The book I read to you out of tonight is called Learning to Pray, by K.P. Yohannan. It is available for free online.
Click Here
The introduction to the book follows below:
How often have you heard someone say, "I will pray for you" or ask, "Please pray for me"? Of the thousands of letters I receive, a significant number of them always have some kind of prayer request included.
The need for prayer is felt in all aspects of our lives. Whether it has to do with our families, children, education, daily needs, ministry, relatives, friends or the many other concerns that can fill our days, the necessity of prayer is always present.
But despite that, the question remains: Do we honestly take time to pray? If we do pray, how much time do we really spend in prayer? We may spend hours each day talking to friends and family members about the things in our lives, but do we even spend at least one hour with the Lord in prayer, talking with Him?
I believe our lack of prayer is because so few of us truly know how to pray. I know that in the early days of my Christian life, I had no clue what prayer really was. I would close my eyes, and in a few short minutes, I would run out of things to say. It wasn’t until learning from older brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as from books on prayer, especially those of E.M. Bounds, that I began to grow in my prayer life.
May this booklet serve to give you the beginning steps for building your life on the solid foundation of prayer. And may the Lord use this to help you come near to Him and be a child again, simply talking to your Father. He is waiting for you.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
More On Spiritual Gifts
Below I posted some articles from Don Stewart on Spiritual gifts. I know that some of you have been praying about your spiritual gifts, so I thought I would post some links that might confirm to what the Lord is already revealing to you.
The Holy Spirit is the One who decides what gifts you get, not a quiz on the Internet. But it doesn't hurt to take a spiritual gifts quiz to see if it confirms what He might already be saying to you. In fact, it might show you something surprising. Then you need to pray and have the Holy Spirit confirm that, or show you where you might have answered wrong. Here is an online Spiritual Gifts Test. My advice to you is to be completely honest. If you don't like telling strangers about Jesus, don't try and be nice, just say so! Go with your first impression. Also, at the end of the test you will see your top 3 scores, but click under those results so you can see how you measured up in all the categories. You might have strong scores in more than 3 gifts.
I also want to give you the link to Acts-One-Eight. This is the ministry of Jim and June Hesterly. He has worked for Pastor Chuck Smith for many years and his audio downloads offer much wisdom and experience in this area. Topics include the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Four Ways God Speaks to Us, Battling Through Prayer, Discovering Your Gifts, as well as topical teachings on specific gifts. I have enjoyed many evenings with a cup of coffee, listening to these exciting teachings. Make sure you listen to the teachings about the gifts you might posses!
Don't leave your gifts unwrapped! God has given them to you so open them and use them!!!
The Holy Spirit is the One who decides what gifts you get, not a quiz on the Internet. But it doesn't hurt to take a spiritual gifts quiz to see if it confirms what He might already be saying to you. In fact, it might show you something surprising. Then you need to pray and have the Holy Spirit confirm that, or show you where you might have answered wrong. Here is an online Spiritual Gifts Test. My advice to you is to be completely honest. If you don't like telling strangers about Jesus, don't try and be nice, just say so! Go with your first impression. Also, at the end of the test you will see your top 3 scores, but click under those results so you can see how you measured up in all the categories. You might have strong scores in more than 3 gifts.
I also want to give you the link to Acts-One-Eight. This is the ministry of Jim and June Hesterly. He has worked for Pastor Chuck Smith for many years and his audio downloads offer much wisdom and experience in this area. Topics include the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Four Ways God Speaks to Us, Battling Through Prayer, Discovering Your Gifts, as well as topical teachings on specific gifts. I have enjoyed many evenings with a cup of coffee, listening to these exciting teachings. Make sure you listen to the teachings about the gifts you might posses!
Don't leave your gifts unwrapped! God has given them to you so open them and use them!!!
What Are Your Spritual Gifts?
Don Stewart, on Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts:
Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. How can someone discover his spiritual gift or gifts.
The Bible does not give us any formula for finding out what the spiritual gifts might be, yet there are certain things we can do.
Find Out The Gifts Available
First, one must find out what spiritual gifts are available. There are four passages of Scripture that lists the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-11,28-30; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:7-12).
Pray For Guidance
Once the believer recognizes what gifts are available, he should then pray for God to show him his particular gift or gifts. The Bible encourages us to pray for guidance:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7,8).
James wrote, "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2).
Step Out In Faith
We should exercise, by faith, the gift or gifts we feel God has given us.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Get Feedback From Others
Once we start exercising our gifts, we should get feedback from others to see if we are edifying the body of Christ.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7).
In exercising his spiritual gifts, the believer should realize that he has at least one spiritual gift and may have more than one but he does not possess all of them. His gift is essential to the smooth functioning of the body of Christ.
Not Relieve Responsibility
Furthermore, the lack of a certain gift in a believers life does not relieve him from the responsibility to obey the general commands of God. For example, all of us are told to give (1 Corinthians 16:2) whether or not we have the gift of giving. Every believer is encouraged to show mercy (1 Thessalonians 5:14) though he may not have the gift of mercy. Likewise we are all instructed to evangelize (Acts 1:8) though we all do not possess the gift of an evangelist.
To discover his spiritual gifts the believer should:
1. Find out what gifts are available.
2. Be available to receive.
3. Pray for Gods guidance.
4. Step out in faith.
5. Get feedback from others.
Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. How can someone discover his spiritual gift or gifts.
The Bible does not give us any formula for finding out what the spiritual gifts might be, yet there are certain things we can do.
Find Out The Gifts Available
First, one must find out what spiritual gifts are available. There are four passages of Scripture that lists the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-11,28-30; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:7-12).
Pray For Guidance
Once the believer recognizes what gifts are available, he should then pray for God to show him his particular gift or gifts. The Bible encourages us to pray for guidance:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7,8).
James wrote, "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2).
Step Out In Faith
We should exercise, by faith, the gift or gifts we feel God has given us.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Get Feedback From Others
Once we start exercising our gifts, we should get feedback from others to see if we are edifying the body of Christ.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7).
In exercising his spiritual gifts, the believer should realize that he has at least one spiritual gift and may have more than one but he does not possess all of them. His gift is essential to the smooth functioning of the body of Christ.
Not Relieve Responsibility
Furthermore, the lack of a certain gift in a believers life does not relieve him from the responsibility to obey the general commands of God. For example, all of us are told to give (1 Corinthians 16:2) whether or not we have the gift of giving. Every believer is encouraged to show mercy (1 Thessalonians 5:14) though he may not have the gift of mercy. Likewise we are all instructed to evangelize (Acts 1:8) though we all do not possess the gift of an evangelist.
To discover his spiritual gifts the believer should:
1. Find out what gifts are available.
2. Be available to receive.
3. Pray for Gods guidance.
4. Step out in faith.
5. Get feedback from others.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Don Stewart, on Spiritual Gifts
Before we examine the subject of spiritual gifts, we need to have an understanding of what they are. Though the Bible does not give a definition of spiritual gifts, it does tell us much regarding their nature and function. The word normally translated "gift" in the New Testament is the Greek word charismata. The word means "gifts of grace" and refers to the gifts or special abilities God has given believers through the Holy Spirit.
Not The Holy Spirit
Spiritual gifts, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are not the same as the gift of the Holy Spirit. There are many gifts of the Spirit, but there is only one Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received the moment a person trusts Christ as Savior. Simon Peter said to the multitude on the Day of Pentecost:
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Not Human Talents
Spiritual gifts are abilities God gives the believer for the purpose of service. They are not human talents. Human talents are inadequate to do the work of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3,4).
Spiritual gifts are either supernatural abilities that God has bestowed on individuals, or God-given natural abilities that function through the direction of the Holy Spirit. Gifts such as miracles, tongues, healing, and prophecy are supernatural in origin. Other spiritual gifts, such as teaching, administration, and helps, are God-given abilities to perform a particular role in Gods program. Though nonbelievers may have the same abilities, they do not function under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes these God-given abilities and uses them for His purposes in the lives of believers. Therefore, the gifts of the Spirit are abilities, either natural or supernatural, given by God for the work of the ministry.
The Bible says that all gifts ultimately have their source in God.
Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17).
Not The Fruit Of The Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit have to do with service while the fruit of the Spirit has to do with character.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22,23).
Spiritual gifts are the means; spiritual fruit is the end. Gifts are what the believer possesses, but the fruit of the Spirit is what the believer becomes. Spiritual gifts will someday cease, while spiritual fruits are permanent.
Gifts Are Not Offices
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not the same as the various offices mentioned in the New Testament: the office of apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, elder, and deacon. Those who occupy such offices should possess the spiritual gift that goes with it. Yet a person can have the gift - of prophecy or teaching, for example - without occupying the office of a prophet or teacher.
Classification Of Gifts
The Bible lists the gifts of the Spirit in four different portions of Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11. They have been classified in many different ways, but we will examine them in three groups:
1. Ministering Gifts: The gifts of an apostle, evangelist, pastor, teacher, exhorter, and discerner of spirits; the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge.
2. Serving Gifts: The gifts of ministering, giving, ruling, showing mercy, and displaying faith.
3. Sign Gifts: The gifts of prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, and interpreting tongues. These gifts are not necessarily in order from the greater to the lesser. Some of the gifts overlap, and this list is not meant to be taken as complete. There may be many more spiritual gifts than these listed here.
Summary To Spiritual Gifts
We conclude concerning spiritual gifts:
1. A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by God to the believer for the purpose of serving.
2. A spiritual gift may be a God-given talent that is directed by the Holy Spirit. It is not a mere human talent.
3. A spiritual gift is not the same as the gift of the Spirit. 4 . Spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit.
5. The Bible teaches that the offices of the Holy Spirit are different from the gifts of the Spirit. A person may possess a gift without holding the corresponding office.
6. The Bible lists about twenty spiritual gifts but there may be many more. Every believer has a spiritual gift.
Before we examine the subject of spiritual gifts, we need to have an understanding of what they are. Though the Bible does not give a definition of spiritual gifts, it does tell us much regarding their nature and function. The word normally translated "gift" in the New Testament is the Greek word charismata. The word means "gifts of grace" and refers to the gifts or special abilities God has given believers through the Holy Spirit.
Not The Holy Spirit
Spiritual gifts, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are not the same as the gift of the Holy Spirit. There are many gifts of the Spirit, but there is only one Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received the moment a person trusts Christ as Savior. Simon Peter said to the multitude on the Day of Pentecost:
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Not Human Talents
Spiritual gifts are abilities God gives the believer for the purpose of service. They are not human talents. Human talents are inadequate to do the work of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3,4).
Spiritual gifts are either supernatural abilities that God has bestowed on individuals, or God-given natural abilities that function through the direction of the Holy Spirit. Gifts such as miracles, tongues, healing, and prophecy are supernatural in origin. Other spiritual gifts, such as teaching, administration, and helps, are God-given abilities to perform a particular role in Gods program. Though nonbelievers may have the same abilities, they do not function under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes these God-given abilities and uses them for His purposes in the lives of believers. Therefore, the gifts of the Spirit are abilities, either natural or supernatural, given by God for the work of the ministry.
The Bible says that all gifts ultimately have their source in God.
Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17).
Not The Fruit Of The Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit have to do with service while the fruit of the Spirit has to do with character.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22,23).
Spiritual gifts are the means; spiritual fruit is the end. Gifts are what the believer possesses, but the fruit of the Spirit is what the believer becomes. Spiritual gifts will someday cease, while spiritual fruits are permanent.
Gifts Are Not Offices
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not the same as the various offices mentioned in the New Testament: the office of apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, elder, and deacon. Those who occupy such offices should possess the spiritual gift that goes with it. Yet a person can have the gift - of prophecy or teaching, for example - without occupying the office of a prophet or teacher.
Classification Of Gifts
The Bible lists the gifts of the Spirit in four different portions of Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11. They have been classified in many different ways, but we will examine them in three groups:
1. Ministering Gifts: The gifts of an apostle, evangelist, pastor, teacher, exhorter, and discerner of spirits; the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge.
2. Serving Gifts: The gifts of ministering, giving, ruling, showing mercy, and displaying faith.
3. Sign Gifts: The gifts of prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, and interpreting tongues. These gifts are not necessarily in order from the greater to the lesser. Some of the gifts overlap, and this list is not meant to be taken as complete. There may be many more spiritual gifts than these listed here.
Summary To Spiritual Gifts
We conclude concerning spiritual gifts:
1. A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by God to the believer for the purpose of serving.
2. A spiritual gift may be a God-given talent that is directed by the Holy Spirit. It is not a mere human talent.
3. A spiritual gift is not the same as the gift of the Spirit. 4 . Spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit.
5. The Bible teaches that the offices of the Holy Spirit are different from the gifts of the Spirit. A person may possess a gift without holding the corresponding office.
6. The Bible lists about twenty spiritual gifts but there may be many more. Every believer has a spiritual gift.
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