Week Eighteen – Living in the Age of the Spirit
Note: To live as disciples in the age of the Holy Spirit we must understand the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the guidance of the Spirit. This week we look at verses about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the miraculous way you spread the Gospel and enlarged the Church in its infancy.
Thought for the day: The one church where the gift of speaking in tongues was a major issue was the church at Corinth, that is, the same church where Paul laid hands on believers to gift them.
Monday, May 4, 2015
I Corinthians 14:11-12 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Prayer: Lord, let us excel in gifts and service that will build up believers for and eternity with you.
Thought for the day: Since they needed no interpreter on the Day of Pentecost, the experience happening in Corinth must have been a different experience.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
I Corinthians 14:18-19 I than God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Prayer: Jesus, help us speak and teach for the salvation and edification of others.
Thought for the day: The expert command of any language requires the choice of the right words.
Wednesday, May 6
Romans 12:5,6 So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
Prayer: Jesus, may we find contentment in the giftedness you have given us.
Thought for the day: If members of the church are endowed with different gifts, then no high-and-mighty teachers are needed to teach us the use of “really spiritual” gifts.
Thursday, May 7
I Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift another that.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for gifting us one and all in the church for the service of the body of Christ and the service of our neighbors.
Thought for the day: When you see a brother or sister giving love and care in a way that you could not, be grateful that not everyone is gifted in the same way.
Friday, May 8
I Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Prayer: Lord, we who are endowed with your gifts are prepared to serve you.
Thought for the day: Watch and listen as others serve to see if you can find in their service God’s love for one and all.
Saturday, May 9
I Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised though Jesus Christ.
Prayer: O Lord, may we draw on your strength to serve well according to our gifts.
Thought for the day: Practice is required for even the most talented of children.
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