Sunday, 23 October 2022
PUT YOUR GIFTS TO WORK
And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed -- keep that dusted off and in use (1 Timothy 4:14 MSG).
If you aren’t careful to watch whatever God gives you, you could lose it. And part of watching it is that you’re using it. For example, if you were given the gift of prophecy and you aren’t using it, after a while, it’ll become more diffcult for you to manifest that gift or edify the church with it.
It brings to mind the question a dear lady once asked me. She said, “Pastor Chris, when I got born again, I was blessed with the gift of prophecy, but I don’t know where the gift has gone; what can I do?” First, Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” That means He doesn’t take them away.
For that dear lady, the gift was always in her; it didn’t go anywhere. She was the one that might have strayed from it or made it dormant by not using it. If you’re in a similar situation today, it’s simple what you should do: Get back in the fow of the Spirit, and stay in it. First, make sure your commitment to God is very clear in your spirit. Be totally committed to serving the Lord.
Secondly, get back to praying. Prophecy is bringing forth the Word of God that’s given to your spirit. But you don’t get that Word when you’re not in fellowship with Him. Get yourself back to fellowshipping with the Lord, and your spirit will be stirred.
Thirdly, pray in tongues more often; this will energize, strengthen and inspire your spirit. It’ll make your spirit become more sensitive. Then, study the Word and meditate on it. Remember, it’s the Holy Spirit who inspires prophecy in your spirit, and He’s the author of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16). He’ll make His Word and message more palatable to your spirit. And because your spirit has become more sensitive, you’d be able to pick His Word, His message, and make it available to yourself, and to God’s people in prophecy. Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of prophecy. I'm inspired and aided by the prophetic intimations I receive by the Spirit even now. I declare that my life is for your glory; my future is that of success, progress, and prosperity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I dwell continually in peace, divine health, and in your grace, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Corinthians 14:39; Jude 1:20 AMPC; 2 Timothy 1:6
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Timothy 5:1-25 & Jeremiah 13-14
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 11:17-40 & Ezekiel 22