Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 42

February11;       I Corinthians 12:11;       42/260(II);       ‘His Decision’

1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

I Corinthians 12:7-10 lists the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are to be desired by Born Again, Spirit filled Christians.  The final decision as to how these gifts are distributed is the Holy Spirits.’  This verse clearly teaches this.  All of these gifts are powerful and should be coveted.  Three of these gifts say something, prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues.  Three of these gifts reveal something, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge and discerning of spirits.  Three of these gifts do something, working of miracles, gifts of healings and faith (special faith).  What an honor and privilege to be allowed by the Lord to flow in His supernatural power.  The supernatural power is used to help others, which is a very vital reason as to why we should sincerely desire these manifestations of the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are not given by the Holy Spirit to cause us to be prideful.  It is important to mention one thing here, the gift of speaking in tongues.  This is not the prayerful, devotional gift of tongues that every believer can and should flow in.  Tongues, the gift of the Spirit, is for a church setting.  During the service, the Holy Spirit will lay it on the heart of someone to speak in tongues and then either that person or another in the congregation will interpret that tongue.  As these verses teach the ‘public side’ of tongues is given as the Holy Spirit wills.  Ministering to the Lord and praying in other tongues is a blessing every believer can and should have.  As with many things, the Lord determines who receives what gift.  He blesses each of differently.  It’s His decision.