I love the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Have you ever noticed that in that chapter it talks about two important things when it comes to living out the Great Commission? It speaks on both spiritual gifts and the many parts of the body.
I don't think it's a coincidence whatsoever that these are both mentioned together there. As we minister, to be most effective we need to know and utilize the first 11 verses in that chapter on spiritual gifts. We need to know what areas we are gifted in, then put those to use where God gives opportunity---because He WILL!
The bigger part on my heart tonight is the second part of that chapter on the body. It is easy to stop and think that our part, whether we find it big or small, won't matter at the end of the day when it comes to changing this world, country, or even city. But that is so untrue! People think that ministering happens at churches and on Sundays and Wednesdays. They think that people don't see and watch who they are and how they act during the week. Truth be told, in everything we do and everything we say, we are ministering somehow and someway to somebody. It is up to us to decide whether we put out good or bad fruit from our tree.
Our human bodies amaze me. We have SO many parts that perform SO many functions that it is just unfathomable. Have you ever stopped and think about how God put our bodies together? The endless number of parts, cells, particles, etc. WOW! What a showing of his awesomeness! Yet every part has a function, and as the Word says, the body needs them all to function properly and effectively.
It is up to us to seek God closely and live out his plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He DOES have a plan for our lives. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that although as men we have many plans, it is the Lord's purpose that will prevail. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we should be doing it for the glory of God. Finally, Matthew 28:19 tells us to go and make disciples of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Again, it really doesn't matter what our part is in it. It is about being faithful to God and seeking His will for our lives. In doing that, our path will be laid out and we can count on the Holy Spirit to guide us. So whether our part in that is big or small to us, we will be effective for the Lord, keeping in mind that He is the BIGGEST part in all of this!
Make a difference this week. Step out of your comfort zone and try to be used to change a life for God this week. Pray for opportunities. He will provide them!
No comments:
Post a Comment