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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 408 February 8, 2002 Waterfalls and Cathedrals The sound was nearly deafening as water roared down the narrow gorge, pounding everything in its path to pieces. It raced forward blindly then poured over a huge precipice. Niagara Falls was lovely. The mist seemed like heavenly clouds interspersed with bright rainbows. The scene was never changing and always the same in the same moment. I was awed by the power and beauty of the falls. In a city far from the falls, I walked into a huge cathedral. The beauty of the fine hardwood floors, stained glass windows and exquisite architecture was breathtaking. Masters did the artwork, and the statuary meticulously crafted. No expense had been spared in making this cathedral a monument. The light played across the windows and like the falls, the scene was ever changing but always the same at once. The falls and the cathedral had more in common than their ability to seem both timeless and ever changing. The falls had tremendous potential for making electricity that would never be tapped into and the cathedral was empty other than an occasional visiting tourist. Both were monuments to wasted potential. Christians can be like the cathedral and the beautiful falls. God has given us great potential in the form of spiritual gifts that sadly often go unknown, let alone unused. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 NIV And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Scripture has a lot to say about the spiritual gifts and why they have been given to us. Do you know what yours are? Are you using them to their fullest potential in the service of God? Or are they like the waterfall and cathedral, there but full of unrealized potential? Without YOUR gifts being used this earth is not all it can be. Until next time, may Holy Spirit teach you what gifts you have been given.
Hallelu Yah
Kevin To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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