Tag Archives: giving

Spiritual Gifting

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This morning I took a “spiritual gifts” test.  It’s been some decades since I took such a test.  I don’t know what I found out the last time I took one.

I wasn’t too surprised to see the outcome.  Here’s the page for the test I took:  http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult

I’m going to display the results here so that those who read the things I write might better understand the intent and gifts God has seen fit to place within me.

I don’t know how accurate such a test can be.  And I’m not sure what value they might be to others.

Administration
12
Discernment
23
Evangelism
22
Exhortation
25
Faith
35
Giving
13
Serving / Ministering
20
Knowledge
27
Leadership
22
Mercy
6
Prophecy
26
Pastor
23
Teacher
29
Wisdom
17

Respite not Despite

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I have a dear friend who has gone on a cruise today.  She gets tan while I get cold.  But I am very happy for her.

She carries a lot of weight on her shoulders, in her normal routine.  There seems to be no respite from the burden.  But she carries on despite the great troubles.

But when she is offered this few days of respite from the war, she comes back an entirely different person.

In Christ, when we are offered forgiveness, is it sure, and given by the one who is able to give.  He gives this forgiveness of sins for the sake of comfort and increased faith. 

Before it comes (This powerful expression of his love) we hold to our faith, but we are in the midst of a war.  When it comes there is joy.

But here the forgiveness of sins is like the cruise to my friend.  If she went on the cruise and did not enjoy herself, rather worried about the time when she returns, her respite from trouble would be worthless.

Is the forgiveness of Christ worthless in our trouble?

It is meant to build us up and to give us health and joy.  But many, including myself, have reserved their joy for heaven.  They have carried on serving Christ Jesus despite their gloom.  This is not the intent of our Lord.

When you get a warm day in winter, rejoice.  When you get a cool day in summer, likewise rejoice.  When forgiveness comes, with power, rejoice!

Among men it is truly better to give than to receive.  Before Christ we are the receivers only.  Humility breeds joy.

By His Grace

The stingy apple tree

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If you walk up to an apple tree, do you have to tell the tree you’re hungry?  And if you tell the tree you’re hungry, do you have to tell him a long story about why you’re hungry?

Isn’t it true that your simple approach is sufficient?  And as your hand grasps the Apple and pulls it loose, do you have to say “thank you” to the tree?  No one has ever heard an apple tree complain when an apple is picked.

Does the tree look to see you coming?  Does it judge you by what it sees?  As you reach for the Apple does it withdraw the limb?

Does the tree tell you “No!”, then give you some lame excuse as to why?  Perhaps it might tell you it gives its’ fruit somewhere else.  So you say to the tree, “Can I just have a partly rotten apple?”  The tree just shakes its leaves and turns away.

If we, who are in Christ, are not prepared in season and out of season to give the fruit of God’s generosity, we will likely stammer about like the stingy apple tree.  And we should consider that we may be in danger as was the fig tree.  ” May you never bear fruit again.”