Day 191: Different Gifts, Same God

1 Corinthians 12; 2 Kings 6:1-7:2; Jonah 1

Paul makes sure that the Corinthians understand that it is the same God and same Spirit that gives the different gifts. No matter how different Christ's followers are, we all serve the same Lord. He goes on to say that with all of our spiritual gifts, we were meant to serve others. We aren't given the gift of wisdom or teaching or prophesying to help ourselves or make our lives easier; those gifts are to help others. I think sometimes we forget why we do what we do; it is all to serve The Lord. The whole body of believers is meant for that, but each is different. Denominations sometimes frustrate me. I think it is silly that followers of The Lord would argue over stuff that sometimes isn't even in the Bible. But, not everyone is going to love going to a Baptist church; the same way that not everyone is going to love going to an Assembly of God church. Each serves different purposes in this world for different people, but we all should be serving the same Lord.

Elisha (but ultimately God) made an ax head float to the top of the river. God made the laws of nature, so he really don't have to abide by them. Cool.

Then there is this disturbing story about the people being so hungry they ate their own children. That just makes me feel sick to my stomach. Obviously, not a good idea. But because of their struggles they fell into sin. Then the king blames Elisha rather than going to God. In our struggles we need to make sure we don't sin but instead, go to God for strength and wisdom.

God gave Jonah a calling. Jonah was to go and help and serve a group of people he wasn't fond of. instead of obedience Jonah avoided God's call for his life. He thought that God would forget him, not continue his expectations. But that isn't the way God works. He made Jonah with a purpose and he was the only one who God wanted to carry it out. God does the same with us. He gives us different spiritual gifts and places of influence (Spiritual gifts, see above) and we are the ones meant to serve those people with those gifts. God didn't expect Jonah to change the world, just preach to one city; the same way he doesn't expect us to change the world, just carry out our God-given job.