Serving: Spiritual Gift Series

  Jesus came to serve and not be served. In Romans 12 we find the next spiritual gift which is serving. Some examples of people who served others in the Bible were Ruth, Joseph, Martha, Paul, and Jesus. 

   When you think of the word serve what do you think of? Maybe you think of a waiter serving you food. You could think of Jesus washing feet. You may think about one of the five love languages, which is acts of service. Or you could think of making a great play in a sport and saying, "you got served!"

   That last one was a joke. To serve means to put aside your own needs for the needs of others. If you have ever worked in the food industry, or any job really, I'm sure you have served others at times you may not have felt like doing so. Serving is not always easy to do. Some days are hard and we are tired but we are still called to serve. 

   There are some people to whom service just comes naturally. These are the people who have the spiritual gift of service. While we are all called to serve, these people see a need and fill it before being asked. They don't complain or tell others about what they did to make themselves look good. Most of the time, these people would rather be in the background; at least that's what I've found to be true most of the time. 

   Sure, we all trip up at times and our pride gets in the way (prime example: Martha). But we know in the end whom we are serving others for. When we serve, we are not serving for our own good or the good of others, though those reasons can be perks. When we serve, we are serving God. God sees all our efforts and cares about what we do for others. He especially sees when we do things for those who don't thank us or could not repay us. I mean, just look at what Jesus did. He served us by dying on the cross and we could never repay that!

   So, do you know anyone with the spiritual gift of service? How can you serve others each day?

Prophecy: Spiritual Gift Series

   The first spiritual gift list we find in the Bible is in Romans 12:6-8. In this passage the author talks about how we are all different parts of the body of Christ. Then the author goes into what gifts we all may have. 

   The first gift mentioned is prophecy. Some examples of people in the Bible who had prophecy were Moses, Daniel, Deborah, Miriam, and the other prophets mentioned in the Bible. If someone had the gift of prophecy it meant that God gave them a message that was from him for someone else. Those who prophesize are God's mouthpieces. This is especially true back in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit was not in all of God's people. Most of the time, if someone wanted to hear from God, they would have to hear from a prophet who had God's Spirit on them. Nowadays we have the Holy Spirit, which can speak to all of us in different ways.

   Does that mean the gift of prophecy is gone or doesn't matter? No! Some of us have the gift of prophecy. Some of us don't. Sometimes God also gives us these gifts for a brief time and for a certain reason. I know I have prophesied once over someone's life. But, other than that, I can't recall doing so. I do know many people at my church who have this gift. Our pastors are two examples. I cannot count how many times they have predicted something was going to happen because they got a message from God. In fact, our one pastor will usually be able to predict what will happen during our church services. Which is odd, in a good way, because each service is different since it is Spirit led.

   When we think about prophecy we usually think of telling the future plans of God. But it is anytime God tells us his will or truth to his people. For example, think of Jonah when he was told to go to Nineveh in the Bible. He was to tell them to turn from their wicked ways. That was it. He wasn't given an ultimatum or told what would happen to those people if they didn't turn from their ways. 

   Prophecy is an important gift because sometimes we need to hear from God through someone else. It is a gift that helps us understand God better and keeps us connected. Whether you have the gift of prophecy or not, you can see that God uses it throughout scripture and today. It helps us hear God, know his will, and know what we are to do. 

   So, do you know anyone with the gift of prophecy? How can you learn more about prophecy today?

Spiritual Gift Series

   Have you ever asked yourself, or have been asked, what gifts do I have? Maybe you are skilled at writing, dancing, cooking, or some other talent. That's great! You know what you are good at. Hopefully you are using that talent for the good of others and the kingdom of God. I mean, God gives us those gifts for a reason. God also gives other gifts too.

   If you've been a Christian long enough you've probably heard about spiritual gifts. They are found in different sections in the Bible. These gifts are given by God specifically so we use them to further God's kingdom. Do you know what these gifts are? Do you know which gifts you have? That's what we will be exploring the next few weeks. 

   The spiritual gift lists are found in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. I encourage you to take a look and see which gifts you may have. Or, you could look online for a spiritual gift quiz to see which gifts you may have. 

The War Going On Around Us

   Have you ever had someone say something or do something then had it happen again later? It's kind of like deja vu but not. Let me give you an example. One time I was playing a game with friends. The organizer of the game said my player felt a presence behind me. That's not so scary in a game because the game isn't real. 

   After the game, I went home and rested. I suddenly got this weird feeling that someone or something was behind me. When I looked, no one was there. I knew my husband was in the other room so I knew it wasn't him. And, even though I looked back and didn't see anyone, I still felt like something was there with me. It was kind of creepy. 

   To boot, I remember I was going through a bit of a hard time and my thoughts were beginning to spiral. That made me think that it could have been a demon behind me. Can we really sense demons? Are demons real? According to the Bible they are; and I believe God's word.

   Demons are Satan's minions. I imagine they don't look like little yellow guys. Demons probably look a bit scary in their real form but they probably have other powers where they can take on the look of other creatures. Their job is to manipulate us and turn us from God. 

   This presence I felt wasn't welcome and I knew it. So I took authority under the name of Jesus and told the demon to leave. I felt peace after that and the thought spiral disappeared. Sure, the problem I was going through was still there but it didn't seem as big of a deal as it did when I first began to think about it.

   If we trust God's word and believe in him, we should believe that what he says is true. His word tells us there are demons out there. His word tells us Satan is prowling like a lion waiting to devour us. We need to begin acting like there is a spiritual war going on around us. We need to lean on God, grow in him, and trust in him. That way, when Satan sends his demons against us, we know exactly how to handle them. We know we need to go to God. 

   So, do you believe there is a spiritual war going on around you? How can you grow in God so that when Satan attacks you are ready?

We Don't Talk About Current Problems

   Have you ever noticed that, as Christians, we are okay with talking about things we have been through that we have overcome? Maybe you were bullied in the past and that impacted your self worth but now you realize that comes from God. Or you could have been someone who used to have an addiction and you realized that you were just focused on masking some trauma in your past that you gave to God and overcame the addiction. Whatever your story is, it's not a bad thing to talk about those things. In fact, sharing your testimony can help others realize they are not alone. It can help them have hope to overcome it as well. 

   But I've noticed, at least for myself, at times we don't like talking about our current struggles. I'm not saying we have to blab our struggles to everyone out there. But if we don't share those struggles with God and other believers we miss out on relationship growth, the chance to be authentic, and we miss out on accountability. I think the reason we don't like talking about fresh problems is because they are like fresh wounds. They hurt, they still bleed, and we may not want to show weakness without feeling hope too. 

   Have you ever felt like that? You are going through a tough time and you just feel like you can't tell anyone. Maybe you don't want to be judged or you don't want to burden anyone. Or, perhaps, you are okay sharing what you've overcome with others but this current struggle is too close to home. You are unsure if you will make it through it. If you've felt that way, you are not alone. I've felt that way too and I've been scared to share what's going on with others because it's not easy to be vulnerable. 

   I'm not saying we have to share everything we are going through with everyone. What I am saying is that it is important to have a few trusted people who can come alongside you and help you. These people will pray for you, listen, and help you stay accountable. God created us to be in a relationship with him and others. We can show others we love them by being real with them and then they may feel more comfortable reciprocating. That's how great growth happens. When people come alongside one another to help each other and when people go to God with their struggles then God really moves.

   So, are you good at being authentic with others? Who is someone you could go to about any current struggles?

We Are Not Chameleons

    I'm sure you've thought about this question, if not now then when you were a child, if you could be any animal what animal would you be? God created many unique creatures during creation. They all have special features and abilities. One such creature is the chameleon. Chameleons have sticky feet, camouflage, can look two places at once, and have really long tongues. Imagine if you had those abilities. Sure, some of them may be strange but think about being able to blend in or being able to climb walls. That could come in handy sometimes, or just be a cool trick to show your friends.

   But, we are not chameleons. Though, I'm afraid some of us are trying to be chameleons whether we realize it or not. Chameleons blend in with their surroundings. They do this as a defense mechanism and to survive (so they can get food). What about you? Have you tried to blend in with the world? We are told in the Bible that the world is sinful. If we follow the ways of the world, we are not following God. God is holy and we are to try to emulate what he calls us to emulate. We are not to blend in with the world, we are to stand out. We are to stand up for Jesus and show others his love. 

   Chameleons also can look at two places at once. This is another great defense mechanism but it is not good for us. I've written blogs about being on the fence. If we are not 100% following Jesus then we are on the fence. If we are looking at the sinful things of this world while claiming to follow Christ, we are on the fence. If you are on the fence, you have made your choice to follow Satan and the world. We must fix our eyes on Jesus. We must do our best to grow in him and follow him.

   Finally, chameleons cling to whatever they are trying to climb. If we cling to things in this world, we are not following the Great Commission. Jesus gave us a commandment to go into the world and make disciples. Everything on this earth is temporary, except the souls of people. If we cling to things that are temporary and do not follow the Great Commission, then we are ignoring a direct command from God. If we didn't have a job to do after we accepted Christ as our personal savior, we could just be taken up to heaven. God created us to be in relationship with others and share the good news of the gospel to others. We get to be a part of his story in that way. That's why we cling to Jesus and show others how to do so as well.

   So are you being a chameleon in any way? How can you grow in each of these areas?

The White Knight

    Many children hear stories of fairy tales and fantasy. Stories with adventure. Stories where there is a hero, a villain, and someone/something that needs rescued. Those stories excite us. They make us wish for adventure in our own lives. 

   One particular story we hear a lot is the story of a knight going to save a princess. This knight faces dangers and will not stop until he rescues the damsel. In the end, the damsel is rescued and the knight and princess live happily ever after.

   These stories are told all in good fun and most even have a moral to them. The problem we run into is we grow up and begin to believe them to be true. I'm specifically talking about the women here. 

   Romance is a big genre in stories, movies, and songs in our culture. Women grow up dreaming of a man to come along and rescue them from their problems. Sure, women still live their lives and aren't sitting and waiting for their prince or in a sleep that needs to be awoken by true loves kiss, but I think we all still secretly are hoping for that one hero to come along and sweep us off our feet (whether we admit it or not).

   I've been there. I remember acting like I didn't want a relationship because I wasn't sure it would ever happen as time went on. I was hoping for a romance. I feel like that's because culture tells us we need certain things to be happy. We need a house, a good job, a car, a spouse, two kids, and a dog. That's the American dream. That's what we are told from a young age that we need and should strive for.

   But, there is another one who comes on a white horse. Revelation 19:11 says "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war." This event happens toward the end of the earth. Jesus comes on a white horse. He is the one who saves. He is the one who loves us unconditionally. He is the one who, in the end, will judge us. He loved us enough to die for us so we could be with him in heaven. Without him, our sin would send us to hell. He is who our eyes should be fixed on. We should be trying to emulate him and live our lives for him on earth. 

   So, are you living your life for yourself or for Christ? Are your eyes fixed on him?