READ RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL. YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE - PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME . FRIDAY, JULY 1ST 2016.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Romans 1:11).

Notice that the Apostle Paul didn’t say, “…I long to see you that we may pray together and ask God to impart you with some spiritual gifts”; no. Rather, he said, “…I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift….” Paul knew he had something to give, contrary to what some people might think about themselves; they don’t believe they have the gifts of the Spirit. “Nobody has any gift; only God has a gift, so stop saying you have a gift,” they’d say, thinking they’re being humble.

However, that’s ignorance, not humility; and God doesn’t want us to be ignorant about the gifts or manifestations of the Spirit. He said in 1 Corinthians 12:1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant,” because the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 further highlights for us several gifts and manifestations of the Spirit given to each one of us as the Spirit wills.

Paul had something to give, therefore, he longed for his meeting with the believers in Rome, because of the effect it was going to produce in their lives and in his as well. He said, “...That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:12). In other words, he’d be comforted by the results of this spiritual impartation in the lives of these saints in Rome.

We need this in the Church today more than ever. Part of the reasons some Christians are lukewarm and seem to be weak is that they’ve never received such impartation of the Spirit. The Bible tells us how the apostles went about confirming or strengthening the saints in the early Church (Acts 14:22). How did they do it? It was through preaching and teaching of the Word, and the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

It’s not enough for people to believe; they must also be confirmed, that is, strengthened through the impartation of the gifts of the Spirit. We have something to give; we’re not ordinary. Bless others with the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the blessings of your Spirit in my life. Like never before, I’m spreading the fragrance of Christ to my world, that they may partake of your grace, and be blessed by the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study: || Acts 14:21-23 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. ||

|| Matthew 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. ||

Daily Scripture Reading

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 15:22-35,
Esther 5-7

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 11:10-33,
Isaiah 20

EXTRACT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional