August 21

Job 1:1-3:26, I Cor. 14:1-17, Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 21:25-26

Pray: God, help me to accept any gift from the Holy Spirit that You might want to give me. Cause me to learn and then prepare my heart to receive. Whatever gifts You choose to give me please remind me that it is given to honor You and serve others.

Read: I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand. II Cor. 14:15) Have you ever felt yearnings to talk to God or worship God but just couldn’t find the words? One of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives believers is the gift of speaking in tongues. The gift of speaking or singing in an unknown language should be done privately unless the gift of interpretation also is present to reveal to others what is being said or sung. The gift of speaking in tongues is real. But it is also often misunderstood. It is called the least of the gifts but any gift from God has purpose and may be used to edify.

Edify: Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! (Proverbs 21:26) No one wants to think of themselves as greedy, but greed has a distinctive voice. Greed says, if I had enough I would give but I don’t. Greed has a distinctive lifestyle. Greed is willing to give once its own needs are met. Only greed’s needs are never met. Every dollar gets spent and greed says, “If only I had more.” The godly love to give. They give their best. They give their first. They never say they can’t afford to give. They choose to do without so that they may give.

Practice: Practice giving the first 10% to God. Give it the minute you receive it. Ask God to bless the remaining 90%.