Gifts From Above

The Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).  God gives gifts to His Body through the Holy Spirit in order for us to bless and minister to one another, as well as for us to evangelize the world by telling them that God loves them and Jesus died to save them (1 Corinthians 12:7). God gives these gifts indiscriminately and one gift is not of any greater or lesser significance than any other (1 Corinthians 12:11).

We cannot take pride in or credit for our gifts, because they come from God. We can, however, desire to have a particular gift (1 Corinthians 12:31). God gives these gifts in order to edify, exhort, encourage, strengthen and teach His church. These gifts empower God’s Body to do the work, which Christ commissioned us to perform. The gifts exalt Christ rather than us. Even some of the Old Testament Saints had the benefit of the Holy Spirit.

David valued his relationship with God so much that when he sinned, he pleaded with God not to remove His presence or to take His Spirit from him. (Psalms 51:11-12). David even had occasions where he spoke by the anointing and direction of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:36). When Israel rebelled against God, they vexed God’s Holy Spirit so much that He turned into their enemy, and He actually fought against them. But then they remembered the days of old, and how God helped them to cross the Red Sea. Therefore, they asked God to put His Holy Spirit within them again (Isaiah 63:10-11).

Paul describes the gifts of the Spirit as the Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, different kinds of Tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). Though there are different types of gifts, there in only one Spirit that distributes them all (1 Corinthians 12:4).

The gift of wisdom is a gift that all Believers can earnestly desire (1 Corinthians 12:31). Wisdom is the skill for living. It helps us to understand God’s truth and to discern and judge according to that truth. Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 11:10). This fear is not horror, but respect and reverence. Solomon valued wisdom above all gifts; therefore God gave him status and wealth as well (1 Kings 3:12).  

The gift of knowledge allows us to know when to speak and what to say. Those gifted with knowledge have an appetite for reading God’s Word and they enjoy studying and understanding it’s truth and insight. God also gives them supernatural knowledge for the benefit of the Body.

The gift of faith gives Believers positive confidence in the veracity of God’s Word. By faith, they believe that things they cannot see in the natural realm are already there in the spiritual realm (Hebrews 11:1).

The gift of healing comes through the effectual prayer of the righteous person (James 5:16). All healing is done by the Spirit of God and not by the individual person, but God uses certain ones to pray for the sick and they are healed.

The gift of the working of miracles is to demostrate the power of God. Satan uses counterfeit signs and wonders to deceive people (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11), but God uses them to prove His existence to a doubting world.

The gift of prophecy is used to speak forth the Word of God. Preachers and teachers have this gift. They do not know the future, but God uses them to enlighten us about His truths.

The gift of discerning of spirits enables Believers to discern the intents and motives of a person’s heart. They can distinguish whether a person is from God or Satan (1 John 4:1).

The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in other languages (Acts 2:4, 2:11, 2:5-11). This gift is often misused and Paul gives clear guidelines for it (1 Corinthians chapters 12-14). Paul also states that it is the least of the gifts and encourages us to use tongues as a prayer language (1 Corinthians 14:5-18).

The gift of interpreting tongues goes right along with the gift of tongues. Tongues in the service are used as a testimony to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14: 21-22). Paul urges no one to speak a message in tongues unless there is someone present with the gift to interpret the message (1 Corinthians 14:27-33).

The other gifts of the Spirit are: serving, giving, teaching, showing mercy, starting churches, evangelizing and pastoring (Romans 12:7-8; Ephesians 4:11). Isaiah also tells us about the Spirit of the Lord supplying the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3). Paul made it clear that Believers should not elevate one gift over another, but to esteem each of them as necessary for the edification of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-23). There are many parts, but only one Body. God placed these parts in the body just as He chooses (1 Corinthians 12:4,12-31).

Prayer:

Father God, You planned everything out for the good and edification of Your church. You gave each of us special gifts to edify the whole Body. Some of us never take the time to pray about what gifts You gave us; and others know their gifts, but do not take the time to use them. When this happens, Your Body suffers. It is like a spleen or big toe that refuses to function. The Body is handicapped. Lord, please prompt each of us to find our gifts and to use them for Your glory.

Thought for the Day:

God gives gifts to each of us for the common good of all. – 1 Corinthians 12:7

 

 

Free Spiritual Gifts Test:

http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

Our Joy is in the Lord

Every person on the face of our planet searches for the meaning of life and their place in the larger scheme of existence. Many want fame, riches, success, health and some even seek inner peace and happiness. Others wish they were never born; some do not want to die. Now that they are here, some want to live forever. Others want to end their life here and now and take the chance that what is on the other side of life is better than the reality facing us here on earth.

The basic need in all of us is to find some sort of fulfillment now and in eternity as well. We concentrate on family, business, hobbies and sometimes even church of some sort. However, when we attempt to find fulfillment only by meeting our own needs, a web of conflict erupts. Self-centeredness limits us in life. It narrows the circle of our possibilities for our future. It’s stunts our emotional and social growth and restricts our full potential. We fail to encourage, strengthen and minister to others, because our life is consumed with our self.

Our needs often become an idol in our life, because we focus more about them than we do our Savior. This is a very lonely existence indeed. Most people who reach their goals and fulfill their ambitions in this manner end up very unhappy with the end result. Paul is a great example of someone who had nothing, but who lived a completely fulfilled life. Even prison did not douse his joy. His fulfillment did not depend upon any person, place or thing. He found His joy only in his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul put his time in jail to good use and wrote letters that continue to edify Christians throughout the centuries of time. His legacy is more lasting than all the riches in the world. When we choose to submit our life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, as Paul did, He fills us with His righteousness in exchange for our sin, Godly wisdom replaces our temporal knowledge, faith takes the place of doubt and the fruit of the Spirit overcomes our carnal attitudes and expressions.

We can confidently trust that He who began a good work in us, will continue molding us until Jesus Christ returns (Philippians 1:6). God’s Agape love makes a true difference in our life. His Word is sustenance to our soul and a lamp to guide us on our path. God will be there for you, even when no one else is; He's the only one you can really count on to stand in your corner every time. He walks within us and leads us to spiritual prosperity and fulfillment. This, in turn, affects our soul – our mind, will and emotions, as well as our body. We are filled with deep peace and joy that transcends anything the world has to offer (John 14:27).

God has a purpose for everyone, and we will never find fulfillment if we do not live within that purpose. A church or an individual who puts their trust in Jesus alone, apart from human effort or accomplishment, finds what they are looking for. Those who think they are Christians, but who follow the designs and dictates of the world are simply fooling themselves. Everyone else can see their hypocritical lifestyle; and they lose respect for God and the church because of it.

Righteousness is not a list of imperatives, but the result of a life fully submitted to God. It is only as we are filled with the fruit of Christ’s righteousness that we can ever bring honor, glory and praise to God (Philippians 1:11). Integrity is the most vital factor in the life of a fulfilled believer. The objects and relationships that the world considers crucial are mere illusions. God completes His work in us as we totally surrender to His love and care.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, everyone searches for fulfillment; however, only those who put their total faith and trust in You will find what they are truly looking for. Everything else is an fantasy, which fades in the light of the Son. You are our only source of true peace and joy. We are only complete in You. A healthy life as well as a healthy church is submitted to Your Lordship and Your Spirit’s direction. As we submit to Your will for our life, You reveal Your perfect plan for us during each individual moment of our day.

Thought for the Day:

If all we have is God, we have everything we need (John 14:8).