¹¹Obeying these commandments is not something beyond your strength and reach, ¹²for these laws are not in the far heavens, so distant that you can’t hear and obey them, and with no one to bring them down to you; ¹³nor are they beyond the ocean, so far that no one can bring you their message; ¹⁴but they are very close at hand – in your hearts and on your lips – so obey them. ¹⁹I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; and that you and your children might live! ²⁰Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey Him and to cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.  You will then be able to live safely in the land the Lord promised your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Deuteronomy 30:11-14 & 19-20 TLB).

 

In principle we do not have any rights.  We however have the freedom to choose. ²¹Elijah stood up in front of all the people and asked them, how long will you try to have it both ways? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal is God, follow him (1 Kings 18:21 GW). ¹⁵But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

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³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:3-8 NKJV).

 

The gifts of the Spirit are simply God empowering faithful Christians to do what He has called us to do. ²Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4 NKJV).

 

May God give you the grace to understand that His heart is concerned with every one of us. We are not better; we are just different because light always dispels darkness. Humble yourself because humility is the character of the royal priesthood and the balance on the power. We cannot handle authority or power without humility. He is putting a divine balance on us to function in the principles of the Kingdom, not to harm the people but to set the captives free, to come out of the prison into the liberty of the sons of God.

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The gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of ‘everything we need’ to accomplish His plans for our lives. Everyone can function in gifts so that we can reveal Jesus Christ and His kingdom on this earth. Now, when everyone is working together, great things will be accomplished for the kingdom of God! ⁴There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV).

 

 

Wisdom:

²⁰⁻²²So where does wisdom come from? And where does insight live? It can’t be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, we’ve only heard rumors of it.  ²³⁻²⁸God alone knows the way to Wisdom; He knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, He sees everything under heaven. After He commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, arranged for rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready. Then He addressed the human race: here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord – that’s Wisdom, and Insight means shunning [departing] evil (Job 28:20-28 MSG).

 

Wisdom is a gift from God that enables us to make choices and give leadership that is according to God's will. It helps us to understand things from His point of view, recognize the truth and then take this truth and use it to glorify Him. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5 NIV).  ⁷Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment (Proverbs 4:7 TLB). ¹⁷The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17 NIV).

 

Fear of the Lord is the only source of wisdom. Wisdom is not found in the sensible world but everything in the universe expresses some aspect of God’s wisdom which our minds cannot comprehend. Wisdom has a moral foundation which begins with fear of the Lord and is expressed in understanding by departing from evil. Out of the fear of the Lord develop wisdom, then understanding or insight, and then knowledge. ⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise [hate] wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7 KVJ). Psalm 111:10 AMP says: The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning [the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet] of wisdom; A good understanding and teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever. ¹⁰The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship YAHWEH (Proverbs 9:10 TPT).

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Human wisdom doesn’t have all the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits. To understand life, we need the wisdom that can be found only in God’s Word to us – the Bible. When we realize that God will evaluate all we do, we should learn to live wisely, remembering that God is with us at each moment, and obeying His guidelines. We can have God’s wisdom only when we obey Him.

 

Wisdom is priceless. ¹⁵It [wisdom] cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver (Job 28:15). ¹⁶Everyone wants gold, but wisdom’s worth is far greater. Silver is sought after, but a heart of understanding yields a greater return (Proverbs 16:16 TPT).  ¹²Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it (Ecclesiastes 7:12 NIV). ¹³If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise (James 3:13 TPT).

 

¹⁰If an ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success (Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV).

 

It takes great wisdom to survive in a nonbelieving world. In a setting which is for the most part hostile to Christianity, we can demonstrate wisdom by giving respect to what is true and good and by standing against what is wrong. An important step in becoming mature is learning to distinguish good from evil. God will help us in that process through His word, His Sprit and the body of Christ, the Church. Wisdom and understanding is much more than being clever or educated, because a clever or educated person can easily be fooled. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness (1 Corinthians 3:19). ⁵Instead, trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make (Proverbs 3:5 TPT). ¹⁵⁻¹⁷Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important or wise – has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out – but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity (1 John 2:15-17 MSG).

 

 

Knowledge:

¹⁵An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (Proverbs 18:15 ESV).

 

²My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3 NIV).

 

The knowledge of God is the most valuable possession a human being can have. But it is also clear that simply being aware of God’s existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must embrace the deep appreciation of our personal relationship with Him.

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Knowledge is a gift from God that enables us to comprehensively understand a spiritual issue or circumstance. ⁶The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). Knowledge is God’s to give and those who revere Him will receive it. He gives the gift of knowledge out of His infinite store of knowledge and not only is His knowledge infinite, it is absolute. ³³Who could ever wrap their minds around the riches of God, the depth of His wisdom, and the marvel of His perfect knowledge? Who could ever explain the wonder of His decisions or search out the mysterious way He carries out His plan (Romans 11:33 TPT).

 

¹We know that we all possess knowledge. But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. ²Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. ³But whoever loves God is known by God (1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV).

 

Increasing in the knowledge of God is part of Christian maturity and is something all Christians are to experience as we ¹⁸grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory [honor, majesty, splendor], both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (2 Peter 3:18 AMP).

 

²⁰Guard what has been entrusted to your care.  Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹which some have professed and in doing so have departed from the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21 NIV).

 

 

Faith:

¹Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for. ³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:1-3 & 6 NIV).

 

Faith is a gift from God enabling us to trust God and inspire others to trust God, no matter the conditions.  Faith is the foundation of everything we do. ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). ¹⁴What good is it if someone claims to have faith but demonstrates no good works to prove it? How could this kind of faith save anyone? (James 2:14 TPT).

 

Faith has one source and one focus – the Word of God. ¹⁷Before you trust, you have to listen, but unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to (Romans 10:17 MSG). ¹⁷So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17 NKJV).

 

⁷For we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV). Faith relates to the invisible and is not based on what we see – it takes us beyond the realm of senses into the invisible and supernatural realm. ⁸⁻⁹You never saw Him, yet you love Him. You still don’t see Him, yet you trust Him – with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9 MSG). ⁴⁰Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? (John 11:40 MSG). We must believe when we can’t see, because when you see you don’t need to believe – it is already evident and does not require faith.

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Faith is measured in quality and not quantity. ²⁰Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20 NIV). ³²Although the smallest of all the seeds, it eventually grows into the greatest of garden plants, becoming a tree for birds to come and build their nests in its branches (Matthew 13:32 TPT).

 

Our faith will be tested. Just like untried gold is worthless - untested faith is of no value to God. ²⁻⁴Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So, don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way (James 1:2-4 MSG).  ¹Fasten your thoughts fully onto Jesus (Hebrews 3:1 TPT); ¹⁴cling in faith to all we know to be true (Hebrews 4:14 TPT) ²³and wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps His promises! (Hebrews 10:23 TPT).

 

 

Healing:

⁵But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, and by His stripes [wounds] we are healed (Isaiah 53:5 AMP).

 

¹⁷For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV).

 

²⁴He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used His servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing (1 Peter 2:24 MSG).

 

Healing is the incredible gift; using God’s healing power, to cure a person who is ill, wounded or suffering. Healing is a gift which must be received by faith. In Mark 5:25-34 we read about the woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years. She said: If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Physically she touched His garment with her hand but her faith is what touched Him and released that healing virtue. ³⁰At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around and asked who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30 NIV). ³⁴He said to her, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering (Mark 5:34 NIV).

 

Healing comes by hearing and obeying God’s voice. ²⁶If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians. For I AM the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26 NKJV). The word Rapha means to heal, to restore or to mend. Jehovah Rapha means “the Lord who heals.” Jehovah Rapha is one of God’s many names describing a particular aspect of His character – to heal.

 

Repentance brings healing. ¹Come, let us return to the Lord, He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us (Hosea 6:1 NIV). ¹⁴If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 

In the word, Jesus did most of the healing and today the Lord is still the One who does the healing – we cannot heal anyone. ¹⁷He took our illnesses, He carried our diseases (Matthew 8:17 TPT). ⁶Behold I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth (Jeremiah 33:6 NKJV). The Lord’s healing power is channeled through us who ministers it into the body of the sick and afflicted. ¹⁴Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:14-16 NIV).

 

³He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3 NIV). ²Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits – ³who forgives all your sins and heal all your diseases (Psalm 103:2-3 NIV). God’s healing touch deals with much more than physical sickness. The God, who heals, restores us physically, spiritually and emotionally.

  

 

Miracles:

²²Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know (Acts 2:22 NIV).

 

The Gift of Miracles is a divine work of God that transcends human understanding and inspires wonder, displays the greatness of God, gives credibility to God's Word and causes people to recognize that God is active in the world. Miracles are extraordinary occurrences that can only be attributed to the supernatural work of God. A miracle can be performed directly by God or through a human agent. ²⁶Humanly speaking, no one.  But with God, everything is possible (Matthew 19:26 TLB).

 

Jesus was clearly a man of power and action, not just words. Jesus did miracles to confirm His message to the people and to teach the disciples His true identity as God.  The more convinced we become that Jesus is God, the more we will see His power and His love. Jesus’ might works show us that He is able to save anyone, regardless of his/her past.  His miracles of forgiveness bring healing, wholeness and changed lives to those who trust Him.  ¹⁴You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate Your awesome power (Psalm 77:14 TLB).

 

While preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Bible says that ¹⁷signs and wonders will follow those who believe (Mark 16:17 NIV).

 

 

Prophesy:

¹Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people] (1 Corinthians 14:1 AMP).

 

Prophesy is  the ability granted supernaturally by the Holy Spirit to a believer to speak forth words/message that come from God, that do not come from the believer’s own wisdom, understanding, or education. Prophesy is God’s doing not ours.

 

²⁴But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted of [his sins] by all, and he is called to account [because he can understand what is being said]; ²⁵the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you (1 Corinthians 14:24-25 AMP). A believer can become a channel of the counsel of God given forth in the words that proceed from God and not the believer.  The purpose of prophesy is built up [edification], stir up [exhortation] and cheer up [consolation] God’s people.

 

All prophetic utterances are to be subject to judgment. ²⁹And the same with prophesy. Let two or three prophets prophesy and let the other prophets carefully evaluate and discern what is being said (1 Corinthians 14:29 TPT). ¹⁹⁻²²Do not quench the Spirit. Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good.  Throw out anything tainted [contaminated] with evil (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 MSG).

 

The prophet’s responsibility was to confront and correct any deviation from God’s law. The Bible, sermons that teach the truth and the wise counsel of believers are warnings to us. Anyone who points out how we may be moving away from God’s word is a blessing. ⁵A fool despises his father’s discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible (Proverbs 15:5 CSB). Changing our lives in order to obey God often takes painful discipline and hard work. We should seek people who will be honest with us about our weaknesses in our lives. ³¹For all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:31 NKJV).

 

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Discernment:

¹⁰So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Philippians 1:10 NIV).

 

¹²For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV).

 

The Word of God itself is said to discern the thoughts and intentions of one’s heart. Discernment enables us to distinguish, to separate out by diligent search, to examine whether or not something is truly from God or in accordance with righteousness.

Acknowledge the worth of God’s Word through discernment. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them.  ⁸All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. ⁹They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge (Proverbs 8:8-9 NKJV).

 

Seeking discernment is a goal for all who desire to walk righteously.  ⁹Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; but the rebellious stumble in them (Hosea 14:9 NIV). ¹²⁵I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes (Psalm 119:125 NIV).

²¹Preserve sound judgment and discernment do not let them out of your sight; ²²they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. ²³Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; ²⁴when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:21-24).

 

 

Speaking In Tongues:

¹When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:1-4 NIV).

 

²For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. ⁴He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. ⁵I wish you all spoke with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:2; 4-5 NKJV).

 

The Greek word translated tongues, literally means ‘languages’. The gift of tongues enables us to speak in a language the speaker has never learned in order to minister to someone who does speak that language. ⁶If I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? (1 Corinthians 14:6). Speaking in tongues is valuable to the one hearing God’s message in his or her own language, but it is useless to everyone else unless it is interpreted/translated.

 

 

Interpretation of Tongues:

¹³Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret (1 Corinthians 14:13 NKJV).

 

The gift of interpreting tongues is the ability to understand and interpret the speech of a different language and translate it back to your own language.  It is a separate gift but it seems to have been used in conjunction with the gift of speaking in tongues.

This lack of prior knowledge of a language is what distinguishes the spiritual gift from the natural gift of being able to understand and speak a variety of languages.

 

The goal was that all could understand and benefit from the truth being spoken and edification of the church.  There was no benefit to other church members in hearing something they could not understand. Exercising the gift of tongues without the gift of interpretation is conceited and unprofitable. ²⁸But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and God (1 Corinthians 14:28 NKJV).

 

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian. One of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to transform that life. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to change us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him. A Christian will never be completely victorious in always demonstrating the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the main purposes of the Christian life, though, to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives—and to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer the opposing sinful desires. The fruit of the Spirit is what God desires our lives to exhibit and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, it is possible!

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¹⁶You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:16-20 NKJV).

 

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV).​​​