One Spirit

1 Corinthians 12: 4-13 v 11 “It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”

Now regarding your question about the special abilities, the Spirit gives us. I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so that we can help each other. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

As I watch my grandchildren grow, I am amused by their interpretation of life so far. The oldest is five and just completing his first year of school. He wants to be the boss of everyone. The four-year-old does not want him to be boss of him, unless of course they are in a new world together and then they become “the bossy kids.” The three-year-old and only girl thinks that the one who screams and cries can’t get into trouble, until they all join in! The youngest at 18 months is beginning to fight back as his growing strength can overpower all of them if he gives them a big hug and hangs on tight enough. Four very different little people with different talents as they learn to play together and sometimes the most wonderful time is to watch as they play in  perfect harmony.

As adults we too try to “play” as one in our family, our workplace, in our social pursuits. But with the many different people we interact with sometimes this is difficult. Families sometimes don’t talk to each other, our workplace causes stress, and even our sports teams can’t win a game they should have! Luckily, we can reach into our God given talents, given to us to help each other. Special gifts are given not by our own choice but by the Holy Spirit. Wise advice, special knowledge, faith, healing. Miracles, prophecy, discernment. The ability to speak in another language, to be able to interpret that language. All these special gifts are given by the Holy spirit to us. To make us one body just like the human body, many parts that work together for the good of all. Dip into the gifts specially given to you today!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to use these gifts as we work as one body in our families, our work and our social pursuits. Amen.