Who Me, Gifted?Sample

Your Spiritual Birthday Gift

The Greek word used for the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is charismata, the giving of divine gifts. The day we are born again, we receive at least one spiritual gift – a spiritual birthday gift.” These gifts are to be used to build up the body of Christ and because they are gifts, we cannot boast or take credit for them.

When we fully understand this, we will not be puffed up with conceit if we have been given a strong gifting nor will we feel discouraged if we have not been given a specific gift. Instead, our focus should be on using our spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.

If members of the spiritual body of Christ do not use their gifts for the common good of the church, everyone suffers. Ironically, those who refuse to use their gifts suffer the greatest loss because the use of our gifts brings fulfillment, spiritual maturity, and unexpected blessings.

God has individualized gifts and an individualized expression of those gifts specifically for you. Not using your gifts is an affront to the wisdom of God, a rebuff to God's love and grace, and it is a great loss for His church.

Ephesians 4:8 says, "When He [Jesus] ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men." Our spiritual gifts are Jesus's trophy for His victory, His reward for His death and resurrection. Our spiritual gifts are Jesus's own possession, and yet He chooses to give us those gifts.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me spiritual gifts. Help me to use my gift to build up the body of Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others"(Romans 12:4-5).

For more teachings, books, and downloadable resources from Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, visit us online at www.LTW.org.