Hi sweethearts. You are so amazing. Thanks for reaching out to a blogger who has been away. I hope you are super cool, and if you aren't, I trust the current rainy weather to force you to be cool. :)
Defy the odds anyway, get on fire!
Defy the odds anyway, get on fire!
Fan Into Flames
One of the questions occasionally bothering me about spiritual gifts is whether the gifts mentioned in the letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians are exclusive. As in, are those sixteen (or is it seventeen?) spiritual gifts the only ones the Holy Spirit gives? Were those lists meant to be just examples, or are they the only possibilities?
Evidently, the Holy Spirit is recognizing a greater need for more gifts over the last couple of years (can’t imagine why!). The percentage of people expressing creativity has tripled – so many emerging with strange gifts of creativity.
Nice, I must say.
Like me, I love to write. It's a gift. Isn't it? I have a 9-5 job as a copywriter, but more than writing, is my love for speaking. I'd grab every opportunity to be on a mic if given the chance. Those who attend the same local church as I do know this. Amaka can talk for Africa!
However, it's been recently dawning on me to keep quiet. It seems like I've been talking too much there. Really.
On one hand, I think it's God telling me to be still. To listen more. To quieten my spirit. To let others talk. On the other hand, I think it's the devil telling me to shut up. To reduce the "ginger". To quieten my voice.
On one hand, I think it is the devil's trick of screaming louder at me to not fan the flames. On the other hand, I think it is God's warning of quietly whispering at me to stop sounding like a tinkling cymbal (1 Corinthians 1:13).
So I am in this battle of discerning the godly idea and the good idea. It's not an easy position to be in.
It's actually fascinating how much one could enjoy talking (or be called to speak) when one is a natural quiet person. Or, isn't that a strange thing?
An old friend once told me I have two spiritual gifts not listed in the Bible: dressing up and talking. It sounded like being called a shallow Christian. Lol. Well, it's reassuring to discover that there is a Biblical support for the gift of talking. First Peter 4:10-11 says: Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone SPEAKS, it should be as one who SPEAKS God's words.
Speaking IS a spiritual gift!
You may have a weird gift too. A gift that is not very common. Gift that sounds too strange to be termed 'spiritual'.
A spiritual gift is a special ability given by God for Christian service. Apostle Paul often taught about spiritual gifts to encourage believers to minister to others. There is one body of Christ but a diversity of gifts including prophecy, service, teaching, and exhorting (Romans 12:6-8). The same God gives at least one of His various gifts to every believer (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). And, He personally gives them for the purpose of training up the saints, building up the body of Christ, and growing up mature believers (Ephesians 4:11-16).
I have always treated the ability to communicate orally as a talent, a business, and an expression of art. It's time to treat it as a spiritual gift.
There is a difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents. Talking is simply a talent when used for personal enjoyment or for the entertainment of others. When the purpose of talking is used to inspire, to teach, and to encourage others, it becomes a gift.
There is a difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents. Talking is simply a talent when used for personal enjoyment or for the entertainment of others. When the purpose of talking is used to inspire, to teach, and to encourage others, it becomes a gift.
"You are a gifted speaker when you make your words a gift!" I heard the other day.
"The gift of speaking have to be about the audience!" Again, I heard.
God freely gives life, salvation, and spiritual gifts. We should not be afraid to unwrap the gifts God has given us. Let's share His gifts with others. Spiritual gifts, no matter how weird - including the gift of dancing, acting, shopping, sewing, cooking, etc - are to be used with generosity, diligence, and cheerfulness. I choose to take ALL my spiritual gifts seriously, no matter how strange they seem!
You should too. So, dress up because you have the message . . . Speak because you have been chosen. Use your spiritual gifts to lift up and encourage others. Fan them into flames.
"The stage doesn't matter. The gift does."
P.S I hear "There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. This is a time to keep quiet." Then again I hear "You are a voice. It's time to start speaking the words." I need to be sure I'm not going crazy. Gimme some more days to PRESS ON. If you can, please pray along.
Brb . . .
What is your spiritual gift? Which one are you currently craving?
What is your spiritual gift? Which one are you currently craving?
Written by Nwamaka Ajaegbu
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Heart Rays . . . giving light.
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