The Gifts of the Holy Spirit..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As believers, we’ve been given the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Teacher, Friend, and seal for the promised inheritance of eternal life with God. His presence, guidance, and wisdom in our lives are our greatest gifts while here on earth. Through him we have access to direct connection with our heavenly Father. Through him we receive spiritual gifts to empower us. And through him we are able to bear the incredible fruit of abundant life. Open your heart and mind to all that the Holy Spirit would give you, show you, and lead you to this week.

Scripture:“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” 1 Corinthians 12:1

Devotional:

Paul’s heart for the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 12:1 is God’s heart for you and me today. Scripture says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” Within the church today are defenders of multiple positions on spiritual gifts, each as staunch as the other. But God’s desire for you and me is that we would be informed directly from him about the incredible gifts of this loving Holy Spirit who dwells within us. God longs for us to receive all he has to give. He longs to teach us about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives that we might live with greater purpose and affections for him and others. Let’s surrender our hearts and minds to God on spiritual gifts. And let’s seek out every last bit of what God has planned for us today.

The first aspect of spiritual gifts to note is that they are indeed a gift. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 says,

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to each of us. He “apportions” them according to his perfect wisdom. Spiritual gifts are never birthed by man and never given for selfish purposes. The Spirit gives us gifts because he loves us and others. All that he does is in perfect love and is for “the common good.” Whether you’ve been given the gift of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, or interpretation of tongues, your purpose in the gift is to be the same as the Holy Spirit’s: love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (emphasis added).Spiritual gifts are all about love. Operating in a gift of the Spirit is always to be done in love. Paul is clear that gifts are annoying (1 Corinthians 13:1) and worthless (1 Corinthians 13:2-3) if they are not filled with love.

1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Spend time in prayer discovering what gift the Holy Spirit has given you and how he would intend you to use it for the benefit of the “common good.” Choose to align your understanding and belief on spiritual gifts with the word of God alone. And live today operating in love with the amazing gifts God has given you, whatever they may be.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s word about spiritual gifts. Align your understanding with his word alone.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the gift he has given you. Ask him to show you if he’s given you multiple gifts! Reflect on your life and the ways God has used you in the past. If you know someone who you believe has a close relationship with the Spirit, ask them what gift they believe God has given you!

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to use you today for the glory of Jesus. Decide to be a believer who lives empowered and purposed with the gift God has given you. Ask the Spirit to show you ways he would use you. Stay in tune and ready to be used by the God of love today.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8

2 Timothy 1:6-7 says, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Keep the fire of the Holy Spirit kindled within you today by intimate relationship with him. Talk with him. Ask for his help. Stay close to him and allow him to burn passionately within you to see the lost saved, loved, and freed.

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 12-14

Getting Back on Course..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Getting Back on Course

Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Peter 3:17-18

No matter how far away from God you have drifted, you're always welcome back. That's the lesson from Jesus' parable about the prodigal son--the foolish boy who followed a pleasure-filled path to ruin before returning to his father and finding redemption (Luke 15:11-32). Perhaps ruin has not yet come to you, but you know that your heart has grown cool to the things of God. Whatever your drifting story, make this the day that you point yourself back to the Lord.

As with any sin, the first motion toward getting back on course is to acknowledge that you have slipped away from the Lord. Then you confess and repent, which is like turning your boat in the opposite direction and paddling toward God with all your strength. If you're wondering exactly how to do that, I suggest a strategy I use every morning. Before I step out of bed, I give myself to God by acknowledging, I surrender my entire life to You for this day. When something comes up that runs counter to His plan and I consider pursuing it, the Holy Spirit reminds me that I am not my own. Only God's way will do for me.

Every day we choose whether to row or drift. As for me, I choose to vigorously pursue God.

Peter gives a warning to be on guard against attitudes and ideologies that would carry you away from truth (2 Peter 3:17). Instead, choose to paddle your lifeboat toward the Lord by meditating on Scripture, praying, and living obediently. Practicing the spiritual disciplines keeps a heart warm toward God.

Dating for the Glory of God..Emily Rose Massey

 Dating for the Glory of God

By Emily Rose Massey

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:14-16, NASB

The term “courting” for many young people (and even among Baby Boomers) seems to be a bit outdated and foreign. Courting is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary to mean “seeking the affections of- especially: seeking to win a pledge of marriage from.” It seems that instead of being cautious in the pursuit of romantic relationships, oftentimes, the whole process of dating can be treated much like the pursuit to finding the perfect pair of jeans- the ones that don’t fit, get thrown to the side until we find just the right one. Or it is a try-on session simply for fun. There should be nothing casual about it; everything in the relationship should be very intentional and purposefully pointing towards marriage. As Christians, ultimately, we must long to glorify God in our pursuit of a spouse.

Dating can often be very self-focused and self-serving, where we are looking more for what the other person can do for us and how they can make us happy. In the ultimate goal of pursuing marriage, as Christians, we know that type of self-centered mentality is not how God describes how we should treat one another in marriage. The wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord, and the husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Hopefully, Christian couples are looking to the Bible for the direction of their relationship and long to obey.

So what does the Bible say about courting/dating? Although the Bible does not mention the term courting or dating, we are given very important principles of how we should live as followers of Christ, and these can also be applied to our romantic relationships as we prepare for a marriage covenant. First and foremost, we are called to be separate from the world’s ways.

1 Peter 1:14-16 tells us: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (NASB).

Instead of looking to physical attraction or emotional attraction (how this person makes us feel) as our deciding factors of compatibility with someone we want to be in relationship with, we should discover the character of the person and if they are also a born-again believer in Jesus Christ with the desire to be conformed into His image and obey His Word. 

The marriage covenant is special because of what it symbolizes: Christ’s pure love and union with the Church. If that is your aim in a dating or courting relationship, to reflect Christ’s love and honor for each other, continue to put God first and look to the scriptures to renew your mind to separate yourself from the world’s view of dating so you are able to pursue God’s will for your life and for the direction of your relationship with your significant other.

Looking to the Bible for guidance when it comes to romantic relationships is the best to ensure glorifying God through obedience and righteousness, as well as creating a strong foundation for marriage with Christ at the center. Aside from the gift of salvation, marriage is one of the greatest blessings we will ever experience this side of heaven. When two people marry, they cleave to one another and become one flesh in a relationship that God intended to be constant and unbreakable (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5), a beautiful picture of Christ’s love for us individually and collectively as His Bride. Most importantly, may God be glorified in every relationship as we point others to Him in everything we say and do. 

Further Reading:

• 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
• Romans 12:9-10
• Philippians 2:3-4

8 Reasons We Don't Read the Bible..Jeff Anderson

 8 Reasons We Don't Read the Bible

by Jeff Anderson

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." - 2 Timothy 4:3

It’s no secret biblical literacy is on decline. Every major researcher on faith trends seems to be reporting it. But why? The Bible is our only unchanging lifeline to our faith. Its words are the truest, and most transferable expression of God. In many ways, the words are the closest we can get to our Creator, and the only way faith transfers from one generation to the next.

The Bible text is alive. So why do we settle for being once-removed from the source? Why aren’t we meeting God through His Word?

1. The Bible is optional
After all, we have TV, internet, and plenty of “wise” voices touting answers. The faith message has been oversimplified with trite expressions: Love God, love people.

Why do I need to read that dusty book when I have a four-word synopsis? Many people see more verses of scripture on Facebook memes than in their Bible. And to them, Facebook replaces the Bible.

2. Many church leaders don’t expect us to read the Bible
I didn’t say leaders don’t want people to read the Bible, but that they don’t expect it. When our kids were babies and toddlers, we didn’t expect them to feed themselves, or even know how. So we fed them little bites of baby food.

Eventually, we expected them to feed themselves, and even make their own meals. Shouldn't we be encouraged (and expected) to do some self-feeding on the Word at home?

3. All we hear is mission and vision
An unintended consequence of church branding and mission statements is constant preaching of vision, and funding for the mission. In a growing number of churches, vision has replaced discipleship. The A-B-C's (Attendance, Baptisms, Cash) are measurable… spiritual growth (and Bible literacy) is difficult to assess. Even when “discipleship” is programmed, there’s not an emphasis on personal Bible reading.

4. Google faith
We can google a Bible verse, or blog about a verse, any time we want. So why read what's around it? 100 million people have downloaded the YouVersion Bible app. I celebrate that fact. My question is, with accessibility to Scripture climbing by the day, why is faith and Bible engagement declining? Since we can always google the Bible when we “need” it, we rarely read the book.

5. Failure
For some, even thinking about that leather-bound book triggers memories of personal failure. And who wants to be reminded of that?! If you've ever tried a 365-day read, you know what I'm talking about. For others, disappointing and confusing experiences reading the Bible have triggered resignation (keep that book away from me).

6. Your parents don’t read the Bible
I’m talking to your kids, now. If you don’t read it, your kids won’t, statistically speaking. If you’ve given up, they may never begin.

7. Bible bullies
Sincere believers are often told, overtly and covertly, that they are not smart or educated enough to truly understand the Bible. Sounds like something Martin Luther railed against 500 years ago! Like others before and after, he was persecuted for giving such a “lofty” book to lowly people. Today, some bestselling authors actually tell their followers that without the benefit of their education and knowledge of “historical context” they can’t possibly understand the Bible.

8. Paul predicted you wouldn’t read it.
Okay, the Apostle Paul didn’t predict you wouldn’t read it. But he predicted many would find more entertaining alternatives.

If any of these 8 reasons for not reading the Bible apply to you, maybe you need a faith restart. Joshua triggered a restart reading as soon as they crossed the Jordan River. (Joshua 8) King Josiah ordered a restart when the dust-covered book of the law was discovered in the temple. (2 Kings 22) Ezra and Nehemiah instituted some restart reading sessions when they rebuilt the temple and the walls. (Nehemiah 8)

We all need faith restarts - fresh opportunities to recharge our faith batteries.

A Prayer for the Biblical Woman..Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer for the Biblical Woman

By Emily Rose Massey

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17, NKJV

Social media has changed a lot over the years. What used to be a way to simply share snapshots and stay connected to family and friends has now become a world-wide “town square” for anyone to have a voice and opinion on just about any topic imaginable. In Christian online circles, one particular topic that has seemed to become extremely popular is biblical Womanhood. In fact, there are entire social media pages, podcasts, YouTube channels, and blogs solely dedicated to what is means to be a biblical woman. Just search the hashtag “biblical womanhood” and you will find a plethora of carefully curated infographics, elegant and creative reels, and perfectly posed photos to scroll through for days on end. Of course, there are Bible verses to accompany these posts, and they will always say something about giving God glory as a woman. But I have observed that much of what you will find can be described, in my opinion, as cookie cutter, as if there is only one aesthetic that defines biblical womanhood.

Some examples are baking homemade sourdough bread, wearing only dresses with aprons, homeschooling, raising chickens, cleaning tips, meal prepping, and gardening. Friends, all these things can be beneficial as a woman in the home, but let us be careful not to equate 1950s homemaking to what is means to be a biblical woman. When it comes to what God is concerned most about, it is a matter of the heart, not what we see on the outside. I am reminded of this exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the church at Colossae:

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17, NKJV

Homeschooling, keeping the home organized, and preparing meals for your family are all wonderful things that a woman can do, but if she is not doing those things with the right heart or motive, it is all done in vain. Whether you are single, married, a stay-at-home momma, a working momma, a woman with a successful career, retired, or a grandma with expansive life-experience and wisdom, God has called you to be a biblical woman by living your life solely for the Lord Jesus with a heart full of thankfulness for all that He has done for you.

Your beauty or worth as a woman isn’t about how hard you can slay or hustle, how immaculately clean your home looks, or how well-behaved your children are. Real beauty comes from total dependency on God. What blooms in your life will be beautiful because of Him. 

Your story of walking with Jesus is not about your works or what you can do in your own power or strength, it is about working with grace and allowing it to do its work in you and through you. The more you lean into His grace, the more you will see growth and maturity in your heart and life. Through this dependency on Him, you will make Jesus famous and not your own name. God alone will receive all the glory that is due His name. May we learn how to surrender our life to Jesus every single day and trust that He will use it all for His glory.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father,
I long to be a biblical woman, but I do not want to get swayed by what others tell me what that should look like. I want to look to the scriptures first and foremost. You are not concerned with what I look like on the outside, but You are more concerned with the posture of my heart. Help me to serve my family and my community without grumbling or complaining as I depend solely upon You each day. I pray that You would use every trial and difficulty in my life to conform me into the image of Your dear Son. I long to give You glory in all that I say and do. Help me lean upon Your grace to be the woman You have called me to be, to further Your Kingdom and tell of Your goodness and faithfulness.
In Jesus’ name, amen.