But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 8.
One worker may be a ready speaker; another a ready writer; another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer; another the gift of singing; another may have special power to explain the Word of God with clearness. And each gift is to become a power for God because He works with the laborer. To one God gives the word of wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith; but all are to work under the same Head. The diversity of gifts leads to a diversity of operations, but “it is the same God which worketh all in all” (1 Corinthians 12:6).
The Lord desires His chosen servants to learn how to unite together in harmonious effort. It may seem to some that the contrast between their gifts and the gifts of a fellow laborer is too great to allow them to unite in harmonious effort; but when they remember that there are varied minds to be reached, and that some will reject the truth as it is presented by one laborer, only to open their hearts to God’s truth as it is presented in a different manner by another laborer, they will hopefully endeavor to labor together in unity. Their talents, however diverse, may all be under the control of the same Spirit. In every word and act, kindness and love will be revealed; and as each worker fills his appointed place faithfully, the prayer of Christ for the unity of His followers will be answered, and the world will know that these are His disciples.
In loving sympathy and confidence God’s workers are to unite with one another. He who says or does anything that tends to separate the members of Christ’s church is counterworking the Lord’s purpose. Wrangling and dissension in the church, the encouragement of suspicion and unbelief, are dishonoring to Christ. God desires His servants to cultivate Christian affection for one another.—Testimonies for the Church 9:144, 145.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 194
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for E and her children that God will work mightily for them. R
—-I had to have an emergency surgery because I had developed a large internal hernia in an unusual place and part of my intestines were being strangled inside of the hernia. I feel so horrible right now.thank you for all your prayers. Connie
—-With a sad heart, I ask that you pray for my cousin’s family. My cousin Ricky passed away this morning he had a weak heart. He was an Army Veteran. He has 2 special needs sons. Pray for God’s provision and comfort! I’m so glad I got to visit with him at our family reunion back last October. Denyele
—-Please pray for Brenda and her family as her cousin was killed. Please pray that the person who did it will be found. Rose
—-Please pray for me I’m sick and having a hard time. Please pray that I get better. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
Letely I have been reading some old devotionals that I had written right after my mother’s death in mid-July 2006. Sometimes reading them around the time of some event brings forth memories that has been pushed into the background because of all of the current happenings. I thought I would share one of these old devotionals with you today as it teaches a valuable lesson.
Rose“My mother had two good friends. One was a lifelong friend (M) and the other (T) had been friends with her for over fifty years. M and T both wrote to my mother but T’s letters came far more frequently. When my mother’s surgery in March caused her condition to deteriorate, M quit writing. T sent many get well cards and letters. T also called frequently.
I knew that I needed to tell them that my mother had died, but it was a struggle to make those calls. The day after my mother died, I finally picked up the phone and dialed their numbers. What different reactions I got from them. T was very sympathetic. She said that she had been expecting it, but she was so sorry. She talked of how much she appreciated their friendship and reminisced of good memories she had of my mother. She offered to send a check toward the airplane ticket that we had to buy for Eileen to come down from Michigan. After talking with her, I felt uplifted and encouraged.
My phone call to M, on the other hand, was far different. M did not appear to be sorry that my mother had died at all. M dwelt upon all of the negative things she could remember about my mother. She dug up all of the mean and ugly memories possible. She wanted to know if my mother had ever explained to me the “why’s and wherefor’s” about those things. I could not refute the things she was saying, but there was no reason for her to say them. By the time she had finished, I was horrified and heartbroken. The conversation ended by M saying, “Let’s keep in touch.” It very doubtful that I will do so.
Just as my mother had two friends—one genuine and one an enemy in disguise, so our Dear Saviour has genuine and false followers. Outwardly both appear the same, but inwardly they are quite different. Jesus gave us a parable that illustrates these two groups. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matt 13:24-30
When asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt 22:36-40 Love is the key that separates the false from the true. Only Christ’s genuine followers truly love Him. Only His genuine followers have the corresponding works. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” John 15:8-10) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matt 7:15-27
May we truly show our love for God by our thoughts, our words, our attitudes, our actions. May we speak of all of His marvelous works. May we love his followers and live peaceably with them is my prayer.
Rose”
Used as a Power for God