Spiritual Gifts Anyone?

[Sabertooth]

But during that time it was in my mind that I don’t know what my spiritual gifts are. I still don’t know.

Check out

• Vineyard,
• Assembly of God,
• Foursquare Church

I know Vineyard has classes on finding out your gifts.

 

[Hidden In Him]

My husband and I went to visit churches but have not been in a while. We never could find a home but we’re always visitors. But during that time it was in my mind that I don’t know what my spiritual gifts are. I still don’t know. Everyone has at least one, yeah? It is my understanding (right or wrong) that the gifts are for the perfecting of the saints, for others that they are able to bear all things and remain, for strengthening the brethren. I have faith that there will be spiritual fruit even though I haven’t seen it yet. His word says of eve who was deceived that “the woman” will be saved in bearing children. Fruit. I still have faith that the Spirit is perfecting and will finish what He said He will finish. So maybe the gift of Faith is a gift I’ve witnessed.

Stay encouraged, Victory. Some gifts do not manifest until later in life. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit when I was 21. I didn't start moving in dream interpretation (at least in a ministry capacity, that is) until I was in my late 40's. Just keep walking with the Lord. You may find as I did that you have no idea what gifts He will use you in. It just sort of starts happening. But I'd encourage you to keep praying daily that He gives you something. If you do that, in time He will.

God bless!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Stay encouraged, Victory. Some gifts do not manifest until later in life. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit when I was 21. I didn't start moving in dream interpretation (at least in a ministry capacity, that is) until I was in my late 40's. Just keep walking with the Lord. You may find as I did that you have no idea what gifts He will use you in. It just sort of starts happening. But I'd encourage you to keep praying daily that He gives you something. If you do that, in time He will.

God bless!

Hope so. And I will keep and do keep seeking. Thank you for the encouragement. Need to clarify though on 1 Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

To me the “if” they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety is all fruit of the Spirit for the perfecting of the saints so they endure and are able to bear all things and remain in Him. Just wanted to clarify what it means to me even thinking on
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

And John 15:8-9 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. [9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Again, just want to clarify I haven’t seen this fruit but have Faith that “Herein in my Father glorified” means it will be done.

 

[Mayflower]

Hope so. And I will keep and do keep seeking. Thank you for the encouragement. Need to clarify though on 1 Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

To me the “if” they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety is all fruit of the Spirit for the perfecting of the saints so they endure and are able to bear all things and remain in Him. Just wanted to clarify what it means to me even thinking on
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

And John 15:8-9 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. [9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Again, just want to clarify I haven’t seen this fruit but have Faith that “Herein in my Father glorified” means it will be done.

Saved in childbearing. Never thought. Of that one. Lol

 

[Hidden In Him]

Thank you for the encouragement. Need to clarify though on 1 Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

To me the “if” they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety is all fruit of the Spirit for the perfecting of the saints so they endure and are able to bear all things and remain in Him.

I think 1 Timothy 2:15 is said specifically in light of what he adds in Chapter 5:

1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Timothy 5:1-14)

That last verse clarifies that he was talking especially about younger married Christian women who were having children, because at the time many were giving themselves to gossip and idleness rather than godly activities like continuing in prayers and supplications day and night (v.5), and taking care of fellow Christians in need (v.10). But even this doesn't preclude the younger Christian woman from greater ministry if she falls more under the description of v.5 and v.10 than v.6 and v.11-13. Paul was just giving generalized commands here that applied to the different age groups in general, not absolute rules that applied in every single case.

But yes, I think your phrase can be applied to the perfecting of the saints, especially since 1 Timothy 2:11-15 applies more specifically to wives rather than just women (but it would be a long story explaining it).

11 Let the wife learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a wife to teach, nor to usurp authority over the husband, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the wife being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Saved in childbearing. Never thought. Of that one. Lol

The gift of children! I’m menopausal so those days are passed but I remember how soon labour pains are forgotten when seeing a new life delivered. It is a tremendous joy, yeah?

Your post made me consider that word though saved through “child-bearing” ...1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long,...Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
^not ugly (imo)but instead nurturing.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.

 

[Helen]

This is an interesting debate, and one H2S and I have discussed on a few occasions. I tend to take the approach that the Lord favors individuals having specific parts to play, and rarely moves to undermine that principle by making us jacks-of-all-trades in the spiritual gifts.

We also have this in 1st Corinthians: "Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret." (1 Corinthians 14:12-13).

The implication is that not all who were speaking in tongues could interpret, and that they had to pray for that additional gift if they would receive it. Similar things are implied concerning prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). So my position is that He desires us to be complimentary specialists if you will (though many can wind up with more than one gift). The problem with the Corinthians was that they had everyone speaking in tongues but few interpreting or prophesying, so they were undermining that complimentary system, and the way God designed it to work within the body of Christ.

Okay.

But you know how the saying goes...
" A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with just an argument"

 

[Helen]

Shame on the leadership and pastors.
A few people in these thread have said- " I'm not sure what my gifts are"...and who's fault is that!!

And we wonder why the church is so weak, powerless and pathetic in changing the world by bringing healing and deliverance, as the early church did.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Okay.

But you know how the saying goes...
" A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with just an argument"

A Ha Ha!! Glad to hear it, LoL.

 

[Helen]

In this thread I also see some confusion between the gifts of the Spirit...as found in 1 Cor 12. And the spiritual "giftings". as
Hospitality , Encouragement, Giving, .... etc

"Let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. "
etc etc..

And the GIFTS...being...

1 Cor 12 .....

8 "For to one is given by the Spirit the *word of wisdom; to another the *word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another *faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of *healing by the same Spirit;
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:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

 

[Heart2Soul]

In this thread I also see some confusion between the gifts of the Spirit...as found in 1 Cor 12. And the spiritual "giftings". as
Hospitality , Encouragement, Giving, .... etc

"Let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. "
etc etc..


1 Cor 12 .....

8 "For to one is given by the Spirit the *word of wisdom; to another the *word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another *faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of *healing by the same Spirit;
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:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

You're teaching it sister!

 

[Jay Ross]

There are many gifts within the Church, as mentioned above. The question that comes to my mind, is "How does God require a person to deliver the various gifts that he bestows upon us/them to another?"

I was in a prayer meeting and a visiting preacher's companion came to the church's weekly prayer meeting desiring a "word from the Lord for Her," and I happened to become paired up with her, but I did not receive a word from God just for her and so I said to her that God was not giving me anything to say to her. She became very upset because she had a sense that God had a word for her and I ended up in trouble for not even giving a a word of encouragement from God to her. It had not been my place to give her any words from God, but to the prayer group, I was the bad person for not praying for her as she wanted.

Another time while on a short term mission trip, we were taken by a pastor to one of his "Home Churches," i.e. a weekly bible study group in this case, and when we arrived he asked the group, if we had a word from the Lord. The group looked at each other and we slowly shook our heads, so he went off teaching and teaching within the local language, and when we began to get words from the Lord, for the group, he ignored us and so we were not able to deliver any words to that group.

The next day, we were with another pastor from a very different church, and we attended two house groups within his church and both times, we were able to give words from the Lord, as and when we received those words. The first group was meeting within the temple area of the city where there was many idol makers and we all sensed the oppression in that place and prayed accordingly. In the second house meeting that day, words of knowledge, healing and prophecy flowed freely. Twenty years later, the second house church, has grown into a church that is still expanding. It became a church of prayer, and is in its third church building where it now meets in line with the prophetic words that were spoken over that home group. Sadly, twenty years later, the members of the first home group have had a falling out and are no longer an active part of the pastor's church network.

What I have found with the gifting that I have is that I manifest the gifts of the spirit in a manner that can be confusing to the people around me. I was in a teaching season on the developing of the gifts of the spirit. One of the exercises that the group was given was to sit in a circle and to prayerfully pray for words of knowledge and signs for one member of the group. Initially I was siting on the other side of the circle and I was not receiving anything for the person. After five to ten minutes, the group was asked to rearrange where we were siting and I ended up siting next to the person who we are praying for. Suddenly I was crying for that person, but the group facilitator turned the focus from the initial person on to me because I was crying tears from the Lord for that person when I was siting next to him. The group did not get anything from the Lord while the focus was on me, but the facilitator felt that I was the one in need.

People crying when God is working in their lives, either for healing or as a means for God to minister through that person is very confusing for people as it does not conform with the expected norms.

Another time, I was attending an AOG impartation meeting while away on company business, and was partnered with a younger women to pray for another older woman an impartation for her. I was her catcher. When the woman would not fall down on the floor as was the expectation in the impartation meeting, I had to intervene and quietly suggest that the woman being prayed for was actually soaring with God like an eagle in the spirit and that God was actually bringing a healing or blessing for her. It was not something that as prayers for her that we needed to know. When the young woman stopped trying to force the older woman down to the floor, but instead allowed her to soar in the spirit a difference came for the group. This comes with understanding.

These have been a few of my experiences that I can share.

 

[Angelina]

I was very blessed to have been part of a small pentecostal church that had many pastors flow through it Each one had a specific gift or mantle on them. The first real pastor we had discerned [it originally had an interim pastor] that most of his church parishioners were evangelists and that was due to the interim pastor. This pastor was a prayer/ warfare and we all benefited from his mantle

The last pastor we were fortunate to have, moved powerfully in the prophetic. He allowed us to pray for one another and prophecy. It was difficult at first because as we did not want to make a mistake and pray over fellow members about things that were wrong but he made it clear that we are exercising this gift and we are safe to express anything the Holy Spirit is prompting us to speak....

This was truly an exercise in faith that built up our spiritual gifts particularly those who had that prophetic mantle.

 

[Mayflower]

In this thread I also see some confusion between the gifts of the Spirit...as found in 1 Cor 12. And the spiritual "giftings". as
Hospitality , Encouragement, Giving, .... etc

"Let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. "
etc etc..

And the GIFTS...being...

1 Cor 12 .....

8 "For to one is given by the Spirit the *word of wisdom; to another the *word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another *faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of *healing by the same Spirit;
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:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

I didn't realize there were different terms for natural and supernatural gifts of the Spirit, but I credit the Holy Spirit for any talents. The important part is just using any of our talents for God's kingdom. This is the difference between operating in the Spirit and in the flesh.

 

[Hidden In Him]

There are many gifts within the Church, as mentioned above. The question that comes to my mind, is "How does God require a person to deliver the various gifts that he bestows upon us/them to another?"

I was in a prayer meeting and a visiting preacher's companion came to the church's weekly prayer meeting desiring a "word from the Lord for Her," and I happened to become paired up with her, but I did not receive a word from God just for her and so I said to her that God was not giving me anything to say to her. She became very upset because she had a sense that God had a word for her and I ended up in trouble for not even giving a a word of encouragement from God to her. It had not been my place to give her any words from God, but to the prayer group, I was the bad person for not praying for her as she wanted.

Another time while on a short term mission trip, we were taken by a pastor to one of his "Home Churches," i.e. a weekly bible study group in this case, and when we arrived he asked the group, if we had a word from the Lord. The group looked at each other and we slowly shook our heads, so he went off teaching and teaching within the local language, and when we began to get words from the Lord, for the group, he ignored us and so we were not able to deliver any words to that group.

The next day, we were with another pastor from a very different church, and we attended two house groups within his church and both times, we were able to give words from the Lord, as and when we received those words. The first group was meeting within the temple area of the city where there was many idol makers and we all sensed the oppression in that place and prayed accordingly. In the second house meeting that day, words of knowledge, healing and prophecy flowed freely. Twenty years later, the second house church, has grown into a church that is still expanding. It became a church of prayer, and is in its third church building where it now meets in line with the prophetic words that were spoken over that home group. Sadly, twenty years later, the members of the first home group have had a falling out and are no longer an active part of the pastor's church network.

What I have found with the gifting that I have is that I manifest the gifts of the spirit in a manner that can be confusing to the people around me. I was in a teaching season on the developing of the gifts of the spirit. One of the exercises that the group was given was to sit in a circle and to prayerfully pray for words of knowledge and signs for one member of the group. Initially I was siting on the other side of the circle and I was not receiving anything for the person. After five to ten minutes, the group was asked to rearrange where we were siting and I ended up siting next to the person who we are praying for. Suddenly I was crying for that person, but the group facilitator turned the focus from the initial person on to me because I was crying tears from the Lord for that person when I was siting next to him. The group did not get anything from the Lord while the focus was on me, but the facilitator felt that I was the one in need.

People crying when God is working in their lives, either for healing or as a means for God to minister through that person is very confusing for people as it does not conform with the expected norms.

Another time, I was attending an AOG impartation meeting while away on company business, and was partnered with a younger women to pray for another older woman an impartation for her. I was her catcher. When the woman would not fall down on the floor as was the expectation in the impartation meeting, I had to intervene and quietly suggest that the woman being prayed for was actually soaring with God like an eagle in the spirit and that God was actually bringing a healing or blessing for her. It was not something that as prayers for her that we needed to know. When the young woman stopped trying to force the older woman down to the floor, but instead allowed her to soar in the spirit a difference came for the group. This comes with understanding.

These have been a few of my experiences that I can share.

Great post. I think the key is to be open to what the Spirit wants to do, even if it is something new, as opposed to falling back into formulas and then expecting the Spirit of God to move every time. It amounts to not being led of the Spirit at best, and trying to coerce Him at worst. Neither will amount to anything good, but simply letting God be God often will.

 

[Waiting on him]

given for the common good.

 

[Angelina]

one of my main gifts has been discernment. It can be such a powerful gift and sometimes a gift that you wished you never knew some stuff about....You know what I mean?

 

[Heart2Soul]

one of my main gifts has been discernment. It can be such a powerful gift and sometimes a gift that you wished you never knew some stuff about....You know what I mean?

I do...the first time I experienced it I had visited a friend's church...I was greeted by the usher who hugged me and throughout the service I kept feeling lust (not lusting) just feeling it...
While driving home I asked the Holy Spirit what was that all about? He said it was discernment. That's when I understood how it worked.

 

[Angelina]

It can make your heart break and sometimes if you don't keep your soul in check with some revelation of the Holy Spirit. You can get really mad about something God has shown you. I was having a cup of tea after a night service and this guy came to sit next to me. He seemed like an ordinary christian guy, nothing out of the ordinary. Then the Holy Spirit starts to tell me that he is having an affair with his secretary! It made me cringe and then the Holy Spirit began to reveal more...I had to get up and walk away and prayed for him and his family...

 

[Heart2Soul]

It can make your heart break and sometimes if you don't keep your soul in check with some revelation of the Holy Spirit. You can get really mad about something God has shown you. I was having a cup of tea after a night service and this guy came to sit next to me. He seemed like an ordinary christian guy, nothing out of the ordinary. Then the Holy Spirit starts to tell me that he is having an affair with his secretary! It made me cringe and then the Holy Spirit began to reveal more...I had to get up and walk away and prayed for him and his family...

I have been shown twice preachers having affairs with members of their congregation....it is very sad...very heartbreaking...and makes you angry as well.
Question @Angelina .....I remember I would enter a house or building and engage in conversation...and suddenly I would feel angry, or depressed, etc...for no reason...I don't know if it was discernment or not but I think it was cause when I left it went away.
That was when I first began discerning....is it like that with you?