"The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church" (1 Corinthians 12:7).
A friend once asked me, "Are all the spiritual gifts for today?" and "How can I discern my spiritual gifts?"
He had been reading a number of books with conflicting views on gifts and had heard sermons - some encouraging him to discover his gifts and others saying the gifts are not for today. He was woefully confused.
I shared with this friend that I have been a Christian for more than 35 years and have known the reality of the fullness of the Spirit for more than 30 years. I explained that I have seen God do remarkable - even miraculous - things in and through my life throughout the years.
Yet, I have not felt the need to "discover" my gifts, because I believe that whatever God calls me to do He will enable me to do if I am willing to trust and obey Him, work hard and discipline myself.
The Holy Spirit obviously controls and distributes all the gifts. So when I am filled, controlled and empowered with the Holy Spirit I possess all of the gifts potentially. God will give me any gifts I need.
I went on to tell my young friend that some of the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural enhancements of abilities common to all men, wisdom for instance. Other gifts, such as healing, are granted by the Holy Spirit to only a select few.
But the gifts differ in another way, too. Some are instantaneous, and others are developmental in nature. Primarily, we need to remember that whatever God calls us to do, He will enable us to do. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13, NAS).
TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I will dwell on God's ability to do in and through me what ever He calls upon me to do, rather than to spend precious time seeking to discover my spiritual gifts.
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