Spiritual Gift: Faith

The gift of faith is probably one of the most misunderstood spiritual gifts. It is found in 1 Corinthians 12:9. The gift of faith is not the same faith that every Christian should have, faith in the risen Christ. Remember: ALL Spiritual gifts are given by God and ARE TO BE USED for the edification and encouragement of the Church, or body of believers. The gift of faith is NOT a lack of worrying. It does not mean that you are not worried about bills being paid, not worried about a living situation, etc. Again...the gift of faith is for the encouragement and edification of the Church.

The spiritual gift of faith has to do with believing God for what He wants to accomplish in the church’s ministry, that He will lead and provide. Read that again, that is the definition. The context of the gift of faith in 1 Corinthians 12:9 is miracles (another spiritual gift). The gift of faith allows people to believe that not only will God lead and provide, but will perform miracles. So, if you have the gift of faith, you SHOULD be using it in a Church context, for the encouragement of believers. EX: You will be used by the Lord to encourage those to have faith and by you having the gift of Faith, the Church will be encouraged and have faith at the needed time.

*Any time I use the word Church (capital C) over the next 15-16 days, I am describing a body of believers who have trusted in Christ's death on the cross for their sins and his resurrection so they could have life. This Church is not just inside a building, and your spiritual gift(s) can be used at work, school, etc.

16 Days of Spiritual Gifts

The topic of spiritual gifts is something I sometimes get frustrated with, due to the lack of understanding most people have. Although the responsibility of teaching people and equipping them lies in the hands of the church leaders (Ephesians 4:11-12).

So here is my plan: Over the next 16 days, starting tomorrow (7/19/09), I will address what each spiritual gift is, where we can find it in scripture, and what they look like when utilized in the Church. Today will count as Day 0 and I will explain how and when we get spiritual gifts, what they are for, and the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents.

How and when do we get spiritual gifts?

When we trust in Jesus Christ that he died for our sins and arose 3 days later we are saved. We are then sealed w/ the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

What are spiritual gifts for?

Spiritual Gifts are for the edification of the body (the Church)! They are not positions in a church (although those are layed out in scripture), they are not to be used for our glory, and they are not to be kept caged up inside. They are for God's glory and the encouragement of the church (1 Cor. 12:7, 11; Eph. 4:12).

What is the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents?

Natural Talents Spiritual Gifts

1. Source: From God, through parents From God, independent of parents

2. Possessed: From birth From conversion

3. Purpose: To benefit mankind on natural level To benefit mankind on spiritual level

4. Process: Must be recognized, developed, Must be recognized, developed, exercised

exercised

5. Function: Should be dedicated by believers Should be used to God's glory

to God for His use and glory

Hopefully that is clear. Remember these things, especially that gifts should be used as encouragement to the body, as I describe each gift over the next couple weeks. I love you all and here is the days I will go over each gift. Please feel free to ask questions if things are confusing.

Date Gift

7/19 Faith

7/20 Mercy

7/21 Giving

7/22 Speaking in Tongues

7/23 Interpretation of Tongus

7/24 Leading/Administrating

7/25 Healing

7/26 Miracles

7/27 Exhorting

7/28 Serving

7/29 Teaching/ Shepherding

7/30 Utterance of Wisdom

7/31 Ability to distinguish between spirits (Holy Spirit and demons).

8/1 Prophecy

8/2 Apostleship

8/3 Evangelism

The Afterglow

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -Psalm 119:105

The Word of God is a living thing. It is something that when handled carefully and applied to our lives can cause serious transformation, through the power of the Holy Spirit. When reading this Psalm we notice right away that the Word is light. This means that there is a need for light, that this light is obviously in contrast to darkness.

When I was in the Army, part of my job was to program sensors, tactically plant them in enemy territory, and still be aware of my surrounding enemy. All this ALWAYS took place in pure darkness. It was my job to make sure that not only could I tell the sensors apart by touch, but to connect all the proper cables and perform planting procedures all by memory and touch. This meant that I had to be constantly training and making sure I was memorizing ways to effectively do these necessary things. The purpose of these sensors was to monitor and eventually capture any enemy.

The Christian life can be the same. In a world full of darkness (injustice, sexual immorality, etc.), we must train ourselves in the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) and be prepared to combat the enemy that lurks in the darkness. Knowing and memorizing the Word is a MUST!!! To brighten our paths, we need to be active in memorizing scripture so we can not only see and understand the path God has for us, but to also be a lamp to our enemy. This is one of the highest calls and responsibilities of a Christian.

Lately, when I approach God through prayer, I have had a hard time staying focused. My thoughts are scattered with my daily "to-do list" and other less important things. While reading Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love" I came across a powerful verse with a powerful visual.

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is filled with his glory!" And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." -Isaiah 6:1-7

Sometimes we forget who we are approaching. We have access to the Creator of the world. The one who put the sun the exact amount of distance from us necessary so we don't burn or freeze. The one who can create an earth that spins at high speeds endlessly while we walk around without being affected. This one, is the one who is responsible for creating you exactly the way you are, what a sense of humor huh?

As you read through the passage, focus in on the seraphim (angel). He covers his face and feet, but why?
1. The Lord is too holy to look at (verse 3).
2. The covered feet could signify humility before God, or even standing on holy ground.

Whenever you see Holy, holy, holy (3 times) it is explaining God's supreme and perfect holiness. Here is my favorite part:
Despite the angel covering his eyes, and Isaiah being a simple human, God lets Isaiah see Him, and live!!! Isaiah, in my language, says that he is unclean (a sinner) and is humbled before God. What does God do, other than letting Isaiah see Him face to face? He uses the seraphim to cleanse Isaiah of his sins. How amazing!!!

My Daddy Date with Jesus

I love my monthly days of solitude with Jesus. He set the example for us over and over in Scripture, no matter how busy He was, he always got away to spend quiet time with the Father (Matthew 26:26-46). I have tried to make this a discipline, and it is always so healing and rewarding. So...here is some stuff I learned today.

1) There was a group of birds flying and they were so in sync and seemed to know there role. The lead bird would stray off to the back of the group so another could lead, and the cycle continued. Romans 12:3-8 talks about the church being one body with many different functions. I really want to see the church become like this group of birds. If everyone would seek God and realize their gift and that it has been given to encourage the church, how awesome would life be together as a body of believers?

2) I watched these beautiful waves just crash into the cliffs today. The beach always is such a clear evidence to me that God exists. Romans 1:18-23 talks about the wrath of God being revealed through His creation. It was so evident to see these powerful waves crash into the the wall and come to their end in an instant. God's wrath is real and I hope that people come to trust in Christ alone to save them from the wrath they so rightly deserve.

3) I always wanted to be able to dim the sun and look at the form, structure, and even the texture of it, but God created it to where we can't stare at it without our eyes being damaged. God the Father is a Spirit that if we were able to look at would shatter our eyes in an instant. The sun was a reminder of that to me today. 

4) I love the beauty of the ocean top. Watching it is like medicine for my soul. However, there is a whole other world I often forget about in the ocean. It is something i do not understand. Why can't I breathe underwater? Why are there all those other kinds of creatures under there? All I know is that it is a vast mystery of God that I can rejoice in not understanding.

5) The clouds were forming over head, but not blocking the sun. In the Old Testament God would be with Israel in the form of clouds. I think that this is a constant reminder, especially for me through this divorce process, that God is with us.

I love Jesus. He is real. Because we are sinners, by birth, we have a fractured relationship with Him. He sent Jesus, perfect man & perfect God, to take our punishment on the cross. Whoever puts their complete trust in Him and his sacrifice will be seen perfect in God's eyes and will spend eternity in Heaven, instead of eternal punishment. Peace!!

Are you New?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

On February 9, 2005 I trusted in Jesus Christ with all my life. This was not an, "Ok...I believe a set of facts; Jesus died and was resurrected 3 days later for my sins so I can go to heaven. This is not TRUST!! To truly be regenerate (born again) we must have a complete trust in Jesus Christ.

When this happens, something crazy will follow. You will change. The old nasty person you once were will start rapidly changing and conforming into the image of Jesus Christ. This should be unstoppable!! We are given God the Holy Spirit when we trust in Jesus. This combined with our understanding of our salvation and what we were saved from (eternal torment), should produce good works (James 2:14-26; please read).

When I trusted in the works and person of Jesus Christ, I had friends who did the same...I think. However, there has been no visual change in their lives. When I ask them about their relationship w/ Jesus they usually say, "What do you expect Wes...reading the Bible and praying isn't for everyone. You are the weird pastor dude!!!" This kills me inside, because trusting in Christ is not believing a set of facts so you can get a free ride to heaven, because that will only get you on an elevator that goes down.

Here is a quick litmus test to whether or not you are saved by Jesus:

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.  -1 John 3:9-10   

Yes we all sin, but when you do it purposely thinking that it is okay because Jesus died for you, discipline will take place, if you are saved. We must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20, please read, even post on your wall), and be in the offensive mode of killing sin. Really...KILL SIN! It is nasty and destroying this world from the inside out.

If you have not trusted in Jesus, please let me or someone who has know. It will be the best decision you can and will ever make.  

Good Friday To-Do-List

Good Friday is the day of celebration of Jesus’ crucifixion.  It is by far the most important day in the history of the world. What makes it good? The fact that Jesus, 100% God/100% man, took on all the wrath that ALL mankind deserves in exchange for our freedom.  All who TRUST in Him (trusting that He did die for our sins and rose 3 days later so we can have eternal life with Him) will be saved from the eternal wrath of God.

With this being said, and without me rambling on for hours, Good Friday should be a day of meditating on what was accomplished through the cross. I believe this should be done everyday, but at least we should celebrate this whole day. I will be making Friday a full day off and giving all my thoughts and time to Him. Below I have compiled a list of some ways we can focus and cherish our Lord and Savior. Please take some time and really consider some or all of these, it will not only honor your Creator, but I PROMISE it will make your day better, and even make you fall deeper in love with God.

 

1.    Pray for 30 minutes. This might seem long, but it will go fast and I believe it   will prepare you for the rest of this list. Just talk to Him…then try being completely silent, just listening. Be sure to do this where you won’t be distracted. Turn off your phone as well!

2.                 2.     Read slowly through Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  This is a prophecy written about Jesus approx.       500 years before his birth. Really meditate on each verse and realize that this horrific scene       was for you.

      3.       Read Psalm 22. This is another prophecy pointing to Jesus, 1,000 years prior. Meditate         in these verses as well.

 4.   Read Matthew 26:36-28:20 and John 17-21 (additional reading: Mark 14-16   and Luke 22:39-Luke 24). Read over these as if reading a normal book.

       5.    Read this article: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/119

I have used this for the Bible study I am currently leading and it is a very great study including medical facts of what Jesus went through. Grab a box of tissues, even men as well!!!

6.    Lastly (you can do more if you wish), write a list on your computer, in your  journal, or get it tattooed on you what you learned on Good Friday. I promise this will be life changing. Take some time and pray, thanking Jesus for what he has done for you.