| Author |
Message |
Susan
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 1999 - 7:54 pm: |     |
Good point Linda! I haven't studied spiritual gifts in depth. But I do feel it's wrong for a church to emphasize one over another. My understanding is that we are to use our gifts to edify the body. I do realize that there's a time which we can be edified also, but I'm not sure this should be our biggest priority. I've heard of people at a local charasmatic type church saying "they need to go on Wed. nights to get their fix", I'm not sure I understand this need. I have no problem with raising hands, contemporary music and tounges. As long as it's done in a biblical way. I don't participate in some of these, but it certainly doesn't bother me.
We've been attending a non-denominational church for about a year and it's also a bit charasmatic. I find the music very uplifting and worshipful. But I also have had very worshipful experiences in more traditional settings. Our current church seems to lack some of the reverence and quiet times that I enjoy. Worship can be very satisfying in churches that sing the great hymns of the faith, and that celebrate the richness of the creeds and the Christian calendar. I have to say that I deeply miss these things at our current church.
CRI has a good tape series by Walter Martin on spiritual gifts. It helped me a great deal to have a better understanding. But I still have much to learn.
For me I just want to use the gifts God has given me. I think if some were more inclined to use what they already have instead of seeking more, the body would be richly blessed. We all have so much to offer for the work of the kingdom. I know that I have to remind myself of this all the time. It's easy to feel like you don't have much to offer. But since we're created in His image, and He's promised these gifts, then we should be thankful and not worry. |
Joni
| | Posted on Thursday, October 14, 1999 - 1:22 am: | |
In 1Cor. Paul is answering some problems that the Church had 7:1.
One of the problems they were having were with spiritual gifts. "Now concerning spiritual gifts I do not want you to be unaware"....
It seems that one of the problems they had with spiritual gifts was desiring what others had, and not using or reconizing their own. It caused problems and it seems they were out of control. Sound familiar?
You are right. We should be available to God at all times and use what He has endowed us with, instead of seeking out others. Maybe then we would have more blessings and encouraging and uplifting in the body.
I have been praying about the music thing. I have asked the Lord to change the music or change me. It seems that He is doing a little of both.
I am grateful for His changing power in my life. I am thankful that He shows me where I need to change, and believe me it has been in a few places. |
Colleentinker
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 1999 - 7:54 pm: | |
I have to share something I heard last night at the women's Bible study at our church. Elizabeth Inrig, our senior pastor's wife and the director for women's ministries for the Evangelical Free Church in N. America, gave a small talk. She is inspiring and humble and truly a Christ-follower.
She said that when the Spirit fills us and directs our lives, Ephesians 2:1-10 becomes true for us. Verses 8-10 say, "For it isby grace you have been saved, through faithóand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godónot by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
She said our job is to relax, to let the Holy Spirit direct our activites and show us what we need to do. After all, he has already prepared the good works he has in mind for us to do. Sometimes we get full of good ideas, and we aren't sure whether they're from God or from ourselves. But, she said, God calls us to rest and not to be frantic. As we submit to his Spirit, God will make sure that we do the things he wants us to, and we can let go of the things we can't get done.
It was what I needed to hear. We are in God's heart and in his sovereign will, and he will use us as he needs us. We can relax knowing that our lives are his, and he will help us to accomplish the things that are important to him for us to accomplish.
That's what our Sabbath rest in Jesus is all about, is it not?
My prayers continue for this site and for everyone who comes here. Praise God for grace and peace and wisdom and love!
Colleen |
|
