Grace and Other Gifts

Did I mention it is my birthday week?! Happy Birthday to me!! Can I tell you what I want for my birthday?
Well, like it or not, I am – and the good news is that I want gifts that God gives freely to all his children.

“⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Again, the gift of grace leads to us receiving other good gifts: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and extending mercy. This verse shows me what the gifts are and how to complete them: in faith, by action, to cause others to gain knowledge and skill, to lift up, be generous, diligent, and cheerful. There are times in life I have had to serve, teach, encourage, give, lead, and be merciful and during those moments, if done in God’s will, we are gifted the grace to do so for his glory.  This verse isn’t about our every day life which may ebb and flow in and out of these as tasks. It is about the gift of _______.

I once met a children’s teacher who was a gifted teacher – it seemed so natural and her heart was so engaged. I met a lady in my church, growing up, who was overflowing with love and compassion – a gifted encourager.  It helps me to understand the application of this passage. It’s not referring to those times we must step into different tasks (although when in those tasks we should ask for the grace to have the gift while going through it).
The question here, for me, is to ask myself is which gift is mine? Am I a gifted ________?  I should not think about it in terms of what would I like for a gift, or which do I want? Yes, it’s my birthday, soon, shouldn’t I ask for what I want?
Sadly, I do not know myself and God’s full plan for my life and calling as well as God knows.  I would not make the best choice. Like when my son was little and wanted to get ice cream for dinner but hadn’t eaten well all day and really could use some good nutrients – he didn’t understand my choice for him, but it was good and for his benefit (even if it tasted like grass instead of like sugar). Then other days when he had eaten well, I would say let’s get ice-cream! If I am a child and God is my parent, where am I and in which scenario?  See? I am unable to select my gift.

Heavenly Father, today or this week, give to me and grow in me the gifts you have for me to fulfill your will for my life, please. I accept it and want to be a faithful steward of your blessings. Amen
AND now I am assuredly receiving at least one gift for my birthday!

“⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. ⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Cor. 12: 7-11 KJV

I see here I get a second gift right in the first verse and maybe more?!?!  We all get the gift of the Holy Spirit manifested in our lives! God is such a good God!! 
I just gave my son one board game for his birthday. Just one gift. And God has multiple for me?!?! Obviously his riches are greater than mine! Hehehe

So, when Jesus left the earth he told his disciples he was going to send another to be with them – and he sent the Holy Spirit. This is a gift to the 12 and to us also, as we see here. Every Christian gets the Holy Spirit!! (Insert meme with talk show hostess giving away free gifts)

With the Holy Spirit, comes these spiritual gifts. It says we get one and maybe several as it is divided among the church. Again, with God choosing who gets what, how many and when.  It clearly states these are for encouraging other Christians and doing the work of God. So if I am not called or ready, I will not receive or will have to wait. And some I will not receive as it is not meant for me.

I have met many pastors and evangelists who have been blessed with many of these as God uses these gifts to do His work. And I have seen other teachers in the church have just one of these gifts. The number of these gifts in your life does not show your favor with God, it doesn’t show that you are more advanced or better in any way. God has a bigger picture of what is going on and He puts the willing and obedient followers where he needs them. Remember Psalms 139? He already made us for this, these gifts just equip us.

Let me review the gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
We see that Jesus had most of these gifts! After the Holy Spirit arrives in the book of Acts, we see that all the church leaders had most of these gifts.  I’ll be honest, I WANT THEM ALL!!

Having learning disabilities (I dislike that description – I am neuro-atypical) wisdom would be wonderful in many situation as I tend to act faster than wisdom would warrant.
Knowledge would be great – I was in a prayer meeting the other day and I wished I had more knowledge about the situation to know how to pray. Like when the prayer team member came over to me and had the knowledge that God had said to pray for me and how to pray. 
In another prayer meeting a lady asked for healing – I want so badly for her to be healed. I see no one else looking at her and saying “you are healed by your faith, faith shown by you asking” – I don’t see healing and miracles and I don’t understand why. I pray to God “use me” and feel God sitting me back down and says not now, keep growing your faith. The gift of healing and miracles is greatly needed. Seeing the power of God will encourage the people’s faith!
LORD, NOW IS THE TIME, TODAY IS THE DAY!!! I pray for revival and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit Power!   

I see how each gift can edify the church, more lives saved, more glory to God! I want all the gifts. Unless, more stand up and say, here I am use me, Lord.

I pray that all Christians alive today be blessed with the spiritual gift of discerning of spirits. I pray for you my reader, my church pastor as well as the body, I pray over all Christ’s followers.  In this year, these times, we need to know the spirits (if they are of God or against him). I ask in the name of Jesus!

Oh the gifts of the Lord are good. He has a plan and gives accordingly. All I need to do is accept the gifts and use them.  Here I am, use me!  Let’s keep our hearts open for whichever gifts manifest in our lives – let’s go forth sharing the good news with power (these people need a Mighty God – I need a Powerful God as well). Let’s move mountains with grace! Break chains with mercy! And move forward the Kingdom of God with faith! Amen!
Lord, for my birthday pour out your gifts and Spirit on me and my readers. You know how to give good gifts. Thank you!!!!