Using Your Spiritual Gifts
In the New Testament of the Bible, you will find a book entitled Timothy”. This is a letter which Paul the apostle wrote to a young man named Timothy. In the first few verses of the book, or letter to the young preacher, the apostle recalls the faithfulness of his mother Eunice and the faith which his grandmother, Lois, had also. And Paul was convinced that Timothy’s faith had come through their faithful witness.
In chapter 1, verse 8, Paul addresses the young man. He wrote, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands”. He further reminded Timothy that . . . God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”.
Throughout the remainder of the letter, the young preacher is encouraged and counseled how he was to carry out the ministry given to him. I find, in this text, a word to the wise of our generation.
Paul wrote in the Romans letter, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them . . .”(12:6). And a search for the word gift or gifts in the New Testament reveals a number of passages which deals with gifts given to the Lord’s people to be used in His service.
God has never sent His people out into the world without gifting them with the necessary tools to complete the task for which they are sent. Thus, New Testament believers are equipped by the Holy Spirit for every single work Christians are called to perform.
Timothy was given the gift of pastoral ministry. With that gift comes the gift of teaching and encouragement, along with other gifts. Paul wrote challenging him to stir up the gift of God which is in you”.
Herein lies a real danger of many individuals who have received a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit and are not using those gifts in His service. Our people need to be called out on this matter.
There are complete, small and large volume, books on the subject of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are various interpretations as to how this gifts are to be classified. Some folk will believe that gifts and abilities are one and the same, thus the list has grown through the years as new technologies are advanced. So, this devotion will not answer a lot of your questions but hopefully will help you search your own life and see what it is specifically that the Holy Spirit has given to you.
Perhaps you have the gift of introducing information to groups, that is, you can teach. If so, then your task is to fine tune your gift and volunteer to become a teacher in your church. Good Bible teachers are always in need. And just think of the opportunity you will have in leading folk to understand the truths of God’s Word and then watch them grow in their spiritual lives.
One major need in churches around the country is for an individual who can play the piano. If that is your gift, then believe me, you can have full time opportunities available for you. Many small churches have of necessity begun using CD music for their congregational singing as well as for special music.
If the Holy Spirit has given to you the gift of music, both playing and singing, along with leading congregational singing, then you must not hide that gift away. If He has given it to you, then He desires for you to use it in the service of the Lord.
You get the point I’m making! Timothy, although having received the gift, could have ignored the gift, went on his way to do what his heart led him to do, and thereby dishonored God. If so, his end of life would have been much different.
It is a firm belief of mine that everyone has some gift, while others have more than one gift. It is a dangerous thing to receive a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit and then not use it for the purpose(s) He has designed.
So, look deep into your life and discover what is your gift(s). Then fine tune that gift for the Master’s use. You will never be sorry about your decision to get involved. When using His gift in His service with joyful thanksgiving, your life will be filled with joy.
Discover your gift. Go to your pastor and ask him to help you discover the place where the Lord would have you serve. He will be delighted and happy to give you assistance. Please, use it before you lose it!
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Author: retiredrev
Location: Gloster Mississippi USA
Gender: Male
Age: 73
Blog Entries: 46 (archive)
Blog Comments: 1
at the age of 12, i joined the church because a number of my friends were doing it also. the pastor has talked with me in front of my house while i was playing a rock game and i agreed to join that weekend at the youth led reivival. i...
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i came to know jesus christ as my personal savior at the age of 17. i had joined the church at the age of 12 but no one took me through the scripture and led me to the sinner's prayer. at 17, in a youth led revival in my home...
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