I really believe one of the things the Lord is doing right now is “stirring” … stirring up His Spirit in our hearts like a nourishing and piping hot soup on a cold winter’s day. Not so we feel a little warmer and cozier, but so that His presence may be manifested in real and tangible ways - in this cold, broken world.
Jesus didn’t leave us alone. When He ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit—the Helper—to be ‘in’ us. Jesus was “God with us.” The Holy Spirit is “God IN us.” And 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that to ‘each one’ - is given a manifestation of the Spirit - “for the common good.” (v7). That means every believer has a supporting role to play in God’s great unfolding play and plan for humanity.
The gifts are not about (bringing us glory) making us look cool or super spiritual; they are always about helping someone else – see Him (they bring Hm glory). (We’re blessed of course residually – but these gifts are manifest for the good of all.)
Paul lists nine manifestation gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. We’d looked at the first three the last two Sundays: the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, and Faith.
We see all three of these gifts (and others too like healing and miracles) in Acts Chapter 3 - when Peter and John greet the man who’d been lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. They’d probably passed by this man many times before – yet on this particular day, something different occurred … Peter doesn’t just mindlessly reach for his wallet and toss in a couple of bucks and ‘motor on by’. Instead, the Bible says - he fixes his gaze on the man and says, “Silver and gold I have not, but what I do have – that I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene—walk.”
That wasn’t Peter’s own bright idea. That was a word of knowledge (“don’t give money this time – give him the true treasure”), then divine wisdom showed him how … (grab him by the arm and lift), and that right there – in that moment with that motion (that act of faith) – therein is that precious gift (a gift worth more than all the gold and silver in the world) God’s supernatural Gift of Faith (Spoken) transferred to the man and as he in agreement – moved to stand (acted on it) scripture says – immediately, the man’s feet and ankles were strengthened. He goes walking, leaping, and praising God into the temple. And the people are all filled with “wonder and amazement.”
That’s what the Holy Spirit’s gifts are for: to reveal God’s Glory – to verify that God is real (to make Him manifest in this world), to confirm that Jesus is still alive, and that He’s still at work in and through us by the supernatural giftings of the Holy Spirit in this world.
This “gift of faith” in 1 Corinthians 12 is something God deposits in a split second. You don’t work up to it. It is instantaneous. Now – too - this isn’t - “name it and claim it.” - (I don’t believe in that – we can’t name anything or claim anything beyond what God says or ordains - He directs - He declares and decrees - we obey and say the same thing as He)
The Holy Spirit deposits these gifts – just “as He wills”, for a particular person, object or situation. Often it comes as a spoken word—a declaration that lines up with God’s will.
I’ve seen these gifts operating even in small – seemingly inconsequential ways. Sometimes God uses the small stuff to show us … that we are a Big deal to Him. That we are indeed - SOOO - very important to Him. - Even the smallest of details of our lives are seen by Him and matter to Him (this is water into wine stuff). There is nothing too small in His Kingdom to care – and He can use all things great and small to bring Glory to His name!
Once, (many years ago) late – about 10pm on a Saturday night, I decided (brilliant timing) to change our whole-house water filter. As I went to put the new filter back on - the gasket for the filter housing - absolutely would not fit back on. Now, this is a major crisis when you’ve got a house full of girls who need showers before church in the morning. I had to shut off the water – since that gasket not fitting was - Niagara Falls! - No filter – No water! I tried and tried – looked at the clock – all stores were closed. It was physically too stretched out to go back on (it was about an inch too big to seat). There was no physical way to make it fit.
I’d brought it upstairs to where my daughter and boyfriend were just finishing up a game of Scrabble – and explained my plight – the rest of the house - fast asleep – but I could hear the cries in the morning – “what possessed you” – "who’s brilliant idea was this" - to change the filter at 10 o’clock at night? And – don’t you know we have to shower and get ready for church? Guys - I was in a real jam! So, after both my daughter and her boyfriend tried their hand at it –and agreed there’s just – ‘NO WAY’ – it’ll never fit – too stretched out!
Then – desperate ... I got a very simple word: I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my spirit – He said - “pray” over it. So, I did. I laid hands-on that gasket and filter and began to pray – I asked the Lord to intervene (in quiet desperate trust) – “Lord, we need you – Jesus …. HELP! - make this fit, etc. I moved my hand in a clockwise circle over it as I prayed out loud – when I lifted my hand and finished praying – I opened my eyes – to see these two young ones - looking on – looking at me a bit bewildered (perhaps a little embarrassed – I know my daughter was wondering - about how odd I was acting in front of her fairly new guest ... or perhaps both just wondering – how praying to a God you can't see - could possibly help?
So … after I lifted my hand – we all watched as that gasket slipped right back into place like it had never been a problem. It fit like a glove!
Did God have to do that? Of course not. But He did. I exclaimed – in utter shock - I asked one of my favorite questions: “Who does that?” - And the first words out of my daughter’s mouth were, “God does that.” It wasn’t about a water filter. It wasn’t even about no hot showers in the morning - or the scolding I was sure to receive. It was about two young people seeing that God is real, present, and able—even in the smallest of things to move.
For me – my Faith – His Divine Faith grew larger in me that day – (this was Lazarus stuff to me - purely impossible - but not with God). I learned once and for all that God is the God of the impossible – even -yes even in the small stuff – (perhaps especially in the small stuff). No matter what life looks like or what you are praying for – “He is able”!
The Holy Spirit wants to manifest Himself through you in ways ... big and small. Our part is to live surrendered lives and be open to His voice of knowledge -wisdom and faith: “Lord, show me where to go, what to say, what to do – and even when to say nothing at all – let me follow You.” - We are to be channels of His Love here on earth.
As you walk closely with Him, He’ll give you the wisdom, knowledge, and faith needed - to live out His plan and purposes for your life and for others - right when they’re needed— and always - *for someone else’s good* - just don’t be surprised that God is also doing something good in you too. We are always ... residually blessed! Remember to thank Him!
So - Holy Spirit – stir up Your Gifts in us. Let us return to our first love - Your Word – for Wisdom – Knowledge and Faith! Help us to always - keep our spiritual “antenna” up - and ready to be used by you - we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
God is able and if He is willing - can use you (may we have ears to hear) to show Himself (manifest His presence) strong - in the lives of others today.
Blessings,
Pastor Bob
Jesus didn’t leave us alone. When He ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit—the Helper—to be ‘in’ us. Jesus was “God with us.” The Holy Spirit is “God IN us.” And 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that to ‘each one’ - is given a manifestation of the Spirit - “for the common good.” (v7). That means every believer has a supporting role to play in God’s great unfolding play and plan for humanity.
The gifts are not about (bringing us glory) making us look cool or super spiritual; they are always about helping someone else – see Him (they bring Hm glory). (We’re blessed of course residually – but these gifts are manifest for the good of all.)
Paul lists nine manifestation gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. We’d looked at the first three the last two Sundays: the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, and Faith.
- The Word of Knowledge is when Holy Spirit drops information into your spirit that you couldn’t know on your own concerning a person, object or situation. This is His divine knowledge.
- The Word of Wisdom is when He shows you what to ‘do’ with that knowledge—how to apply it practically. Again – this is not human ingenuity - it’s God’s perfect way!
- Faith (this gift of faith) is not just “Gee - I hope this thing works out.” It’s a supernatural confidence from God that … His Will – will be done – period (Amen), because - He has spoken (as when He spoke the worlds into existence – He spoke and it was so. It is also different than Saving Faith (The Faith of Salvation – “faith that comes by the hearing of God’s Word” – Rom. 10:17) as well – it is distinct from the Fruit - 'Faith’ – the faith He gifts for Living out our lives (Faithfulness – part of the Fruit of Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22)
We see all three of these gifts (and others too like healing and miracles) in Acts Chapter 3 - when Peter and John greet the man who’d been lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. They’d probably passed by this man many times before – yet on this particular day, something different occurred … Peter doesn’t just mindlessly reach for his wallet and toss in a couple of bucks and ‘motor on by’. Instead, the Bible says - he fixes his gaze on the man and says, “Silver and gold I have not, but what I do have – that I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene—walk.”
That wasn’t Peter’s own bright idea. That was a word of knowledge (“don’t give money this time – give him the true treasure”), then divine wisdom showed him how … (grab him by the arm and lift), and that right there – in that moment with that motion (that act of faith) – therein is that precious gift (a gift worth more than all the gold and silver in the world) God’s supernatural Gift of Faith (Spoken) transferred to the man and as he in agreement – moved to stand (acted on it) scripture says – immediately, the man’s feet and ankles were strengthened. He goes walking, leaping, and praising God into the temple. And the people are all filled with “wonder and amazement.”
That’s what the Holy Spirit’s gifts are for: to reveal God’s Glory – to verify that God is real (to make Him manifest in this world), to confirm that Jesus is still alive, and that He’s still at work in and through us by the supernatural giftings of the Holy Spirit in this world.
This “gift of faith” in 1 Corinthians 12 is something God deposits in a split second. You don’t work up to it. It is instantaneous. Now – too - this isn’t - “name it and claim it.” - (I don’t believe in that – we can’t name anything or claim anything beyond what God says or ordains - He directs - He declares and decrees - we obey and say the same thing as He)
The Holy Spirit deposits these gifts – just “as He wills”, for a particular person, object or situation. Often it comes as a spoken word—a declaration that lines up with God’s will.
I’ve seen these gifts operating even in small – seemingly inconsequential ways. Sometimes God uses the small stuff to show us … that we are a Big deal to Him. That we are indeed - SOOO - very important to Him. - Even the smallest of details of our lives are seen by Him and matter to Him (this is water into wine stuff). There is nothing too small in His Kingdom to care – and He can use all things great and small to bring Glory to His name!
Once, (many years ago) late – about 10pm on a Saturday night, I decided (brilliant timing) to change our whole-house water filter. As I went to put the new filter back on - the gasket for the filter housing - absolutely would not fit back on. Now, this is a major crisis when you’ve got a house full of girls who need showers before church in the morning. I had to shut off the water – since that gasket not fitting was - Niagara Falls! - No filter – No water! I tried and tried – looked at the clock – all stores were closed. It was physically too stretched out to go back on (it was about an inch too big to seat). There was no physical way to make it fit.
I’d brought it upstairs to where my daughter and boyfriend were just finishing up a game of Scrabble – and explained my plight – the rest of the house - fast asleep – but I could hear the cries in the morning – “what possessed you” – "who’s brilliant idea was this" - to change the filter at 10 o’clock at night? And – don’t you know we have to shower and get ready for church? Guys - I was in a real jam! So, after both my daughter and her boyfriend tried their hand at it –and agreed there’s just – ‘NO WAY’ – it’ll never fit – too stretched out!
Then – desperate ... I got a very simple word: I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my spirit – He said - “pray” over it. So, I did. I laid hands-on that gasket and filter and began to pray – I asked the Lord to intervene (in quiet desperate trust) – “Lord, we need you – Jesus …. HELP! - make this fit, etc. I moved my hand in a clockwise circle over it as I prayed out loud – when I lifted my hand and finished praying – I opened my eyes – to see these two young ones - looking on – looking at me a bit bewildered (perhaps a little embarrassed – I know my daughter was wondering - about how odd I was acting in front of her fairly new guest ... or perhaps both just wondering – how praying to a God you can't see - could possibly help?
So … after I lifted my hand – we all watched as that gasket slipped right back into place like it had never been a problem. It fit like a glove!
Did God have to do that? Of course not. But He did. I exclaimed – in utter shock - I asked one of my favorite questions: “Who does that?” - And the first words out of my daughter’s mouth were, “God does that.” It wasn’t about a water filter. It wasn’t even about no hot showers in the morning - or the scolding I was sure to receive. It was about two young people seeing that God is real, present, and able—even in the smallest of things to move.
For me – my Faith – His Divine Faith grew larger in me that day – (this was Lazarus stuff to me - purely impossible - but not with God). I learned once and for all that God is the God of the impossible – even -yes even in the small stuff – (perhaps especially in the small stuff). No matter what life looks like or what you are praying for – “He is able”!
The Holy Spirit wants to manifest Himself through you in ways ... big and small. Our part is to live surrendered lives and be open to His voice of knowledge -wisdom and faith: “Lord, show me where to go, what to say, what to do – and even when to say nothing at all – let me follow You.” - We are to be channels of His Love here on earth.
As you walk closely with Him, He’ll give you the wisdom, knowledge, and faith needed - to live out His plan and purposes for your life and for others - right when they’re needed— and always - *for someone else’s good* - just don’t be surprised that God is also doing something good in you too. We are always ... residually blessed! Remember to thank Him!
So - Holy Spirit – stir up Your Gifts in us. Let us return to our first love - Your Word – for Wisdom – Knowledge and Faith! Help us to always - keep our spiritual “antenna” up - and ready to be used by you - we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
God is able and if He is willing - can use you (may we have ears to hear) to show Himself (manifest His presence) strong - in the lives of others today.
Blessings,
Pastor Bob
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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