Tuesday, April 10, 2012

OUR SERVICE TO GOD, 1 Corinthians 12


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OUR BODIES, AN OFFERING TO GOD
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LORD, You urge that we Your church offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You, which You say is true and proper worship. You don't want for us to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This way we can test and discern what Your good, pleasing and perfect will and approval is.
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HUMILITY AND CHURCH GIFTS
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LORD, show us by Your Spirit how we ought to think of ourselves with wisdom. Deliver us from subtle pride and conceit. Help us to discern our calling and tasks ordered by You and to do them. You have demonstrated that as our body has many parts or members, Your church is also one body with many members, BUT NOT HAVING THE SAME FUNCTION. No one should be a "one man band" or a "Jack of all traits and master of none."
For it is by Your grace given to each one of us that we have DIFFERENT gifts. You want for us to honor one another above yourselves.
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GIFTS:
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Prophesying (in accordance with one's faith)
Teaching
Leading (diligently)
Serving
Giving (generously)
Encouraging
Mercy (cheerfully)
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LOVE IN ACTION
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You want for our love to be genuine.
In serving You, You expect for us to:
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(OUR WILL, MIND, AND EMOTIONS)
+ hate evil and to cling to what is good
+ never be slack in zeal
+ keep up our spiritual fervor
+ be joyful in hope
+ patient in affliction
+ faithful in prayer
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(IN REGARD TO THE REST OF THE BODY OF CHRIST)
+ be devoted to Your church body in love
+ share with the Lord's people who are in need
+ practice hospitality
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(IN REGARD WITH OTHERS)
+ bless those who persecute us, bless and not curse
+ rejoice with those who rejoice
+ mourn with those who mourn
+ live in harmony with one another
+ not be proud, not be conceited
+ be willing to associate with people of low position
+ not repay anyone evil for evil
+ be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone
(LORD, we should not use the excuse that
"we don't care what others think, because God knows our heart.")
+ as far as it depends on us, if it is possible, live at peace with everyone
+ not take revenge, but give the matter to You, for it is written:
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
+ do the opposite, feed our enemy if he is hungry, give him something to drink
(LORD, what do You mean by
"heap burning coals on his head."?)
+ not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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LORD, in the church we hear much about being over comers.
Here You are specific on what it is to be an over comer!
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PRAYING FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES
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Merciful Father God, we bring our lost loved ones before Your throne of grace for their salvation. As far as we are concerned, and as much as it is possible, we want to be at peace with them. We want to over come evil with good with the confidence that You are greater in us than he that is in the world.
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Our lost loved ones will know we are Your disciples by the love we put in action with the brethren, being careful not to nag about them, especially before our lost loved ones. We want to do the things You want us to do as we pray 1 Corinthians 12, meditating on the things You tell us here. Help us by Your Spirit to be ever be mindful of these things.
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You sent Your Son to seek and find the lost, and You called the church to do the same, for You want to save them. Thank You for the power You have given us as Your children and as Your witnesses. Thank You that the Lord Jesus lives in us, and we move and have our being. in Him. Our Lord and our God, You are the same today and forever as You were yesterday, still going about healing, saving and doing great things for You are an awesome mighty God! Save our lost loved ones we pray in Jesus name. Thank You, Lord, amen.
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(From 1 Corinthians 12)

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