"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12

When each of us operate in the place God created for us, we have no rivals. The ear cannot see or speak yet where would the body be without it? The mouth cannot hear or see yet where would the body be without it? The ear is perfectly designed for the role of hearing and has no rivals. The ear should never feel slighted because it cannot see or speak, for it is a marvelous and perfect creation in itself.

 I once heard a story about a man who was stocking his pond with fish. He noticed some of the little fish lying on the ground, helpless, struggling to move and gasping for air and he thought, -"Fish are stupid little creatures." But when he picked one of them up and dropped it into the water he was amazed! The little fish instantly darted through the water at lightning speed, stopped on a dime and hovered, suspended in mid-water! On land the little fish was a dismal failure, but in water its genius emerged and it had no rival.

The Bible says that God has placed many gifts in the Body of Christ. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are given for the equipping of the saints for the work of service. Spiritual gifts such as prophecy, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, spiritual discernment, administration and wisdom and knowledge are also placed in the body.

 The Bible tells us to pray for these gifts. They are placed in the Church as gifts which render service to the members of the Body. For the Church to function as God created it to, there must be recognition of, and freedom to exercise these spiritual gifts in the congregation.

Pastors manage God’s Household and lead and teach. Prophets and Prophetesses speak the right-now Word of God as the Spirit moves them. Evangelists preach the Gospel of salvation and teachers are given the special ability to rightly divide the Word of God.

 In the Church there are those given the ability to perform miracles and healing. Some are given the ability to administrate, others the ability use knowledge wisely. "God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." When each of us operate where God has placed our special anointing, it is a glorious manifestation indeed, and we have no rival.