Christ First Forum

1 Corinthians 12:7

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profits of all.

Do you know what your 'spiritual gifts are?

My gifts are evangelism/prophecy.

I'm not saying I'm a 'prophet'; however I do 'love' prophecy,and I study the subject allot.

Now evangelism I love to witness for the Lord.

I have been through numerous trainings in different churches on how to be a better witness.

There's no better scriptures than the Roman Road, and I totally believe the scripture where it is said, "God's Word will not come back void."

What are 'your' spiritual gfts?

I don't have a clue!

Thanks, Frank. . .this will be interesting.

God has blessed me with the ability of creativity to which I use in designing the bulletins, and a monthly newsletter for my church. I also make fliers and posters, and in each and everyone of them is a message, that God lays on my heart.

I am also a greeter/usher and it is such a joy to make a person put on a hugh smile as they enter into God's house.

That's awesome, Wayne! We could use you at my church to get people to smile!

Wayne,

What you are describing is the gift of 'organization' , and a 'leader.'

In 1 Corinthians 7:7

For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

Romans 12:3-
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God's has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually member of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is give to us, let us use them; if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

He who exhorts in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy with cheerfulness.

Spiritual gifts are mention throughout the NT for the church, but I don't believe 'all' gifts works in the same manner like the establishment of the first church.

Mine was Discernment on the first test, but you already knew that Frank!

I have a question about gifts. Can we ask God for the gifts we want? Or maybe is it we want the ones He has destined for us anyway through the Spirit? I remember when I really started to come into my Christianity, I prayed every day to know good from evil in every aspect of life.

I don't claim any gift, but I have sensed that God is using me at different times and in different ways.

I am not especially concerned about any particular gift, because I know that God often uses a person whether he is aware of it or not.

He even uses unsaved people to accomplish his will, and I can give you an example of that.

I was employed for several years by a man, who at various times claimed to be an excommunicated Catholic, a Christian and one who was not sure there is a God. From this I eventaully concluded he had no real knowledge of who God is. Once he even asked me if I am a sinner!

God used this man to employ me, as I said for several years, thereby furnishing me an income, even though he would have denied that God was using him to accomplish His will for me and my son!

We do not have to be aware of God using us, and I have no doubt that He has done and still continues to use mankind to accomplish His will.

I am most happy for those who can identify a specific gift, such as Pastor/Teacher as is Frank. Some have the abiltiy to do as Jeani does, in quoting scriptures for us. She is not a Pastor, yet God uses her knowledge to impart His Word and wisdom to others.

Joi, I know that God has gifted you in many ways and as time goes on He will reveal those to you!

I believe one of the greatest Joy's of our heavenly father is seeing his gifts used for His glory and for the edification of the body of Christ.

I am thankful for you, in that you encouraged me to start this forum. Have you taken any of the test. It would be interesting to see what you find out and share it with others. A lot of times people that have the gift of encouragement and compassion can't see it, because they think that every one should be that way.

That is not my gift and that is why the good Lord gave me Joan to balance it out. Although I do have tremendous compassion, but it is not my spiritual gift.

Mine main gifts are Shepherding, Teaching, Evangelism and Discernment! I do believe in two fold gifts. Like with Evangelism comes Discernment. That is another thread!

Frank, I have not taken the tests. I am afraid I would get puffed up if I found that I have a gift, and I can not afford to do that.
God knows how to use me, so I'll just trust Him for this one. : )

Misfit wrote:Frank, I have not taken the tests. I am afraid I would get puffed up if I found that I have a gift, and I can not afford to do that.
God knows how to use me, so I'll just trust Him for this one. : )

Joi, Yes He does!

Upon Salvation, God gives us individual gifts in the body of Christ so that we can be 'One' working together.

I guess a 'picture' of these spiritual gifts would be the 'Trinity.'

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one; yet they work in different ways in different times in the Bible.

1 Cor. 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1 Cor 13:2 and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

12:26 1 Cor And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation or shadow of turning.

We're a body of Christ. A body functions as one unit with many members. All the members are interdependent--they need each other. No one individual can know all of God's will for a body. Each member of the body needs the other members of the body to fully know God's will.

Throughout the OT, the Spirit of God always was present to equip an individual to carry out a divine assignment. God didn't give a person some thing. He Himself was the Gift. The Spirit manifested His presence by equipping each individual to function where God had assigned him.

When we think about spiritual gifts, we understand Christ is the gift to us. The HS equips you with His administrative ability. So His administration becomes your administration. What you observe when you see a spiritual gift exercised is a manifestation of the HS--you see the HS equipping and enabling an individual with His abilities and capabilities to accomplish God's work.

Jesus said: 'It is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.' John 14:10

Even in Jesus' miraculous works, the Father was manifesting Himself.

The Father was in Jesus, and he worked through Jesus to accomplish His purposes.

A spiritual gift is a manifestation of God at work through you.

Thank you Lord, for not only dying for our sins, through your unconditional love gave us your spiritual gifts so that we might show Christ the Son, HS, and God the Father.

I was saved as a child and have grown up in the 'Christian community'. I never thought much about 'gifts'. I have always done what I could and what I was comfortable at. I don't think it is necessary to be able to 'name' a gift to prove something.

I know I have gifts and I know that I am thankful for them. I did go take the test, and found no dissagrement with what I found, tho I do not think that these answers to the test are the only way God will or can use me.

I personally find this gift stuff to be very charismatic in nature. I just agree with Misfit totally. Maybe it is our age or what ever.

So here were my gifts according to the test.
Hospitalitity, Faith, Edification.

I took it again this morning and it was
Hospitality, Mercy, Teaching.

I still think it is not a good idea to publish your gifts. What would be the benefit? Even if you are a good singer, People will know that without you going around telling them. If you are a good teacher for 4 & 5 year olds, people will see that when you are around children.

The gift will not be hid, but it is something that I feel should be between you and God. Does He never change a gift He has given to you? When you are young you work with children perhaps, but when older you find you like to sing in the choir, or work with writings and poems.

We should be willing to be used of God in all areas of life, and not just concentrate on one thing perhaps. God has made many of us multi-talented because we grew up in small churches and had many hats.

I at age 14 printed out the church bulletin. I have cleaned the church. I have sang in the choir, I have taught Sunday School, I have taught adult women, I have witnessed to people, I have prayed, never have I preached from the pulpit.

What I did find is that if people in the church find that you do menial jobs, they want to be sure and keep you there. Most people don't want the jobs that are not self serving, therefore, whom do you find that brags about being a toilet cleaner for the Lord, but we all know someone has to clean them. We use them on Sunday with no thought of who has provided us a clean restroom.

What church has ever had too many people sign up to take care of the babies in the nurshery while the mothers get to rest, sit in the service and hear the preaching? NO, we say, that's their kids, let them take care of them, even tho, the Mom's need to hear a word from God on Sunday Morning.

This is why I don't think we need to let others know what our gift from the Lord is, He could change it tomorrow if we are willing to Hear His Voice.