Ooh! I got a gift! I got a gift! A gift from God? Like, the real true God?

Every person who openly declares that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead has received a spiritual gift from God. Every single one.

Okay….. but what’s that mean?

The Amplified Bible expands “gift” as “a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment” and “a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God.”

Spiritual gifts are discussed further by Paul in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, so you realize that “talent” isn’t singing or sports. These talents are different. They’re designed to be used to build God’s Kingdom, to disciple His people on Earth. They are given to glorify Him by believers serving one another.

Again, from the Amplified Bible:
…employ it in serving one another as is appropriate for good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace, faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor.

We are given these gifts to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives.

For far too long, many in the Church have neglected the fact of these gifts given. We’ve turned all the kingdom-building over to the pastors, elders, and deacons. That’s not what God said. He said we ALL have one of these supernatural gifts and are supposed to be using them to serve believers around us. Umm. Oops.

So, how do I know what my gift is, Faye? I mean, I don’t get any of this.

I understand. I would first suggest reading the chapters I mentioned above a few times. Each time, ask God to reveal to you the gift He has given YOU. There are several good surveys online that can help you determine what your gift(s) are. You an also ask the believers who know you to tell you how they see God working through you. Often, because it’s the Spirit working through us, we don’t recognize it, it’s just how we are, but others see it.

Once you learn how God has graciously endowed you, it’s time to get to work serving others. You may have already been serving others and not realized why. Now you know and you realize why you have such great results doing that thing.

Here’s a note: when you’re utilizing that spiritual gift, you might feel wrung out at the end of the day, but you’ll be energized at the same time. Your spirit knows you are partnered with God in the actions of your gifting. If helping/service is your gift, you’ll do things for people as though it were breath itself. Those who don’t have that gift can DO the same things, but they will feel worn after a time and those served won’t receive the same teaching or encouragement. That’s not bad, just different.

Today is a great day to learn how God has gifted you to build His kingdom so you can get with His program. Maybe you’re already with the program, you just didn’t understand the why behind the actions. Either way, when we know the area we’re designed to serve, the stronger our faith walk will be and the better we can serve the believers around us.

This is being the Church, y’all. Let’s do it.

Coffee, Bible, Journal