Category: Poetry

Walk In Love

Walk In Love

Walk In Love
— Read on livingwaterministries.blog/2021/09/28/walk-in-love/

The Body And Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4

New Living Translation

4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

Not everyone receives spiritual gifts those who do are honored with and blessed. There are many different types of spiritual gifts but all of the same spirit that is all the Holy Spirit

During Jesus’s last days on earth, He promised His followers that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things” (John 14:26, ESV). Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Holy Spirit—and the role He plays in your life as a believer?

When you fill out the form below, we’ll send you a resource that will help you grow closer to Christ as you learn more about His gift of the Holy Spirit. This powerful pamphlet is filled with Biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit, Scriptural promises about His work in your life, and practical guidance on how you can hear Him speak.

It’s our prayer that this resource will encourage you—or a loved one—with the Biblical promise that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5, ESV).

Verse Thoughts

The human body consists of many different components but it is one unit. There are many hidden internal organs and a multiplicity of visible external members.

Each has its own unique function, and yet every single body-part needs to interact with every other member, and work together synergistically in order to maintain a strong, healthy, functioning body.

When one member does not work correctly, or is impaired, paralysed, in pain, or disconnected, it has a significant effect on the rest of the body. This interrelationship of every aspect of the human body is used, by Paul, to illustrate the beautiful way that each member of the body of Christ is important to the whole, and should function and interact with all other members.

Christ is the Head of the body, and just as the head of a human body is the control tower which governs every internal organ and directs each external member to work together in synergistic harmony, so it should be with every member of the body of Christ, which is the Church – for HE is our Head.

Each member is unique, and every individual part has his or her own, particular job to do. Each part of the body has its own important function within the entire body, but when one member is sick, or functioning incorrectly, it has a devastating effect on the efficacious operation of the whole, “for even as the body is one and yet has many members, though they are many, there is one body – so also is Christ.”

Paul was not trying to give us an anatomy lesson, but was using something that is very familiar to everyone, to stress the importance of each Christian functioning efficiently. Some members will be very visible, while others quietly carry out the work that God has prepared for them to do in the place where God has planted them. All, however, contribute to the effective functioning of the Body of Christ. And God is no respecter of persons, for all have their own unique role to carry out in God’s ongoing plan of redemption.

Although we are all individual people and have diverse backgrounds, different experiences, varying gifts, unique abilities, and individual characteristics, we are all ONE in Christ. Although we are individual members, we are mutually dependent. As members of Christ’s Body we are to work together in holy love and Christian harmony. Christ is to be made manifest to a broken and hurting world through the Body of Christ, which is the Church – for individually and collectively we are His witnesses.

Every believer is equipped with certain ain spiritual gifts and graces, which should complement the gifts and graces of other believers. As the Church of God we should combine our graces and spiritual gifts, to express the beauty of Jesus to a world that is dead in trespasses and sin.

Just as the human body is the vehicle by which a man or woman expresses their character and personality, so the Church is the channel through which Christ Jesus is enabled to reveal Who He is, and what He has done, as recorded in the Word of God – so that the world

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-corinthians-12-12

What does 1 Corinthians 12:4 mean?

Paul spoke in the previous verse of the Spirit of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In other words, he mentioned all three members of the Trinity or the Godhead. Now he begins to do the same in reverse order, beginning here and continuing his thought through verse 6.

Paul is preparing to give the Christians in Corinth very specific information about the spiritual gifts given to every believer by the Holy Spirit. He starts by revealing there are a variety of different gifts. Each serves a different purpose in the church. His main point here, though, is that there is only one Holy Spirit, the same one that occupies every person who comes to faith in Christ.

In other words, the Spirit is not given to some Christians and not others (Romans 8:9). Those who are saved all have the same, the only, Spirit of God with them. There are not different versions of God’s Spirit, though there are different kinds of gifts given to believers by Him. Differences in spiritual gifts are not, at all, differences in spiritual value or salvation.

Context Summary

First Corinthians 12:1–11 details Paul’s specific teaching on what spiritual gifts are, who receives them, and why they are given. Every believer in Jesus is spiritual, because each Christian has God’s Spirit with him or her. The Spirit gives one or more spiritual gifts to every believer for the common good, to be used in service to the church. Nobody acquires or earns their own gifts. The same Spirit gives them away, for free, as He sees fit, meaning that having one or the other gift does not make a Christian more important than another.

Chapter Summary

Apparently in response to further questions from Corinth, Paul describes what spiritual gifts are, who receives them, and what they are for. His emphasis is that particular spiritual gifts do not make believers spiritual. Every believer is spiritual because every Christian has God’s Spirit with him or her. In addition, the Spirit gives one or more spiritual gifts to each believer to be used to serve the church. The church is like a body, in which every part is needed, and all the parts exist to serve one another. Every believer must discover how they are gifted by the Spirit and value the function they serve in Christ’s body

Suffering Builds Endurance Through Obstacles And Trials

Suffering Builds Endurance Through Obstacles And Trials

Suffering Builds Endurance Through Obstacles And Trials
— Read on livingwaterministries.blog/2021/09/23/suffering-builds-endurance-through-obstacles-and-trials/

https://youtu.be/GwirdlbkUD8

When I Close My Eyes

When I close my eyes

I never want to wake up

I’m guilty in pain

I Pray for forgiveness

Hoping all will be okay

I’m your lady

All make mistakes

But I’ve made mine and guilt builds high

I always want to be your woman

But the pain is unbearable

I pray to God

But feel denied

So I close my eyes and feel like I never want to wake again

So I pray to God again

Let Your Mouth Be Of Good

VERSE OF THE DAY

Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Translation)

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Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Don’t get yourself caught in cursing and belittling other in foul words and abusive language. Let everything you say and what comes from your mouth be good and encouraging so that what you say will be healthy and helpful to others. Let those who have ear to hear hear and help others.

29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. [30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

What Does Ephesians 4:29 Mean? ►

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Verse Thoughts

We are not simply to read God’s Word and study its content in order to expand our knowledge of Scripture. We have a positive responsibility to obey His Word and apply it in our everyday life, for when we walk in the unity of the Spirit and live in holiness of heart, we mature in the faith, grow in grace, and produce the fruit of humility, patience, gentleness, and love.

From the moment we are regenerated, the old self-life is to be put off and should remain nailed to the Cross… and we are to ‘put on the new’. We become a new man with a new life – the in-breathed life of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are declared righteous by God, made part of His new creation, become a member of Christ mystic Body, and are covered with His perfect righteousness.

We have a duty to obey God’s Word – so that we mature in the faith and are progressively conformed into the image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus. Just as our ‘old man’ followed the sinful ways of the world, so the ‘new man’ is to walk in the way of righteousness and live in the truth of His Word.

To help us actively put off the old man and put on the new, Paul exhorts us to live in a certain way and adopt certain godly attitudes and behaviours, while abstaining from things that are carnal and fleshly. He exhorts us to rid ourselves of wordly vices and stop deceiving, defrauding, or harming others. We are to avoid sinning when anger rises in our heart and deal with wrong motives and harmful emotions speedily.

We are to refrain from selfishness and stealing and we are to work hard so we are able to bless others for the sake of Christ. And in this verse, we are exhorted to speak wholesome words and do good things that encourage and edify others, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth,” we are instructed, “but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment – so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

We are to guard our tongue and not allow any corrupt communication to fall from our lips. The words we speak should flow from a heart that is centred on Christ and should minister timely words of grace and encouragement to others. This call to put off unwholesome words and engage in gracious speaking excludes all types of improper language, silly speech, coarse words, and hurtful jestings. But is also includes spreading rumours, participating in gossip, circulating lies, boastful comments, or engaging in scornful or blasphemous speech.

Unwholesome, worthless words are to be replaced by good and gracious speech for a reason… so that others are edified and encouraged by what we say. Ecclesiastes tells us that, “the words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,” and the book of Proverbs reminds us that, “an appropriate answer brings joy to a person – and a well-timed word is a good thing.” When a word we have spoken has given encouragement to others and meets a timely need, it is a joyful thing, it blesses others, and it honours the Lord. 

There are many passages throughout Scripture that remind us that, “pleasant words are pure while the words of a worthless man are like a scorching fire.” Jesus is the supreme example, whose words were pure, timely, holy, and honoured God. We read in Luke, “all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips,” … and can we ever forget the wonderful words of forgiveness Christ uttered on the Cross?

We are not simply to know what Scripture says, but are to act responsibility and obey the call of God to speak timely words of encouragement which edify the Body, rejoices the heart, give grace to all those who hear

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-4-29

What does Ephesians 4:29 mean?

Paul transitions from a contrast between stealing and hard work (Ephesians 4:28) to contrasting corrupting speech with encouraging speech. In both cases, his intent is to explain how Christians need to make a conscious effort to live differently than in our pre-salvation days. Just as stealing is associated with unbelievers, so also corrupting talk is associated with those who do not know Christ.

Interestingly, Paul specifically indicates that we do indeed have control over what we say: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths.” This contradicts the common excuse of “I couldn’t help saying it.” According to the Bible, we are accountable for the words we use (Matthew 12:36). Only a tiny proportion of people suffer from medical conditions which interfere with control of vocabulary. And, even such people can be expected to use whatever control they have, as much as they can. Christians do have control of our words, which are a powerful influence in how the world perceives us.

Instead of using “corrupting” or negative talk, Paul provides two guidelines for how to speak. First, we are to speak in beneficial ways about meaningful things. Second, we are to speak in ways appropriate to the situation we are in. What might be completely acceptable in one circumstance might be rude or unkind in another. The goal is to show grace to those who are listening to our words. We are not supposed to prioritize our own feelings, but make it our intent to help others through our words.

Context Summary

Ephesians 4:17–32 is a valuable, highly practical explanation of how to live out a Christian life. Paul notes the difference between a life wallowing under the power of sin, as opposed to a life thriving in the power of Christ. Christians are called on to ”put away” the things which entangle unbelievers. This includes sins such as malice, slander, commotion, and bitterness. Instead, we should demonstrate a Christ-like attitude of love and forgiveness.

Chapter Summary

Truly understanding saving grace, as Paul explained in prior chapters, is the Christian’s first motivation for living a godly life. Here, Paul encourages believers to live in way which honors that gift. All saved Christians are part of a single, unified family, part of the ”body” of Christ. At the same time, different believers are given different talents. Some are called to positions of leadership and authority. All Christians should turn away from the ”old self” we were prior to being saved. Paul’s explanation of the ”new self” includes some basic, practical steps

I Need You

I’ll be by your side whenever you fall

In the silent of the night I’ll answer your call

I want you

I need you

You make a way when there is no way

You bring a smile when I am down

I’m nothing without you

I stay by your side in the dead of night and the light of day

I’m always one with you

Because we’re one together you and me