I pray that you’ve had a marvelous and blessed week.  I also hope that the past few weeks looking at “Spiritual Gifts” have been of benefit to you.  I surely enjoyed revisiting the subject.

As I was thinking about what to write this week I felt led to take our hearts and minds to the fleeting nature of life.  I saw on the news this morning that several women were burned up in a limousine as they were out for a night on the town.  Now, not that there’s anything wrong with limousines and “girl” time with one’s friends, but here we have 5 young women -30 something women-who left home with every intention of returning after a night out with their friends, several got out of the car, but 5 will never return home.

God tells us in Ps 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”   And if we back up to verse 10 we see more about our days Ps 90:10 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” We see that our days are very brief.  The older I get and the grayer my hair turns I am more and more impressed with the brevity of our days and the fleeting nature of life.  I can’t help but think of this as I reflect on the years of child-rearing and how quickly they have passed and now we have a grandson approaching 30, and grandchildren in college and high school, it seems like only yesterday that they were all babies and small children and now they are mostly adults!  Oh, where does the time go?  Psalm 103:15 reminds us that our days are like the grass “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.”  And James 1:11 says almost the same thing “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”   Our lives are fragile and life flies by as quickly as the grass fades in Oklahoma.

What about the approaching summer?  Do we treasure each day? Do we live each day, as we should?  It’s so easy to just take “summer” as a time to have no focus or direction, but to  “roll with the flow”.  But as God’s children we are compelled to live for Jesus every day.  Matt. 6:24-34 “ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  Our commitment? To be devoted to God—to seek FIRST God’s kingdom!!!

The difficult thing is to stay focused on God’s kingdom, to seek, and keep on seeking His will, His word, His ways—in other words HIS KINGDOM!!   Matt. 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”  We are not only to seek, but to keep on seeking, keep on knocking and keep on asking God until we find, have the doors opened unto us, and hear God’s answers. Luke 18:3-8 shows us another side of persistence, “And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”  Here Jesus reminds us that even the “un”righteous judge answered the persistent widow, how much more will our loving Father hear and answer us as we persistently seek HIS face?

What does this have to do with “numbering” our days?  Well, I think, a lot!! If we realize the sufficiency of our God to save, keep and supply our needs, then we can appropriately estimate and value each day as a gift from God.  To see each day as an opportunity to worship and serve our God with all of our being.  As Oswald Chambers so aptly put it, “Our utmost, for HIS highest”!!  What less could we justify giving to our Lord and our God?   I have no promise of tomorrow –only today—of NOW!  Am I willing to live today for God, to know that I have so much to be thankful for and give each day and hour to my Lord and my God?  If I knew I only had today would that make me look at each opportunity differently?  I think that should be our mindset moment by moment.  To trust in God to direct our steps, as James 4:13-15 declares “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that..”  Let’s commit ourselves anew and afresh to seek God’s face moment by moment for our daily living. Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …..”   How?  By feeding on HIS WORD, by spending time in prayer–talking and listening.  Have a blessed week and count each day precious—keeping our “eyes on Jesus”.

Greetings in the name of the Lord.  I’ve been looking forward to finishing up our study on the “spiritual gifts” listed in scripture. What a blessed opportunity to share God’s Word with you each week and our constant prayer is that God will use this ministry to touch, grow and strengthen you in the Word of God.

We have looked the last few weeks at the four main passages dealing with spiritual gifts- 1 Peter 4:10-11; Ro 12:3-13, Eph 4:7-16, and 1 Cor 12:4-14.  We saw in 1 Peter that all believers have a gift, that there are two types of gifts, the speaking gifts and the ministry/serving gifts.  We also learned that regardless of which kind of gift we have it is to be used by God’s power, with His grace and to HIS glory.  We saw that the gifts are for the benefit of the body of Christ, to grow each believer into the image and glory of Jesus,  and to increase God’s kingdom through the work of HIS body, the church.

Last week we looked at the oneness of the body and the priority of the gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Pastor/Teachers (remember this is the gift, not the office of Pastor within a church).  These four primary gifts relate to the proclamation of the gospel, the instruction of God’s people and the equipping and edifying of each one for service.

Let’s look again at the gifts we compiled from Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians last week: ministry, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gifts of healing, miracles, discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.  We’ll look at each gift, it’s definition and some practical understanding of it’s working out.  I trust God to open our hearts and minds to the work of HIS SPIRIT within us to help each one of us gain insight, understanding and a willingness to seek to know and fulfill our gift or gifts with our very best,  to HIS glory.  As we continue,  let’s remember Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 12:7 & 11…”7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” And “11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”  It’s HIS Spirit, His choice for others profit and HIS glory. 

Ministry: Serviceable labor, service, work…assistance, involves compassionate love …..as it’s labor benefits others.** This gift sees needs and has the ability and willingness to meet those needs.

Prophecy (preaching): foretelling, telling forth, the result of God’s grace or divine enablement,  to proclaim as telling forth God’s Word.  **In contrast to the office of “Pastor” this gift is the ability to speak and proclaim God’s word to others, whether in private or public situations without indication of any response from the hearers.

Teaching: To know or teach, to instruct by word of mouth….with the calculation of the increase in understanding of the pupil. **This gift is in contrast to “Preaching” in that it implies a reception and perception of the hearers, or a situation of interaction and instruction rather than just speaking with no indication of a response.

Exhortation: To call to one’s side, to aid, to call for, beseech, offer consolation or comfort.  **This gift is seen in those who have the desire and ability to see needs,  and to know who needs help and how to reach them, and walk with them through their difficulty.

Giving: To give over, to share, to impart.  (Note Romans says this gift is to be done with simplicity- sincerity, generosity , selflessness).  ** This gift is evident in those who are always ready to give of themselves, their resources and their time to meet the needs of others, with that selfless, generous and single-minded heart without thought for themselves.

Ruling: To stand before, to preside, maintain, rule over. (Note Romans says this gift is to be done with diligence- with speed, eagerness, earnestness, care). ** This is a much needed gift of being able to direct and lead others to accomplish God’s work, with eagerness,  earnestness, while caring for those involved.

Mercy: To have pity, be compassionate.  To show mercy…to  extend help for the consequence of sin. (Note Romans says this gift is to be exercised with cheerfulness-literally “hilarity”, obvious JOY). This is different from “pity” in that this is one who sees the “pitiful” and has the desire and the resources to eliminate the problem.

The word of Wisdom: Wisdom, the knowledge of how to regulate ones’ relationship with  God, prudence with others, and knowing how to regulate circumstances, judicious and sensible. ** Knowing HOW to apply that which we know, to give good counsel about circumstances-to speak a wise and appropriate “word” to the one in need.

The word of Knowledge: Experiential knowledge in contrast to clear and exact knowledge.  **This is the ability to know truth (scripture) and share practical experience from knowledge of the Word, to specific situations—to speak the right “word” from scripture at the right time.

Faith: To persuade or being persuaded.  Implies such a knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in certain divine truths. **This is not just saving faith but the confidence to believe God, to trust His word, and to pursue His specific commands and desires in bold obedience.

Gifts of Healing: (Here the word “gifts” is the only plural of “gift” in this list). A cure, or to affect a healing. **Without getting into any debate this gift is the ability to hear from God and pray healing for specific individuals at God’s direction.

Miracles:  Force or power, specifically miraculous power, or the miracle itself. Ability, abundance, might.  **The performing of “GODLY” supernatural acts.

Discerning of spirits: Judicial estimation, discernment. **Another much needed gift, to be able to recognize the Holy Spirit’s leading in contrast to “false, evil  spirits”. (See 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”)

Kinds of Tongues: Kinds-kin, or nations….   Tongues-Tongue, the tongue of a man, a foreign or strange language . ** The speaking of other languages which one has not learned by education.

Interpretation of Tongues: Translation. **To translate tongues.

I pray that this will help you to have a clearer understanding of the gifts, their meaning, and how to recognize them in your own life and the lives of those around you who are seeking to know God and His Word.

Blessings to you on this lovely spring evening.   I hope you have had a good week thinking about your spiritual gifts.  We’ll look at the specifics of the gifts in this letter and if we don’t get done we’ll finish next week.

We’ve looked at the general division of the gifts—speaking gifts and ministry/serving gifts.  We saw in 1 Peter 4:10-11 that we are to use our gifts, regardless of which kind of gift we have, knowing that they are from God and to be used for His glory and praise. Romans 11:36 reminds us that “of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen .  Our prime concern is to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”,  God’s grace that saves, “For by grace are ye saved…it is the gift of God.” Eph 2:8-9;  that  holds us, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. …..; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:28-30;  that grows us “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”,  Eph 2:10;  and He keeps us “And being confident of this very things, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.  Phil 1:6.

With that in mind let’s look at the particulars of the individual spiritual gifts.  There are 3 lists in the passages that we have been looking at: Romans 12:3-13, Ephesians 4:7-16, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-14.  In each of these passages the focus is the body, and the fact that we are ONE body with many PARTS and the gifts are to work together as the physical body does.  Romans 12:5-6 “5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” .  Ephesians 4:4-7, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  And 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.”   We know from nature that a body that doesn’t work together isn’t very productive, it is usually sick!!  Why do we not realize that about the ‘body of Christ”?  We are to work together as a body does, not as “hot-shots” seeking glory or fame for ourselves., even though we live in a “hot-shot” world and every one seems to be seeking his own good.  Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-6 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”   We  must exercise our spiritual gifts with “others” in mind, NOT just ourselves.

Let’s look at the specific gifts mentioned in each passage:                Romans 12– Prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership/ruling, and mercy.                                                                                   1 Corinthians 12– word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.                                    Ephesians 4-  Apostles, prophets,  evangelists, and pastor/teachers.

Let’s compile these into one list:  Apostles, Prophecy, ministry, teaching/pastor teacher,  evangelists,  exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gifts of healing, miracles, discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.  As we consider these gifts we need to understand the Biblical order and priority of the gifts, their importance to the “body” in functionality.  In Ephesians, Paul lists the 4 primary gifts as Apostle, Prophet,  Evangelist, and Pastor/Teacher. In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Paul lists gifts in order of importance to the “body” as –1^st Apoltles, 2^nd  Prophets, and 3rdly teachers, then the other gifts (as mentioned in this chapter), miracles, healings, helps, governments,  and tongues.  We need to understand the unique ministry of the gifts and that besides being the manifestation of the “Holy Spirit” within each of us, they are for the edification(growth, building up and improvement) of the body.  There is application to the whole of the body of Christ but more significantly for the individual local churches, to build up the believers in the local church body to function vibrantly within the kingdom and to reach out to the world with the gospel of Christ.

Let’s look now at the gifts themselves, what do they mean to me and you.  We won’t be digging into the debates about some of the gifts but the general understanding of what each gift is and how it helps the body.  Looking at these first four gifts, they are fairly easy to understand from the scripture: Apostles ; those sent with a  message.  Whether you believe that refers to only the original 12 or to those who now proclaim the truth of the Word of God as what we call “apologists” (those who defend the word of God, delivering the truth to the world) it is ‘one sent’.  Prophets: those given the message to deliver by proclamation,  which  may include “foretelling” but is more focused on “telling forth” the truth.  This would be preachers, and those who proclaim the word in all settings not an office.  Pastor/Teachers: This would refer to those who shepherd and teach/instruct the flock, including but not limited to church pastors, teachers and those who instruct in the Word of God, usually in a church setting.  Evangelists: those who take the gospel to people who need to hear.  This would include full-time evangelistic preachers, missionaries and those who witness on the streets and in other non-traditional places with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  These are the primary gifts but the others are just as significant in God’s economy and we are to use our gifts for His glory regardless of the supposed prominence.  As we have seen earlier, God gives the gifts, and places us where we need to be to use them to the fullest.   Whom do we trust?  Me or God?  Sounds simple but sometimes that is so hard to live out.  Am I yielded to God’s work for me? His place?  His timing? His heart? His gift?

All the gifts are important to the function of the church.  As Paul’s example in 1 Cor. 12 , just because we aren’t ‘prominent’ doesn’t negate our responsibility to be good stewards of our gifts.  We will look at the other gifts next week and hopefully gain more insight that will help us each to be that good steward of “God’s grace”.  May we be diligent about the work that God has given us without regard to the gifts of others.  Have a blessed week in the Lord as you pursue His work and His word.

Blessings and grace to you on this lovely April day.  Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me, I am feeling much better for the first time in many months.  I know we serve a prayer answering God, and I thank Him for answering and you for praying.

As we continue our study of Spiritual Gifts, let’s briefly review the passages that we are looking at; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Ephesians 4:7-16; Romans 12:3-13; and 1 Corinthians 12:4-14.  We looked last week at the general information in 1 Peter, where we saw that there are two main categories of gifts: speaking gifts, and ministry (serving) gifts.  We saw that even as they are unique gifts, they are to be exercised as from Him, for Him and to His glory, as ‘good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’

As we continue our pursuit to understand our spiritual gifts, let’s look at some general instructions from the other three passages and then next week we’ll look at the specific gifts and how we might recognize them in their use and function.  Romans 12:3-6a “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,”.   Ephesians 4:7-8,12 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men….12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  1Corinthians 12:4-7 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

All of these passages are written by Paul and give us a uniform teaching on the ‘gifts’.  In Ephesians and Romans we are reminded that “GRACE”–God’s unmerited favor– has supplied these gifts to each one.  That each person has received it/them according as God has given the measure of faith (not saving faith but walking around, every-day practical faith, believing God for “living” faith)!!  We also see that all don’t have the “SAME” gift!!  1 Corinthians 12 reveals for us that although there are differences/diversities of gifts, administrations, and operations, all are from that same Holy Spirit that is in each born-again believer.  We also observe that we are to be humble and think (appraise) soberly of our own value (Phil 2 tells us to think of others better than ourselves)-contrary to the “self-love/esteem” that the world promotes.  God calls us to “heavenly” esteem.  As Philippians 2:3-9 says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”  And the words of Christ himself in Matthew 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”.  All of our gifts are to be used, as Paul tells us in the Ephesians passage,  “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”— for others NOT ourselves!!!  Our purpose is to edify (build up) the body of Christ—individually and corporately.  Is the benefit of “OTHERS” my primary goal?   Am I building up or tearing down?  We must all examine our desires, our motives and our goals in life and especially in God’s kingdom work—which should be our “life”.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us something else that is of primary importance,   “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”  The gifts ARE the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s very presence in the life of the believer!!!!   If I am saved, 1) I have a gift/gifts; 2) God has given it to me; 3) it is the evidence that the Holy Spirit resides in me.  Now there are fillings of varying degrees in our lives throughout our journey, but the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is the “PROOF” that I belong to Christ!!!!!!  “Romans 8:9b  “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”; 1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”  God’s Spirit reveals God to and within us.  Our spiritual gifts are the evidence to His body, to those around us, and to the world that God has done a work in our lives. John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” !!!!!  IT IS GOD who does the saving and keeping,  And the very words of Jesus in his high-priestly prayer remind us of our state and our goal,   “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”.

So in conclusion, what are you doing for Jesus?  Are you thinking of others and how you can help them be built up?  Are you exercising your spiritual gift/gifts?  Do you know what your spiritual gift is?  If not we’ll try to help with that next week.  In the mean time study our four passages about the gifts, pray, and ask God to reveal His will and purpose to you, and then walk daily looking for opportunities to see, realize and practice your gift/gifts.  Looking “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12) and allowing Him to be seen in us each and every day.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and we’ll continue next week, Lord willing.  Enjoy the blessings of God’s great and wondrous creation this week.