pray and though the father is in a chapel while Colton is in surgery, he only yells at God.

Again, as the father attempts to understand what has happened to his son regarding his near death experience, he seeks out the world first. For example, the father goes to see a shrink at the university (who ironically says that her dead husband tried her to go to the pastor's church.

Its ironic because if that were true, then the pastor does know God and the Bible and should not be in her office - the shrinks) Next, the father goes to see his friend at the bank which isn't terrible because he is a church elder but we never see him open the Bible and ask the Lord to direct him or direct his friend in his understanding of life 'eternal life' after death.

The real experience that was had by the boy Colton was/is real and the 'real' Colton tells us that it was real for him then and still is as we read above in the text about a short interview he gave to "Heaven is For Real Ministry" and which can be read in print in the listed source below.





*Source ~ https://www.theblaze.com/news/2015/01/17/boy-whose-heaven-is-for-real-story-captivated-the-world-speaks-out-after-a-different-kid-recanted-his-story-about-meeting-jesus-and-seeing-heaven

God's Will and Guidance for You...

Is there a difference between the Will of God and the guidance of God? Yes. God's Will for us is to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The guidance of God is dependent on our obedience to His Will.

As we obey the Will fo God, the Lord guides us to the places where He wants us to serve and to the people he wants us to meet. In all of your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight ~ Proverbs 3:6.

Instruction of women in this Fallen World....

Instructions to Women

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control ~ 1 Timothy 2:14-15.

Treat older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with absolute purity and support the widows who are truly in need ~ 1 Timothy 5:2-3.  You see, respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The younger, if faulty, must be rebuked, not as desirous to find fault with them, but as willing to make the best of them. There is need of much meekness and care in reproving those who deserve reproof ~ Matthew Henry.

If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need ~ 1 Timothy 5:16

Make God the Deepest Desire of Your Heart!

Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except God. That is why closeness to Him satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with joy. 

He planted a longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which He alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. 

Thus, they create idols, before which they bow down. God will have no other gods before Him! Make God the deepest desire of your heart. Let Him fulfill your yearning for perfection ~ Jesus is Calling [ Exodus 20:3; Psalm 37:4]

Joy of the Redeemed ~ Isaiah 35

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

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