Month: <span>June 2013</span>

Published June 9, 2013

Helping the Church

by Dr. Bill Bright

“The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church” 1 Corinthians 12:7

A friend once asked me, “Are all the spiritual gifts for today?” and “How can I discern my spiritual gifts?”

He had been reading a number of books with conflicting views on gifts and had heard sermons – some encouraging him to discover his gifts and others saying the gifts are not for today. He was woefully confused.

I shared with this friend that I have been a Christian for more than 35 years and have known the reality of the fullness of the Spirit for more than 30 years. I explained that I have seen God do remarkable – even miraculous – things in and through my life throughout the years.

Yet, I have not felt the need to “discover” my gifts, because I believe that whatever God calls me to do He will enable me to do if I am willing to trust and obey Him, work hard and discipline myself.

The Holy Spirit obviously controls and distributes all the gifts. So when I am filled, controlled and empowered with the Holy Spirit I possess all of the gifts potentially. God will give me any gifts I need.

I went on to tell my young friend that some of the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural enhancements of abilities common to all men, wisdom for instance. Other gifts, such as healing, are granted by the Holy Spirit to only a select few.

But the gifts differ in another way, too. Some are instantaneous, and others are developmental in nature. Primarily, we need to remember that whatever God calls us to do, He will enable us to do. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” Philippians 2:13, (NAS).

http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/biblestudies/spiritfilledlife.htm

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/06/09/bb_helping-the-church/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Bright Thoughts by Men

Published June 6, 2013

Why Worry?

by Rev. Daniel Forster

We love to worry, don’t we? We say we don’t however, our actions and our speech tend to contradict what we say about worrying and about what we believe about worrying. This is the human nature in us – it is our flesh and our sin acting out. Jesus taught us not to worry and Jesus is the mouth of God. So if God tells us not to worry, why do we still worry?
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

I could have good cause to be a worrier today for yesterday I fell down our basement stairs. Thankfully I have no broken bones yet I banged myself up pretty good. I could fret about loss of money from not being able to work for a few days and I could worry about bills and things I want and need to do….or….I can read the scripture above and realize that God does care for me and is taking care of me right now.

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, for worrying is something the Lord has been transforming upon my thoughts on for several years now. I used to worry about everything, which would lead me to trying to be in control of everything; or it would lead me to throwing in the towel and giving up, letting the worries of life consume me. Praise God, He loves us more than we can comprehend, and has never intended for us to worry, for He truly does care for us.

Please take time to read the above scripture again, and let His word soak deep into your heart. Let Him comfort you, and give you His peace and rest today. Do not worry but seek His Kingdom, seek His presence, seek Him and in Him you will find peace and rest for today. He will care for you and provide for you, trust in Him, believe in Him, and abide in Him today. Thank you Jesus.

Father, Here are my worries. [List them] Please take them into Your hands and carry them, they are too great a distraction for me. Help me to only hold on to my thoughts of who You are, my knowledge of Your love, my certainty of Your presence. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Question: What worries do you have in your life that have a hold or bind on you?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/06/06/df_why-worry/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster