The Devotional

Papa “J” Says

I've a new resolution: I will seek to stop wishing for everyone to have a happy new year. Instead: I will endeavor to seek that all will have a joyful and spiritually prosperous year. Philippians 1:3-6

There are no oceans today that are uncharted, yet for some of us, there are many oceans yet to sail for the first time. A New Year can be like one of those oceans. Different winds, but familial waves. Different ships, but familiar sounds, opportunities of a common purpose, in unfamiliar waters. Many search from year for a new beginning, they long to find some new purpose for living. That which is common to man, cannot change, so change must come from within, this is a hard truth to learn. On a clear day the vision on the ocean can be as much as twenty one miles and on a foggy day less than twenty one feet. No matter, since what lies ahead is always somewhat of a mystery. To chart a course of direction on the seas, one must take into account the mystery of rising seas or difficult winds. Of other vessels and unknown dangers. This is much like life without direction. This year plot another course, one that encourages you to get to know the one who created the purpose of your life, a purpose that maybe you have yet to find. When you find Him you will be in a safe harbor, a haven of rest and an anchor for your soul. Your sailing days of misguided direction will be over, but your adventure for living will have just begun. Psalm 107:23-32 and Hebrews 6:19-20

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 Now here is a section of scripture that often gets confused for many folks. I think that chapters 12 through 14 of First Corinthians has caused many problems within the churches of God. However, with God in command and the Holy Spirit to guide, lets take another look and see if some of this confusion and false understanding can be swept out to sea and lost.

To start we need to establish that the apostle Paul talks about “spirituals” in these passages rather than spiritual gifts. So the first ignorance for us to clear up is that, all “Spirituals” belong to the “universal church of God” and “Spirituals” can only be manifested in “local assemblies or local churches”. These are maintained and given to “churches” by the Holy Spirit.

There are Spiritual gifts and these are given directly by God to individual men and women for the purpose of evangelism, preaching, teaching, prophecy and missionary work. Ephesians 4:11-12 to prepare the people of the church for the work of the ministry of 1 Corinthians 12-14. Also see Romans 12:3-8 which parallels the Ephesian passage. Like Paul says; it would be idolatry to be led astray by the mute statue as pagans and curse God. God is alive and through His Spirit He will use spirit led people who bring praise to God.