Folks let's take a look at what the gifts are. I beleive we may have a few more than the 9 listed in 1 Cor.12.
12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit
the word of wisdom; to another
the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 To another
faith by the same Spirit; to another the
gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12:10 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:
12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Also we have these ......
12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
12:7 Or
ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that
teacheth, on teaching; {
that's my gift}
12:8 Or he that
exhorteth, on exhortation: he that
giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that
ruleth, with diligence; he that
sheweth mercy, {
mine too}
with cheerfulness.
Which are yours friends? We all have some. I do not believe the gifts of healing and praying for the sick is the same. I have prayed for the sick. Since some of been healed and some have not I would presume I do not have a gift of healing. I believe every Christian should pray and believe God for healing when his body has an infirmity. That is not the gift. That is a benefit for a child of God.I do not believe {the prayer language in church is the gift of tongues} Paul said"I pray in the spirit and in the understanding" This type of tongues" only edifies oneself."I know some of you don't even believe in that. I plan to leave that subject alone. as it has already been exhausted. My reason for the post is to show there are more gifts than chapter 12 of Corinthians. By the way....I love my church. About 8 years ago I went to a Methodist for 5 years. We were used much. They are the ones who sent me to Israel/ I felt God telling me to visit them yesterday. I thought they would hate me for leaving. They embraced me with open arms. The church has shrunk to about 50 members. Their new pastor is full of Jesus and teached from the Bible non stop. He is cloaked with the spirit of kindness. He glows with the joy of the Lord. The few who are still left are the sincere ones.I am eager to serve even if it 's cleaning the toilets. They are the most open minded people I've ever seen. My family plans to attend with me next week. The church folkknew I wasn't there for a visit. They knew I was back in full throttle.The church is 200 yds from my house. God has blessed me all over the place. I remember the first time I went there 9 years ago my college friends thought I was backslidden. Shoot, my wife and I had Children's Church, 4th grade Sunday School and a Wed, night Bible Study. Many got rebaptized by emersion. A new pastor came though and distroyed the church. If it happens again I won't leave. I will stay and pray.I am so glad I listened to God yesterday. You just know when you are at the right place. This time I plan to keep my eyes on the Lord.
In His love,
Brother Chuck
Which gift do you have??
I believe God knows our hearts and knows our motives. The more we share those gifts the more He will trust us with.
