GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Good Evening to All!

The answers to last night's Bible Challenge "Obedience to God" are as follows:

1. eight (Genesis 7:13)
2. b) Noah (Genesis 8:20)
3. d) she turned to salt (Genesis19: 1-26)
4. b) Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19)
5. c) sacrifice their best products, carefully chosen and prepared
(Leviticus 1;3,2:1, 3:1,etc.)
6. c) sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22)
7. b) Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-6)
8. c) his wives (1 Kings 11:4)
9. d) refusing to dine on royal meat and wine (Daniel 1:8)
10. D) Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)

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Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
(1 Corinthians 12:1)

Much has been written about the gifts of the Spirit throughout Christian history. The Bible itself teaches us the importance of the gifts of the Spirit and the importance of our not being ignorant of them. Yet, in spite of all the information available today on the subject, many people are totally ignorant of these gifts.

There are many varieties of "gifts" but they are all given by the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit. When our relationship and faith run deep for God within us. We can be used by God to use these gifts from Him. When we let God LEAD us in the use of these gifts, they will help us to reach a deeper level of power in our lives. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 says: 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
(indefinite quantity) 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. ( These gifts are given all by the Same Holy Spirit and He will give them out however He desires. He may give several gifts to one person and 1 gift to someone else. It is His choice. He gives us these gifts so that He may use us as His instruments to reach the world and do the works that Jesus did.

A lot of people believe that these gifts are not for us today, but they are. God made us this promise. He said that we would be doing His works and more. He also assured us that His promises are for them back then and for generations afar off, (meaning us).

All of these things are abilities and gifts of supernatural power by which the believer is enabled to accomplish something beyond the ordinary, but only if their faith in God is strong. We must remember when we are doing these things, it is not us, but God's power flowing through us to the other person. or in the case of wisdom, knowledge, discerning of spirits, from God's Spirit to our heart and mind. It is an amazing feeling to be used by God in that respect.

Some people actually believe that these gifts such as the gift of tongues can be taught. Don't be deceived. These gifts are God-Given. They will come naturally by God. No Man can teach the Heavenly Language of tongues. It is God's language. We cannot choose which gift we will have. God does that for us. We must pray and ask God which one He has given us and listen for His reply. Then use it. All the while remembering that you must have faith that something will happen. Without faith, the "work" is dead.

I hope to go into more detail about each individual gift over the next few days. They are so important. The gifts of the Holy Spirit should be a normal part of your everyday life.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!