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Thu, Nov 22nd - 7:45AM

I AM TRULY GRATEFUL

Happy Thanksgiving, Saints

I truly have a lot to thank God for this year and I am sure we all have. I'd just like to share this post with those who are suffering from depression and illness. Sometimes we don't always know what is in God's plans for us but, I know as a colon cancer survivor that God is still in the miracle business, you see he healed me and I am truly grateful. So all I asked at this wonderful season of the year is that you stay in prayer and communicate with those who have like minds in Christ. Things will get better and always remember "it's a test", sometimes God puts us through trials and tribulation to see if we are going to do those things which are Godly in his sight. So be of good faith and courage, He sees your pain and he will reward your faith in Him.

Be Blessed and Forever Thankful,

Yvonne Hambrick

Dear Lord,

You are our refuge in good and in bad times. In your infinite mercy, bring peace and comfort to Edith and others who face days sometimes filled with pain and depression. Help them to realize that through you there is joy and the promise of lasting peace. Help them through the rough times. Walk before and beside them so that they may walk in your footsteps and reach out to them in thier journey on this earth. Help them to focus on their blessings rather than their misfortunes, dear Lord. Thank you for hearing and answering this prayer.

Amen

Prayer for Ediths' Healing

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant Edith, and give your power of healing to those who minister to her needs, that she may be strengthened in her weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Comment (2)

Tue, Oct 30th - 11:13PM

Find Peace in Prayer

GOD’S PEACE OBTAINED IN ANSWER TO PRAYER

“. . . Let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Phil. 4:6, 7.

When we make our requests known unto God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we are assured of receiving His peace through Christ Jesus. When we enter into the sacred Presence of the Prince of Peace, we enter into the place of perfect peace. The house of prayer is the sanctuary of peace.

Paul would have us understand that Christ imparts a measure of His own peace to our worshipping hearts when we make everything pertaining to life a matter of prayer. We can readily comprehend the possibilities of prayer when we perceive that mortal man can obtain a measure of the peace which the God of Peace possesses in His divine nature. It is not necessary for the children of God to enter heaven in order to enjoy the priceless possession of peace. Christ wills to give the heavenly heritage of His Peace to all the sons of God. He revealed this truth when He said,

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” — John 14: 27.

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Mon, Oct 29th - 2:50PM

DRINK FROM THIS WATER

Draw from the wells of Yeshua!

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

During the Feast of Sukkot, the Jewish people took part in a water drawing ceremony on the last day of the feast. They would go down to the Pool of Siloam, draw water and bring it to the Temple Mount. Then they would pour out the water and recite Isaiah 12, "and with joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation." In Hebrew, the word salvation and Yeshua (Jesus, in Hebrew), are the same.

Imagine the scene at the time of Messiah's appearance. It is likely that in the midst of this ceremony, He stood and proclaimed, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me as the Scripture said, "from His innermost being shall flow rivers of living water."

This promise is true for us today. Our Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever. He did not promise a sprinkling or a tiny stream. He promised rivers of living water. Claim this promise today -- claim the fullness of life in Him. Draw from Him the peace that passes all understanding. Draw from Him pure love -- agape love. Draw from Him the joy that makes the trees clap. Draw all that you need, but in order to draw from Him -- you must go to Him. One cannot draw water from a well unless one goes to the well. Go to the well that never runs dry -- go to your well of Yeshua!

Comment (2)

Sat, Oct 13th - 7:11AM

In All Things Give Thanks

The Indwelling Word
By Jim Davis

Did you know that God’s word has the power to heal? When we yield to God’s prescription for life it provides good mental, spiritual, and physical health. The Apostle Paul addressed some false teaching in the church at Colosse that threatened the spiritual growth of the church body. Paul, concerned for the good health of believers, provided some principles of growth. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." We are to exercise our mind and meditate within the heart upon God’s word.

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

The Exercise of the Mind
Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. This is a group activity that is to take place within the local church. Good spiritual health requires teaching and instruction. It is like medicine for the sick. Spiritually, sin is much like physical sickness. There is a need for diagnosis and treatment since "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The word of Christ is the only antidote.
God’s word teaches us how to live. Life within the church is contingent upon clear teaching and persistent admonishment in the truth. Teaching has to do with the proclamation of the truth while admonishment is hands on instruction. The proclamation of God’s word diagnoses our sinfulness. The Word of God discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. At the very core of our being the light is turned on and sometimes we may find the most frightening things. Admonishment is the treatment of the illness. It is the application of the principles of God’s word to the practical experience of the person.
If we were to think of it in terms of teaching our son to throw a ball, the teaching part would be what we tell him in the house and the admonishing would be instruction we demonstrate in the back yard. The pastor teaches that husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). He explains what it means to love sacrificially even to death. Within the church body there are men who are learning how to take that truth and apply it to everyday life and they are demonstrating the principle. Older men instruct younger men and give them the benefit of their experiences which in turn creates good health. Notice the verse says to teach and admonish with "all wisdom." Wisdom comes with the exercise of the truth into our experience. It is skill in living. As the word of Christ dwells within the church body in abundance there is spiritual growth and good health.
Listen to the words of the psalmist in Psalm 107:17-20.
"Fools, because of their rebellious way, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food; and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them…"
If the rebellious way and the crooked path describe your life and if you are suffering affliction due to the consequences, you will need God’s word to heal you.
There is one requirement that should be addressed. It is God’s only requirement. We must believe. It transcends trusting some words in a book, as though it were some incantation. Trust in the character of the person who has given the instruction. If God said it, then it is the Truth and we can rely upon it.
Exercising our mind upon the principles of God’s word has a transforming effect in a person’s life. As we begin to view life through God’s word, our perspective on things changes. Healing is available for those of us who meditate upon the Scripture and apply them to our lives.
The Meditation of the Heart
The word of Christ is to indwell us richly. It not only involves the exercise of the mind upon the principles of God’s word but also the mediation of the heart upon the truth and beauty of God’s word. Remember that His word is inseparable from His character and His reputation. What He has promised He will do; Christ is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Him.
Basically, Paul’s instruction in the second part of this verse is to sing to God with thankfulness in our heart. The heart represents the central control room of the person. Our actions or deeds spring forth from the seat of our thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, and affections; that is from our heart. Our singing to God is prompted by the thankfulness that is there. When God’s word is richly indwelling our heart we are thankful. There is peace when we consider His promises. There is great joy and satisfaction when we meditate upon the spiritual wealth that we have in Christ Jesus.
What better way to be controlled by a spirit of thankfulness than with singing? We are instructed to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Although we may have to speculate somewhat about the definition of these different categories, one thing is certain, God’s truth set to a melody is beneficial. Psalms may well have been the Old Testament poetic writings put to music. Hymns may represent particular passages from the New Testament set to music. Spiritual songs may represent songs of testimony about God’s faithfulness.
There is nothing like meditation on God’s word when it is set to a beautiful melody. A song we hear on Sunday can take up residence in our heart and prompt us to meditate upon the words all week long. Our hearts will freely generate thankfulness as we meditate upon God’s promises, His faithfulness, His character, and His instruction for our lives.
If we are having trouble with our thought life, good music is a gift from God. As we learn what the Bible teaches and we receive instruction in our local church, we should supplement our week with music that causes us to meditate upon Scripture and the principles of the Bible. Many filthy minds have been cleaned up with the memorization of Scripture and many hearts have been transformed when the word of Christ takes up abode within.
Multitudes have gone to the Psalms in the Old Testament in times of great sorrow. The words of the psalmist are like ointment bringing comfort and healing to the wounds of the afflicted. The Bible records that Paul and his traveling missionary companion, Silas, were imprisoned in the city of Philippi during Paul’s second missionary journey (see Acts 16). After they were beaten with rods they were thrown into a dungeon and their feet were fastened in stocks. The Bible says that about midnight they were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. Paul was not speaking outside of his personal experience when he commanded the Christians at Colosse to sing to God with thanksgiving in their hearts.
Conclusion
The exercise of our minds upon the principles of God’s word transforms our perspective on life. To see life through the grid of Scripture is to see life from God’s view. When we apply the instruction with wisdom to our everyday lives, it brings good health. The meditation of a thankful heart is a powerful weapon against despair and anguish and other human afflictions. Singing to God with thankfulness in our hearts sires victory.
May the word of Christ richly dwell within us. It provides comfort and strength for our life. It brings healing for the wounds of affliction. It cleanses our minds when our thoughts are bad. It comforts us when we are overwhelmed with trouble. Joy springs forth over sadness. Thanksgiving replaces bitterness. Hope conquerors despair. God’s word provides good health to our spiritual lives.

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Sun, Oct 7th - 12:46AM

Your Spiritual Gifts

This is a long message but I believe it will help you discover sprirtual gifts you never thought you had, it helped me.

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts

God has given each Christian two vitally important gifts. The first is the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, his work of redemption, and thus forgiveness of sin. The second is the gift of one or more special abilities, which are to be used for the purpose of unifying the body of Christ and for the growth of God's Kingdom. These abilities are called spiritual gifts and they are received through our baptism.

Like other presents, it is impossible to fully appreciate and make use of our spiritual gifts until they have been opened. This tool will help you begin to open your spiritual gifts by guiding you through the following three activities:

Scripture Review:

Highlighting scripture references that both support the existence of spiritual gifts and identify those which are commonly found in service today.

Self Assessment: a list of 60 questions which will help you identify which gifts you have received in greatest measure.

Exploration of Use: suggestions for the various types of ministry you might be most effective in because of your spiritual gifts. These three activities will begin to help you discover and employ your spiritual gifts. May the special abilities God has given you be deployed in areas of ministry where they will be most effective for the good of the entire church body. These gifts should also be affirmed by the body and utilized by the one who is gifted.

Scripture References:

The Apostle Paul addresses the presence of spiritual gifts in three main sections of scripture: Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Peter also verifies their existence in I Peter 4:10. Through these sections of scripture, we learn that all Christians have been given at least one spiritual gift. The purpose of spiritual gifts is twofold: (1) to unify Christians in their faith and (2) to produce growth within the church, both numerical and spiritual. These gifts are to be used out of love for one another, and in service to one another.

We do not choose which gifts we will receive. God bestows them upon us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Not all of the gifts identified in scripture are used in this inventory. The spectacular gifts (speaking in tongues, healing and miracles, prophecy, bold proclamation of God) and some of the non-spectacular gifts (martyrdom, celibacy) have not been included. Although these gifts exist, they are not commonly utilized in the mainstream of parish life. Since the objectives of spiritual gift deployment are to unify and produce growth through service, in today's church climate, only the service related gifts have been included.

Administration: the gift that enables a believer to formulate, direct, and carry out plans necessary to fulfill a purpose. Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 14:23.

Artistry: the gift that gives the believer the skill of creating artistic expressions that produce a spiritual response of strength and inspiration. Biblical References: Exodus 31:1-11, Psalm 149:3a.

Discernment: the gift that motivates a believer to seek God's will and purpose and apply that understanding to individual and congregational situations. Biblical References: John 16:6-15, Romans 9:1, I Corinthians 2:9-16.

Evangelism: the gift that moves believers to reach nonbelievers in such a way that they are baptized and become active members of the Christian community. Biblical References: Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:11- 16, Acts 2:36-40.

Exhortation: the gift that moves the believer to reach out with Christian love and presence to people in personal conflict of facing a spiritual void. Biblical References: John 14:1, II Timothy 1:16-18, III John 5-8.

Faith: the gift that gives a believer the eyes to see the Spirit at work and the ability to trust the Spirit's leading without indication of where it all might lead. Biblical References: Genesis 12:1-4a, Mark 5:25-34, I Thessalonians 1:8-10.

Giving: the gift that enables a believer to recognize God's blessings and to respond to those blessings by generously and sacrificially giving of one's resources (time, talent, and treasure). Biblical References: II Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 21:1-4.

Hospitality: the gift that causes a believer to joyfully welcome and receive guests and those in need of food and lodging. Biblical References: Romans 12:13, Romans 16:23a, Luke 10:38.

Intercession: the gift that enables a believer to pray with the certainty that prayer is heard and when requests are made, answers will come. Biblical References: Matthew 6:6-15, Luke 11:1-10, Ephesians 6:18.

Knowledge: the gift that drives a person to learn, analyze and uncover new insights with regard to the Bible and faith. Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:8; I Corinthians 14:6, Romans 12:2.

Leadership: the gift that gives a believer the confidence to step forward, give direction and provide motivation to fulfill a dream or complete a task. Biblical References: Romans 12:8, John 21:15-17, II Timothy 4:1-5.

Mercy: the gift that motivates a believer to feel deeply for those in physical, spiritual, or emotional need and then act to meet that need. Biblical References: Luke 7:12-15, Luke 10:30-37, Matthew 25:34-36.

Music--Vocal: the gift that gives a believer the capability and opportunity to present personal witness and inspiration to others through singing. Biblical References: Psalm 96:1-9, Psalm 100:1-2, Psalm 149:1-2.

Music--Instrumental: the gift that inspires a believer to express personal faith and provide inspiration and comfort through the playing of a musical instrument. Biblical References: Psalm 33:1-5, Psalm 150, I Samuel 16:14-23.

Pastoring (Shepherding): the gift that gives a believer the confidence, capability and compassion to provide spiritual leadership and direction for individuals or groups of believers. Biblical References: I Timothy 4:12-16, I Timothy 3:1-13, II Timothy 4:1-2.

Service (Helps): the gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God's work is fulfilled. Biblical References: Luke 23:50-54, Romans 16:1-16, Philippians 2:19-23.

Skilled Craft: the gift that enables a believer to create, build, maintain or repair items used within the church. Biblical References: Exodus 30:1-6, Exodus 31:3-5, Ezekiel 27:4-11.

Teaching: the gift that enables a believer to communicate a personal understanding of the Bible and faith in such a way that it becomes clear and understood by others. Biblical References: I Corinthians 12:28, Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 18:24-48.

Wisdom: the gift that allows the believer to sort through opinions, facts and thoughts in order to determine what solution would be best for the individual believer or the community of believers. Biblical References: I Corinthians 2:6-13, James 3:13-18, II Chronicles 1:7-11.

Writing: the gift that gives a believer the ability to express truth in a written form; a form that can edify, instruct and strengthen the community of believers. Biblical References: I John 2:1-6, 12-14, I Timothy 3:14-15,
Jude 3.

Self-Assessment Inventory

Instructions:

For each of the 60 questions which follow, circle the number that corresponds with the response that most closely matches how you perceive yourself. Categories are presented diagonally, across the top of the inventory.

4, consistently true
3, frequently true
2, occasionally true
1, infrequently true
0, rarely true

You might also ask a person who is close to you to score the inventory with, and for, you. Their perception of your strengths may be useful in identifying the gifts with which you have been truly blessed. After responding to each question, turn to the scoring grid on page six to analyze your results.

1. When presented a goal, I immediately think of steps that need to be taken in order to achieve the desired results. 4 3 2 1 0

2. I express myself through artistic means. 4 3 2 1 0

3. My faith requires me to seek out God's will and purpose in all circumstances that arise in my life. 4 3 2 1 0

4. I am able to convey the Gospel message to non-believers in ways that they are able to easily understand. 4 3 2 1 0

5. I am moved by those who through conflict or sorrow are wavering in faith. 4 3 2 1 0

6. I am certain of the spirit's presence in my life and the lives of others. 4 3 2 1 0

7. I am blessed by God each day and gladly respond to these blessings by giving liberally of my time and money. 4 3 2 1 0

8. I enjoy meeting new people and becoming acquainted with them. 4 3 2 1 0

9. I know that God hears and responds to my daily prayers. 4 3 2 1 0

10. I feel compelled to learn as much as I can about the Bible and faith. 4 3 2 1 0

11. I am a take charge person. When others follow my direction, the goal or task will be completed. 4 3 2 1 0

12. When I see a person in need, I am moved to assist them. 4 3 2 1 0

13. I love to sing and enjoy inspiring others through song. 4 3 2 1 0

14. I find joy and express myself by playing a musical instrument. 4 3 2 1 0

15. I am motivated to provide spiritual leadership to those who are on a faith journey. 4 3 2 1 0

16. I like working behind the scenes to ensure projects are successful. 4 3 2 1 0

17. I enjoy working with my hands in a trade or skill that required considerable experience to perfect. 4 3 2 1 0

18. My great joy is to communicate biblical truth in such a way that it becomes real and understood by others. 4 3 2 1 0

19. When a challenge is presented, I am usually able to identify an appropriate solution. 4 3 2 1 0

20. I am able to take a thought or idea and put it into a clear and inspiring written form. 4 3 2 1 0

21. I enjoy organizing thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams into a specific plan of action. 4 3 2 1 0

22. I can translate into artistic form what I first see in my imagination. 4 3 2 1 0

23. I have assisted others as they sought to discern whether or not their personal decisions were helpful and in accord with God's will for their lives. 4 3 2 1 0

24. I enjoy being with non-believers and like having the opportunity to encourage them to faith and commitment. 4 3 2 1 0

25. When I know someone is facing a crisis, I feel compelled to provide support and care. 4 3 2 1 0

26. My trust in the Spirit's presence, when I encounter times of personal crisis, is a source of strength for others. 4 3 2 1 0

27. I manage my time and money so that I am able to give much of it to the work of the church or other organizations. 4 3 2 1 0

28. I am often asked to open my home for small group gatherings or social occasions. 4 3 2 1 0

29. I often become so absorbed in my prayer life that the door bell or phone can ring and I will not hear it. 4 3 2 1 0

30. Not one day would be complete without biblical study and thought. 4 3 2 1 0

31. When I am in a group, others will often look to me for direction. 4 3 2 1 0

32. I feel an urgency to provide housing for the homeless, food for the starving, comfort for those in distress. 4 3 2 1 0

33. I have sung before groups and felt a real sense of God's presence. 4 3 2 1 0

34. By my playing a musical instrument, inspiration has been provided for both myself and others. 4 3 2 1 0

35. I have responsibility for providing spiritual guidance to an individual believer or group of believers. 4 3 2 1 0

36. People tell me that without my willingness to do the unnoticed jobs, their work would be more difficult. 4 3 2 1 0

37. I am good at building, repairing, or restoring things and find satisfaction in doing so. 4 3 2 1 0

38. I want to express my faith by assisting others to discover the truths contained in the Bible. 4 3 2 1 0

39. People come to me for help in applying Christian faith and values to personal situations. 4 3 2 1 0

40. I often feel moved to write about my thoughts and feelings so others may benefit from them. 4 3 2 1 0

41. I have been successful in organizing, directing and motivating people to achieve a goal. 4 3 2 1 0

42. My artistic work has given spiritual strength to both believer and non-believer. 4 3 2 1 0

43. In the congregation, I am often asked if a direction being discussed is in accord with God's will and purpose. 4 3 2 1 0

44. I do not find it difficult to share what Jesus means to me with non-believers. 4 3 2 1 0

45. Those who are struggling with life questions have come to me for guidance and help. 4 3 2 1 0

46. I can see great things happening in my congregation and am not derailed by the pessimism of others. 4 3 2 1 0

47. When I receive money unexpectedly, one of my first thoughts is to share this gift through the church. 4 3 2 1 0

48. I enjoy welcoming guests and helping them to feel at ease. 4 3 2 1 0

49. Believers have asked me to pray for healing in their lives, and have evidenced God's healing power. 4 3 2 1 0

50. My study of the Bible has proven helpful to others in their faith journey. 4 3 2 1 0

51. People have said they like to work with me because the task will be successfully completed. 4 3 2 1 0

52. People have been surprised by how at ease I am while working with those who are suffering in mind, body or spirit. 4 3 2 1 0

53. I am grateful and humbled that my singing has provided inspiration and hope for others on their faith journey. 4 3 2 1 0

54. Others have told me they were moved by my playing a musical instrument. 4 3 2 1 0

55. People have come to me for spiritual help and it has developed into a long-term relationship. 4 3 2 1 0

56. When I turn out the lights, take tables down, work in the kitchen or put chairs away, I feel that I have served the Lord. 4 3 2 1 0

57. My knowledge of building, maintenance or repair has been a special value to the church and others. 4 3 2 1 0

58. Students have told me that I can take the most difficult idea or concept and make it understandable. 4 3 2 1 0

59. When direction is needed at work or in the congregation, I am generally asked for my opinion. 4 3 2 1 0

60. My written work has been helpful to others in understanding life's truths. 4 3 2 1 0

SCORING GRID:

For each set of three questions, fill in the number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 of rectangular blocks equal to your total score. For example, in the category of Administration, the numbers 2+4+3 total 9. Once completed, note that the longer the bar the stronger the corresponding gift.

The strongest gift(s) will generally have a total score of "7" or more. If you have more than one gift with a total of seven or more, then all of these gifts can be referred to as your "gift cluster." Notice how each gift within the cluster has the potential to compliment and support another. The gifts within the cluster will need to be further explored to determine which ones you have truly been blessed with.

This inventory is designed to begin your journey toward spiritual gifts discovery. Keep in mind that it is not a scientific instrument. Your perceptions will be validated by others and confirmed through prayer and by their use over time. Identify your spiritual gift cluster, then list the gifts in the gifts cluster.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Administration
Questions 1, 21, 41

Artistry
Questions 2, 22, 42

Discernment
Questions 3, 23, 43

Evangelism
Questions 4, 24, 44

Exhortation
Questions 5, 25, 45

Faith
Questions 6, 26, 46

Giving
Questions 7, 27, 47

Hospitality
Questions 8, 28, 48

Intercession
Questions 9, 29, 49

Knowledge
Questions 10, 30, 50

Leadership
Questions 11, 31, 51

Mercy
Questions 12, 32, 52

Music-vocal
Questions 13, 33, 53

Music-instrumental
Questions 14, 34, 54

Pastoring
Questions 15, 35, 55

Service
Questions 16, 36, 56

Skilled Craft
Questions 17, 37, 57

Teaching
Questions 18, 38, 58

Wisdom
Questions 19, 39, 59

Writing
Questions 20, 40, 60

Spiritual Gift Cluster: Draw three circles. In each of the circles, write one of the spiritual gifts that had a total score of seven or more. Begin with the center circle, identifying the gift that had the highest score. In the event of a tie, select the gift you feel you have used effectively in the past, or the one you think you might be most effective in. Then fill in the other circles with a five of the remaining gifts. This group of gifts is your gift cluster.

Which gifts have you truly been blessed with? Discovering the answer to that question requires the following:

Prayer:
     Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance while evaluating your gifts.
Study:
     Become familiar with the scripture references, definitions, and how each gift functions within the Body of Christ. This will provide you with a solid foundation from which to further evaluate your gifts.
Self-Examination:
     Explore your feelings about each of the spiritual gifts in your cluster. Examples of how each gift may be utilized in the church are provided below. As you read these examples, ask yourself how you feel about the types of ministry activity identified for the gifts in your cluster. You may expect to feel fulfilled through the use of your gifts.
Track Your Results:
     As you use your spiritual gifts, pay close attention to the results produced through your efforts. You can expect to experience positive results from the use of your gifts.
Listen For Affirmation:
     As you use your spiritual gifts, listen for affirmation from other Christians. They will recognize and confirm your spiritual gifts, through genuine expressions of approval and thankfulness for a job well done!
Putting Your Gifts To Use:
     All Christians are to work together, supporting one another. However, our gifts make us better prepared and equipped to perform in some areas of ministry over others. A person who is working within a ministry area they are gifted for, will be more effective in that ministry than one they not gifted for.

What types of ministry will you be most effective in? A brief list of ministry examples follows. These examples have been provided merely as thought starters and should not be considered an exhaustive list. Use them as a starting point in exploring the possibilities for putting your gifts to use within your congregation and in your community.

Administration:
     Congregation Council, Finance Staff, Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Business Manager
Artistry:
     Banner Making, Drama Club/Clown Ministry/Puppetry, Film/Photography Work, Crafts/Handicrafts, Decorating Team, Set/Props Design Team
Discernment:
     Congregation Council, Long Range Planning Team, Social Ministry Team, Peer Counseling, Support Group Facilitator
Evangelism:
     Prospective Member Visitation, Evangelism Team, Advertising and Marketing, New Member Sponsor, Community Visitation
Exhortation:
     Mutual Ministry Team, Hospital/Home/Institution Visitation, Telecare Ministry, Peer Counseling, Small Group Leader
Faith:
     Congregational President, Stewardship Team, Long Range Planning Team, Teacher/Bible study leader
Giving:
     Capital Campaign Steering Team, Stewardship Team, Volunteer Coordination, Giving Personal Testimony
Hospitality:
     Greeter/Usher, New Member Sponsor, In-Home Bible Study Host, Visitor Welcome/Information Center, Banquet Server, Fellowship Hour Host/Server
Intercession:
     Prayer Chain, Prayer Partner, Prayer Families/Prayer Circles
Knowledge:
     Parish Resource-Library Coordinator, Nominating Team, Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council
Leadership:
     Sunday School Superintendent, Committee Chairperson (all types), Fellowship Activity Coordinator, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Congregational President, Speaker-Special Events
Mercy:
     Home/Hospital/Institution Visitation, Transportation to Worship/Bible Study, Social Ministry Team, Support Group Leader, Telecare Minister
Music-Instrumental:
     Band Leader/Member, Choir Pianist, Special Event Music, Substitute Organist, Vacation Bible School-Music Program
Music-Vocal:
     Church Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Sunday School Song Leader, Vacation Bible School Song Leader
Pastoring (Shepherding):
     Adult In-Home Bible Study Leader, New Member Sponsor, Young-Adult Counselor, Small Group Leader, Telecare Minister
Service (Helps):
     Computer Programmer/Data Entry, Newsletter Collation, P.A./Sound System Technician, Tape Recording Worship Services, Child Care, Building/Grounds Upkeep, Kitchen Cleaning Team, Providing Transportation
Skilled Crafts:
     Building Maintenance/Upkeep, Electrical/Masonry/Plumbing/Roofing, Mechanical Repair/Maintenance, Audio/Visual Operator and Repair, Computer Maintenance, Web-Page Developer
Teaching:
     Adult Bible Class Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Teen Bible Class Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Conference/Seminar Leader
Wisdom:
     Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council, Peer Counselor, Support Group Leader, Mutual Ministry Team
Writing:
     Newsletter Article Writer, Newsletter Editor, Public Relations/Publicity Committee, Letter Writing

For Further Thought: Your Spiritual Gifts do not appear and disappear as you pass through the doors of your church! The special gifts God has given you are with you always. They are meant to also be used in your daily life to bring glory to God and serve the needs of others. In the spaces below, identify some of the ways your gifts may be used for these purposes. Specific contexts have been provided as thought starters.

Context Gift Ideas For Use Gift Ideas For Use

At home, with family.

(1)______________________________________________

(2)______________________________________________

(3)______________________________________________

(4)______________________________________________

(5)______________________________________________

(6)______________________________________________

At work, with colleagues.

(1)______________________________________________

(2)______________________________________________

(3)______________________________________________

(4)______________________________________________

(5)______________________________________________

(6)______________________________________________

Within your community.
(1)______________________________________________

(2)______________________________________________

(3)______________________________________________

(4)______________________________________________

(5)______________________________________________

(6)______________________________________________

Written by: Neal Boese and Patricia Haller, Produced by the Division for Congregational Ministries, ELCA.

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About Me

Name: Yvonne Hambrick
ChristiansUnite ID: 4jehovahjireh
Member Since: 2007-10-04
Location: Bedford Heights, Ohio, United States
Denomination: NonDenominational
About Me: This my code just from the living word of God: Ephesians CHAPTER 3:12-21 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. ... more

Nov. 2007