ROBIN BULLOCK: THE ELEVENTH HOUR

​"BY FAITH"

"DENOUNCE EVIL" AUDIO BLOG

THE NARROW AND WIDE GATES

Matthew 7

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 

14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it."

This is a word God has been putting on my heart for the last year, with the first word on February 23, 2021, almost one year ago, "Denounce Evil," followed by: 

8/28/21 - Man is a slow learner

9/13/21 - The sins of Jeroboam

12/14/21 - Work With God, Not Against Him

All glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving to God Most High. Let Your words be mine, and not my own, and let Your children with ears to hear, hear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

2/23/21 - Denounce Evil

This was a tough one, one of those words where I opened a blog, put basically the title, "Denounce Evil," and saved the date. I opened the blank document a few times over the year, but I was clueless. 

This morning though, God dropped a doozy on me. When I opened my website to start a new blog about the 'doozy,' I opened instead an untitled blog that I created around November 2021, which was a combination of these words from God on the dates I mention above, including "Denounce Evil." Now, because God is great, all the time, the 'doozy' He dropped on me this morning, finalizes His words to me given on the dates above, which He has given me over the last year.

His first word to me almost one year ago on February 23, 2021, "Denounce Evil," should have been enough for me to write this blog, but as His Word tells us:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word . . ." Hebrews 5:12

So, even though, over the last few years, God has literally changed my life, and how I lived it, I did not understand the full meaning of the changes as they related to evil in our every day lives. Evil that we let into our homes, and our children's lives, every day!

Let me try to explain. I knew that God had willed me to stop watching horror movies, especially movies about spirits, demons, sorcery, wizards, the underworld (vampires), but, also, bloody, violent movies. All of my favorites, by the way! So, this was a BIG change for my life, but it was really an involuntary change, meaning I had no control over it. All of a sudden, I realized that I could no longer watch movies like that, because they went against everything godly.

It was an involuntary action or change in my life (God's Will), and this morning, He turned on a light inside of me that shone clear as day:

Woe to us! We have gone the 'defiant way of Cain,' who thought he could climb into heaven some other way than through the door. That one is a thief and a robber. John 10:1

What does that mean? It means, we may say to ourselves, or anyone who will listen, Oh, it is just a movie, or just a poster on my child's wall, or just a t-shirt, or just some jewelry, et cetera, but to the demon or spirit it was created to deify, it will always be a sound of victory, representing defeat over God's precious chosen, Us! 

Cain knew right and wrong and the consequences, and he chose to be disobedient to God, and, by so doing, obedient to Satan and evil. Instead of worshipping God, he chose to worship Satan. See my blog about 'Cain and Abel' here.

Satan is the ruler of this world, and the "things" in it are his to give:

Matthew 4

9 "And [Satan] says unto him [Jesus], All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.

10 Then said Jesus unto him, Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."

So, idol worship is worshipping (spending time with) any 'thing' more than you worship (spend time with) God.

In fact, we are specifically told to meditate on His teachings day and night: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1

Trust me, I know firsthand the Truth hurts. I mean, I just recently found a couple of websites where you can watch practically any movie you want to watch, which in times past, would have been a gold mine for me. Now, though, I find very little worth, or worthy of, watching, and when I watch those movies now, with my new 'spiritual eye,' I see their in plain sight, hidden, agenda, which was and is to corrupt our minds, trying to keep us from moving towards God's glory, our rightful inheritance.

Satan is the ruler of this world!

1 John 2:

15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever."

So, bottom line, you 'worship' whatever you spend the most time on during the day, which is sad because most people worship their jobs more than anything else. All is not lost, however, because as I have written before, you can, and should, still worship God, even while you are at work, or driving in the car, or standing in line. Hallelujah! Praise God. Amen.

Now, it is not really our fault, but it is. Meaning, Adam and Eve chose sin for us initially, but God, in His infinite Power and Wisdom, gives us every possible escape from temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Next up, God put on my heart on August 28, 2021, that "Man is a Slow Learner."

I chuckled to myself as I was writing this because the Holy Spirit showed me that this message was meant for me! I am a slow learner! Clearly, since it took me almost a full year to understand the word from Him, "Denounce Evil"!

8/28/21 - Man is a Slow Learner

Joshua, the son of Nun, whom was Moses' assistant ruling over the Israelites, and whom assumed the role of leading them after Moses died, did not defeat all of God's enemies before he died. God left many enemies to test the Israelites. The Israelites lived in obedience to God until the death of Joshua, and the death of the remaining elders after him. After that, they "did evil in the sight of the Lord," so He sold them into slavery for eight years, and they repeatedly did evil in His sight.

When you read the Old Testament, you cannot help but wonder why the Israelites were so stubborn? The LORD was actually with them, showing them signs, wonders and miracles, first in Egypt, and, then, during their 40 years in the wilderness. Yet, Moses was gone only 40 days and 40 nights to talk to God, and the people had already convinced Aaron (a Levite and the High Priest for God) to make them a golden calf to worship, and he did!

In the generations that came afterwards, the ratio of bad kings outnumbered good kings, and thus the people who followed these bad leaders were bad as well. The Israelites never seemed to learn from their mistakes. When times got really bad, and the false idols they were worshipping did not answer their prayers to save them, because they never did, could or would, they then prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom they knew all along would save them, and He did, time and time again.

As you can see from the following chart (courtesy of biblesanity.org), there were a lot more bad rulers than good.

Satan is very good at his job.

The next thing God put on my heart related to "Denounce Evil," was the "The Sins of Jeroboam," on September 13, 2021.

9/13/21 - The Sins of Jeroboam

​Having researched this at the time, I can tell you what those sins were.

First, Jeroboam, told the Israelites that they did not have to travel all the way to Jerusalem every year to worship their God, the God of Israel, but they could just worship him more conveniently at one of the two 'high places,' which Jeroboam had built.

Second, Jeroboam decreed that anyone could serve as a High Priest at his high places, even though the Mosaic Law said that the high priests had to be from the Levitical line.

Third, Jeroboam made golden cows, idols, and placed them at the high places for people to worship! 

You can see from the chart above that ALL of the kings of Israel after Jeroboam were bad, which in the Bible describes as "followed the sins of Jeroboam."

How does this relate to our lives? As I was typing this, God gave me that answer! In the scenario above, in the order given:

First, Satan tells us that we do not need to travel all the way to church, but that we can just worship God more conveniently from our own homes, on the network Satan built, on our computers or televisions.

Acts 2

1 "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, 

2 and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting." 

"Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some . . ." Hebrews 10:25

So, "They were all together in one place." They did not stop meeting together, as is the habit of 'some.' Not at home, staring at a computer or television, or, if Satan has his way, not worshipping at all!

Ironically, this word was to me in September. My husband and I started attending church about a month later, for the first time in the 18 years of our marriage, which I just realized as I was typing this!!

Second, in 'the Sins of Jeroboam' analogy above, Satan has decreed that anyone can serve as a high priest at his churches, places of worship, especially anyone not teaching sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:3

So, was God warning me to find a church that teaches sound doctrine? Most likely, especially since we went to another church first, where you could feel the presence of the Lord and Holy Spirit were stifled, nonexistent.

Third, Satan has made many idols for man to worship in his world. Remember, you worship whatever you do or think about the most:

"Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either [slaves] of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?" Romans 6:16.

To withstand Satan, we are told to clothe ourselves with God's Word Ephesians 6:11-24, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:5. Amen.

Now, God's last word to me (that I was awake to hear) on this subject, until today, was back on December 14, 2021, "Work With God, Not Against Him":

12/14/21: Work With God, Not Against Him

If we understand God's Power, the Power of His Word and His Love, why do we not all work with Him, instead of against Him?

When I think back on my own, personal experiences with God and the Holy Spirit, beginning when I was 13 years old, again in my 30s, and then not again until 58, I knew from these experiences that there was something supernatural out there, if and when I could tap into it, something that could change the very essence of who I was. ​See 'My Testimony to God's Power here.

I did not understand this supernatural force until recently though, and, or course, I still do not understand it fully. Even though I knew all of these years that there was something out there, I still ran from it instead of embracing it.

Here again, I now know this message, "Work With God, Not Against Him," was for me, and I know what it is about. One day, when I decide to admit it, and listen to Him, I will write about it. Amen!

So, really, not much has changed:

Over six thousand years later, and man is still stubborn!

​Satan is still deceiving.

God's end game is still for man to reap his rightful inheritance.

​And, Satan's end game is still​ to stop that, at all costs, while unwittingly or unwillingly moving man towards salvation. God is great, all the time.

Denounce Evil! 

"Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];" Ephesians 5:11

Not by words but by power! 1 Corinthians 4:20

​

Hallelujah! Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

"THE MILLENNIAL REIGN" AUDIO BLOG

"So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west

And His glory from the rising of the sun.

For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream

​

Which the breath of the Lord drives [overwhelming the enemy]." Isaiah 59:19

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your many blessings. Thank you for Your Word, and Your words through me. Let them always be Your words and not my own, and let Your children with ears to hear, hear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

First, I do not know why God picked me for these words, but I thank Him for it. I was certainly the least in Spirit my entire life, almost 62 years. See my Testimony to God's Power here. He will always lead you to do the right thing though.

Hallelujah. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

This is an amazing time we are in. He is freely pouring out His gifts and talents to His children. I heard something like, 10 years ago, there were 10 prophets. Today, there are literally over ten thousand, and His Word confirms this will happen. Acts 2:17

There is so much going on around us in the world right now though. Prophets have been saying that God's plan is getting ready to be revealed to everyone, the corruption is being abolished, and God's people are being bandaged, healed and revived. Also, see my blog titled, "The Narrow Gate" for more about God's Spiritual War. 

So, the night of January 25, 2022, in my sleep, I received the words "2,000 years," and just a feeling, or a sense of knowing, that it was about Jesus Christ's Millennial Reign.

I first posted this blog on January 27, 2022. It was posted for about a week before I took it down, because I realized that God was still forming His word in me about the subject, and that I was hasty in my conclusions and in posting the blog before God was finished. Forgive me, Father.

So, what did God’s word to me, “2,000 years” and the Millennial Reign of Christ mean? I now know it to mean that 2,000 years after the death of Jesus Christ, or on or around the year 2033, He will return to finish bandaging, healing and reviving us, and we will reign with Him for 1,000 years.

Remember, no one knows the exact date of His return, not the angels or the son, and I do not claim to know the exact date. Matthew 24:36. 

Now hear me out. Let’s look at some other Scripture God showed me that points us to the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ being 2,000 years after His death:

Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Let’s look at this parable from a different angle than typically recited. In this interpretation, the ‘injured man’ is mankind. The priest and the Levite represent the Law, which was condemnation to sin and death, and the ‘Good Samaritan’ is Jesus Christ who will bandage, heal, revive and raise us up. Hosea 6:1-3

In this parable, the Good Samaritan (Jesus Christ) bandages and heals the injured man, and takes him to the Inn. The Inn represents the church. The Good Samaritan (Jesus) gives the innkeeper (the church leader) ‘two pence’ and says, I will repay you when I return, and whatever more you spend.

If we consider that a day is a thousand years to God, and a thousand years a day, as written in 2 Peter 3:8, then Jesus is saying that He has paid amply for our safekeeping until His return, one pence per each one thousand years, or 2,000 years after His death, on or around the year 2,033.

Moving on, let’s look at the six days of creation in the book of Genesis for our next scriptural interpretation. Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-3

God created everything in six days, and He saw that it was very good, so He rested from all His work, and sanctified the seventh day, or made it Holy, free of sin and guilt.

Consider, again, that a day is a thousand years to God, and a thousand years a day, and the creation story took place in six days, or 6,000 years. God has not forsaken us; before the world began, His plan was for man to have eternal life. Titus 1:2. From the time He created us on the six thousandth year (sixth day) of creation, He gave His promise of salvation (His Son), who will rule with His Chosen for 1,000 years, from the six thousandth year (after man's creation), until the seven thousandth year, the sanctified and Holy day, when we will return to God forever.

Note that 6,000 years after man's creation also happens to be 2,000 years after Jesus' resurrection, which coincides with the Parable of the Good Samaritan interpretation above.

Also, man was created on the sixth day of creation, or 6,000 years into the creation story, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, will return 6,000 years after man's creation; a total of 12,000 years. I am sure there is biblical meaning there somewhere. 

To further validate God's word to me regarding this interpretation of Scripture, let us look at a calendar from the creation of man, roughly 4,004 BC, until today, 2022 AD. These dates are only rough estimates, because, again, no one knows the exact date of His return:

From the creation of man around roughly 4,004 BC, to today, February 8, 2022, is 6,025 years. Six thousand years since the creation of man, and the time when Jesus will rule with us for 1,000 years. Roughly, 1,000 before the coming of the New Heavens and New Earth, the sanctified, Holy Day, made free of sin and guilt, the seventh day, or seven thousandth year, when all former things will pass.

Hosea 6:1-3 further tells us approximately where we are in God’s timeline:

1 “Come and let us return [in repentance] to the Lord,

For He has torn us, but He will heal us;

He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

2 After two days He will revive us;

On the third day He will raise us up

That we may live before Him.

3 So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him].

His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn,

And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain,

Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

Amen. 

​

So, from the time of our creation, roughly 6,000 years ago, He has wounded and torn us, and bandaged and healed us. Hosea 6:1.

What proof, you say?

Well, think about it, from the dark ages (approximately 400 AD to 800 AD); to the wild, wild west (1800s to 1900s); the emancipation of black people in 1863; women’s rights, late 1800s to early 1900s; 1917, when Jerusalem was liberated; 1948, when Israel was established as a State; then, in the 1900s, of course, everything exploded in medicine, manufacturing, technology and science.

Even so, I think it is fair to say that a significant number of people, even some of God's people, 'believers,' feel torn and wounded right about now. If you are still feeling that way, have you returned in repentance [turned away from sin] to the Lord, brought into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, so He will heal, bandage and revive you? Do we have faith in the unseen, the invisible, or are we like Doubting Thomas, who had to touch Jesus' wounds to believe? John 20:24-31

Now, after two days, or 2,000 years after Christ’s death, or roughly the year 2033, He will revive us, to rule with Christ in His Millennial Reign. Hosea 6:2.

On the third day, or roughly 3,000 years after Christ’s death, around 3,033, He will raise us up that we may live before Him forever, in the New Heaven and New Earth, and all former things will pass away. Hosea 6:3

Still not enough proof? I saw a video (see video below) a year or two ago that kind of shook me about an asteroid called 'Apophis.' Even though I put it to the back of my mind, it has always been in the back of my mind, and now I know why God showed it to me. The following video is not the original video I saw, but is basically the same content or idea.

In the original video, they said that the people who found the asteroid and named it 'Apophis,' which translated means 'Hell' - You can't make this stuff up -  had reported that it was going to hit earth in 2029. Then, they said that after NASA got ahold of the information, suddenly it was no longer going to hit earth, but would 'narrowly miss' us. Hallelujah. Praise God. Amen.

The following video says that it will pass earth twice, 2029 and .... seven years later, 2036. 

It may surprise many people to know that nowhere in God's Word does He ever tell His chosen to stand there and let the rocks fall on their heads. To the contrary. Praise Emmanuel, God is With Us, always protecting us, but He is with us, protecting us, as believers, through the Holy Spirit, feeding us His word for the times, His Plan, His timeline even, either directly or through His prophets. This is how He communicates with us: Through the Holy Spirit inside us, if we are listening, or through His prophets. Not through the fake news or social(ism) media. 

Wake up before it is too late!

‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.' [the Holy Spirit] Zechariah 4:6

For those who obey Him, those who repent (turn away from sin), which means reading His Word and praying, loving, doing, being ... the light of the world (or, at least earnestly trying - God knows our hearts).  

He never allows us to be tempted more than we can withstand. 1 Corinthians 10:12-14. And He will not start now.

In the Bible, the standard or flag is raised to direct the people in difficult times. I read something some time ago that said the standard was raised for only a couple of reasons: To tell the people to prepare for war; or, to tell them to take shelter (there may be a third reason). Jeremiah 4:6, 4:21. The standard is also referred to in Isaiah and Numbers.

"So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19 (KJV)

Remember, He is not coming to bring peace, but a sword of division between righteous and unrighteous. We must be prepared by wearing the Full Armor of God, so we can withstand the wiles of the devil Ephesians 6:11-24. Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but I guess God wants me to be a broken record. Praise God. Amen.

In order to withstand, we must also follow the standard, or flag, God is placing in our lives. The only way we can do this is by listening, to His prophets, and to Him, by inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives, and surrendering to God.

He has been preparing His chosen, the believers, for the times to come, and we know people turn to God the most in despair. "The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17

How can we ascend unless we first descend?

How can we be 'born again' unless we first die?

How can we be revived unless we are first torn down and wounded? Hosea 6:1

And, if we return to Him in repentance [turning away from sin], He will heal and bandage us. Hosea 6:1. And, on the second day, revive us. Hosea 6:2. And, we will be held blameless in a crooked and perverse generation. Philippians 2:15.

​And, nothing shall by any means hurt us. ​Luke 10:19

Now, I realize this is crazy talk, but it cannot be any crazier than the rest of this blog. I saw a video last year about a time traveler who said the world ends in 3036. See a short movie made by the Nostradamus brothers: Confessions of a Time Traveler, the Man from 3036.

If this link does not work, you may be able to find it on freemoviesfull.com or 123movies.net.

So, following God's Word to me, "2,000 years," after two days, or roughly 2,000 years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, or around or about the year 2,033, He will revive us to reign with Him for 1,000 years, and then on the third day, or roughly 3,000 years after His death, He will raise us up incorruptible and immortal that we may live before Him forever.

"So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west

And His glory from the rising of the sun.

For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream

Which the breath [Spirit] of the Lord drives [overwhelming the enemy]." Isaiah 59:19

"For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]." Matthew 24:27

The above video says that only approximately 2 billion people in the world will be able to see the coming of Apophis. There are about 2.5 billion Christians in the world. Is that plus or minus one-half billion that do not wake up in time for that event, the ‘beginning of the birth pangs’? Matthew 24:8

Let me end this blog where I started, with Hosea 6, specifically v's. 1 and 3:

1 “Come and let us return [in repentance] to the Lord,

For He has torn us, but He will heal us;

He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

3 So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him].

His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn,

And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain,

Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

​Amen.

Make sure your spiritual house is in order. We are here at this very time for God's purpose:

“And your people will rebuild the ancient ruins;

You will raise up and restore the age-old foundations [of buildings that have been laid waste];

You will be called Repairer of the Breach,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." 

Isaiah 58:12

We will be called the 'Repairers of the Breach' and 'Restorers of Streets with Dwellings,' in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

He is not coming to bring peace. He coming to bring a sword of division between the righteous and unrighteous. Amen.

​God Bless You!

"THE KINGDOM OF GOD" AUDIO BLOG

"But He said, 'Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14

​

"You are not far from the kingdom of God."

Mark 12

28 "Then one of the scribes [an expert in Mosaic Law] came up and listened to them arguing [with one another], and noticing that Jesus answered them well, asked Him, 'Which commandment is first and most important of all?'

29 Jesus answered, 'The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; 

30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ 

31 This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.'

32 The scribe said to Him, 'Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that He is One, and there is no other but Him; 

33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.' 

34 When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions."

Jesus said, when you love Him and love your neighbor as yourself, an unselfish love, 'you are not far from the kingdom of God.'

Heavenly Father, let it be so, in Jesus' Name! Hallelujah. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

"THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL" AUDIO BLOG

"But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].

And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]." 1 Corinthians 12:31

"Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away." 1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails, never fades away, nor ends.

"And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

'THE CHOICEST GRACES':

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Love 

'The greatest of these is love.'

1 Corinthians 12

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

1 "Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 

2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. 

3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 

5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 

6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 

8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 

9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 

10 and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 

11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.

12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 

13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].

14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 

15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 

16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 

18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 

19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? 

20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 

21 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.” 

22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 

23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 

24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 

25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 

26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.

27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 

28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 

30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 

31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].

And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]."

Or, as the King James version tells us at 1 Corinthians 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way," which is followed immediately in 1 Corinthians 13, describing the 'excellence of love.'

Unselfish love is a gift from God, God's choicest grace (favor) for man​, and one for which we should earnestly desire and strive.

Hallelujah. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.