Daily Bread 10-23-17

Romans 12:8 - Or he that exhorteth on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

ref. - 1 Co 14:3 - But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

1P 5:2 - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Many gifts are given and if we would concentrate on what God has given us and not try to alter it into something else it would do its work and then gifts would work together to further this gospel. Too many times there is exhortation and we want it to do the work of mercy, or there is mercy and we want it to do the work of a ruler. There is ministry and it is confused with teaching, or prophecy and it is not given or taken as prophecy but something else. This is no different than what we teach as wrong in the carnal world. We teach that a man is a man and a woman is a woman in the world, but in turn, in the spirit we try to do the work and perform the gifts that were not given to us. Not to discount that many gifts are given and some possess more than others, but we must understand that there is a time for warning and pressure(exhortation), there is a time for forgiveness and mercy, there is a time for teaching, and all of these things will be determined by the purpose of the Holy Ghost. There should not be one man known as "the preacher of love", or "the preacher of hell, fire, and brimstone." Just as we do not know what to expect when we go to our knees for our answer and our messages, so should all not be expecting one thing or another when they hear the word of God. Feeding the flock of God does not consist of one type of food. We, just as a human body, must be fed several different nutrients and be raise up with blessing as well as rebuke. This scripture is not only telling those who have been given the gift to allow it to be worked in them but also those who listen to accept the purpose of the message. Let's take things as God gives them and have enough faith to know that it will cause us to increase if we let it. Let us grow in the Holy Ghost and understand that some days we are the "windshield and some days we are the bug". As we succeed we will be blessed and promoted, and as we fail we will be rebuked and taught why we must get back on track. All things that are given by God are for us to benefit and grow closer to him. Let us strive to receive the Holy Ghost and know the difference. Have a great day!!