God speaks today Thursday | August 1, 2024

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment. (Lamentations 2:14)
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Dr. Roberto Miranda

Maturity in the use of gifts

Spiritual leaders should not suppress teaching about spiritual gifts as it robs people of a valuable resource. However, there needs to be a balanced approach to their use and we need mature leaders who can guide believers in their proper use. There is much abuse of the gifts, and we need apostolic correction to establish a nuanced framework for their healthy functioning. Gifts are not an end in themselves and need a framework of love and wisdom to function properly. We should not be dazzled by the gifts but subject them to the principles of Scripture and the understanding of God within us. Read more...


Cross Reference

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:31)
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. (Ezekiel 22:28)
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 22:25)

Comments:

Martha: I read the devotional every day, very edifying. May God continue to bless you with his word.
What a blessing that you find the devotional edifying, Martha! It is essential to nourish ourselves daily with the Word of God in order to grow in spiritual maturity. As the author Dr. Roberto Miranda mentions, the devotional highlights the importance of rescuing the balanced use of spiritual gifts in the church. It is crucial that, as we long for these gifts, we seek their edification and that of the church, as the apostle Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 14:12. May God continue to bless you through His Word!
Enrique Meneses Muñoz : Every day I need your word my LORD.
It's beautiful to see how you recognize your daily need for God's Word, Enrique. As Dr. Roberto Miranda's devotional mentions, it is vital for our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. Like you, many long for the guidance and strength we find in the Word of the Lord. Let us always remember to seek in it the wisdom and direction we need in our daily lives. May the Lord continue to bless you and reveal Himself to you through His Word!
Francisco Diaz S.: The Lord God Almighty is wise and powerful and gives to each person what he deserves according to his attributes and qualities.
It is true, Francisco, the Lord is wise and powerful, and He distributes His gifts according to His will and purpose. As Dr. Roberto Miranda mentions in his devotional, it is essential that we seek a mature understanding of spiritual gifts and use them in a balanced way, avoiding both fanaticism and denial. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, the apostle Paul urges us to seek spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. We trust that God will enable us to use these gifts according to His will and for His glory. May you continue to grow in wisdom and discernment in your walk with the Lord!
Ruth Vives.: There are great gifts of the Holy Spirit. But the Christian must ask God for understanding to identify when they are real and when they belong to the fruits of the gospel. God bless you. Amen.
What an insightful reflection, Ruth! As you mention, it is crucial to ask God for understanding and discernment to identify the authenticity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and ensure that they are aligned with the fruits of the gospel. Dr. Roberto Miranda's devotional highlights the importance of a balanced and biblical use of the gifts, avoiding falling into falsehoods or abuses. As mentioned in Lamentations 2:14, it is essential to discern between false and true visions. May God continue to bless you with wisdom and discernment as you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on your journey of faith. Amen!
Bea: Bless me, and I like to read and grow in the knowledge of the word, thank you and may I be very blessed and prosperous in every way THANK YOU
What a beautiful testimony, Bea. It is wonderful to see how reading and growing in the knowledge of God's Word blesses and strengthens you. As Dr. Roberto Miranda mentions in his devotional, a mature understanding of spiritual gifts is essential for the effectiveness and vitality of the church. May you continue to prosper in your walk with the Lord, always seeking to grow in wisdom and discernment through His Word. May God's grace and blessings accompany you in every step you take. Thank you for sharing your experience and may the Lord continue to guide you in His light!
Betty Casaniva: Word of God, food that strengthens the soul, spirit and keeps you in the hand of God!
What a beautiful truth, Betty! The Word of God is truly nourishment that strengthens our soul and spirit, keeping us close to the loving hand of our Lord. As Dr. Roberto Miranda’s devotional mentions, it is through a mature understanding of spiritual gifts that we can build up and strengthen the church. May you continue to be nourished by the Word of God, growing in faith and trust in His guidance. May the presence and love of God be with you at all times! Thank you for sharing your beautiful perspective!
Ervin Cordova : Brothers, we need the fullness of the Holy Spirit; in order to advance in the expansion of the gospel, all that is needed is for our spiritual guides to be placed in the hands of our God so that they can watch over the flock of our God. We need it.
What a beautiful exhortation, Ervin. It is true that the filling of the Holy Spirit is essential to advance the expansion of the gospel and to faithfully care for the flock of God. As Dr. Roberto Miranda highlights in his devotional, it is essential that spiritual leaders have a mature and balanced understanding of the gifts of the Spirit to guide the congregation effectively. May both the leaders and each member of the church seek that filling of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and strengthen each step in the service of the Lord. May the grace and power of the Holy Spirit accompany you at all times! Blessings!
Sabino Marroquín López: I have faith that D
Dear Sabino, I see that your comment was incomplete, but faith is a beautiful foundation in our Christian life. As Dr. Roberto Miranda's devotional mentions, it is crucial that we maintain a mature and balanced faith in the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, avoiding falling into extremes and abuses. May your faith in God continue to grow and strengthen you in every step you take, trusting in His guidance and unconditional love. May the presence of God fill you with peace and confidence in His perfect plan for your life! Blessings on your walk of faith, Sabino!
Iris: The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit make the faithful docile to obey promptly the divine inspirations. They are gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us, but we must ask with deep spiritual discernment, being at a spiritual level of holiness, As Christians we must learn to use spiritual warfare to learn to defend ourselves from the snares of the enemy, pastors must teach about spiritual warfare, and above all the churches must begin to wage war in order to free the people from the captivity of attachment, slavery of debts, vices, adultery, fornication, etc. Hidden sins that we bring from our ancestors in our DNA, Spiritual warfare is very delicate, that is why there is fear and dread, no one wants to use it, Because retaliation comes to the pastor. And the freed does not submit, and they return to sin. And many convert the gifts and divination, and due to lack of knowledge, not reading the Bible with discipline we let ourselves be deceived, we must delve deeper and confirm what we are told so as not to be deceived. But in these times it is necessary to learn spiritual warfare and identify what gifts we have to put into practice and help free the captive. But for that, constant preparation is needed in fasting, vigil, reading the word, constant prayer and total fulfillment of the commandments and scriptures. False prophets will come in these times because the Christian people are asleep, distracted. With laziness and lack of time to have intimacy with God, That is why any false prophet who tells them that their financial life is going to change, they follow that and do not go to intimacy with God so that He reveals to us, We do not need intermediaries if we have a good relationship with God, constant and a life of holiness, everything we need and ask for with faith and confidence, He fulfills Ephesians 6 (10-18)
Thank you for sharing your profound reflections, Iris. Your analysis of the importance of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual life is truly enriching. As you mention, spiritual warfare is crucial in our fight against the wiles of the enemy, and it is essential that pastors teach on this topic to strengthen the church in its walk of faith. Your call to constant preparation in fasting, vigil, reading the Word, and prayer reflects a sincere search for intimacy with God and a desire to live a life of holiness and obedience. Let us always remember the apostle Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6:10-18 about the armor of God and the importance of standing firm in spiritual battle. May the Lord continue to guide you in your search for greater intimacy with Him and strengthen you in every step of faith you take. May His peace and discernment always accompany you on your spiritual walk, Iris! Blessings!
Sara Gaspar: "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Corinthians 14:32). This great truth that Paul concludes, and that Dr. Miranda emphasizes, is fundamental. The Word of God that we have in the Scriptures is the only true and sure one that we must consider. Thank God for the sound doctrine reflected in God Speaks Today.
What a beautiful comment, Sara! It is true that the truth expressed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:32, highlighted by Dr. Miranda, reminds us of the importance of having proper spiritual discernment and of subjecting our gifts to the Word of God. It is wonderful to see how you recognize the centrality and authority of the Scriptures as the foundation of our Christian faith and practice. May you continue to grow in wisdom and discernment through the Word of God, and may His sound doctrine continue to guide your path. May God’s peace and truth be with you always, Sara! Thank you for sharing your edifying perspective!