You are quite gifted.

Knowing that will change your life.

I can write this with confidence because the Bible clearly describes God’s kindness to give all His children gifts from His Spirit…

 

…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

~ Jesus, Luke 11:13

 

…and His beautiful Spirit is the source of all the gifts.

 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4

 

These are not fruits. These are lavish spirit-gifts, granted to you by God to cause people to love Him more when they encounter you.

So what are they?

There are many listed in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 12, but here is a basic list:

Administration

Apostleship

Discernment

Encouragement

Evangelism

Faith

Giving

Hospitality

Knowledge

Leadership

Miracles

Pastor/Shepherding

Prophecy/Perceiving

Serving/Ministering

Showing Mercy

Teaching

Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

Voluntary Poverty

Wisdom

How do you know which ones He has given to you?

First of all, you should know God is wildly wonderful and He doesn’t play favorites; He can give you any gift at any time. Second, God wants us to be known for our Love more than for our spiritual gifts.

 

Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1

 

Usually you will find yourself exhibiting certain gifts more intensely and often than others.

The trick is, to notice.

Pay attention to when you feel most alive, most at peace, most happy. What are you doing in those moments? These are clues to who you were created to be and the gifts most prevalent in you.

Think about the Bible stories that fascinate you most. Which people in the histories or parables make you feel like having a hallelujah shoutin’ fit because you want to be like them? That’s another clue to the gifts God has given you.

God wants you to give His Spirit full reign in you so you can reflect His Love wherever you go.

Why else do you think the Scriptures say, “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? ~ James 4:5

 

How important is it to God that we use the gifts He has given us?

Well, Jesus tells a scary story about three guys whose Master entrusts them with money, incidentally called “talents” (wink, wink)… Two of the men use what they are given as best they can, and their master is very proud of them. But this one guy…he’s afraid. He was given only one talent, and he is afraid he’ll lose it or use it wrong, so he doesn’t do anything with his. As a matter of fact, he hides it.

Yikes.

You can read the rest of the story for yourself, but suffice it to say, The Master was not happy he didn’t use the gift He gave him. (Matthew 25).

Jesus told this story as a warning, not to scare us to death, but to encourage us to Life, because Christians who know their purpose and minister out of their gifts are the most alive people you’ll ever meet.

They also bring God buckets of glory…

 

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

~ Jesus, Matthew 5:16

 

If you feel like your life has no purpose but you know that you know that you know you belong to Jesus, hear this: YOU HAVE PURPOSE.

 

For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
~ Ephesians 2:10

 

Ask God to shine His Love on the gifts of His Spirit within you. He will, and as you use them, you’ll see yourself come alive like never before. And what better time to come alive, than Easter?

 

Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
~ Ephesians 5:14

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* I’ve simply introduced what it means to discover your Spiritual gifts from the Father, in hopes you’ll look deeper into these things. There’s so much more goodness on this topic available through your pastor (if he’s a believer) and written testimonies.