Ephesians 4:7-13 But unto every one of
us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
In the late 80's, and through early 90's, I'd experienced something take place when I prayed for others.
Something not many experienced, and therefore, I had little reference to help me understand.
I would get the symptoms of others I prayed for.
I did not know I was receiving words of knowledge in order to know how to pray.
I did not know how to release this to the Lord.
I did not know what was happening. I only knew, when I prayed, I got what others had.
After enough years of this, and going to many doctors only to find there was nothing wrong with me, I was good,
and better than good, I said to the Lord, I did not want to pray for anyone again.
"Release me from the burden of prayer for others. I dont want to intercede, I dont want other
people's stuff, I don't want to go into a mall, into a crowded area, I want to be away from people.
Please release me"
Well, the Lord did as I asked. And He released me from the "burden" of "having
to" pray for others.
What I came to discover, and only understood in hindsight, was that when I asked to be removed from the
gift, instead of asking Him how to use the gift, His tangible presence was also removed.
It was awhile before I had discovered that the gifts the Lord gives, are not merely enablements,
but rather measures of Himself. Ephesians 4:7 says "According to the measure of the gift of Christ."
It does not say "According to the measure of the gift FROM Christ."
The Gift of Miracles? He IS the Ressurection and the Life.
The Gift of Wisdom and Truth? He IS Wisdom and Truth.
The Gift of Love? He IS Love.
The Gift of Apostleship? He IS One Sent to live among us
for awhile.
The Gift of Teacher? He IS Teacher.
The Gift of Healing? He IS Healing.
The Gift of Intercession? He IS Intercessor and High Priest.
The Gift of Pastor? He IS Shepherd.
The Gift of Salvation? He IS Salvation.
I could go on.
If we reject the Gift given us by the Lord, we reject His moving in our lives.
I desperately needed the Lord back in my life and no longer could make it on my own. In 2002 I was
a pathetic, miserable sight.
The Lord let me know that I simply needed to ask Him how to use the gift, not reject it because I didn't know
what to do with it.
I made the decision to allow whatever gift He wanted to give, to operate. If I didn't
use it correctly, I wasn't to shun it but allow it to refine me (Yes, refine me) as I
seek Him with all my heart and learn how to let the Gift of God work through me.
Sometimes it gets messy.
But He loves making messes.
We are like those puzzle pieces I wrote of yesterday (Please see April 17 devotional)
Til we all come in the UNITY of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man,
unto a measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
He will make room for you.
Father I thank You for the gift of Your son Christ, for every good and perfect gift is found
In Jesus. According to Your word, make room for the Gift in us, that we would come
to a greater knowledge of Your fullness and come to maturity, not lacking in anything but in unity and love, become a
perfect man, in You. Amen.
