NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH
This is the day that the Lord has made, therefore I am rejoicing and being glad in it! I have a question for you to think about this week. If you are raised in the country, you may already know the answer. There is no doubt, you have heard the saying, "NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH." Out of the clear blue this thought popped into my head this week and I realized some people, may know this saying but have no idea what it means, cowboys and horse people, all know what it means. You tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth, so if you have a horse given to you don't embarrass yourself by looking in its mouth to see what you have been given.
With this on my mind the Holy Spirit prompted me to think of all the gifts the Father has lavished on His children. I have met people that have struggled believing God has freely given gifts to us. It is important to receive because we cannot give what we have not first received. I thought about what marvelous gifts God gives to us. The concept of God's gifts is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the benevolent nature of God and His desire to bless humanity. These gifts are diverse, encompassing spiritual, physical, and eternal blessings bestowed upon individuals and communities. Let me remind you of some of the gifts God children tend to look in the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Paul speaks to this point but there are some who have a tendency to look in the horse's mouth. Paul provides a detailed discussion of these gifts in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
In Acts 2:38 we find the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then in the Corinthian letter we are introduced to the gifts the Holy Ghost gives to us. I love to quote Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I do not have time here to enumerate all the different gifts of God, there are so many. I was reading about, while spiritual gifts are paramount, the Bible also acknowledges material and temporal gifts from God. James 1:17 reminds believers, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." God provides for the physical needs of His people, blessing them with resources, talents, and opportunities.
It is important to remember, empty hands on empty heads will not produce peace, and the greatest gift is the one who is our Peace.
Have a great week everybody.
Love you,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith
With this on my mind the Holy Spirit prompted me to think of all the gifts the Father has lavished on His children. I have met people that have struggled believing God has freely given gifts to us. It is important to receive because we cannot give what we have not first received. I thought about what marvelous gifts God gives to us. The concept of God's gifts is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the benevolent nature of God and His desire to bless humanity. These gifts are diverse, encompassing spiritual, physical, and eternal blessings bestowed upon individuals and communities. Let me remind you of some of the gifts God children tend to look in the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Paul speaks to this point but there are some who have a tendency to look in the horse's mouth. Paul provides a detailed discussion of these gifts in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
In Acts 2:38 we find the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then in the Corinthian letter we are introduced to the gifts the Holy Ghost gives to us. I love to quote Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I do not have time here to enumerate all the different gifts of God, there are so many. I was reading about, while spiritual gifts are paramount, the Bible also acknowledges material and temporal gifts from God. James 1:17 reminds believers, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." God provides for the physical needs of His people, blessing them with resources, talents, and opportunities.
It is important to remember, empty hands on empty heads will not produce peace, and the greatest gift is the one who is our Peace.
Have a great week everybody.
Love you,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith