We often assume that if we obey God, life will go smoothly, but sometimes the fiercest storms come when we’re faithfully following Him. In those dark seasons, when fear, disappointment, and unanswered questions press in, we may even wonder if God cares at all. But what we need most is not always that our problems get solved overnight; it’s remembering that suffering helps us see God more clearly than comfort ever could. Trials will either make us bitter or make us better, and that choice is ultimately ours. The deeper question in suffering is not simply, “When will this end?” but, “Will I come through this more like Christ than I was before?”

Holy Spirit: Pentecost and Spiritual Gifts
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The outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost. The power of the Holy Spirit in union with the spoken word of the gospel of salvation resulted in the addition of 3000 souls and the beginning of the church at Pentecost. Each individual believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit is given at least one spiritual gift according to the grace of God for the purpose of (a) equipping of believers for serving fellow believers, (b) building up the body of Christ and, (c) glorifying God. Each believer is tasked of being a steward or manager of their spiritual gift/s; the expression of their gift being in love.




