Friday, February 15, 2008

Words of Encouragement

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: - 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (King James Version)

Is there healing for the soul? God gives the gifts for the body. It is amazing to think about how our body’s function. Each part of the body is programmed to work in conjunction with the other. One foot does not decide to begin to walk in one direction while the other one goes in the opposite direction. When the brain sends the messages to the fingers to pick up a pencil, all the nerves, muscles work together to accomplish this task. If there isn’t any nerve damage this task though complex is accomplished quickly. The fingers, the arm or any other body part that must be involved don’t debate on what to do and how it should get done, the all simply follow the instructions as relayed.

God gives gifts to the body of believers so that we can function in conjunction with each other for the purpose of wholeness for the body. Some have the gift of wisdom, some knowledge, some healing and the list goes on. In other words all are not called to do the same thing, but to function in the giftedness in which they have been called and equipped. Many do not believe that these gifts are still available to the body today. Some believe that at the time of the Apostles these gifts ceased. I submit this question, why would God stop giving the body what it needs to be whole?

I submit this belief comes from the fact that there are those that are counterfeiters and it makes it hard to belief this gift of healing really exists. Healing however is still available today. Those that have the gift of healing, the body is in need of you stepping up and ministering in your gifts. Does this mean everyone will become well (on this side of heaven)? All those sick will not be healed now but we must still hold to God’s sovereignty. (Jesus could have healed every sickness in the world, yet he did not. We do not understand the reasons, but we must trust the source).

So this week when we go to worship, let us go seeking to have a better understanding of what is our part in the body? What has God gifted you to do? Are you walking in that gift and purpose? If you are not sure, then ask him to make it clear to you what he desires of you. His gifts are not to promote you, but to reveal himself. May his life be revealed to others through our obedience to his calling.