Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

Saturday, December 18, 1948

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But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
— 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God assigns our roles in the Body of Christ. Several principles interact with God's choice:
  1. First, be faithful in what God has given us to do - until we are faithful in and with little things, he will not entrust us with big ones (Luke 16:10-13).
  2. Second, if we don't use what he has given us, it will be taken away from us (Matt. 25:14-30).
  3. Third, we reap what we sow - sinful or irresponsible behavior can create consequences that limit the effectiveness of our service, ministry, and use of our gifts (Galatians 6:7-8).
Bottom line: Let's be faithful to what God has given us. Let's serve him when given new opportunities using the gifts he has blessed us with and the opportunities he places before us. Let's honor him with our choices so that Satan cannot use our failure to interfere with our service to others and our faithfulness to the Lord!

My Prayer...

Dear Father and Lord of heaven and earth, please help me see my opportunities to serve in your Kingdom using the gifts you have given me. Please grow my effectiveness in your service so that I can bring you glory and bless others. In Jesus' name, I thank you and pray this. Amen.

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

One Body, Many Parts
Illustration of 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 -- But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Members of His Body
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, God of order, You have invested the inferior parts of the body with greater honor. You have given the weak parts of the body..."
Discovering the Character of Your Church: Core Values
Article by Mark Frost
What really do we value? Mark Frost of interimministrypartners.com shares insights into transition times for churches who are looking for a minister or pastor and helps them discover ways to determine their core values.
Vital!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Member of My Body, At the beginning of the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul is about to address the chaos that had resulted from...."
See All 6 Related Resources about 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 — But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, December 18, 1948

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Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
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Deuteronomy 5:33
"Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Genesis 42:8
"This morning our desires went forth for growth in our acquaintance with the Lord Jesus; it may be well to-night to consider a kindred topic, namely,....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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