In our culture, we generally think of things flowing downward from the top of the heap to the bottom: for example, from world leaders down to the state leaders down to the municipal leaders down to the people. It’s sort…
Prophecy vs. Words of Knowledge
In the circles that I tend to hang with, there’s an emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit – including prophecy. It is amazing to watch (and experience) how heaven touches earth when the Spirit of God speaks through a…
Do You Hope Well?
There’s something very special about the expectancy of good things. It lifts our spirits; it helps us focus; it helps us to dream and use our God-given imaginations; it reminds us of God’s goodness; it gives us joy in what…
Learning to Decern God’s Voice
Sometimes I wonder if one of the more precious gifts that God has given us is the ability to hear His voice. As Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” …
Ministering through Your Gifts – and Not Someone Else’s
Some years ago, my parents read aloud a book called, “The Five Love Languages of Children.” It’s a great book, and it helped several of us understand how to better love, serve, and accept our siblings’ differences in how they…
Logic vs. Power
I read a very interesting scripture this morning. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says, “Christ [sent me] to preach the gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17). There’s…
Fulfilled by Our Gifts
There are quite a number of benefits to working in the gifts of the Spirit that God has given us. First and foremost, these gifts allow God to work in us and through us for the building up of His…
One Gift or Another
The Bible tells us that there are many gifts but one Spirit; many different workings, but the same God at work in each of us (1 Corinthians 12:6). Because the Spirit distributes the gifts (Romans 12:4), it’s not surprising that…
A Variety of Gifts
When I go for a hike, it’s fun to see the variety of scenery along the way. There are usually trees (unless I’m in the desert), but not all of the trees are alike. Then I cross a stream, and…
A Summary of the Gifts of the Spirit
I’ve been talking frequently lately about the gifts of the Spirit. These are giftings and abilities given to us by God to be used for His glory and to build up the people around us. As Paul says in Romans…