Good Evening Ladies,
I cannot believe how quickly this study is winding down.
Today's topic is about the gifts of the spirit. I know I have briefly mentioned this topic in my previous writings earlier in the study. Each of us has specific God given gifts. We are able to utilize these gifts through the gift of the Holy Spirit. As Jennifer mentioned in the video today, I do not spend much time thinking about the Holy Spirit. But to quote today's reading, " Remember all gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do God's work." We are given our specific gifts and talents to glorify God and do complete and carry out God's work. I feel like this gives are lives true meaning and purpose. Have you been able to identify your specific spiritual gifts? Maybe you never really thought about the gifts you have within you through the Holy Spirit?
One of the gifts mentioned, and by far the biggest gift of all is Love. As Jennifer highlights the definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we see that Love encompasses so much more than what the four letter word implies. Within the gift of love, there are many different gifts, aspects, and opportunities to give the gift of love. For today's challenge I read the scripture in 1 Corinthians. I, like many people, remember this scripture very well as it was included in my wedding ceremony. I read the scripture and visited the website. The area of love I struggle with a lot is Trust. I struggle with trust because my husband has broken my trust in the past by lying and not being transparent with me. As the section about trust suggests, we are counseling at church with a Christian counselor weekly. Without trust intimacy becomes a challenge in a marriage. But we continue to pray and I continue to pray individually about this struggle. God has really been working in my marriage and slowly but steadily we press on improving and growing together.
So, did you take the challenge today? If so, what area of love do you struggle with?
http://unveiledwife.com/tag/what-is-love/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yym64kQ-Nkc
Today's devotional really hit home for me. I am still trying to figure out what gift(s) God has given me. This is an area that I have continuously struggled through. It is hard for me to see the good in things. I am very much a pessimist. The glass is always half empty in my point of view.
ReplyDeleteAs a result, it is much easier for me to see my weaknesses. For instance, I know that one of my greatest downfalls is my lack of self-confidence. I always doubt myself and for that reason, I have been unable to pinpoint my strengths (or gifts).
Ryan on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He always seems to find the bright side in things. He is very optimistic and light-hearted. He is very laid back and always goes with the flow. I think that is why God brought us together. Through his love, I overcome my deficiencies. He supports me in everything that I do and reminds me of the areas that I excel in. I plan to pray on this subject for the next few days. Hopefully, the Holy Spirit will reveal what my true gifts are.
Tuesday's devotional on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit was more or less new to me. I did see you mentioned it in previous posts, Trina.. and I tossed the idea around, but I never realized that God has blessed us each with gifts specifically from the Holy Spirit to fulfill His will. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really spent a lot of time thinking about this until now. I am praying for God to reveal my gifts to me, but I think one of them was a gift I realize now that I was given in high school. As I've mentioned before, I traveled to Pittsburgh, PA for a Faith Alive retreat where a team of only six of us across the U.S. went there to a host church and stayed with host families to share our testimony of faith. Although I had my own experiences with turning points in my life when I knew 100% that God was real and I felt his presence, I hadn't shared it with others until that trip. I prayed and prayed about what to say and how to say it to the youth group we shared with and God put the words right into my mouth. My testimony was the last of the group and it came out perfectly. Our group had a wonderful weekend of faith and fellowship and we left a lasting impression on that congregation. I think that was one of God's gifts to me. My ability to share my faith in Him with others. And in retrospect, I have had that same impact on a couple of high school classmates that told me I inspired them to learn more about faith in God.
I will continue to pray that God reveals His gifts to me through the Holy Spirit - especially as we finish this devotional and continue to strengthen our faith.
As far as the challenge topic goes, I read 1 Corinthians 4-8 a couple times and the area of love that I think I struggle with and quite possibly, that Torey and I both struggle with is "Love keeps no record of wrongs". I feel like this is an area we both could improve. My challenge is to focus on current issues that come up between us - and not reach for past events.