May 23, 2024 Accessing the Power of Spiritual Gifts
Thursday, May 23, 2024:
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Accessing the Power of Spiritual Gifts
4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11, NRSVUE)
Michelangelo was a sculptor. He rarely touched a paintbrush. Yet, Pope Julius II compelled him to paint the Sistene chapel ceiling. For four years Michelangelo labored through moments of doubt in his ability to complete the task and complaints over its difficulty because, after all, he was not using “his profession.”
Yet, Michelangelo persisted. The result was a masterpiece, which has stood the test of time.
Read the first and last verses again of today’s scripture. God did not leave Michelangelo alone to complete the task to which he felt ill-equipped. When the time came for him to fulfill this call upon His life, God the Holy Spirit activated this latent gift of painting as well.
This is the supernatural power, God the Holy Spirit power, that God gifts to each of his children. This is the supernatural power God gifts to help sanctify us and to empower us to complete any assignment to which He calls us, even those outside of our normal abilities and activities.
Be Still and Reflect: What special assignment or passion has God called you to for His glory? What is your “Sistene Chapel?”
Pray: Heavenly Father, I come with a grateful heart for the presence and power of Your Holy Spirit, who gives me everything I need to follow in the footsteps of Christ and who enables me to do far more than I can ever imagine or ask. Thank you, God, for the plan You have for my life. Help me to move through any doubts or difficulties to serve and to finish the work You give me. To You be all the glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria