Devotionals for May 26, 2022
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READ
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4–11
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 other 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.
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 other 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.
REFLECT
What a beautiful explanation of the good gifts God gives to His children! The word Paul uses here for spiritual “gifts” is charismaton. Its root is charis, which is the word we see for “grace” throughout the New Testament. It’s a gift. A blessing. Something we can’t earn. Likewise, God gives these gifts of His Spirit to empower His church for “the common good.” Each person will have unique manifestations of how God works through them, and each gift is important for serving and helping one another.
APPLY
Q: How does Paul explain the source of these spiritual gifts?
Q: Are you eagerly desiring the Holy Spirit in your life so that you can serve others?
Q: God pours out His Spirit on you so you can pour it out for others. Who can you pray for and serve this week?
Q: Are you eagerly desiring the Holy Spirit in your life so that you can serve others?
Q: God pours out His Spirit on you so you can pour it out for others. Who can you pray for and serve this week?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
God, thank you for grace and total forgiveness! Open my heart wide to forgive others by the strength of your Holy Spirit. Help me to be generous in love, mercy, and kindness, for you are kind and good to me all the time. Amen.
God, thank you for grace and total forgiveness! Open my heart wide to forgive others by the strength of your Holy Spirit. Help me to be generous in love, mercy, and kindness, for you are kind and good to me all the time. Amen.