There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. —1 Corinthians 12:4–5

Scripture teaches that when we are baptized in the Spirit, we receive gifts of the Spirit.

Romans 12:6–8 says, “We 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. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if 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” (NIV).

Note that it says, “We have different gifts.” Each is important, each worth using.

Who are we to be upset with God if He did not give us the gifts we want? They are not given by merit but “according to the grace given us.” We are to take what He has placed in our life and seek to multiply it.

2 Timothy 1:6 says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (NKJV). To “stir up” means to “fan into full flame.” To fail to do this is to “quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). That speaks of extinguishing something, and it is a specific sin against the Holy Spirit.

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When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. —Isaiah 43:2

Have you ever been going through a hard time and wondered where God was? I can tell you where He was: He was right there with you. Not only that, He will be with you tomorrow and the day after. And He will be with you on the day you leave this earth for Heaven.

In Isaiah 43 God says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (verses 2–3).

The psalmist David wrote, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4). He is with you. He will be with you. You don’t have to fear evil. God will be with you on your good days and on your bad days. He will be with you at the death of a saint and at the birth of a baby.

You don’t have to be afraid. Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Also, the Bible tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Sometimes when we pray, it may seem as though God is late in answering. Sometimes when God comes through for us, it is later than we expected. God is never late. His delays are delays of love. God’s silence even can be a silence of love. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him. He will enter into that pain with us. He will answer in the way He chooses. Call on Him.

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And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. —Romans 5:3–4

Years ago I had a friend who was very sick and asked me to pray for him. I did. He got worse. He said, “I don’t ever want you to pray for me again.”

In our estimation, sometimes things go the wrong way. We may pray, “Lord, heal this person. Be glorified through this.”

But the Lord might say, “I will be glorified, but I’m not going to do it the way you want Me to. I’m going to do this other thing instead.”

Sometimes God will remove the affliction. Sometimes God will heal the illness. Sometimes God will take away the cancer. But sometimes the person will get worse.

We don’t usually like that. But it is in these times that God can be glorified. Everyone suffers in life. Christians suffer too. When a Christian is suffering and can still glorify God, that is a powerful testimony to a lost world. When non-Christians see us honoring the Lord through our suffering, it shows them how real our faith is. And guess what? It shows us how real our faith is too.

Do you think your faith would get stronger if everything were easy in life? No, your faith will get stronger through hardship. Here’s something that might surprise you: You even will develop more hope through tribulation. Romans 5:3–4 says, “But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Hope grows in the garden of pain. It doesn’t grow without challenges or difficulty. It grows in hard times. It’s sort of like building muscle. You build it up by breaking it down. Then, as you keep working out, that muscle will get stronger. You develop strength through your weaknesses. This is true of Christians in their spiritual lives as well.

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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials . . .”—James 1:2

Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer” (John 16:33 NKJV). Why? Because it is through storms, trials, and hardships that we enter God’s kingdom.

In Acts 14:21–22, we read, “They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God'”(NKJV).

We don’t always like to read a verse like that. It’s probably not a passage we want to write on a plaque and hang by our front door.

We would rather the passage read, “Through many days of perpetual happiness we enter the kingdom of God,” but that isn’t Scripture, and that isn’t life.

If you want to “continue in the faith,” you will do so through trials and tribulations. There is no escaping them. Job said it well: “How frail is man! How few his days, how full of trouble!” (Job 14:1 NLT).

No one is exempt from experiencing storms in life. Good things will happen to us, as well as tragic and inexplicable things. Every life will have its share of pain. As much as we would like to believe otherwise, none of us can take an extended vacation beyond the reach of human suffering and tragedy.

We cannot always see the work that God is doing on the inside, but He can.

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And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”—John 8:11

I’ve heard some Christians say, “God loves me the way I am, and this is just the way I am.” Yes, God does love us the way we are, but He wants to change us.

Jesus said to the woman who had been caught in the act of adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11). How could He say this? She was still immoral; she simply was caught in the act. He could say this because in a short time, on the cross of Calvary, He would personally take upon Himself the very condemnation she should have faced.

Notice something else that is very important. He did not say to her, “Go and sin no more, and as a result, I will not condemn you.” In that case, who could ever live up to that requirement? Nor did He say, “Just go your merry way, and the next time you mess up, I hope I will see you again.”

Rather, Jesus was saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Now, as a recognition of that, go and sin no more.” His act of forgiveness was followed by a challenge. This is important, because implicit in His statement was a warning not to keep living that lifestyle.

Jesus is saying the same to us. We are to leave our lifestyle of sin. It doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, because no one is. It doesn’t mean we need to be sinless. But it should mean we will sin less. God wants to change us. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Our identity should not be in what we were but who we are.

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“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”—John 7:24

Years ago, I was out sharing the gospel and had a younger guy with me who was sharing his faith for the first time. We were talking to a big, burly biker with giant arms and tattoos everywhere. The biker told us, “Get out of here and leave me alone.”

I said, “Let’s go.”

But my friend said, “Okay, fine. We’re not going to cast our pearls before swine.”

That is not the verse to quote to someone when you’re sharing the gospel. That is the verse you may think of, but it isn’t the one you quote.

We do have to make an evaluation as Christians. We have to determine who the people are who don’t regard the things of God. There’s a place for judging. Judgment is the exercise of critical thinking, and judgment is needed on occasion.

John 7:24 tells us, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” The Bible has told us to judge, but we are to judge by what is right. We are not to condemn, and we are not to be judgmental. Rather, we should make evaluations. We should be discerning. We should express our opinions on right and wrong, truth and lies, good and evil. In fact, the Bible tells us, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2).

The opposite extreme of being judgmental is the naïve acceptance of anything. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). In other words, “Don’t take the holy things of God and offer them to someone who has no interest in them whatsoever.” We need to make those evaluations. It isn’t violating the Scriptures when we do.

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How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.—Psalm 19:12

Sin is not always obvious. Some sins are, however, such as murder, adultery, and stealing. But other sins are more subtle, like pride, selfishness, and gossip. Sometimes we will sin in ignorance or presumption. That is why David prayed, “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins!” (Psalm 19:12–13).

The Bible talks about sins of the flesh and sins of the spirit. Paul pointed out in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”

What does it mean to commit a sin of the spirit? It is to knowingly go against what is true. We talk about some sins being worse than others. But it may not be the sins that we think. Jesus said to Pontius Pilate, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11, emphasis added).

Jesus was talking about either Caiaphas or Judas. Caiaphas was the high priest who had a hand in putting Jesus up on false charges and then sent Him to the Romans to do his dirty work and crucify Him. Then there was Judas, who betrayed Him.

Either way it is the same. Judas was one of the handpicked disciples of Christ who betrayed the Lord, and Caiaphas, the high priest, should have known better. The point is, when you have been schooled in the Scriptures like Caiaphas or exposed to the truth and the power of God like Judas, you are without excuse.

Knowledge brings responsibility.

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Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. —Galatians 6:1

Not every person who quotes the Bible is necessarily a believer. Those who quote the Scriptures to condemn others often are the guiltiest of all. Those who are quick to find fault with others often have greater fault in their own lives. The people who are so quick to come down on someone else often are guilty of far worse.

This is exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said in the Sermon on the Mount, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3).

It’s a humorous illustration, but it makes a point. Jesus was saying, “You are so quick to focus on the minutiae in another person’s life, yet you are guilty of overt sin.”

If we know of someone who is falling into sin, our objective should be to confront and restore them, not condemn and destroy them. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Our objective is to restore, not destroy.

I find it interesting that this verse goes on to say, “Considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” One day it could be you. One day you could be the person who stumbles and falls. One day you could be the person who makes that mistake, who commits that sin. And hopefully someone will come along in graciousness and boldness and help you get back on your feet again.

As the old hymn says, “Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it—prone to leave the God I love.” We have to constantly keep our guard up because we all have the potential to fall.

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“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”—Luke 8:15

Once when I was on a flight returning to California, the captain announced he would have to make an emergency landing. The flight attendants went through the protocol, and I listened carefully. As we went into our descent, we were told to lean forward, grab our legs, and get ready. Thankfully we landed safely, and everything was okay.

When your life depends on something, you listen. That is how we should be as we listen to God’s Word. In the parable of the sower, Jesus talked about seeds that fell on good ground: “honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest” (Luke 8:15).

These are what I call fruitful hearers. Having heard God’s Word, they keep it. One key is how we listen. It is not just hearing the Word of God; it is keeping it. It is no light thing to constantly hear the Scriptures preached and taught. Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

It is a great thing to read through the Bible. It is a great thing to read chapters of the Bible. But I would rather read eight verses with comprehension than eight chapters without it. Psalm 1 talks about those who “delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.” The word meditate means “to chew, to contemplate.”

Those who hear God’s Word are made more responsible than those who did not hear. God expects us to act on what we have heard. God expects us to obey His Word, not just hear it. Good ground is made that way by the work of the Gardener and by our cooperation.

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“And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ–everything in heaven and on earth.”—Ephesians 1:10

I was carrying my five-year-old granddaughter Lucy some time ago. We were upstairs in our house, and I tucked her under my arm, walking in an exaggerated way that shook her up and down. She loves that. I always give her a choice,

“Do you want to go down the stairs the regular way, or the fun way?” Of course she always picks the fun way. At the bottom of the stairs I set her down, and she looked up at me. “Papa,” she said, “will there be stairs in heaven?”

“Well,” I said, “I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

“Because,” she replied, “I want you to carry me down the steps of heaven the fun way.” Will I be carrying Lucy up and down heavenly stairs someday? Will she be carrying me? I don’t know. But I do know we’ll be having fun together, as Lucy grows up and places her faith in Jesus Christ, and we both look forward to heaven. God’s ultimate plan is to bring heaven and earth together. He will not abandon His creation; He will restore it.

In Acts 3:19–21 (NIV), in the midst of an impromptu evangelistic sermon in the temple courtyard, Peter declared: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

He will restore the lives of His sons and daughters.

He will restore our bodies. He will restore our very planet. He will bring all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ, according to Ephesians 1:10.

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Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. —Colossians 4:5–6

Jesus, the master evangelist, used something that many Christians seriously lack today, which is tact. Tact has been defined as diplomacy, sensitivity. One definition of it is skill and grace in dealing with others. Isaac Newton defined tact as “the art of making a point without making an enemy.”

There is a built-in offense to the essential message of the gospel, but we don’t have to make it worse by being insensitive to people. And far too often this happens. I have watched it. You probably have too. A Christian will walk up to an unbeliever and start the conversation with something like this: “Hey, heathen. Did you know you are going to hell?” That is not the way to build a bridge.

When Jesus approached the woman at the well in Samaria, He asked her a question. He drew her out. He engaged her. Evangelism is a dialogue, not a monologue. And the best way to engage a person in a conversation is to listen. In starting a conversation, the objective is to build a bridge. That is what we want to do. Ask people about themselves. Everyone’s favorite subject is themselves. And as they talk, engage them. Ask them questions. You don’t have to cut people off. You don’t have to contradict them. You don’t have to insult them. Just listen.

Sure, there is a place for point and counterpoint. Sure, we need to defend our beliefs. But no one has ever been argued into the kingdom of God. And I have seen Christians win the argument and lose the soul. But I would rather win the soul and listen and engage and give and take. As you do this, you will know from the conversation how to respond with the gospel message. Listen patiently. And then respond appropriately.

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My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.—Romans 9:2–3

The apostle Paul had something essential for effective evangelism: a God-given burden for those who did not know Jesus Christ. In his case, the burden was for his own people, the Jews. He cared. It burned inside him.

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once said that his desire, had it been possible, would be to dangle his evangelism trainees over hell for 24 hours. That way, they could see the reality that awaits those who do not know Jesus Christ.

That wouldn’t have been necessary for Paul, who spoke of his love and burning passion for unbelievers. I think it is there for us in Scripture so that we don’t become so obsessed with our own struggles and spiritual growth that we forget about people who need to know Christ.

I think Paul makes an amazing statement in Romans 9 when he says, in essence, “If it were possible, I would give up my hope of eternal life so that others who do not know could come to faith.” That’s a pretty dramatic statement.

As believers, you and I have a responsibility to those outside the church—those outside the faith. If God’s love is really working in our lives, it should motivate us to do something for Him.

If you pray that God will give you this burden, then be careful. The results could be life-changing. You just may be surprised at how quickly He answers you.

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But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” —Mark 1:38

Jesus went and met the woman at the well in Samaria because she had an appointment with God. In Jesus’ detour into enemy territory, we see two important concerns as we bring the message of the gospel today.

First, we have to go to where people are. Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to church; He said the church should go into the whole world. As Mark’s Gospel tells us, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’ ” (Mark 16:15).

When Harvest Ministries was doing an outreach in Disneyland a number of years ago, I was asked, “Why are you doing this in a place like Disneyland? Why would you come and hold an event in a place like this?”

I said, “Because Jesus said, ‘Go into all the world,’ and He did not exempt Disneyland. There are people there. And we want to reach people.” The glorious thing is that many people came into the kingdom through that outreach. We need to go to where people are.

Second, we need to care about the people we speak to. Jesus needed to go to Samaria because He cared about this woman (see John 4:4). When the apostle Paul was in Athens, he saw the city that was given over to idolatry, and his spirit was stirred within him (see Acts 17:16–17). He felt righteous indignation as he saw so many turning to false gods.

In the same way, any effective sharing of the gospel must always begin with a God-given burden. We have to care. Jesus cared. Do you? Do you want to reach out to perishing people?

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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8

When you tell other people about what God has done for you, you are sharing your testimony. A testimony is when you share your story of how you came to faith. Every Christian has a testimony.

Some Christians have dramatic testimonies where they tell of being delivered from a life of drug addiction or crime or some sordid deeds. Other Christians don’t have testimonies that are quite as dramatic—but they are just as significant.

I like to hear how people came to Christ, but I don’t like it when people go into gory details about their past. Then there are testimonies where people tell how much they have given up for Jesus. They’ll say things like, “I gave up this and that for Jesus. I have made such sacrifices for the Lord. I have done it all for Him!”

Your testimony is not about what you gave up for Jesus. It’s about what He gave up for you. Don’t share what you have done for Jesus. Share what Jesus has done for you. Jesus is the one who has done the work. It is Jesus whom we are proclaiming.

A good, strong testimony will lift up what Christ has accomplished. The fact of the matter is that all of us were sinners hopelessly separated from God, traveling in the same boat on our way to hell; and the same gospel came and transformed us. That is the testimony we all have.

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie