Fred's Devo # 32 "The Gift of Encouragement or Exhortation"

"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-7.

Today we will discuss the motivational gift of encouragement or exhortation. The person who has the motivational gift of encouragement is a real blessing to the body of Christ. They have the God given ability to minister words of encouragement, consolation and comfort to members of the body in such a way that they feel encouraged and healed. They motivate others to their best effort" When necessary the exhorter will also admonish or challenge members of the body when needed. I cannot imagine a fellowship without exhorters! Barnabus was described as the "Soon of Consolation" in Acts 4:36. My wife is a exhorter or encourager. She has the ability to stand up in church, share a few words and lift the spirits of everyone in he room! I thank God for her blessing in my life and in he body of Christ.

In a general sense, all Christians are called to encourage and admonish each other.
The bible is a book of encouragement, instruction and admonition on how to follow God and his son Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord thank you for those with the gift of Encouragement in the body of Christ. Whether or not I have the gift, help me to look for opportunities to encourage and admonish my brothers and sisters today, for your Glory!
In Jesus Name. Amen
* For further reading,go to: http://www.victorylifechurch.org/pdf/Motivational_Gift_of_Exhortation.pdf

Fred's Devo #31 "The Motivational Gift of Teaching"

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-7

So far, we have touched on the motivational gifts of prophecy and service. Today, we will discuss the Motivational gift of Teaching. To teach is to give instruction. Teaching is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the body of Christ in such a way that others will learn. Teachers protect the body from false teaching and sinful life styles and give us spiritual food on which to grow and mature in our Christian walk. As one who has the gift of teaching,I receive great joy from sharing the Word of God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving the gift of teaching to the body of Christ. Anoint our teachers to exhort, rebuke, correct and instruct in the ways of God according to II Timothy 3:16. Help me to receive what you have taught me and to walk it out in my daily lifestyle. In Jesus Name! Amen.






*For more information, go to: http://www.victorylifechurch.org/pdf/motivational_gift_of_teaching.pdf

Fred's Devo # 30 "The Motivational Gift of Serving"

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-7

If (his or her gift) is service, let him serve. On yesterday, we focused on the motivational gift of prophecy. Today, we discuss the motivational gift of serving. Oh how this gift is needed in the body of Christ! When everyone else is focused on the task at hand, the server is looking at practical things that no one else is noticing. He sees the paper on the floor and picks it up. She sees that the speaker needs a glass of water and gets it. He notices that one of the lights is out in he bathroom and changes it. The person with the gift of service is motivated to meet unmet needs related to God's work and will make use of available resources to meet the needs.*

Prayer: Lord thank you for my brothers and sisters in the body with the gift of service. May we follow their example as they can show us how to love and serve the body in practical ways. Help us all be reminded that we are servants of the most high God. Whether we have the gift of service or not, we can humble ourselves and serve each other. Help us to look for opportunities to serve someone today to the glory of God and for the benefit of the body. In Jesus Name! Amen

For more information see:
http://www.victorylifechurch.org/pdf/Motivational_Gift_of_Serving___Helps.pdf

Devo # 29 The Motivational Gift of Prophecy

"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-7

The list of gifts in this passage is described as the Motivational Gifts or Operational gifts. These gifts describe how each person operates in the body. Every believer does not have the same gift(s). It is important to understand the characteristics of each gift, even if you don't have it so that you appreciate your brothers and sisters who do. The root word of prophecy is propheteia, which means inspired speaking forth or making known. Prophecy is "the special ability to perceive and communicate truth and divinely inspired utterances in a timely and relevant manner, for understanding, correction, repentance or edification." This gift is very much needed in the body of Christ. The person with this gift is quick to discern any dishonest motives and is passionate about speaking truth and helping people come out of sin.

I do not have this gift but my wife does. She is a great blessing to me and the body of Christ.

Questions for Reflection: Do I truly appreciate the diversity of gifts that God has placed within the body of Christ? Will I honor the gift of prophecy even when they are speaking something that makes me uncomfortable or challenged?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for placing the motivational gift of prophecy within the body of Christ. Please continue to use those with this gift to speak forth your truth and to guide us away from sin and error and back to truth and righteousness.

*For more information and source sites go to: http://www.cotr.org/assets/pdf/The_Motivational_Gift_Survey.pdf

http://www.netbiblestudy.com/00_cartimages/Perception.pdf
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Fred's Devo #28 On Body: Many Functions part 2

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion" Romans 12:3-5

Just like the human body has many parts, God has created the body of Christ with many different Gifts. Some are up front gifts like preaching and teaching, others are less seen gifts like service and giving. Whatever our gift, we are to use it to the glory of God and in concert with the other gifts, not in competition with other members of the Body of Christ! Again, the gifts are for God's glory and completion of God's mission, not our glory or our agenda. If you don't yet know what your gift(s) is, begin to pray now that the Lord would reveal it to you. Then you will now your role in the body of Christ. In the meantime take advantage of every opportunity to serve him God and bless other members of the body of Christ.

Let's pray: Father, thank you that you have given each of us gifts. Help us to know what our gift(s) is and our role in the body of Christ. Help us to serve you with humility and sensitivity to other members of the body. Forgive me for the times when I am more concerned about how I look, or my chance to shine than giving you the glory or serving the body! I know that this is fleshly and self serving. Lord I commit my gifts to you again this morning. May they be used for your service and glory! May they also bless and serve my brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus Name! Amen.

Fred's Devo # 27 One Body with Many Members

3"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:3-6a NIV)

Today, we will begin to discuss One Body: Many Members

"So in Christ, we who are many form one body,and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us."

Christians should not see themsleves, just as individuals reconciled to God through salvation. Certainly we thank God for our salvation; but in addition to that, we are connected to each other. Just like the individual parts of our body are connected to and interdependent on each other; so we are connected to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need them to survive.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have acted like an independent Christian and not appreciated how important the body of Christ is to my growth and survival. Thank you for the precious body of Christ! Help me to love and serve my brothers and sisters to your Glory! In Jesus Name! Amen!

Devo # 26 "Don't Think You're All That" part 2

God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one bod "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith y, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:3-6a NIV)

Yesterday, we discussed the fact that the writer, the Apostle Paul, though he was "top dog" over the church, recognized his dependence on God's grace! So we too need to remain humble, in recognition of God's unmerited favor towards us. Today we will examine the phrase, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Our gifts, talents resources and even our training and experiences are God given or God granted. If we are highly gifted, acknowledge that before God and give Him the glory. It is not necessary to pretend that we are not gifted and blessed. In fact many of us are gifted beyond measure! The purpose of those gifts is not for our own glory, but God's. These gifts, resources, talents, experiences and opportunities are to be used as a blessing to the body of Christ and to the world. If we do not yet recognize our gifts, we are nonetheless valuable before God and a precious member of the body of Christ. Everyone has something to give even the newest baby Christian!

Lord, thank you for the gifts and blessings you have given me. Help me to have a right assesment of my gifts, talents and resources and what I bring to you and to the body of Christ. Help me to serve the body, using these gifts and blessings with a spirit of service and humility. To Your Glory Lord!
In Jesus name Amen!