OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE: SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2016

THEME: DIVERSITY OF GIFTS BUT THE SAME SPIRIT

Memorise:

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12

Read: 1st Corinthians 12:1-7, (KJV)

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

MESSAGE

The Kingdom of God on earth, the Body of Christ, or the Church are synonyms that symbolize an organized Christian population worldwide or a group of Christians in a particular location. The management and administration of the Church in the twenty-first century, calls for diverse skills and talents required to administer any civil organisation. These skills consists that of professionals and artisans from various works of life including, public administration, accounting, engineering, law, etc. The Scripture provides examples of individuals who have been equipped to carry out tasks or responsibilities of professional nature. Exodus 31:2-4 says:
“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the Son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass.”

It should be noted here that the deployment of skills for the construction of the tabernacle, production of interior decorations, fabrication of garments and worship utensils, were considered as spiritual assignments. God in His infinite wisdom has deliberately endowed men and women, young and old, with special gifts and abilities for the work of the ministry. Consequently, the deployment of every gift in the service of God should not be viewed as secular only, but as a spiritual assignment that requires spiritual commissioning to ensure success. Also, Christians should view their gifts and special abilities as deliberate endowments from God for the primary purpose of promoting the work of the ministry. 1st Corinthians 12:7 says:
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

I pray that your service in the House of God will be a blessing to the Body of Christ and will be profitable to God in Jesus’ name.

Using myself as an example, I consider it a great honour to be counted worthy as vessel of honour in the hands of the Almighty God. It is also an unmerited favour because everyone that has yielded himself to be used of God in any capacity has been mightily blessed in return. I am thankful to God for how far He has used my skills, education and expertise; I also pray that my service will bring maximum profit to the kingdom of God in Jesus’ name. What about you?

Prayer Point:

Father, please pour your spiritual gifts upon me and use me for your glory in Jesus’ name.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 19:1-22:10 and Psalms 49

AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 12: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Chorus:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Chorus:

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Chorus:

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Chorus.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens ( Sunday, September 4th, 2016) - DIVERSITY OF GIFTS BUT THE SAME SPIRIT 

1.Thank you Father for making me a co-labourer with you, in your vineyard.

2.Thank you Father for the privilege and honour to be called to work with you.

3.Thank you Father for divine empowerment by your Holy Spirit, to ensure my effectiveness in carrying out my spiritual assignments.

4.Father, in anyway l have fallen short of your glory, in my service to you, please, have mercy and forgive me.

5.Father, please pour your spiritual gifts upon me and use me for your glory in Jesus' name.

6.Father, help me to use your gifts positively, for the perfecting of saints, for the work of the ministry and for edifying the body of Christ.

7.Help me Father to always acknowledge and give you glory, as the giver of all gifts.

8.Father, as you use me to achieve great and mighty things for your kingdom, please, keep me humble and do not allow the spirit of pride to take over me.

9.Father, please, give me a submissive, teachable and obedient spirit, in order to ensure total and complete victory over the enemies of your church.

10.Father, let every plant you have not planted in your church be uprooted, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, please, build your church, as you have promised and do not allow the gates of hell to prevail against it.

12.Your Personal petitions. ( Phil 4:6)
13.In Jesus' name I pray.
(Jn 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thes 5:18).
#GodBlessOurNation