William MacDonald said well, “Just as it is folly for one person to envy another’s gift, so it is equally foolish for anyone to depreciate another’s gift or feel that he doesn’t need the others. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” The eye can see things to be done, but it can’t do them. It depends on the hand for that. Again, the head might know that it is necessary to go to a certain place, but it depends on the feet to take it there.”

After Christ’s ascension, the church was asked to tarry in prayer until the Holy Spirit comes in a mighty manner to fill them and lead them to fulfil God’s redemption plan for all mankind. The make-up of the 120 disciples gathered to pray were all saved during Christ’s earthly ministry. There were men and women of diverse backgrounds with a common Master. When the Spirit of God came mightily to fill this core team of the infant church, they were endowed by the Spirit of Christ with gifts to fulfil God’s purpose for the salvation of souls to the honour and glory of His Name. The body of Christ advanced in unity to permeate throughout the Roman Empire. Congregations of believers sprung up everywhere as the gospel is being preached and souls were saved.

William MacDonald observed well, “It is impossible to think of a body with only one member.”

He further observed insightfully, “So the Corinthians should remember that if they all had the gift of tongues, then they would not have a functioning body. Other gifts, though less spectacular and less sensational, are nonetheless necessary.”

Thank God for 70 campers gathered for our 4th Annual Family Bible Camp at the Pan Pacific Singapore.

The theme of our camp is “The Making of a Spiritual Man”. There were eight messages to speed us along our spiritual journey 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 fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

Ephesians 6:16-18 (KJV)
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:10-15 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

It is God’s prerogative, in His infinite wisdom to decide, the functioning of each member that forms His church on earth. In His pleasure, He makes us perfectly to fulfil His purpose for our lives. We can trust His wisdom to bestow gifts to us and we may use these gifts for the glory of God and for the strengthening of His church.

Galatians 5:16-21 (KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.