The Holy Spirit is the "energizer" of the spiritual gifts that He has given us. Peter wrote, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10).
We learn from Paul, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:4). The Bible also says, "There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:6–7).
Oh, my, this is profound, powerful and precious! Every Christian is gifted. We are to minister to one another and to use our gifts as good stewards of the grace of God. The word works in verse 6 is the word energizes in the Greek. The Holy Spirit not only gives us the gifts, but He "energizes" us to use the gifts. What a ministry the Holy Spirit has through each of us!
People who know me have asked hundreds of times, "Where do you get all of that energy to preach, teach and reach the lost?" It's simple. I have learned that when I walk in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit "energizes" me to do these things. Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Doesn't that make sense? I can tell the minute I am walking in the flesh because when I am, I have neither the desire nor the energy to do what God tells me to do.
Oh, dear people, cry out to God to "energize" you to use your gifts to the fullest. Ask Him to help you impact people's lives and bring glory to God, for that is what life is all about. All else is "wood, hay and straw" (1 Cor. 3:12). Make sense?
Prayer: Father, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Energize us with your powerful Holy Spirit. Help us to do your good pleasure. Keep us from walking in the flesh. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Quote for the Day: "It is not only that sin consists in doing evil, but in not doing the good that we know." —Harry Ironside
