DO YOU HAVE CHARACTER FOR THE GIFTS?
Last month I said we would look into why there is no pastor in the New Testament, but I need to finish thoughts about gifts of the ministry first. You can have one or more gifts of ministry but not have the character God is looking for, in order to operate in that gift.
We have explored the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower the ministry gifts and have come to understand what those ministry gifts are: apostle, prophet, teachers of the word, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, helps, administration and interpretation of tongues. The problem is that our society is focused on being entertained, excited and emotionally moved and will chase after gifts.
Often society will overlook immorality, sexual sins, perversion, abuse of spouses, violence, etc. and rush to see the actor/actress in the latest movie or buy a singer’s latest recording even though they are trafficking young girls or advocating violence against women, whites or this country. The world makes excuses for sports figures whose lives are corrupt, but still pay money to see them play because of their gifts.
Christians are no different. They chase after prophets to get a word about future. They chase after healers to eliminate their ills; they choose their church based on the performance of the choir and often the miraculous things that are happening in service. When these things stop or rarely occur, they move on to another church.
Even worse is when we take our gifting as something to elevate ourselves and garner power, position, honor and money. There is a Godly requirement of operating in spiritual gifts....that is character.
If you do not have character, your gift will eventually lead you to disappointment, corruption, and destruction. You will never lose the gift because “.. the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29), but the gift will somehow be perverted. God is looking for character. What is it? How can it be obtained?
Character is the fruit of the Spirit. If we read Galatians 5:22-24 it says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These characteristics are to be developed in us by the Holy Spirit through intimacy. What is intimacy? The definition of intimacy is close familiarity or friendship. “As we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.” (James 4:8-10)
Paul encourages us by saying, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). We are to be non-conformists to this world. The world says “what’s right is wrong; and what’s wrong is right.”
We must be transformed by our intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” The Holy Spirit will guide you into the fruit of the Spirit and “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25).
In the Romans verse above, Paul reminds us that there will be testing; God will test us to make sure we know the character He is perfecting in us. Check yourself with the fruit of the Spirit. Do you really have love? Joy? Patience” or any of the others? Be honest with yourself. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:24)
As a gardener, I always become anxious to see the fruit of my labor. It never comes up quick enough, never fruits quick enough but when it is time to pick or harvest there is great satisfaction. Our fruit also grows slowly, but it produces a great harvest of character. All produce requires good dirt and amendments; but most of all watchful care. God is watching over us, Jesus is praying for us, and the Holy Spirit is always there to give good counsel. You will see the fruit, if you don’t give up.
KLN
We have explored the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower the ministry gifts and have come to understand what those ministry gifts are: apostle, prophet, teachers of the word, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, helps, administration and interpretation of tongues. The problem is that our society is focused on being entertained, excited and emotionally moved and will chase after gifts.
Often society will overlook immorality, sexual sins, perversion, abuse of spouses, violence, etc. and rush to see the actor/actress in the latest movie or buy a singer’s latest recording even though they are trafficking young girls or advocating violence against women, whites or this country. The world makes excuses for sports figures whose lives are corrupt, but still pay money to see them play because of their gifts.
Christians are no different. They chase after prophets to get a word about future. They chase after healers to eliminate their ills; they choose their church based on the performance of the choir and often the miraculous things that are happening in service. When these things stop or rarely occur, they move on to another church.
Even worse is when we take our gifting as something to elevate ourselves and garner power, position, honor and money. There is a Godly requirement of operating in spiritual gifts....that is character.
If you do not have character, your gift will eventually lead you to disappointment, corruption, and destruction. You will never lose the gift because “.. the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29), but the gift will somehow be perverted. God is looking for character. What is it? How can it be obtained?
Character is the fruit of the Spirit. If we read Galatians 5:22-24 it says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These characteristics are to be developed in us by the Holy Spirit through intimacy. What is intimacy? The definition of intimacy is close familiarity or friendship. “As we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.” (James 4:8-10)
Paul encourages us by saying, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). We are to be non-conformists to this world. The world says “what’s right is wrong; and what’s wrong is right.”
We must be transformed by our intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” The Holy Spirit will guide you into the fruit of the Spirit and “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25).
In the Romans verse above, Paul reminds us that there will be testing; God will test us to make sure we know the character He is perfecting in us. Check yourself with the fruit of the Spirit. Do you really have love? Joy? Patience” or any of the others? Be honest with yourself. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:24)
As a gardener, I always become anxious to see the fruit of my labor. It never comes up quick enough, never fruits quick enough but when it is time to pick or harvest there is great satisfaction. Our fruit also grows slowly, but it produces a great harvest of character. All produce requires good dirt and amendments; but most of all watchful care. God is watching over us, Jesus is praying for us, and the Holy Spirit is always there to give good counsel. You will see the fruit, if you don’t give up.
KLN
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake. |
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Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for the upcoming Corridor Connections meeting @ May Farms in July
-Pray for PL for her continual guidance from God.
-Pray for our neighbors who are cleaning up from hail and floods this month.
-Pray for RG, he is home from rehab, but still needs healing for his back.
-Pray for LQ and his family. For healing in his sister in law's body and rest for all of them
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce.
Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life.
Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over.
Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master;
it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10
Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life.
Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over.
Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master;
it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10