God’s Work in You

God’s Work in You:

How to Put your Gifts to Work

Prophecy. This is the unusual ability, that God gives to a person, to communicate His message to the Body of believers for their edification. I have seen this gift used by people who have also been called to be Pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and Christian teachers. But it can also come to someone who is a lay person. Our pastors have a great responsibility to this gift. A lot  of prayer and fasting go hand in hand with prophecy.

Teaching. Like prophecy, teaching involves communication for the edification of the Body. We could have more teachers if two things happened in local churches.

1. We need to create more opportunities for teachers to teach and equip them to do it.
2. We need to rearrange or add to facilities to allow physical space for newly equipped teachers to teach.
3. This is for both Prophets and Teachers. Be faithful in Bible Study, prayer and attendance. Practice stewardship of tithing money and time.
4. Observe those who explain the Word of God.
5. Find someone you can teach.
6. Study teaching methods.

Serving.

1. Look for things you can do for the Body.
2. Watch for ways to serve. It doesn’t have to be on a grand scale.

Hospitality/Helps. Hospitality-The love of strangers. Helps-The God-given ability to invest talents in the life and ministry of other members of the Body. Think of the ministries in our Church where this is displayed.

Encouraging. this is offering words of strength and help to members of the Body for their edification. This can be done one-on-one or in a group. How:

1. Pray for someone lonely or discouraged.

2.  Select someone specifically each day and do or say something to encourage them.

3.  Make a list of new people, forgotten members and pray for them, call them, visit them.

4.  Notice others gifts (spiritual and/or physical) and encourage them.

Giving. ways to grow this gift:

1.  Every now and then, give anonymously.

2.  Give a gift you don’t have to give.

3.  Set a giving goal above your established tithe for a period of time.

4.  Seek inventive ways to give.

5.  Give daringly.

Leadership. every Christian should be optimistic and full of faith about the Gospel. A good leader should be pragmatic. He takes in all the information and decides what programs are working and gets rid of the ones that are not.

Mercy. the supernatural ability to feel what someone else is going through and sympathize with them so much it calls you to action.

Evangelist. the God-given grace to lead another soul to Christ. Study the salvation scriptures (such as the Roman road). Talk with a mentor or your pastor about specific plans.

Missionary. This gift is definitely cross cultural. Ways to cultivate this gift:

1.  Explore your ability to learn another language.

2.  Teach an ethic minority Sunday school class.

3.  Volunteer for inner city mission work.

4.  Bring someone or a whole family home for lunch and discussion.

5.  Try to discover the needs of those racially different from you in your area and try to meet those needs.

Wisdom. James 1:5. Discuss your understanding of Biblical solutions with other Christians.

Pastor/Shepherd. You may have thought that only full time ministers have this gift and been surprised to see this as one of your gifts. It doesn’t mean you have been called to Pastor a Church. It may just mean that you have been alerted to what God is calling you to do as a life time assignment. You can be an effective shepherd as a lay person.