The Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit

Good Evening to All!

I read something the other day that really got me to thinking. I began to wonder how many of us "limit God's power because we don't think or "realize" that everything the disciples and people had in Biblical times we still have today. To say that something doesn't apply to us "today" is just like saying God could do it back then, but not now. What He did back then doesn't happen to us. Well, sorry, but I tend to disagree. Tonight, I would like to delve into the "Fruits of the Spirit" and the Gifts of the Spirit.

I don't think there is any disagreement that the "Fruits of the Spirit still exist. According to Galatians 5:22-24, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the work which His presence within us accomplishes. These consist of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law. Those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. These attributes are what we as "Christians should strive for.

Now for the more controversial subject. The Gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:4 says There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of
activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit , to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another "discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

I have heard many times people say "these aren't for us today". That was just in Biblical times. According to the Word, John 14:12, Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he shall do also ; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name , I will do it.

In other words WE as Christians have these gifts as long as we believe and have
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

These were brought about by baptism of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:38-39.

In Acts 2:36, it said Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles men and brethren, what shall we do? (38) the Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

According to Acts 2:17 for example, says, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

I also believe in revelations from God. Before I start my post, I pray for God to let me know what He wishes for me to tell you. No, He has never been audible like He was to Paul on the road to Damascus, presented Himself as a burning bush and told me to take off my shoes, but I do get a strong feeling in my spirit of what He wants. I will not say He doesn't do that, just that He has not manifested Himself physically or audibly to me personally.

We have all experienced them. How do you explain when you leave your house in the morning, and forget something, just to have to go back home, thereby avoiding an accident or something bad happening to you. What about when you're thinking about something, and a little while later someone brings something up in affirmation to what you were thinking without you saying anything? These to me are all revelations from God. The word revelation simply means to reveal something, which we get on a daily basis from God if we just think about it and look around us.

I hope this has shed a little light on the subject of Fruit of the Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, and Revelations from God.

Good Night and May God Bless!