Today's Passage - Ephesians 4:7-10

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 4:7-10   "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.  This is why it says: 'When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.'  What does 'he ascended' mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe."   Spiritual gifts are the power that God gave to us for us to serve, and they are different from talents.  This doesn't mean that what you have learned cannot be used to serve God, but your gifts may not be what you are good at.  We often mix up gifts and talents in the church, causing many people to serve simply by their talents, but not by their real gifts.  We are born with talents and we can offer them for God to use, but these are talents that we have to offer, not gifts.  Gifts are given by God and we may not have ever had them before; they are the power added to us by God.  The gifts that Bible teaches about are all let by the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of satisfying God's will and for people to benefit from.   Usually, people believes that gifts to perform signs and wonders need to be led by the Holy Spirit, but other gifts may be born with, but that's not right.  None of the gifts are born with; they all need to be led by the Holy Spirit.  Without the help of Holy Spirit, none of the gifts can be exercised.  Gifts are like a channel, and Holy Spirit is the water that flows through the channel.  If it wasn't for the work of the Holy Spirit, gifts won't be effective because you won't see any results.  On the other hand, if the gifts don't have vessels, blessings from the Holy Spirit won't come upon people.  That's why God is constantly searching for vessels to work with Him.  When a vessel of gifts work with the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders will happen; if we won't understand this, we may take our gifts lightly.   So, if there are gifts for healing, why don't we go pray for all patients in the hospital?  We do have the gifts, but if the dominion of Holy Spirit doesn't choose to work there, gifts won't carry any power.  Gifts must have Holy Spirit flowing through in order for signs and wonders to happen.  If we overlook work of the Holy Spirit, gifts won't be effective and you won't even know you have them.  We need to welcome work of the Holy Spirit inside us and let the gifts be manifested by Him, so that we may walk on the path to serve Him with a humble heart and follow the promoting of the Holy Spirit in the process.                                                                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I bring all the brothers and sisters before you; when we are seeking gifts in order to serve you, may the Holy Spirit help us, let us follow prompting of the Holy Spirit so that we can see all the gifts that you'll grant us.  May the Lord give us a soft and humble heart when we seek your gifts, and let your glorious riches come and accomplish your work.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!