Did I Do That?

Spiritual Gifts:

     But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it....
   It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ....
     From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work....
     We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
     If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully....
     All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:7, 11-13, 16; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:11

Defining Moments:

      God made you with an inborn set of natural abilities, things that have just always come easily to you. Maybe you have a nice singing voice or a flair for calligraphy. Maybe you're good with numbers or can fix anything on wheels. You've trained these abilities, honed them. But the raw materials and understanding were built into your natural makeup. They are gifts from God in every sense of the word.
      Now that you've become a Christian, though, God, has given you an extra set of gifts--spiritual gifts--to equip you to play the vital role He's given you in His church. Where natural gift may dictate the kind of work you've chosen, the hobbies you enjoy, or the subjects you like most in school, spiritual gifts are designed to activate your field of ministry. They supercharge you with un-natural abilities to give, to comfort, to challenge, or to speak with boldness. They won't take the place of the things you do well, but they will open up new vistas of opportunity--and responsibility--for you to be all that God created you to be.

Next Up:

     God has given you an indescribable gift and the incredible experience of living in His power. But Christianity isn't all about receiving. Are you ready to give it all?

You already had a nice little handful of talents before you came to God. But look at you now.

     " Every member of the Body has the potential to be--and should be led and fed toward functioning as-a fully equipped agent of Jesus Christ."
          -Jack HAyford