Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.
“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.
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My mother had a gift to encourage others, and she loved encouraging others.
I may have needed constant encouragement, or in the language of today’s Scripture, I may have been “weaker”, “less honorable”, and “less presentable”, because my mother was always there for me to be a constant source of encouragement to me. One of her favorite sayings of encouragement to me was: “Cream always rises to the top.”
There are others who need less encouragement. They may only need a “word of encouragement” which is a common and good expression to remember. Sometimes, it only takes us to say “Hi!” and smile at them, and they light up like a Christmas tree and are “good to go” for the rest of the day.
And, those who may need more help in one area often need less help in another area.
So, let us be patient and kind and give to all what they need.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.
And, there is hope and help!
God is in control.
“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” Verse 18.
“… But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” Verses 24-25.
In addition to the gift of encouragement, there are all types of different spiritual gifts given to the members of Christ’s body, the church, to care for another.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7.
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; … from whom (Christ) the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-12 and 16.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 