Each of us, as members of the Body of Christ, has been given at least one spiritual gift. Besides this, there are the natural abilities with which God has endowed us. He intends these to primarily be used for the edification of the Body of believers. There is no such thing as a private gift (Rom. 126-8).
quote by Bruce Kemper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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As members of the Body of Christ, each of us have been endowed with a special measure of grace to use in His service. Paul develops this theme in Romans where he states 'For as we have many members in one Body, and all members have not the same office So we, being many, are one Body in Christ, and ever one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether...ministry, let us wait on our ministering or he that teacheth, on teaching Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity he that ruleth, with diligence he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
quote by Paul Sadler
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Amiss At Christmas
Many people offer others amiss, sharing with them on Christmas,
Taking this day to share a gift, that creates in some a spiritual rift,
Sharing not the Gift that God sent, which moves sinners to repent,
And change the day to celebrate, the Gift to all, greater than great.
Of any season out of the year, believers should talk with little fear,
When people talk of the Child, who came to all, so meek and mild,
Saying that He now Reigns over all, upon His Throne, not in a stall,
And that He’s coming back again, as the Savior and Judge of men.
Why be limited as believers in Christ, when we live out our daily life,
To just one season or one day, to share The Father’s chosen Way?
To voice the one great consolation, sent from God, to every nation,
The reason Christ came to earth, that man may have a spiritual birth.
Many only celebrate the birth of Him, Who came into a world of sin,
Leaving a Majestic Throne above, to bring to man The Father’s love,
A love that had the biggest price, as God’s Gift became a sacrifice,
That manger took Him to Calvary, where Christ died for you and me.
We should celebrate all year through, for all He did, for me and you,
Maybe why men do not celebrate, is that many truly don’t anticipate,
Christ’s return to alter all things, as Lord of lords, The King of kings,
Bringing real change to all friend, with joyful celebration with no end.
(Copyright ©12/2008)
Christmas At Its Best
To know Christmas at its best, you must come to Christ and rest,
Far from that weary holiday time, into that Light, which is sublime,
For a real meaning to this season, one with a true spiritual reason,
Beyond the songs this world sings, to The Lord of Eternal Things.
Away from all that holiday rush, God brings upon the soul a hush,
Quieting both the heart and mind, to find that gift of another kind,
This really is that special gift, not gained by one’s shopping thrift,
The Gift provided by God’s Grace, one in which you gain by faith.
Men only need to rest and pause, ignoring trees and Santa Claus,
Looking for the deeper meaning, as they seek a spiritual gleaning,
From the unmatched Gift of love, presented by The Father above,
As He presented to men His Son, the Gift from God for everyone.
The Gift of God’s Son Jesus Christ, truly changes a receiver’s life,
Unlike any other gift on this earth, Christ gives to one a New Birth,
Born Again of The Spirit of God, while present on this earthly sod,
Born from above into God’s Family, not for a season but eternally.
Not only does God offer us rest, but, the Gift of Christ is the best,
His Gift, not available in a store, offers the receiver so much more,
Unlike all gifts from seasons past, the Lord’s Gift will eternally last,
For when in Christ you do believe, eternal life with Him you receive.
(Copyright ©12/2009)
Steps To Sanctification
After accepting God’s Salvation, we proceed into sanctification,
As all believers are sanctified, by the One, who for sinners died,
Though we’re sanctified by the Lord, our part cannot be ignored,
Set apart for God, in this life, we’ve new steps ordered by Christ.
Feeding on the Word of God, while we live upon this earthly sod,
To get a Heavenly point of view, for the earthly issues we pursue,
As The Truths of God we must know, for a Christian to truly grow,
That source being His Holy Word; to what the Believer is referred.
Fill yourself with the Holy Spirit, to obey the Word, as you hear it,
For He is Comforter and Guide, the third person not to be denied,
Being filled with The Spirit friend, God’s purpose will be your end,
As He guides us, while in this life, to be a New Creature for Christ.
Flee from your former way of sin, this as that battle begins within,
A battle between old and new, as a New Life for God you pursue,
But if you flee with all your might, God will help to do what’s right,
As you yield The Lord your heart, those old ways will soon depart.
Fellowship among God’s Family, while you pursue Christ regularly,
Forsaking not the fellowship with, others who accepted God’s Gift,
The Gift of Life through His Son, as Christ’s Body we become one,
As believers in Him by New Birth, we’re the Body of Christ on earth.
Faithfully serve the Living God, while lead by Christ’s staff and rod,
Adhering to God’s Holy Word, by living out Truths that we’ve heard,
Willing to become God’s sacrifice, for our Lord, who paid the price,
While on a cross of condemnation, purchased for us Sanctification.
(Copyright ©05/2009)
What I Am Is God’s Gift, What I Become Is My Gift To God
WHAT I AM IS GOD’S GIFT, WHAT I BECOME IS MY GIFT TO GOD
What I am is God’s gift, what I become is my gift to God tells us that our own body and the life that breath in our body is God’s precious gift to us but what this body can become and what sense or impact of our being as a person to others and to God is our gift to the Almighty. Our own body and life is our own gift from God on the day of our creation from womb till we joined this world to become what we want to mirror in this journey of life. God has given us all the provisions to live and all the faculties we need to grow as a person. He gave us a body strong enough to withstand trials of life like illness, sorrows and pains to keep us not so much fragile to anything that we can paint our own journey in this life. No doubt the life we breath is indeed God’s most precious gift to all of us. Precious than anything like glittering gold or diamonds. Our life is really beyond compare being the ultimate reasons God had created this world and the very reason why He gave his only begotten Son to secure and protect such gift to all of us. Truly, our own life is our gift from God but what we become as a person is our gift in return to God.
What we wanted to become in the eyes of men and God is our gift in return to such noble and precious gift of life we had from God. Our body is the temple of God’s Kingdom when we let our soul glitter like diamond upon the eyes of God if sense of righteousness lives within every breath we take as we deal with other people and so with God. It is how we used this body as an instrument to fulfill our own mission in this life through our own vocation, work or services we take is our gift to God. Everything we do in this life in the service to other people and to God is our own gift to the Almighty. Everything we do to the temple of God’s Kingdom, our body, determines the impact of our sense of being as a person in the eyes of God and men. Truly, if we wanted to be looked upon as a glittering diamond in the yes of God and men, we must live in righteousness upholding all the fundamental truth and wisdom of God as we relate with other people and as we serve with prudence sharing our life and services to others.
Our own sense of being, purpose or mission through our various ways, vocations or services is the way how we return our gratitude and appreciation to our gift of life from God. The way how we share our own life to give life and light to others is our gift to God. Make this life then shine for others and to God for it is our own little way of returning the favor of God’s grace and love to us.
poem by Melvin Banggollay
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Here's what I tell anybody and this is what I believe. The greatest gift we have is the gift of life. We understand that. That comes from our Creator. We're given a body. Now you may not like it, but you can maximize that body the best it can be maximized.
quote by Mike Ditka
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
quote by Joseph Butler
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Approval of Men
Praise from men, one may desire, but, honoring God is much higher,
As we honor God in all our ways, while lifting up to Him all our praise,
The praise of men can be a snare, so as believers we must be aware,
Of Satan’s dark deceptive ploy, in diverting our focus to rob our joy.
As true believers serving our Lord, we must serve Him in one accord,
With all honor and praise due to Him, Who freed us from a life of sin.
For all we are and all that we’ll be, is a praise to Him, who set us free,
As God has given to us a New Life, to praise and honor Jesus Christ.
All of our service is for God’s Son, Who alone gives life to everyone,
Christ alone dispenses every gift, which Satan himself desires to sift,
Wanting to sift believers like wheat, as the devil plans for their defeat,
As The Body he attempts to destroy, with the individual believer’s joy.
Satan gets us to put humility aside, as he begins to stroke your pride,
As he twists our innermost thought, temptation in our mind is wrought,
Wanting us to heed temptation’s call, so that he can see believers fall,
Hoping that you will fall from grace, while for Christ, you’re in the race.
It is not man, but, Jesus Christ alone, Who sits upon Heaven’s Throne,
And it’s to Christ that we must raise, all of our honor and all our praise,
Recognizing that we’re all the same, simple sinners saved in His name,
As it’s Christ alone in whom we trust, while all others will return to dust.
(Copyright ©04/2010)
Life's A Gift
Life’s a gift for you to send
Life’s a gift for god to end
Life’s a gift now you’re with me
Life’s a gift for all to see
Life’s a gift when love is true
Life’s a gift when times look blue
Life’s a gift with the one you trust
Life’s a gift even if UN just
Life’s a gift a ray of sun
Life’s a gift though your heads held to a gun
Life’s a gift when its handed on a tray
Life’s a gift even though it’s always on display
Life’s a gift it’s hard to understand how
Life’s a gift so take advantage of it now
poem by SharonAnn Dawson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Gift From God
The greatest gift to all the world, was from God for man to herald,
His Gift came in Incarnate Deity; The Word was flesh for all to see,
It was God’s Son, Christ Jesus, who was given by Him to all of us,
The Gift of Salvation given to all, to redeem man from Adam’s fall.
The Gift, who was the Great I AM, born a baby, to be God’s Lamb,
Coming to pay the ultimate price, as a baby to become a sacrifice,
As a man, Christ was put on a path, to receive for us, eternal wrath,
Upon a cross, at Mount Calvary, to bring Salvation, to you and me.
The Gift was sent through Israel, as He came to do His Father’s will,
By The Father, He was sent to them, in that little town of Bethlehem,
To the House of Bread He was to be, Bread of Life for you and me,
From above came The Bread of Life, God’s Only Son, Jesus Christ.
Well pleasing in the eyes of God, to shepherd us with staff and rod,
Leading hearts of men from Calvary, to New Life with God Eternally,
New life that begins on the earth, born from above, by second birth,
A spiritual birth provided by Grace, when His Gift you truly embrace.
He saves His people from their sin, and in our hearts, He lives within,
As Emmanuel, now God is with us, through the Spirit of Christ Jesus.
From the very moment we believed, and the Gift of God we received,
With His Spirit as our guarantee, we’ll live with Christ through Eternity.
(Copyright ©01/2011 Bob Gotti)
What is Grace?
What is Grace, what it does mean, what is it all about?
Well let me see if I can explain, I don't need to shout;
It's a special type of Gift, given with love,
When Jesus came to die, sent from Heaven above.
Take each letter and put a word, in exchange,
Then you'll get the answer I will rearrange;
It's the answer to the reason why Christ died for us,
It tells in one word the story, of the gift of the cross.
G is for God's, our loving heavenly Father,
R is for riches, such priceless gift, for each other;
A is for at, C is for Christ's, He is our Saviour,
And E is for expense, He paid the price, in our favor.
What a wondrous Gift, such selfless gift He gave,
Going to the cross of Calvary, our lost souls to save;
I that Christ that He chose to go there for me,
And all I needed to do, is to accept, Christ into me.
poem by Margaret Haig
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Moreover, no one is judged from the natural man, thus not so long as he lives in the natural world, for man is then in a natural body; but everyone is judged in the spiritual man, and therefore when he comes into the spiritual world, for man is then in a spiritual body.
quote by Emanuel Swedenborg
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible in Poetry: 1 Corinthians 6
Lawsuits among Believers:
1If you have dispute with the next,
Don’t take it to the ungodly
For judgment instead of the saints?
2 Don’t you know that saints judge world?
And if you are to judge the world,
Can you not judge trivial cases?
3 Don’t you know that we’ll judge angels?
How much more then things of this life!
4 If you have disputes on such things,
Appoint as judges even men,
Of little account in the church!
5 I say this only to shame you.
Is it not possible for one
Among you wise enough to judge
A dispute between believers?
6 But brother fight against brother—
And in front of non-believers!
7 The fact that you have lawsuits then,
Among you means, you are defeated.
Why do you not rather be wronged?
Why not you rather be cheated?
8 Instead, you cheat and the wrongs,
And do this to your own brothers.
9Don’t you know that the wicked don’t
Inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived:
Don’t be sexually immoral,
Idolaters, adulterers,
Nor homosexual offenders,
Nor male prostitutes in your life.
10 Nor thieves nor greedy nor drunkards
Nor slanderers nor swindlers will
Inherit the kingdom of God.
11And that is what, some of you were.
But you were washed and sanctified;
You’re justified in Jesus’ name,
And by the Spirit of our God.
Sexual Immorality:
12'All’s permissible for me'—
But it is not beneficial.
'All’s permissible for me'—
But I’ll not be mastered by it.
13'Food for stomach, stomach for food'—
But God will destroy both of them.
The body is not meant for sex,
That’s immoral then,
But for the Lord, and Lord for it.
14 God’s power raised the Lord from dead,
And He will raise us also next.
15Your bodies are members of Christ!
Could I then take members of Christ
Uniting them with prostitute? Never!
16 He who unites with prostitute
Is one with her in body too?
’Tis said, 'The two become one flesh.'
17But he who unites with the Lord
Becomes one with Him in spirit.
18 So, flee from sexual immorality.
All other sins a man commits
Are outside his body of course,
But he who sins sexually then,
Does sin against his own body.
19Do you not know that your body
Is temple of Spirit Holy?
The latter is in your body,
Whom you’ve received from Lord, the God.
You are not your own, dear brother;
20You were bought at a price with blood
So, honor God with your body.
poem by John Celes
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Sharing The Ultimate Gift
I want to share a special gift with you that God has given to me,
This gift like most others that you will receive is absolutely free.
However unlike other gifts that you may have received in the past,
This special gift and this one alone through all eternity will last.
Although you can't see this gift, it's the greatest you can receive,
This gift is not in a box, but in the heart of all those who believe.
And even though this gift is one of a kind and very special indeed,
You'll surely want to give this gift away as soon as it is received.
Don't be concerned about giving away something you didn't use,
For God said “Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news.”
This gift will surprise you on the day you decide to give it away,
You won't feel any loss at all with more to give the following day.
My friend you will be Eternally Grateful when you finally choose,
To truly embrace but give away this gift that you can never lose.
By now you know this gift is none other than Jesus Christ the Lord,
And your faithful sharing of this gift, by Him, will not be ignored.
For our Great Blessed Hope, who through the ages many have adored,
At His return will bring to all His faithful, an Everlasting Reward.
So the next gift you receive and think you'll treasure forevermore,
Remember that the only truly lasting gift is Jesus Christ The Lord.
(Copyright © 12/2002)
God’s Final Remnant
Judgment will start in God’s Church, among all men who weekly perch,
Upon the pews looking their best, for some, only how they’re dressed.
In God’s Judgment, sound and sure, all false believers will not endure,
Those who have knowingly denied, to make heart change deep inside.
God will sift the Soldiers of Christ, from all who have no changed life,
Judging those, who do not belong, to His True Blood Bought Throng.
Just like the sheep and the goats, judging him, who spiritually gloats,
Through exalting them self, in pride, above those, who in Christ abide.
Some with a pure and contrite heart, serving God and doing their part,
Are at times hurt by others within, Christ’s Body when they tolerate sin,
And some, may not even belong, ignoring what we deem to be wrong,
Causing much hurt and undue strife, to members who truly love Christ.
How long will God’s Spirit contend, with all those who merely pretend,
That they belong to Christ’s Church, even without a true spiritual birth?
Bringing a Body that bears His name, time and again, hurt and shame,
Unconverted souls women and men, in the Church but not Born Again.
A remnant, God had used before, and a remnant, He’ll use once more,
This, at the end of this present age, before Christ turns that final page,
God will end with a remnant of those, who truly follow Christ who rose,
A final remnant, who truly believed, in the One, who they truly received.
(Copyright ©09/2009)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit moves on a life, making changes for Jesus Christ,
When a truly repentant heart, comes to God for a brand new start.
Within God’s Word it’s revealed, by The Holy Spirit we are sealed,
By The Lord of all Creation, when we come to Christ for salvation.
Sanctification begins in us when, in Christ we become Born Again,
Accepting the Gift from our Creator, New Life, in Christ our Savior.
From the moment in Christ we trust, The Spirit begins a work in us,
As we live upon this earthly sod, using our new life to glorify God.
The Spirit is sent by God’s Son, to dwell in the hearts of everyone,
All in The Son who have new life, baptized into the Body of Christ.
He assures us when all is wrong, that to God’s Son we do belong,
As The Comforter, of all those, who follow Jesus Christ, who rose.
He illuminates and fills our hearts, as Truth, the Holy Spirit imparts,
Guiding Believers as He teaches, speaking Truth to all He reaches.
He empowers those who believe, the moment that we first receive,
Christ’s life changing Gospel Truth, with a New Life as living proof.
Through all this He intercedes, with The Father for all of our needs,
As He grants spiritual gifts to us, mere sinful men made from dust.
All this because He regenerates, a believing soul that God creates,
So why not believe Him today, so He can send the Spirit your way.
(Copyright ©06/2008)
Shaped For Service
We are formed by The Creator, in the image of God, our Savior,
And God created each one of us, for His pleasure and purpose,
Shaped by the Hand of God, for service while upon earth’s sod,
From His Truths there’s no escape, as God molds us into shape.
Spiritual Gifts were given to all, to cover all needs big and small,
The needs, that God did foresee, covering the scope of Eternity,
Gifts, God provided to everyone, to serve The Body of His Son,
To all men God had skilled, to finish the Church, Christ will build.
Hearts by Christ, have been filled, for His Purpose, as He willed,
Filled with passion for God’s plan, to reach for Christ every man,
With God’s Gospel of Salvation, preaching Truth to every nation,
Until all upon earth have heard, the saving message of His Word.
Abilities that we have naturally, are used throughout God’s family,
In those everyday tasks and deeds, while caring for others needs,
Serving The Lord in ordinary ways, all for God’s Glory and Praise,
For it’s God who we seek to please, even with our natural abilities.
Personality The Lord did impart, for His purpose, into every heart,
For diversifying the passion of, our Lord God, Who reigns above,
All believers still of one accord, with various passion for the Lord,
As The Spirit uses every individual, in full harmony with God’s will.
Experiences by God are aligned, in each life, just as He designed,
Using all situations of this life, experiences of peace and of strife,
For Testimonies of God’s Grace, as we move from place to place,
To be a help and encouragement, wherever, by Christ, we are sent.
We are shaped for God’s Ministry, while living this side of Eternity,
Saved and called by Jesus Christ, to be for God a living Sacrifice,
Gifted by God and then authorized, in a New Life that is prioritized,
By The Lord God of our Salvation, to reach for Christ every Nation.
(Copyright ©09/2009)
For God’s Glory
How to live for God’s Glory, begins for us at the Christmas story,
Where we witness a special birth, that changed men on the earth.
The story ends with Easter Truth, with resurrection as living proof,
That by The Son’s Revelation, all men face an eternal destination.
Christ’s birth was a Gift from God, to all men on this earth we trod,
The Gift of God’s great Salvation, to each and every single nation.
His death grants all men new life, through God’s Son Jesus Christ,
Through that Gift God did give, all men in Christ can eternally live.
New life starts here on the earth, through The Spirit and new birth,
As believers become born again, they become for Christ holy men.
Guiding us in His Righteous Light, to live a life that’s pure and right,
As it’s God’s Glory that we live for, to lead others to Christ our Lord.
Our earthly life begins one story, which for believers ends in Glory,
With Eternal Life, that has no end, in a place we can’t comprehend.
Following His death, we sacrifice, our former ways for Jesus Christ,
Living in The Spirit, we receive, from Christ Jesus when we believe.
We live for Christ, Who died for us, placing in The Lord, all our trust,
As He makes our life a testament, to our Savior, whom He had sent.
This earthly life’s a small price to pay, for what God did on that day,
So that we could live forevermore, up in Glory, with Christ our Lord.
(Copyright ©01/2007)
There the union of Church and State tends strongly to paralyze some of the members of the body of Christ. Here there is no such influence to destroy spiritual life and power.
quote by Josiah Strong
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What A Gift
What a Christmas present for us, all who in Christ have their trust,
What a gift for both you and me, to be transported up to eternity,
When in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be lifted up into the sky,
Up in the clouds, to see our Lord, to see the Gift we long adored.
Far from the gift under the tree, wrapped for passing eyes to see,
It is that One Gift provided by, The Lord God, who reigns on high,
And it was He, who paid the cost, when we were all spiritually lost,
That Gift too, was His sacrifice, paying for sinners, sin’s full price.
All we had to do was to accept, His Gift, that cancels all our debt,
When we simply accept by faith, His Gift available to all by Grace,
For sin’s price, we couldn’t pay, so God, provided for man a way,
Through The Gift of His Son, which today is available to everyone.
Sin’s debt we all have incurred, by living opposed to God’s Word,
While living out this life in sin, as God’s enemy, indifferent to Him,
Separated from The Lord above, yet, He was moved by His Love,
To send all men God’s Gift of Life, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
He is The Gift that we long for, to be in His presence forevermore,
The tree with tinsel we won’t miss, when we enter into eternal bliss,
As we’re snatched into the clouds, to meet Christ, in Holy Crowds,
To see our Savior face to face, God’s only Gift wrapped in Grace.