God's gifts and power for today?

 I think these verses point to God's power being for all the Church throughout the ages. Some people believe the gifts ceased when the whole, complete and perfect Bible was given. I think these verses show otherwise. Then why don't more of us see God's power in our lives and churches today? Maybe these verses tell us that, too: (And the fonts translated their colors by themselves, for what it's worth, LOL)


1 Corinthians 13:8-12 New International Version (NIV) ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness /that which is perfect comes, what is in part disappears. ... ¹² then we shall see *[Jesus?] face to face.*  

1 John 3:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

1 Corinthians 1:7 Therefore you do *not lack any spiritual gift* as you eagerly *wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.*

Then, where is the power we should have? Where did it go? To the Dark Ages, I guess, when the church took the Bible from the people and followed many more traditions of men:

Matthew 15³ And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your *tradition*?... ⁶ And ye have made void the word of God because of your *tradition*....9 ⁹ But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their *doctrines the precepts of men.*

Chronologically speaking, the church at Laodicea is the last church age. Many of us believe we are in the Last Days. So, like the song (click here) says, we are probably "Livin' in Laodicea." Not good:

Revelation 3:14-20    ¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

   ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! *I stand [outside] at the [church's] door and knock.* If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

I don't think Jesus is standing outside of all of the Church today. Not at all. Many churches teach that Jesus Christ is Lord and the only Way to the Father, just as Jesus says. 


He says He has limited Himself to where He's going to show up in power, though:

John  14:21 AMPLIFIED The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

Matthew 10:1  And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay."

Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you . And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 



We know Jesus sits at the right hand of God, and is in us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's make the presence and the ministry of the Holy Spirit welcome in our hearts and lives and churches.


All for His glory and our joy and well-being. Thank You, Jesus.