November 13, 2020: SOAP #3998:  Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

OBSERVATION:  Paul was writing instructions to the church in Corinth about their times of gathering or meetings.  From reading this chapter, we see that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were active among the believers.  Sometimes it became disorderly.  Paul did not tell them to all be quiet, but that things should be done in an orderly manner.  It was important for people to understand what the Spirit was saying to the church. 

In the verse above, the church members were “eager” to have spiritual gifts. 

APPLICATION:  What are the characteristics of someone “eager” to have spiritual gifts?  I think that they would be praying between meetings that God would use them to bring a “gift” that would build up the congregation.  I believe they would come ready to allow the Holy Spirit to flow through them with a prophecy, a gift of healing, message of tongues and interpretation. 

I do not think they would come hoping that the preacher would have a good message to encourage them.  They would come with something in their spirit that can be shared with the body or some individual who needs encouragement.  They would come to church looking for a way to be a blessing! 

One does not need to be in leadership to be used by the Holy Spirit.  They can be active as believers minister to each other.  Spiritual gifts can flow through us at home, at work, at school, at church, or wherever we are! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, find me “eager” to have you working through me.  Forgive me for times I resisted or ignored what you were saying to me.  May I always be open to your leading.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 12, 2020: SOAP #3997:  Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corrrinthians (NIV) 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Observation:  Out of this passage about spiritual gifts, the above verse speaks to me today.  When God gives one of His children a gift, His desire is that it will give them opportunities to be more like Him!  He is a giver!  He is a lover!  He serves us in so many ways.  With their gift, they can better serve others.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, the leadership gifts, the motivational gifts, the gift of knowledge and/or wisdom, the gift of our possessions…and whatever else type of gifts there may be… They are all given to us to make us more useful to others.  They are not given to us to make our lives easier or so we can climb to a position in life to be better than others, or to control others.  They are given to us so that we can make others better—so we can serve others. 

Application:  I believe when God has given me a gift, He will also provide a way to use that gift to serve others.  God has given me the gift of knowing Him and seeing things from His perspective.  Through these SOAPs, He has provided a way for that gift to bless others. 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for making me useful.  And thank you for increasing the usefulness of each SOAP reader. Stir them up and show them a way they can personally use whatever gift you have given them to benefit others. Help us to not miss any opportunity today to use our gifts to serve others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!