Post by bluejay on Nov 23, 2007 12:35:18 GMT -5
I'm hoping some of you here will share in this discussion with me. For the past few years, off and on, I've been feeling God's leading in my life in certain areas. I hadn't really "categorized" this, but instead just responded as the Spirit led me.
Lately, we've been studying Spiritual Gifts in our Sunday a.m. services. My ladies Bible study group has also spent some time on this topic. I genuinely can't remember hearing the workers speak on this while I attended meetings, and I don't remember hearing this topic discussed in my home as I was growing up.
Based on the understanding that any "giving" is never to be done for the purpose of gaining praise from others ... here is my question.
Does God give each of us a "gift", or particular area, where He wants us to use these abilities/strengths, to build up the "Church" and/or witness to others? And if you believe He does, do you know what your particular gift/gifts are, and how do you use them.
Some of the scriptures we've been studying together I've listed below ... all in NKJV
1Cr 12:1 NOW concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1Cr 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Cr 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
1Cr 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
1Cr 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
1Cr 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
1Cr 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
1Cr 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1Cr 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1Cr 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
1Cr 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1Cr 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
1Cr 12:30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Rom 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Rom 12:8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness
Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Hbr 2:4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
I've spent a fair bit of time reading, praying & discussing this topic with those I meet with. Upon reflection, I realized that the strengths I have in my secular job don't necessarily transfer to my spiritual life, and vice versa. That surprised me! Not only that, but the areas in which I've felt Spiritually led aren't necessarily something I'm "good" at ... rather it's a conviction that keeps growing and growing, and won't give me peace until I accept that call.
I believe God has given me a heart for (or gift of) mercy, giving & discernment of spirits. It's a growing process to figure out how and when God wants me to be moved to action in these areas .....
What are your thoughts?
Joan
Lately, we've been studying Spiritual Gifts in our Sunday a.m. services. My ladies Bible study group has also spent some time on this topic. I genuinely can't remember hearing the workers speak on this while I attended meetings, and I don't remember hearing this topic discussed in my home as I was growing up.
Based on the understanding that any "giving" is never to be done for the purpose of gaining praise from others ... here is my question.
Does God give each of us a "gift", or particular area, where He wants us to use these abilities/strengths, to build up the "Church" and/or witness to others? And if you believe He does, do you know what your particular gift/gifts are, and how do you use them.
Some of the scriptures we've been studying together I've listed below ... all in NKJV
1Cr 12:1 NOW concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1Cr 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Cr 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
1Cr 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
1Cr 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
1Cr 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
1Cr 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
1Cr 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1Cr 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1Cr 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
1Cr 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1Cr 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
1Cr 12:30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Rom 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Rom 12:8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness
Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Hbr 2:4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
I've spent a fair bit of time reading, praying & discussing this topic with those I meet with. Upon reflection, I realized that the strengths I have in my secular job don't necessarily transfer to my spiritual life, and vice versa. That surprised me! Not only that, but the areas in which I've felt Spiritually led aren't necessarily something I'm "good" at ... rather it's a conviction that keeps growing and growing, and won't give me peace until I accept that call.
I believe God has given me a heart for (or gift of) mercy, giving & discernment of spirits. It's a growing process to figure out how and when God wants me to be moved to action in these areas .....
What are your thoughts?
Joan