Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and that indwelling comes with many blessings. If we listen to Him, He will guide us to a closer walk with our Lord and will keep us from straying in our walk. We have a choice as to whether or not we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but our life is more fulfilling when we are led by the Spirit. As we draw closer to our Lord, it’s only natural that we would want to please Him more. We find instructions about how to please Him as we read Scripture. When we prayerfully study Scripture, the Holy Spirit will open our minds to understanding.
Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9).
As you read, you’ll find that the great heroes of Scripture were just people like us. Adam was first and found out that choices made without heeding God’s guidance are always bad choices. Cain and Abel were brothers who were very different in their choices. Abel desired to please God by following His ways, while Cain knew God but didn’t honor Him. When God rejected Cain’s half-hearted efforts, Cain killed his brother.
Abraham was called out of a pagan society and chose to listen to the voice of God. When he and his wife tried to “help” God fulfill the promise that they would have a son, their choice was a poor one. Eventually, they did have a son named Isaac, and his lineage has brought a great blessing to all people. I could keep naming names, but you can read Scripture for yourself.
When Jesus began His ministry, He chose twelve men to follow Him and learn. It must have been a wild bunch who followed Him, but Jesus changed them using words and example. Jesus didn’t choose these men from high society or the religious leaders but chose fishermen, tax collectors, and others from among the common people. Jesus saw qualities in these men and knew they would spread the Gospel.
It wasn’t until after Jesus died and then rose from the dead that these disciples fully understood what He had been telling them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and were given spiritual gifts. We can only imagine what changes these men went through.
John and his brother James were nicknamed “Sons of thunder” by Jesus, but when we read John’s Gospel and his letters, we read the words of a man filled with the Holy Spirit. They are filled with love and power. Peter was also changed. He had always been the one to speak up and ask questions, or to make rash choices. But it was Peter who wrote two letters that are beautiful and encouraging. It was Peter who was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached a sermon to people who needed to hear about their sin and forgiveness through Christ. How was Peter able to speak words that changed people’s hearts? It was through the Holy Spirit.
Each one of the Apostles was changed by Christ, and because they listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and were willing to serve, the Gospel spread, and we understand that Good News today.
Are you aware that you are important to God? God lives outside of time and knew that you would accept His free gift of salvation even before you were born. He told the prophet Jeremiah,
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Jeremiah was reluctant to use the gift of prophecy, which God had given to him, but submitted to God and used his gift for God’s glory. Jeremiah felt he was too young to speak God’s words of prophecy, but God knew Jeremiah would do a good job, and he did. Do you feel inadequate to step out in faith to serve God? If so, it’s time to prepare for service. Learn God’s ways, and live to please Him. Study Scripture, and apply it to your life. Live your faith.
The Apostle Paul was a man who was drastically changed by meeting Jesus. Paul was an angry man who wanted to kill anybody who embraced Jesus as their Messiah. When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was never the same. His anger and hatred changed to love and a desire to share the Gospel with all people.
If you desire to be a missionary, study Paul’s missionary trips. He shared the Gospel openly and without fear. He wasn’t on a goodwill mission to teach people to grow food but a mission to save souls. He faced many hardships but never backed down from sharing the Gospel. Paul didn’t jump right into ministry, but he waited for God’s timing. We all need to be grounded in God’s truth before trying to teach others about Jesus.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
When you discover what God wants from you, be a willing servant. There are many spiritual gifts, and you need to allow God to lead you in His plan for you.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul admonishes us to be humble in using our gifts. Most people like to think that they have a special gift that’s better than other gifts, but all gifts are important for Christian service.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).
We are all sinners, from the most highly esteemed religious leader to the lowliest church mouse. Being humble doesn’t mean ignoring or neglecting what God has given to you. It means using your gift wisely and for God’s glory, not for praise from people. Set aside your pride and self-righteousness and let God choose what gift He wants to give you, and then allow Him to work through you.
The body of Christ is filled with people who have diverse strengths. If every Christian had the same gift, there would be a lot left undone. For instance, if everyone had the gift of teaching, who would serve by organizing food drives? Each gift is important, and yours may be something you haven’t even considered. Paul encouraged the use of gifts.
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).
In this way, all Christians are connected through our love for Jesus and our service to Him. I’m blessed to be in contact with Christians throughout the world, and it’s comforting to know that every country has Christians who are willing to serve Jesus, but sometimes that service means persecution. If you live in one of those countries that sees Christians as a threat, remember God sees your service. Jesus encouraged us to do good openly.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Using your spiritual gifts and doing good works go hand in hand. Your good works won’t bring salvation to you but just might be the light that leads a lost person to salvation. What a blessing that would be!
What are spiritual gifts? There are many, and Paul gives us a list of practical ones in his letter to the Romans.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:6-21).
Some things in this list are easy, but others are more difficult. I know I’m working on myself to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions and glorify God, and I hope you are too. It may be hard not to get even with someone who has mistreated you, but that doesn’t glorify God.
We see examples of people in Scripture who seem to have used their gifts wisely, and some stand out in my mind. Peter had been passing through Lydda, which was near to Joppa, and it’s there that we meet Tabitha.
“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36).
She must have been a remarkable woman. As a disciple, she was learning and knew what the Apostles taught, and she seems to have lived her faith.
“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber” (Acts 9:37).
Unless the Rapture happens, we will all die one day. How will you be remembered? Tabitha was loved, and her death was very sad for those who knew her. Since Peter was in Lydda, a message was sent asking him to come quickly, which he did. He was taken to where Tabitha’s body was in the upper chamber. The widows around her were crying, and they showed Peter the coats and garments which Tabitha had made. Tabitha used her skills to help others, and her kindness touched those who knew her. Isn’t that a wonderful way to use a gift from God? Do what you can with what’s given to you, in order to make other people’s lives a little better.
“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (Acts 9:40).
Tabitha was just one lady who served God, but there are others. Remember Lydia? She sold “purple” in the city of Thyatira. Paul encountered her as she worshipped God by the river. Paul spoke with the people worshipping there, and Lydia listened. She became a believer in Jesus Christ, and right away began using her gift of hospitality to serve Christ. Lydia invited Paul and Silas to stay in her home.
Paul and Silas had some trouble with a demon-possessed woman, and cast out her demons, which made her handlers very angry. They were arrested, beaten, and thrown in the dungeon. Instead of having a pity party, they prayed and sang praises to God. Then the earthquake happened. The prison doors were opened, but all the prisoners were still there when the jailer came to find them. Paul and Silas were released.
“And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed” (Acts 16:40).
Lydia opened her home to Paul and Silas, even after they had been in prison. There are many examples of men and women using their gifts from God in order to serve Him.
When you try to figure out what gifts God has given you, be sure to study Scripture. The Holy Spirit will speak to you if you draw near to God and listen. After that, just start doing things for others, such as being sure people have clothing, as Tabitha did, or opening your home when the Spirit tells you to do so, like Lydia. You have qualities that can be used for God’s glory. Use what you have been given to serve God. Spend less time worrying about “What can I do for God” and more time using your gifts. You’ll be surprised to find that in doing so, you are serving God.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).