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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 10/20/2009 3:03:31 PM
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Elena1030
Posts: 2105
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
Does every Christian have a Spiritual Gift? I don't think that I do. There are nine gifts of the Spirit and I know that I don't have any of them.
There are nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), but I do not believe that the lists of gifts of the Spirit (these lists are found in some of Paul's Letters) are exhaustive. There may be many gifts we don't even have names for.
My understanding is that every Christian IS a gift to the rest of the body of Christ, by virtue of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is when the believer functions in the body that the specific gift is revealed --- other believers are more likely to recognize how the Holy Spirit has gifted you, than you are, since the gift isn't for your own self-identification (like "I have the gift of teaching" or "I have the gift of mercy" and so on) but is for the building up of the body of Christ.
So... you have a gift!  You may not have recognized it yet. And if others haven't, no worries. At some point, it will be apparent to someone.
And ultimately, it matters not that the gift be identified.... more important that the grace of Christ is worked through you and touches another believer's life. And on this side of heaven, we can only know a fraction, if any at all, of how God has used us to benefit others.
_____________________________
Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 10/20/2009 3:12:33 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 4321
Joined: 5/2/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Elena1030
quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
Does every Christian have a Spiritual Gift? I don't think that I do. There are nine gifts of the Spirit and I know that I don't have any of them.
There are nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), but I do not believe that the lists of gifts of the Spirit (these lists are found in some of Paul's Letters) are exhaustive. There may be many gifts we don't even have names for.
My understanding is that every Christian IS a gift to the rest of the body of Christ, by virtue of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is when the believer functions in the body that the specific gift is revealed --- other believers are more likely to recognize how the Holy Spirit has gifted you, than you are, since the gift isn't for your own self-identification (like "I have the gift of teaching" or "I have the gift of mercy" and so on) but is for the building up of the body of Christ.
So... you have a gift! You may not have recognized it yet. And if others haven't, no worries. At some point, it will be apparent to someone.
And ultimately, it matters not that the gift be identified.... more important that the grace of Christ is worked through you and touches another believer's life. And on this side of heaven, we can only know a fraction, if any at all, of how God has used us to benefit others.
And it's important to remember that those who serve in the spotlight will not be able to be a blessing to everyone. That's where you may come in. You may minister to others that the church may not reach. I agree with Elena1030 that the gifts of the Spirit that Paul lists are not exhaustive. The Holy Spirit equips every believer so that they may minister to others, and I've never known Holy Spirit to be limited or boxed in by a short list. 
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 10/21/2009 1:13:41 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3177
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
Does every Christian have a Spiritual Gift? I don't think that I do. There are nine gifts of the Spirit and I know that I don't have any of them.
I have never been given a talent either.
Some of us just need to sit on the pews and be the congregation and listen to all the others who have gifts, I guess.
I agree with Grace and Elena. It took years before I understood what my spiritual gift is, and it is definitely not flashy, but I Just Love It!!!
1 Cor 12 & 14 Gifts of the Sp-rit
1. ability to speak up wisely, as teachers must
2. knowledge, as teachers should have
3. faith, trust in G-d, and I have seen that in your posts
4. healing
5. miracles
6. proclaiming the truths of G-d -- bet you do!!
7. recognition of different spirits (or attitudes?) within entities -- Hmmm. As a teacher, don't you?
8. languages
9. interpreting languages
10. administration -- a good gift for a teacher
11. helping -- a good gift for a teacher
It took me a long time to understand that I had a gift (1) because I did not see myself through spiritual eyes and (2) because I forgot to include the list in the 14th chapter.
Yep! I have the gift of helping! I was so excited when I learned this that I could have turned cartwheels!  And now, this is my work both at my place of worship and as a career as a admin at a church.
The Bible doesn't list artistic ability as a gift of the Spirit, but I get to use it as a helper. I also am handy at making certain things, and I use that. The Bible, obviously, doesn't list a lot of the things we see as talents, but talents are still gifts from G-d, and they can be used within our gifts.
I would bet, Teacher, that you DO have a gift! Think about it! I would just LOVE to hear back from you!!
< Message edited by Covaan_Meshuga -- 10/21/2009 1:23:12 AM >
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 10/29/2009 2:17:07 PM
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allisonbrett
Posts: 839
Joined: 5/29/2008
From: A bit north of the Big Chicken
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I believe I use my spiritual gifts(exhortation and encouragement) in my secular job. My education/background is counseling and I am amazed at how often I use this training running an automotive business like I do. I also find that I have many opportunities to encourage others as well. Sometimes I encourage through my faith others as merely one human being to another.
_____________________________
Allison
A work in progress so please be patient, God is still working on me. Ouch, it sure is painful!
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/2/2009 1:46:12 PM
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teacher1982
Posts: 190
Joined: 10/11/2009
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I don't have one. Do you think every Christian has a Spiritual Gift?
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/3/2009 3:19:10 PM
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teacher1982
Posts: 190
Joined: 10/11/2009
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Sorry, it went to page 2 and I didn't go back and check.
If I have a gift, I don't know what it is. I can't sing, I can't play a musical instrument, I can't teach in church because I'm divorced, I can't preach because I'm not called and I'm a woman, I don't have the gift of healing or prophesy, discernment or wisdom. Nope, can't think of a thing.
Now I have been told that I am talented, but that is referring to my ability to make just about anything by sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and so on. But that's not the same thing.
Maybe some of us are meant to fill the pews. Somebody has to! Can't be all Chiefs and no Indians!
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/3/2009 3:35:53 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 4321
Joined: 5/2/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
Sorry, it went to page 2 and I didn't go back and check.
If I have a gift, I don't know what it is. I can't sing, I can't play a musical instrument, I can't teach in church because I'm divorced, I can't preach because I'm not called and I'm a woman, I don't have the gift of healing or prophesy, discernment or wisdom. Nope, can't think of a thing.
Now I have been told that I am talented, but that is referring to my ability to make just about anything by sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and so on. But that's not the same thing.
Maybe some of us are meant to fill the pews. Somebody has to! Can't be all Chiefs and no Indians!
Why wouldn't it be the same thing? In my church, we have several ladies who knit and crochet winter caps for children that are sent to kids in other countries. They fill shoeboxes with items for school aged children. They help organize events in the church. They cook, clean, greet others, make phone calls to the shut in, make hospital and nursing home visits, help new mothers who've just had a baby, bake cookies for children's events, lead women's bible studies, help with bulk mailings, participate in church work-days, take a rotation in the nursery, sing in the choir, etc. I'm just thinking about the ladies I know in my church. There are so many more things you can do in your church that would take into account your "gifting". Just because you don't have a major gift like preaching doesn't mean you're not gifted. You're special to God and are special to someone else in church... how can you touch another life today?
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/3/2009 7:55:23 PM
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teacher1982
Posts: 190
Joined: 10/11/2009
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I thought the OP was about the Gifts of the Spirit as listed in the Bible.
I have Talents, which are totally different. Yes, I know that I can use my abilities with crafts to help others. I can't remember the times over my life that I have made something and given it away (not bragging). One winter I even rode the city bus several times and gave out gloves to people who didn't have any on. I enjoy doing things like that, but I don't have a Spiritual Gift.
Are there more than nine listed in the Bible?
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RE: Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/3/2009 8:14:49 PM
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manda59
Posts: 8165
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
Does every Christian have a Spiritual Gift? I don't think that I do.
I'm pleased to tell you that you're mistaken. Scripture (1 Corinthians 12 v 7) says that to EACH the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. EACH, that's all of us, not everyone except you!
There are some listed in Romans 12:
exhortation
giving
leadership
mercy
prophecy
service
teaching
And some in 1 Corinthians 12:
administration
apostle
discernment
faith
healing
helps
knowledge
miracles
prophecy
teaching
tongues
tongues interpretation
Also in Ephesians 4:
apostle
evangelism
pastor
prophecy
teaching
Just because you don't know what your gift/gifts is/are, doesn't mean you don't have one or more. It just means you don't know what it/they is/are.
Best way is to come before God and ask Him!!
_____________________________
"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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Spiritual Gifts - Do you use yours? - 11/3/2009 8:25:55 PM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10787
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: teacher1982
I enjoy doing things like that, but I don't have a Spiritual Gift.
I don't think I've ever known what mine are either.
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