Barnabas Bulletin ~ 0159
HOLY SPIRIT ADVANTAGES
“But the manifestation(“a making known; exhibition, i.e. expression. The act of demonstrating”) of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit (“advantage; be better for”) of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
There are tremendous benefits when we will make good use of the gifts that God has given to every Holy Spirit-filled believer. God knows exactly what we need in order to fulfil His purposes here on earth; and He has given nine beautiful and powerful Spiritual Gifts to enable us to encourage and build up people wherever we go.
- We cannot meet spiritual needs with natural remedies!
- The most effective way to minister to people is Spirit to spirit; allowing the Holy Spirit to give us the right words and actions when we minister to others.
Because these Spiritual Gifts are given to us by God they are therefore very important that we learn how to minister them effectively to others. They should not be for a selected few to function in; they are inside every Holy Spirit-filled believer in Jesus Christ. They are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ and HE LIVES INSIDE OF US! That means wherever you and I go the Holy Spirit and His Gifts are available to us to minister in loving, beautiful and powerful ways. We ignore them to our loss. As the Scripture declares, they are given to each of us, so everyone can profit through their being released out of us. They bring the God-factor into our ministry and witnessing for Jesus. So many more needs are met and answers given to people when we are functioning in the gifts that God has given to us.
My testimony is that the most signs, wonders, miracles and healings that I have seen in my ministry have been as a direct result of the Holy Spirit showing me what to say and do, and giving me the knowledge to set people free from whatever it is they are struggling with. Exercising Spiritual Gifts has opened up the world for me to minister. Why? People are hungry for reality. Most Christians do not need “another sermon”! They are often crying out for an answer to things they are going through. A word of knowledge, wisdom, discerning of spirits, prophecy, faith, healing, miracles, tongues and interpretation of tongues are available to those who will listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His instructions. These nine Spiritual Gifts are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and they have to be expressed ~ demonstrated ~ if they are to provide answers to people. Tragically so few are encouraged or taught to live and work in this dimension of the Holy Spirit. While they sit dormant inside of us they are actually quite useless. They have to be released, exercised, spoken-out, to get the benefits of why they were given in the first place. That is why we are exhorted in Scripture to “earnestly desire” these gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 12, 39 ~ please take time to read 1 Corinthians Chapters 12 to 14).
- The fact is we need them activated and flowing out of us to get God-results.
I call the nine Spiritual Gifts “the Christians tools of the trade.” They are an essential part of our walk with Jesus Christ. Remember, Spiritual Gifts are God’s idea, not mine.
- He gave them because He knows they are essential if we want to be more fruitful in our Christian walk and service for God.
I am so grateful to God that I learned early in my Christian walk to see the benefits of exercising Spiritual Gifts, and I have been pursuing the voice of God so that I will hear Him as clearly as I can. My desire is to be obedient to God.
- Every one of the Spiritual Gifts is a variation of the voice of God.
- I have learned to recognize the voice of God more clearly as a result of exercising Spiritual Gifts.
- So many things have happened, and so many more people have been blessed and had needs met as a result of my releasing Spiritual Gifts out of my life.
Many ask, “How do they function?” The main motivation is love for God and people. I mean a love that makes us sincerely desire to want to do the best we can for others. And the best way we can do that is for us to listen to the voice of God and be prepared to do whatever He tells us (John 2:5). My experience is that when God speaks I always have to do something practical. I have to exercise faith and demonstrate to God that I believe Him, and I have to step out and deliver the message, gift, deed, etc., to the person or people that He is asking me to. So often I have no natural knowledge as to whether people have a certain condition, cry, need, etc., but I have learned that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; He is always right.
- The more we co-operate with Him and obey what He asks, the more right we will get things too. Praise the Lord!
And when we are obedient to the Holy Spirit there is always a testimony on the other side of our obedience. Know this:
- When we are genuinely motivated by love when ministering to others we are not going to make a serious mistake.
- We should always maintain a teachable spirit so that we continue to learn and grow in the things of the Holy Spirit.
Let us not be guilty of ignoring or neglecting these wonderful Spiritual Gifts that God has given to us to fulfil His purposes. You will be so glad you pressed through to prove the reality, blessing and fruit that come as a result of our working together with the Holy Spirit and His Gifts. Be released today to flow more in the Holy Spirit Ministry! God bless you ~ Rodney W. Francis.
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14;
Prayer: “Dear Lord God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, and I ask You to help me to break free from every doubt, circumstance, mind-set or wrong teaching that tries to rob me of the fulfilling of Your promises to me through the operation of Your Spiritual Gifts. I ask You to help me to have a much bigger believing heart so that I can earnestly desire and persevere more, and demonstrate my faith and belief in You much more positively. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.