Spiritual Gifts

Rev. Muse preached a sermon series on the Role, Purpose, Empowerment and Gifting of the Holy Spirit. This look at God's Spirit working within the world, and our lives, helps us to understand that God desires much more of our lives than we might think.

Jesus said,"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth." (John 14:15-17). Jesus' statement includes a pretty big "IF", one that places the importance of our attitudes and actions upon obedience of truth and obedience of life. As Christians are lead in the truth of God's word they soon realize their life matters to God and that their obedience to God makes a lasting difference in the world.

For most Christians, when it comes to discovering our part in the work of God's Kingdom, the question we ask is self-centered: "What can I do for God?" The question we should be asking is God-centered: "What does God want to do through me? What is His particular assignment for me?" To Make a subtle shift in thinking--and to explore the true giftedness of the Holy Spirit that follows from it--will have dramatic results in your spiritual life, for what you'll witness will be God's power to transform lives, not just your own ability to help people in need. (From Henry & Mel Blackaby's What's So Spiritual About Your Gifts).

Knowing your spiritual gifts will help you to serve the Body of Christ to your fullest potential. In doing so, the Kingdom of God grows in its influence, power, compassion, and availability in throughout the world.

Please take a few minutes to utilize this on-line resource from the United Methodist Church that helps people identify their spiritual giftedness. Though the resource only helps to identify the gifts we possess, it become the responsibility of each Christian to find ways to nurture the gift and descern God's desire for them to put it into practice. Don't keep the results to yourself, share them with Rev. Muse or another member in the church so that, through discernment, you can start the incredible journey of serving God through the blessing and giftedness of the Holy Spirit.

Click here to take the assesment: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1355371/k.9501/Spiritual_Gifts.htm

For a more thorough understanding of your gifts, this link directs you to a more detailed assesment. It might take a little longer, but in the end you will gain a deeper understanding of your gifts and their particular usefulness in God's Kingdom. http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/assessments/spiritgifts.html

May God add His blessings to your faithfulness.