Just a Word on Words...
Marcie McGallagher
Mobile, Alabama
The Bible teaches us that God made us in His image. This of course is found first in Genesis but it is stated all throughout the Bible. To help us understand what His image meant God sent His son to us for human example. At this point the realization of Faith was created through the eye witness accounts of Christ’s works. But after the death of Christ how were we to know and receive the guidance of His love? Well in John 15 Jesus told the disciples, “I will send you the Counselor – the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. And you must also tell others about me because you have been with me from the beginning.”
If we define the word “counselor” we find that it means to recommend or advise. So basically what this message is telling us is that when Jesus knew His death was upon him He let the disciples know that His guidance would still be available if we want it and spread the word of God. If by chance we choose to walk in the Christ’s image and receive the guidance from the Holy Spirit we are promised gifts. The gifts promised to us and provided by the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Different kinds of Tongues, and the Interpretation of different Tongues. It's not surprising to me that even near death Jesus was still striving to give us everything we need to obtain eternal life.
Once we decide to give our lives to Christ to the best of our ability we will then be enlightened with at least one of these gifts. Everyone is different and everyone’s gift will be different and productive on many different lev-els. What I mean is realizing that we have a gift does not mean that we can then work fantastic miracles and be recognized by all mankind. The gift may come last minute and others may not even notice. For example, there have been times in my life that I become friends with someone, months later I am hanging out with them and manage to prevent a horrible accident that could have taken their life. There after the friendship suddenly ends for no apparent reason, however I know that the reason I was put in that person's life was to be there for them at that moment. The really strange thing is that most often that this has happened I know and realize the blessing and the other person does not. But that's okay it's not about me. It's not about them. It's about doing the will of God.
I want to encourage everyone today to pray for advice from the Holy Spirit. Pray for guidance and direction to be enlightened on how you can best use the gifts that you have been given and walk in Christ's image.
God Bless you and all those you encounter....