Step 1. Open your heart to God in prayer.
Step 2. Be ready to apply your gifts.
Step 3. Get informed.
Step 4. Begin with what you enjoy.
Step 5. Experiment as much as possible.
Step 6. Verify your effectiveness.
Step 7. Seek the opinions of others.
Step 8. Utilize a formal spiritual gifts inventory. Click on the spiritual gifts link on this page.
WHENEVER YOU DISCOVER A SPECIFIC GIFT, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE IT.
Find out where your gifts are most urgently needed.
Gifts and tasks must correspond.
Gifts must be developed.
FIVE SUFFERING LAWS
By Charles Swindoll
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
When it comes to physical healing, often confusion reigns. To combat it, I’d like to point out five “laws” of suffering. These “laws” will do more to help the hurting and erase their confusion than perhaps anything else they could read.
Law One: There are two classifications of sin.
1. Original sin . . . the inherited sin nature traceable to Adam, original "head" of the human race (Romans 5:12a).
2. Personal sins . . . individual acts of wrong we regularly commit (Romans 3:23).
Because we all have an inherited sin nature (the root), we commit sins (the fruit).
Law Two: Original sin introduced suffering, illness, and death to the human race (Romans 5:12b).
Had there never been the presence of original sin in the Garden of Eden, mankind would never have known sickness or death. In the broadest sense of the word, all sickness and suffering today are the result of original sin. Literally, the Lord told Adam "in the day that you eat from it, dying you will die" (Genesis 2:17).
Law Three: Sometimes there is a direct relationship between personal sins and sickness.
David testified of such in Psalm 32:3-5 and 38:3-5. Paul warned that some of the Corinthian believers were "weak and sick" and a number of them were dead
(1 Corinthians 11:27-30) because they were sinning.
Law Four: Sometimes there is no relationship between personal sins and sickness.
Some are born with afflictions---suffering before they ever reach the age of committing sins (John 9:1-3; Acts 3:1-2). Others, like Job (1:1-5), are living upright lives when suffering occurs. Jesus Himself "sympathizes with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15) rather than rebuking us because we have sinned. Remember, "although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus never committed sins, yet He suffered. .
Law Five: It is not God’s will that everyone be healed in this life.
Those who believe it is invariably support their convictions with the words of Isaiah:
By His scourging we are healed. (53:5b)
The whole flow of thought in the fifty-third chapter has to do with the inner, spiritual needs of humanity and Christ’s priceless provision. That is why He was wounded and bruised. That is why He died . . . not to heal sick people but to give life to dead ones.
Every time healing happens, God has done it. It occurs daily. Occasionally it is miraculous. More often, it is aided by proper diagnosis, expert medical care, essential medicinal assistance, plus common sense. No hocus pocus. No mumbo jumbo. No hot-shot carnal circus. When God heals there is no way humans can grab the glory.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
When it comes to physical healing, often confusion reigns. To combat it, I’d like to point out five “laws” of suffering. These “laws” will do more to help the hurting and erase their confusion than perhaps anything else they could read.
Law One: There are two classifications of sin.
1. Original sin . . . the inherited sin nature traceable to Adam, original "head" of the human race (Romans 5:12a).
2. Personal sins . . . individual acts of wrong we regularly commit (Romans 3:23).
Because we all have an inherited sin nature (the root), we commit sins (the fruit).
Law Two: Original sin introduced suffering, illness, and death to the human race (Romans 5:12b).
Had there never been the presence of original sin in the Garden of Eden, mankind would never have known sickness or death. In the broadest sense of the word, all sickness and suffering today are the result of original sin. Literally, the Lord told Adam "in the day that you eat from it, dying you will die" (Genesis 2:17).
Law Three: Sometimes there is a direct relationship between personal sins and sickness.
David testified of such in Psalm 32:3-5 and 38:3-5. Paul warned that some of the Corinthian believers were "weak and sick" and a number of them were dead
(1 Corinthians 11:27-30) because they were sinning.
Law Four: Sometimes there is no relationship between personal sins and sickness.
Some are born with afflictions---suffering before they ever reach the age of committing sins (John 9:1-3; Acts 3:1-2). Others, like Job (1:1-5), are living upright lives when suffering occurs. Jesus Himself "sympathizes with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15) rather than rebuking us because we have sinned. Remember, "although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus never committed sins, yet He suffered. .
Law Five: It is not God’s will that everyone be healed in this life.
Those who believe it is invariably support their convictions with the words of Isaiah:
By His scourging we are healed. (53:5b)
The whole flow of thought in the fifty-third chapter has to do with the inner, spiritual needs of humanity and Christ’s priceless provision. That is why He was wounded and bruised. That is why He died . . . not to heal sick people but to give life to dead ones.
Every time healing happens, God has done it. It occurs daily. Occasionally it is miraculous. More often, it is aided by proper diagnosis, expert medical care, essential medicinal assistance, plus common sense. No hocus pocus. No mumbo jumbo. No hot-shot carnal circus. When God heals there is no way humans can grab the glory.
Sunday Evening Service
LAST SUNDAY AT OUR EVENING SERVICE, WE HAD A GREAT MEAL, LOTS OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP AND BEGAN THE SERIES OF “CHRISTIANITY AND WORLD RELIGIONS”.
ADAM HAMILTON, SENIOR PASTOR OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION, DISCUSSED FOUR KEY QUESTIONS WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND AS WE GET INTO OUR STUDY:
1. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT RELIGIONS?
2. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS VIEW OTHER RELIGIONS?
3. HOW IS GOD AT WORK IN OTHER RELIGIONS?
4, WHAT IS THE FATE OF THOSE WHO EARNESTLY PUIRSUE GOD THROUGH OTHER RELEGIONS?
SOME VERY INTERESTING STATISTICS WERE POINTED OUT IN HIS BOOK, WHICH I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO GET: (SEE PASTOR)
THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 6 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
TWO (2) BILLION, OR ABOUT ONE-THIRD, ARE CHRISTIANS.
ONE POINT THREE (1.3) BILLION ARE MUSLIMS
900 MILLION ARE HINDUS.
360 MILION ARE BUDDHISTS.
14 MILLION ARE JEWISH
IN THE USA 77% OF POPULATION CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN
15% CLAIM NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
1.3% ARE JEWISH
1.5% ARE MUSLIM, BUDDHISTS AND HINDUS.
DURING THE LAST DECADE, CHRISTIANITY GREW AT A RATE OF 5%
BUT
ISLAM GREW AT RATE OF 110%
BUDDHISM AT RATE OF 170%
HINDUISM AT RATE OF 237%
STAGGERING STATISTICS ARE THEY NOT? WHY??
IN ORDER TO BEGIN OUR UNDERSTANDING, WE LOOKED AT THREE VIEWS
1. THE PURALIST PERSPECTIVE - ALL RELIGIONS ARE EQUALLY VALID PATHS TO ULTIMATE REALITY, OR GOD.
2. THE EXCLUSIVIST PERSPECTIVE - ALL WHO DO NOT ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD WILL BE CONDEMNED TO HELL.
3. THE INCLUSIVIST PERSPECTIVE - GOD IS AT WORK AMONG ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, EVEN WHERE THERE IS NO CHRISTIAN WITNESS..
WITH ALL THE PUBLICITY TODAY CONCERNING RELIGION, THE NUTURE COMMITTEE STRONGLY URGES YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS SERIES, SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE FAITH OF THE OTHER RELIGIONS. HOW CAN WE TAKE OUR FAITH TO THEM IF WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR FAITH?????
NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL BEGIN OUR STUDY OF HINDUISM. PLEASE JOIN US.
ADAM HAMILTON, SENIOR PASTOR OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION, DISCUSSED FOUR KEY QUESTIONS WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND AS WE GET INTO OUR STUDY:
1. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT RELIGIONS?
2. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS VIEW OTHER RELIGIONS?
3. HOW IS GOD AT WORK IN OTHER RELIGIONS?
4, WHAT IS THE FATE OF THOSE WHO EARNESTLY PUIRSUE GOD THROUGH OTHER RELEGIONS?
SOME VERY INTERESTING STATISTICS WERE POINTED OUT IN HIS BOOK, WHICH I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO GET: (SEE PASTOR)
THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 6 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
TWO (2) BILLION, OR ABOUT ONE-THIRD, ARE CHRISTIANS.
ONE POINT THREE (1.3) BILLION ARE MUSLIMS
900 MILLION ARE HINDUS.
360 MILION ARE BUDDHISTS.
14 MILLION ARE JEWISH
IN THE USA 77% OF POPULATION CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN
15% CLAIM NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
1.3% ARE JEWISH
1.5% ARE MUSLIM, BUDDHISTS AND HINDUS.
DURING THE LAST DECADE, CHRISTIANITY GREW AT A RATE OF 5%
BUT
ISLAM GREW AT RATE OF 110%
BUDDHISM AT RATE OF 170%
HINDUISM AT RATE OF 237%
STAGGERING STATISTICS ARE THEY NOT? WHY??
IN ORDER TO BEGIN OUR UNDERSTANDING, WE LOOKED AT THREE VIEWS
1. THE PURALIST PERSPECTIVE - ALL RELIGIONS ARE EQUALLY VALID PATHS TO ULTIMATE REALITY, OR GOD.
2. THE EXCLUSIVIST PERSPECTIVE - ALL WHO DO NOT ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD WILL BE CONDEMNED TO HELL.
3. THE INCLUSIVIST PERSPECTIVE - GOD IS AT WORK AMONG ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, EVEN WHERE THERE IS NO CHRISTIAN WITNESS..
WITH ALL THE PUBLICITY TODAY CONCERNING RELIGION, THE NUTURE COMMITTEE STRONGLY URGES YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS SERIES, SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE FAITH OF THE OTHER RELIGIONS. HOW CAN WE TAKE OUR FAITH TO THEM IF WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEIR FAITH?????
NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL BEGIN OUR STUDY OF HINDUISM. PLEASE JOIN US.
HI Lord
Hi Lord, it’s me.
We are getting older and things are getting bad here.
Gas prices are too high, no jobs, food and heating costs too high.
I know some have taken you out of our schools, government and even
Christmas, but Lord I'm asking you to come back
And re-bless America .
We really need you!
There are more of us who want you than those who don't!
Thank You Lord,
I Love you.
We are getting older and things are getting bad here.
Gas prices are too high, no jobs, food and heating costs too high.
I know some have taken you out of our schools, government and even
Christmas, but Lord I'm asking you to come back
And re-bless America .
We really need you!
There are more of us who want you than those who don't!
Thank You Lord,
I Love you.
Science?
I recently read an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about modern polar bears sharing a common ancestor with the brown bear. I of course took this as further proof of God's creation, God created bears and through natural selection we have many colors, shapes, and sizes of bears just like people. The article troubled me though as it illustrated what "science" has become. The article states the findings : Mitochondrial DNA found in polar bears match that of brown bear bones found in Ireland which is very interesting but then the scientist went into a in depth fantasy, trying to explain how this is possible without providing any additional evidence. The author makes the statement that after the bears crossed the land bridge between Russia and Alaska all the bears must of died except for the ones from this one mother bear. What a leap just to avoid the possibilities that all bears come from the original pair from the Ark. Science has become story telling, theory defending, and consensus building. Christians are guilty of this as well but we would expect it from people who have a religious belief guiding them. I believe secular scientist are approaching discovery in a very religious manner, looking to prove their belief in evolution as a Christian my look at data to prove creationism. I wish we could teach our children that facts are provable and reproducible and they should come up with their own conclusions not just spit back whatever conclusion the writers of standardized testing put their faith in.
THE ROAD OF LIFE
Author unknown
At first, I saw God as my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
Later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike. I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life hasn’t been quite the same since then. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable…..It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He’d lean back and say, “Pedal”.
I worried and was anxious, and asked, “Well, where are You taking me?” He laughed and never answered, and I started to learn to trust Him. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared”, then He would lean back and He would touch my hand.
I didn’t trust Him at first, not in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend and take sharp corners, how to jump to clear high rocks, He knows how to shorten scary passages.
I’m learning to just shut up and pedal! We go to the strangest places together. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He smiles and says……“Pedal.”
At first, I saw God as my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
Later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike. I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life hasn’t been quite the same since then. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable…..It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He’d lean back and say, “Pedal”.
I worried and was anxious, and asked, “Well, where are You taking me?” He laughed and never answered, and I started to learn to trust Him. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared”, then He would lean back and He would touch my hand.
I didn’t trust Him at first, not in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend and take sharp corners, how to jump to clear high rocks, He knows how to shorten scary passages.
I’m learning to just shut up and pedal! We go to the strangest places together. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He smiles and says……“Pedal.”
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