Let Me Show You A Better Way

Have you wondered about what your spiritual gifts are? When thinking about this topic, I was reminded of a particular scripture, "Let Me show you a better way." (1 Corinthians 12:31)

Prior to "showing us a better way", 1 Corinthians 12 lists (verse 8-11) some of the spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit to believers. There are gifts of the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the gift of faith, healing, works of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues. The gifts don't stop there. There are gifts of generosity, gifts of serving, teaching, encouragement, and more.(Romans 12:6-8)

There's great news about these gifts and their use. First, all of God works through all the gifts by the power of the Holy Spirt. Secondly, the gifts are to be used to profit all believers. Thirdly, no one and their gifts is more important than anyone else - every gift is valuable!

At this point, you may be wondering about your gifts. "But let me show you a better way". Everyone in the body of Christ has access to the most important gift. On this one gift hangs all of the commandments. This is the gift of love.

Why is the gift of love so important? If the use of any gift isn't rooted in love, the gift is worth little, to no value. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

While it is important that we know what our gifts are and that we use them to help strengthen the body of Christ, lets be sure that first and foremost we are exercising the most important gift- the gift of love. This is the better way!

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

TPEE by Christina Calvache

Debunking the Myth, Part 1

With Every Temptation, God Provides a way of Escape so that we can Endure the temptation.

When going through hardships, we like to believe God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. I used to rely on this concept knowing that whatever came my way, would not be more than I could bare. I had been a Christian for more years than I’d like to admit when my Pastor ( Pastor Garry) said, “you know, that’s not in the Bible.” I couldn’t believe it! So many people say it in so many different situations, it was almost common knowledge. And I had relied on this belief to get me through many circumstances. I had to sort this out.

I found that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle was derived (somehow) from 1 Cor 10:13, which states: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

I had one of those moments where the theme song for “The Reading Rainbow” ran through my head, in conjunction with the advertisement that “Reading is Fundamental”. Was I misunderstanding the scripture? He will not let you be tempted beyond hour ability and saying God doesn’t give us more than we can handle are two different concepts.

When going through hardships, as we are taught in the book of Job, God filters everything that comes our way (Job 1:12). We are taught in Ephesians 6:13 to utilize the armor of God to be victorious in any evil situation. Yet, this does not mean God does not give us more than we can handle. What scripture teaches us is that He will give us more than we can handle because He wants us to rely on Him through the hardships, (Psalm 91:14-16)

We all go through difficult and trying times in our lifetime. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Co 4:8-9). During these times, God wants us to reach out to Him. His promise in Psalm 34:17 States, When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. To believe God wants us to die in our diseases or to believe His plan is to remain suffering is not truth. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins by Christina Calvache

People say “I love you” all the time to people they believe they love. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who often told you they loved you, but you doubted they really did?

Many types of relationships are supposed to include love. However, I have learned that not everyone gives and receives love the same way. There’s an amazing book called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, which breaks down this concept very well. After reading it, I learned that people show love and receive love in different ways and with that, a person can end up feeling unloved because the person loving them is doing it in a way that they cannot receive. Their individual “love languages” are different. Therefore they don’t feel, think or believe that they are really loved.

Love can be so complicated!

The word of God says Love covers a multitude of sins. Although I believe this means God’s love covers the many different types of sins we have committed, we should reflect this kind of love with others as well. In John 15:12, Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” We need to be quick to forgive, slow to anger and know who we are in Christ so that we are not easily offended.

What are we to do when we are offended or hurt by someone in the Church? Instead of walking away, we are supposed to walk towards! Matthew 18:15-16 tells how to respond.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it (admits to it and hopefully apologizes), you have won that person back (it gets squashed). 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again (mediators can sometimes help), so that everything you say may be confirmed (at least you really tried) by two or three witnesses (and people know you really tried)”(NLT and me).

Following this simple principal can alleviate strife and division within the church. It is our responsibility as the Body of Christ to be “agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Phil 2:2 NLT).

When we demonstrate our love for each other the way God would have us to love each other, the Language of Love becomes universal.