1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NRSV)
There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4 (TEV)
WHEN we bought our home, an unsightly extension was attached to the back of the house. I decided to tear it down. As I was getting ready to do so, my sister, Carol, had an idea. I took her suggestion, adding French doors opening into that area and installing a backyard deck.
This morning, as I bask in the morning sun that streams onto my new deck, I feel as if God has shared a bit of heaven on earth. The birds are singing. The wind is gently whispering through the trees. All of this became reality because Carol had a vision of what could be.
What a lesson this has been to me! If we look for the possibilities in all of life, in others, and in ourselves, we discover that God's beauty is among us and within us. If we look with spiritual eyes at people around us and dream of who we can become, we realize that God is tremendously good! Equally exciting, we discover the good in ourselves.
Prayer: O gentle Spirit, give us a glimpse of the vision you have for us. Help us see in ourselves and in others your beauty and power. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
To see with God's eyes is to see life and possibility.
PRAYER FOCUS:
House-building ministries
By Ray Hinton, Oregon
