Spiritual gifts...what is this to us as Christians?

In my younger days, I was guilty of thinking I was doing God a service. I thought I was the real deal. Of course this led to much discipline of which I have no need to say it was very uncomfortable, but very necessary.

Now in my mid 40's I have learned that the last thing I need is a title. I was praying during a bible study one Tuesday night and I felt as if God spoke to me to just be available. If what we do isn't edifying the Body of Christ or building up the Kingdom of God, we must evaluate our motives.

Our gifts should always be used for the edification of the Body of Christ, whether you are a preacher or a nursery worker. I believe we will be rewarded according to how we have obeyed according to the call God gave us.

I think for a believer the word GIFT is the important word here. We know that all things come from the Father and are given according to our being able or having obedience in using them. With all that we have we should Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether it is with our voice or by playing an instrument or just raising our hands in honor to him. If it is something as small as straightening a rug so that an older person won't trip over it. It all comes form having a heart for God. I think that many people have gifts they have never realized, and sadly never will. Because of disobedience, or fear, or shyness. For whatever reason they won't try. Our Pastor says that it is a gift for him just to see us there each service. I have known great prayer warriors for Christ, this I think is a great gift. All gifts are not seen of man and that is the way it should be. There are things we as the body just take for granted, the church building is always clean and looks nice, someones gift is to do that. The bills get paid, by the monies given, giving is a wonderful gift. Gifts by their nature are always beneficial to the giver and the one receiving it. Think about the gift to Preach the Word. it is a befit to all who will hear. Teaching also is that kind of gift, singing, sometimes it isn't always the best singer who is anointed to be a blessing to others. I think if a person is anointed to do a work and that person does that work to the best of their ability for the glory of the Lord then blessing will come from that gift.

A gift is something good that you did not expect. "Surprise!"

With the gifts that God gave me, I use them to the fullest to enhance the Kingdom building of the Lord's work! It is not easy nor is it excepted by everyone (not even folks that say they are Christians). I know who I am and whose I am and He empowers me to do His perfect Will!

When I first became a Christian I asked the Lord for the gift of being able to give money. Little did I know that there are more important gifts that encumbers this. Being a tither is the duty of a Christian (already one aspect of giving). I didn't know I had to be trained to give. I thought it was automatic! Using my time wisely for Him to use me purposefully is another training that I've gone through. My talents are not my own. They were given to praise and worship my Lord, Savior and King! I was created for this purpose.

When the Lord gave me the gift to prophecy, I didn't want it, I was afraid and didn't think I had enough training in the Word of God to say, "Thus said the Lord" and minister to peoples needs. He (God) trained me in His Word. I am fully equipped to do the work at hand. Now I boldly profess His saving grace to others! Amen

God bless you as you carry out the gifts He has given you!

It's in the giving that we receive.

God's love is to flow outward, through us.

If we try to hold on to it or let pride enter, we stifle and imped the flow, even to the point of stopping it altogether.

Without love, we are nothing.

It's all about Him and His will, not about us.

I've always like the vine analogy... consider this;

The branches transfers the flow, it is not the source of it.

It supports the fruit, it is not the source of it.

It grows to increase the flow and support more fruit.

Anyone ever experience the living water Jesus was speaking about with the woman at the well? Filled to overflowing with His love! What an awesome God we serve.

They are given for us to mature in Christ, to encourage one another, to edify each other & to be in health & prosper.

So? The gifts are sooo important today. Especially when we see the Age of Christ nearing. As God is pouring our His Spirit on all nations & many will have dreams & visions of Gods Truth.

My mother spent the last few years of her life in an assisted living center. When I visited her, I was struck by how she and others would overcome great physical limitations to get to the dayroom to hear a visiting preacher speak about Jesus, and to listen to a church group sing about the Lord.

When my mother went to be with the Lord a few months later, I felt led by the Holy Spirit one day to take some picture puzzles of mine and share them with an assisted living center in my town. As I was leaving, I was stopped by an elderly woman who was sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. She introduced herself, I introduced myself, and we had quite an interesting conversation for about 15 minutes, talking about various things, includiing the Lord. As I walked away, it was impressed upon me how alert she was for a 94-year-old, but that her eyes were going bad, one eye was completely closed because of blindness. As I was driving home, I was overcome with the need to read the Bible to her, as well as any others there who could not see to read it.

A couple of weeks later, I went back up to the center and asked the head nurse if they would mind if I came there one day a week to read the Bible to these people. A week later, I was meeting with people in the dayroom reading God's Word to them and having a discussion afterwards. Three years later, we are still meeting and praising the Lord together.

To be used by the Lord in such a way has been a very humbling experience for me. These people have been such an inspiration to me in my personal life. When I am tempted to grumble and complain when I have a backache for instance, I think about those people who are so weak, struggling to walk with their walkers. In more ways that I can state here, this experience has truly blessed my life!

I share this testimony as a tribute to my mother, and all those hurting in body who have touched my life! God bless them, and may God bless everyone!!!

My function was disbelieved. My work rejected. I have the habit of telling it like it is, and not going along with programs that do the right things for the wrong reasons.

Not my money though. Not my labor, nor my time to do what no one else would do. These were always accepted.

My goal is to live for Christ. To further the Kingdom and to bring glory to Him who died for my sins...I praise God for the gifts He has given me...He has given me the gift of teaching so I teach Sunday School and a teacher by profession, He gave me the gift of a encourager, so I pray for my students each day and try to encourage them during their school days..I believe gifts are for your ministry...go serve

Oh...as an edifier..teacher...friend..advisor...prayer warrior...easily touched by others...a praise singer...worshipper...among other things...and too, it also depends upon how the Holy Spirit moves in my heart to administer these things in His Name...(He is a great teacher!) God makes one a "minister" it's not something you just wake up one day and say to yourself...hmmm? i think i'll do this or that today..or, i'll be this for God..no..He makes you what you become in Him..(and then, you are sure to Love it!) "Peace!" it"s a wonderful life!.... :)

Gifts should always be used for the glory of God!

God loves you....God bless