The God I Never KnewSample

He Gives Gifts

Have you ever received a gift you didn't deserve? How did it make you feel? As Christians, we’ve all been given a free gift. Through Christ, we’re given the gift of grace, which puts us in right standing with God the Father. It’s a humbling feeling to know that without God’s grace in our lives, we can’t do anything. Grace is the gift we receive when we are saved, but God gives us another set of gifts when we’re baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Paul lists them very clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:8–11: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. What Paul says in verse 11 is important to understand: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” He’s saying that when the Holy Spirit gives you a gift, it still belongs to Him. God doesn’t permanently assign one person the gift of prophecy and another person the gift of healings. The Holy Spirit is the owner, and when we are baptized in Him, He can give us any of the gifts to use at any time—not just one gift.

If the thought of being given one of these gifts sounds intimidating, I want to encourage you. The Holy Spirit gives them to us so we can bless people—not to make them uncomfortable or think we’re strange. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul reveals this truth when he says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

There’s another truth that’s unlocked in this verse. Each of us who are filled with the Spirit can receive a gift. It’s not just for the “super-spiritual” people who seem to have it all together. It’s for any believer who is willing to humble himself and be used by the Holy Spirit.

When you are willing to be used by the Holy Spirit, you’ll be amazed by the way God uses you to truly bless people. Whether it’s with an encouraging word or a prayer for healing, will you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you today? 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank You for the gifts You give us when we receive You. Let us use them to bless others and make Your name known. I humble myself before You today and ask You to use me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. Psalm 138:6