‘When we were baptised as Christians we will be given gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is actually new skills that we didn\’t possess until we turn to Christ. Sometimes it is so subtle we may not even notice it. Most of us I suppose will not immediately recognise it.\r\n\r\nHowever I know that I have been richly blessed since I turn to Christ almost four years ago. I have heard from many of the new converts about how God touches them. So eventhough I can\’t pinpoint exactly which gift I received I know I am not the same. Let\’s see St. Paul\’s letter to the Corinthians:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Spiritual Gifts\r\n 1Now about spiritual gifts brothers I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
\r\n\r\nNow I am no longer worshipping mute idols but a God that is alive in each of us. It is only when we allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in us that these gifts will shine through. \r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nThere are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in all men.\r\n\r\n 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
\r\n\r\nThere is nothing unusual about the above words. What it means is when we are Christians we are equipped with skills that will help us to be useful member of the community. I know that I am a comforter to many people and I have the give of counselling. Many times when I felt that my efforts are not appreciated someone somehow will find their way to turn to me with their burdens. Then I am drawn back to my purpose in life. That is to carry the burdens of my brothers and sisters whether in Christ or not. Fulfilling Jesus\’s Words of \’All ye who are weary and burdened…\’\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit 9to another faith by the same Spirit to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit 10to another miraculous powers to another prophecy to another distinguishing between spirits to another speaking in different kinds of tongues [a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit and he gives them to each one just as he determines.
\r\n\r\nI have put in bold all the various gifts. I can pray in tongues but unfortunately my current lifestyle does not afford me the flexibility of using this gift very much. My life is not limited to me alone as I have children to attend to and I hardly have time alone. I wasn\’t able to attend as many praise and worship session as I had wanted nor pray in tongues at home. I hope when my children are older and needs me less I will be able to surrender my life to a life of prayers because I want to harness the gifts like healing and faith. Meantime as I meander along I know God has blessed me with lots of knowledge wisdom and faith.\r\n\r\nIn closing here is one of my favourite verses from the Bible :\r\n\r\n\r\n
12The body is a unit though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhenever I received flaks from my fellow Christians for not being very \’Christian-y\’ I like to remind myself that not every one of us are meant to be holy-moly living way up in the ivory tower where non-believers can\’t reach. I want to be part of the ground works. A place where Christ shines through the beaten the trodden and the unbelievers. (hehehe you know the song?) I often told my friends - I am only interested in the one lost coin not the 99. So let me stay in rots as long as I know Christ is with me. No one can faze my faith.\r\n\r\n ‘ ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’
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