Made for Ministry

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Made for Ministry

By Marilyn Orton

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Endorsements Marilyn has been used of the Lord in a most unusual way. The circumstances God placed her in, He knew He could trust her with, for she is truly trustworthy. Her life has been lived for others, and when I think of her I think of the slogan ―Saved to serve, and living to give.‖ That typifies Marilyn!

She has a very relevant message to share.

Mrs. Millie Dienert

Prayer Chairman for 50 Years Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Marilyn Orton has been an inspiration to me for several years. She is deeply spiritual and has the gifts of wisdom, faith and teaching. Her wise counsel has guided me through some tough personal decisions. To learn from her would be exciting and I know you will do so.

Dr. George E. Worrell

Former Vice President Southeastern Theological Seminary Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Marilyn Orton is a trusted friend who has always exercised keen insight and mature judgment. She is a committed Christian, well versed in the message of Scripture and sensitive to the world of people. I am happy to recommend Marilyn to you for she has the unique ability to inspire and motivate others.

Dr. Homer D. Carter

Pastor, Rockville, Maryland Marilyn is a dynamic visionary Christian who freely shares her faith with those about her! An interesting and challenging speaker with piercing thoughts, she offers much to those wanting strength on their Christian Pilgrimage. She will inspire you to dream again.

Dr. Robert Fulbright

Author, The Bible, a Special Book

I enthusiastically recommend Marilyn Orton to you. Combining the best of motivational techniques with solid Biblical principles, she can help all of us achieve our dreams.

Dr. Alan Loy McGinnis

Author, The Friendship Factor Page | 2

Marilyn Orton is one of the most respected and admired women of our church.

Whenever you see Marilyn, there is always a group around her, either talking to her or waiting their turn. She tirelessly listens to one and all and everyone benefits from her ability to sense the need of each heart. I speak from personal encounters! When my husband Louie was in the hospital and we were both ―spiritually terrorized,‖ in view of his circumstances. Marilyn visited us.

Don’t ask me how she found the time to do it, but she stayed a long time and at the end of the visit, she said: ―I don’t want either one of you to ask the Lord for anything today…nothing whatsoever; I just want you both to spend the rest of this day praising and thanking God for His goodness and blessings.‖ We did that and it totally changed our outlook. Marilyn’s understanding heart comes from her understanding the heart of Jesus and she shares this so beautifully in the writings of her wonderful book.

Becky Oswald Author Women of Worth International Bible Study for Women

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Foreword As a Pastor, I’m one of those kind that is always looking for folks with an unshakable faith that you can depend on to ―charge Hell with a water pistol‖ – Marilyn Orton is just such a warrior for Christ.

Rarely do I enter our Worship Center or climb behind the ―holy desk‖ without seeing her glowing countenance eager to feast on God’s Word. God uses folks like that. God is using Marilyn Orton.

She is one of God’s choicest servants.

Anytime she speaks, I listen. Anything she writes is worthy to be read. She bleeds with the heart of a Holy God for the faith and discipleship of women world-wide. I have traveled half way around the globe with her, I have prayed with her, I have ministered with her and laughed with her.

She is my sister in the battle for the souls of men and women. As you read, you will be blessed by this precious lady, full of God’s Spirit and exhausting every breath for His Glory. Expect God’s blessing as you read this material……

Dr. Richard A. Powell Senior Pastor McGregor Baptist Church Fort Myers, Florida Page | 4

Introduction Made for Ministry was written because like everything else in Women of Worth, the Spirit of God prompted it!

When a WOW program begins in a local church, women are given an opportunity to serve in their area of giftedness. Spiritual Gifts are a new concept in many countries so numerous questions arose. This book is written to give simple, clear answers to some of those questions.

Women in over 80 countries are finding the joy of knowing the purpose for which they were created, and where they fit in the Body of Christ, as they exercise the Gifts God has given to them.

Pastors no longer need to find just anyone to fill a vacancy. They look for women gifted in that particular area.

I am excited for you as you read this book and discover your Spiritual Gifts! You will experience great joy as you serve the Lord in areas for which He has gifted you!

Marilyn Orton

President Women of Worth International

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

By His Grace and for His Glory ……..7

2

Prophecy: Tell It Like It Is….………33

3

Service: A Great Second Fiddle……50

4

Teaching: Let me Tell You How to Make a Watch……………………….68

5

Encouragement: I Will Cheer You On…………………………………………..83

6

Administration: I Came, I Saw, and I Cleaned up The mess ..…………..…99

7

Giving: Freely Receive, Freely Give……………………………………....116

8

Mercy: If You Hurt, I Hurt……......129

9.

Does God Have You All by Himself?.......................................149

10

What You Do Matters Forever…....153 .

The WOW Story………..……….…….159

11 12

The WOW Connection………………………….....160

13

Resources…………………….…..….…166

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Chapter One

By His Grace and for His Glory During the depression there was a field which was a sheep ranch owned by a man named Yates. Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage, so he was in danger of losing his ranch. With little money for clothes or food, his family (like many others) had to live on a government subsidy.

Day after day, as he grazed his sheep over those rolling West Texas hills, he was greatly troubled for many years about how he would pay his bills. After 20 years a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area and told him there might be oil on his land. They asked permission to drill a wildcat well, and he signed a lease contract.

At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day. Many subsequent wells were more than twice as large. In fact, 30 years after the discovery, a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day.

Mr. Yates became an instant millionaire.

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Or did he? The oil was there all along and Mr. Yates owned it all. The day he purchased the land he had received the oil and mineral rights. Yet, he’d been living on relief. A millionaire living in poverty.

The problem? He didn’t know the great wealth he possessed even though it was his all along.

We think ―how sad.‖ He could have had an entirely different life if he only he had been aware of everything that was his.

All of those dreary days of doubt and despair would have been ones of joy and gladness. Many Christians live in spiritual poverty because they have no idea why they were made and that their purpose is in life. They ―have it all‖ yet they are content to escape eternal doom, without realizing the important issue in life is not what they have been saved from……but what they have been saved to. They have a valuable treasure within, yet they never take the time to discover it, therefore they spend most of their lives drifting aimlessly with no purpose.

Somewhere in the back of their mind are the three all important questions that will not go away. ―Who am I?‖ ―Why am I here?‖ ―Where am I going?‖ They are burning questions that ask ―what is the purpose of life, anyway?‖

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Churches are filled with people who have no idea that a great deal of their purpose for living takes place in what using their Spiritual Gifts within the local church.

People are doing things in church work that they were never designed or equipped to do. This causes friction and chaos. When you are not using your Spiritual Gifts within the church you are working the ―sheep ranch‖ instead of being the goldmine God intended for you to be to equip and build up His church.

God wants you to know who you are, why you are here and where you are going!

You are handmade, a one of a kind Designer Original! Psalm 139:13-16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed Body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

When God was molding and shaping you He had a purpose. He made you just as He made the world – out of nothing. He Page | 9

formed you bit by bit and bone by bone, covered you with flesh, put within you a heart, lungs and everything that was needed to make you function perfectly.

Then He patiently wove all of your parts together in the darkness of the womb in total seclusion, with the imagery being of a craftsman who skillfully weaves a beautiful and colorful tapestry. Each move of His hand was calculated and intentional as He made you into the specific masterpiece He had in mind. ―You have formed my inward parts.‖ He decided what your features would be, what color of hair you would have, and how your Body would be shaped. He fashioned everything about you with His own hands and wrote each detail in a book. He ordered and numbered each day of your life. He preordained where you would live and the purpose for you living there. He led you to your church because they need everything that God put into your personal package to function as he intends it to. You were made to minister in the local Body of Christ.

Every person who has put their trust in Christ has been given Spiritual Gifts by Page | 10

the Spirit of God to equip and edify his Body in the local church and on the earth.

If you were to add together all the Spiritual Gifts, you would come up with about 20, and there may be even more.

They are found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. To keep it easy for each of us to find our place of service in the local church, we will be discussing the seven gifts listed in Romans 12:3-9. Focusing on these seven basic gifts of God’s grace will meet our needs.

To fully understand the gifts we will begin by answering some key questions.

The Definition of Spiritual Gifts A Spiritual Gift is a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry God’s way according to His grace and discernment to be used within the context of the Body of Christ. When you operate within this definition, you will see the church grow as each member does his/her part according to the Holy Spirit’s work following God’s design and purpose.

Ephesians 6:16 reads ―From Him the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and Page | 11

builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Spiritual Gifts are tools God gives Christians to do the work of the ministry - to fulfill the Great Commission to reach, baptize, and teach and to minister to one another. Ephesians 4: 12 Every Christian receives at least one gift at the moment of salvation. Spiritual Gifts are not rewards, are not natural talents, are not a place of service, are not an age-group ministry, and are not a specialty ministry. They express themselves through various ministries which, in turn, accomplish a variety of results. A spiritual gift is the primary channel by which the Holy Spirit ministers through the believer. It is a supernatural capacity for service to God -and He gives you a supernatural desire to perform the duties of that gift. Spiritual Gifts are tools for building the church.

They are a source of joy in your Christian life and influence your motives. A spiritual gift is a divine calling with a divine responsibility, because what God has gifted you to do, He has equipped you to do, and what He has called you to do, He has gifted you to do.

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Where do Spiritual Gifts come from? ―Christ has given each of us special abilities—whatever He wants us to have out of His rich storehouse of gifts.‖ Ephesians 4:8 Spiritual Gifts are received, not achieved. 1 Corinthians 12:11 tells us that the Spirit ―gives to each one, just as He determines.‖ The supernatural gifts are the manifestations of the Spirit’s presence (1 Corinthians 12:11) in their use the Holy Spirit is revealed. In this respect we are the ―used‖ and not the ―users.‖ We do not use the gift. The Holy Spirit uses us to exercise the gift. The Spirit chooses which gift is to operate (1 Corinthians 12:7) the use of the gifts is cooperation between the person and the Holy Spirit.

After His death and burial Christ descended into hell, secured gifts, and returned to heaven in triumphant victory.

Psalm 68:8 Your Spiritual Gifts were purchased with the blood of Christ.

Because they are ―blood bought‖ we cannot toss them aside as unimportant and not use them for the glory of the God who gave them to you. You are a steward of all that God has given to you.

Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts implies responsibility and management. One day we will give an account of our lives and

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that will include what we did with the gifts God gave to us.

Why were these gifts given to us? ―Why is it that He gives us these special abilities to do certain things well? It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for Him, building up the church, the Body of Christ to the position of strength and maturity.‖ Ephesians 4:12 The moment you are born again God instantaneously and graciously gives you a perfect present or spiritual gift, which gives you the power to do or say anything beyond your own natural ability so you can fulfill a specific purpose of God at a specific time.

Spiritual Gifts are not for your personal glory but are service gifts to be used to build up and strengthen others. God did not give you gifts for your own personal glorification. Taking credit for your Spiritual Gifts is like you taking credit for the sunrise. Our Spiritual Gifts are given to us by the grace of God. They are not to make you feel good or superior to others.

They are linked to your spiritual growth Page | 14

and are to be exercised to demonstrate your love to Christ for what He has done for you.

They are also given to you in order for you to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." It is important for you to know your gifts in order for you to live out God’s will for your life. Any ministry you are in should be guided by your Spiritual Gifts. Knowing them will help you to set aside anything that is not in accordance with the gifts God has given to you. This helps you to determine your area of service and to lay aside duties for which you are not equipped.

John MacArthur writes, ―No local congregation will be what it should be…until it understands Spiritual Gifts.‖ If you are not using your Spiritual Gifts the entire Body is suffering. If you are not involved in your church in the area for which you are gifted, the church is not functioning in a healthy, growing manner.

It is stunted in its growth and there is a hugh gap where you are supposed to be.

Chuck Swindoll, noted pastor and author, shared his perspective along with the Page | 15

following story from the Springfield, Oregon, Public Schools Newsletter: Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.

They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

The duck was excellent at swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor at running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable so nobody worried about that--except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a Page | 16

nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed "charlie horses" from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist. In climbing he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his wings to get there.

A duck is a duck--and only a duck. It is built to swim, not to run or fly and certainly not to climb. A squirrel is a squirrel--and only that. To move it out of its forte, climbing, and then expect it to swim or fly will drive squirrel nuts. Eagles are beautiful creatures in the air but not in a foot race. The rabbit will win every time Page | 17

unless, of course, the eagle gets hungry.

What is true of creatures in the forest is true of Christians. God has not made us all the same. He never intended to. It was He who planned and designed the differences, unique capabilities, and variations.

If God made you a duck saint--you're a duck, friend. Swim like mad, but don't get bent out of shape because you wobble when you run or flap instead of fly. Furthermore, if you're an eagle saint, stop expecting squirrel saints to soar, or rabbit saints to build the same kind of nests you do.

So relax. Enjoy your spiritual species. Cultivate your own capabilities. Your own style.

Appreciate the members of your fellowship for who they are, even though their outlook or style may be miles different from yours. Rabbits don't fly. Eagles don't swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don't have feathers.

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Stop comparing. There's plenty of room in the forest.

Discovering and exercising your Godgiven Spiritual Gifts not only helps you to understand other’s gifts, it allows you to experience maximum fulfillment with minimum frustration in your Christian life and ministry. It helps you to overlook differences in others who love the Lord, but serve Him in a different manner than you. Each one has their own purpose.

None is greater than the other. There is great security in knowing this because it takes away any sense of competition and pride.

How do Spiritual Gifts operate in the local church?

Ephesians 4:16: ―From him the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.‖ Gifts are given so that they can be given in service to others so that the church will be fortified and strengthened.

You might be strong in the area of your gifts, but weak in the areas where others have been gifted. Therefore you minister to others out of your strength, and are Page | 19

dependent upon the ministry of others in your area of weakness.

God did not leave the church a democracy where everyone votes in order to do what they want to do. God did not leave the church as a business with a CEO and Executive Committee to tell others what they need to do. God left the church as a Body with Christ at its head. Like a Body we need each other to function in dependence upon one another, with Christ as the head directing what we do.

Spiritual Gifts are given, not for competition, but for cooperation. Every member is needed. Nobody is a ―nobody‖ in the Body of Christ. Every one of us is valuable. Your gifts play a key role in your church.

If you are hoarding your gifts and not using them, the entire Body is handicapped. We are told, ―Do not neglect your gift…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God‖ 1 Timothy 4:14 About 20 years ago, when Saddleback Church in Southern California had grown to approximately 500 people, Rick Warren, the Senior Pastor, said, ―Folks, I’m out of energy and the church is getting so big that I can’t do much more.

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As I read the Bible it doesn’t say I’m supposed to do it anyway…I’ll make you a deal. If you’ll do the ministry God’s gifted you to do then I’ll do my part which is to make sure you’re well fed.‖ Warren said they then ―shook hands‖ and made a pact together. It was after that the church began exploding with growth (From Rick Warren’s sermon, ―Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts‖ Why are different gifts needed in the local church?

Romans 12:6 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." We operate with ―unity in diversity.‖ We are different parts of Christ’s Body but under His headship we operate as one. We are to use our gifts to serve others and allow others to use their gifts to serve us. God has placed you in the church you attend because that church needs you to use the gifts God has given to you in order for the Body of Christ function in a healthy way in that place. You are needed to make that particular Body of believers complete.

Just as the different parts of our bodies have different functions, so too, in the

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Body of Christ each of us have different roles.

One day it occurred to the members of the Body that they were doing all the work and that the stomach was having all the food.

So they held a meeting and after a long discussion decided to stop work until the stomach consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two the hands refused to take the food, the mouth refused to receive it and the teeth had no chewing to do. After a day or two, the other Body members began to find that they themselves were not in very good condition. The hands could hardly move, the mouth was all parched and dry, while the legs were unable to support the rest.

Thus they found that even the stomach in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body and that all must work together or the Body would cease to function. (Aesop) So it is with Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ. They each have a specific duty that is necessary in order for the entire Body to function as smoothly as it should. 

Suppose someone at a church dinner dropped a plate of food on the floor.

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      

This is how people with different gifts might respond.

Prophecy would be thinking ―That’s what happens when you’re not careful.‖ Service will be quick to say ―Oh, let me help you clean it up.‖ Encouragement will try to be helpful by saying, ―Next time, maybe you should let someone help you.‖ Teaching will come to the conclusion ―The reason that it fell was because it was too heavy on one side.‖ Giving will say ―Here, dear you can have my dessert.‖ Mercy will tell you ―Don’t feel too bad, it could have happened to anyone‖ Administration will delegate someone to find a mop, another person to pick up the mess, and a third to go get you another plate of food.

Is there a difference between talents and Spiritual Gifts?

Talents or natural abilities are far different than Spiritual Gifts. Talents came with your particular package at birth. You just have a ―knack‖ or ability to do some things well. Maybe it is fixing Page | 23

cars or fixing dinner. It is a fleshly personality trait that is available to those who are Christians or non Christians. Non Christians can possess great mercy, encouragement, and perform all sorts of services to humanity. They can be learned through education and training. A talent or ability operates on the physical, mental, and social level but not on the spiritual level. The church is full of people who have natural talent and abilities in some area, and are put into positions based solely on their natural abilities.

People are elected or appointed or nominated to positions of responsibility on the basis of their business talent or social prominence. It is assumed that if they excel in some worldly fashion that it is proper to place them in a role that requires spiritual leadership. This is not scriptural, and is the basis for some of the conflict within the church. All because someone is impressed by what they see on the outside and not what’s on the inside. God’s work cannot be accomplished with human ability because as long a person can trust in their own ability they do not depend on what only God can do through spiritual means.

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Spiritual Gifts are given when we are born again in to the family of God. The Holy Spirit fits you with something that was not evident before. ―As every man received his gift.‖ 1 Peter 4:10 It allows you to do supernatural things that go way beyond talent abilities or learned skills with the purpose to build up the Body of Christ and to fulfill your purpose for your life. It is your responsibility to find out how you are gifted because that will reveal to you how His will is to be lived out through you.

God’s concern is not about our particular comfort zone. His goal is to profit the whole church by making it strong and effective. He cannot do that through people who replace His Spiritual Gifts with human talent and ability. ―Why should using my Spiritual Gifts be important to me?‖ There are many reasons why you ought to know what they are. It will do many things. It will deepen your appreciation of God’s love for you. It will broaden your concern. It will intensify your zeal. It will increase your appreciation of other members of the Body of Christ. It will help you to understand why people serving in your church react in different Page | 25

ways. We can all handle the same job; we will just approach it from the viewpoint of our particular individual gifts. Our involvement will vary according to the way God made us.

Let’s go to the ever popular church kitchen. Seven differently gifted ladies were placed in charge of the kitchen.

How will each one handle the job?

Prophecy dazzled the kitchen crew with her latest story, making them laugh, but pressing her spiritual point as well. She settled a disagreement between two ladies who both claimed the same pie pan.

Serving cleaned off tables, stacked and washed the dishes and carried out the garbage. As the last of the committee members went home, she packed the decorations and stored them for the next year. On her way out of the door, hours after everyone else had left; she scooped up the dirty tablecloths and took them home to launder.

Teaching had a running one-sided conversation with the other ladies, telling them about some interesting details of the lesson she was preparing for the following Sunday.

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Encouragement went from one person to another soothing one, comforting another, challenging a third one to start having a daily prayer time- all the while making everyone feel happy to be a part of the team.

Administration took time to organize a committee, assign jobs, divide the kitchen into sections so the women wouldn’t get in each other’s way, and later reorganized the cupboards.

Giving noticed that the plates were cracked and the cups had broken handles and mentally decided she would replace them as a Christmas gift to the church.

Mercy was so busy listening to the hurts and cares of the other ladies on the committee that she took hours to clean the kitchen.

If you don’t use your Spiritual Gifts your church will not operate as God intended it to, but the greatest loss will be yours.

You will become involved in areas of service that can become drudgery and duty instead of the joy it was meant to be.

You will be frustrated and feel like your service to the Lord is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. You will Page | 27

drift through life without meaning and purpose. You will not know the pure joy of doing what you were created to do.

You will become like Rube Goldberg a wacky inventor. He created a machine on which wheels turned, lights flashed, horns sounded, bells tickled and whistles blew.

But the invention never really did anything. If we are not using our Spiritual Gifts to serve and build up the Body of Christ we are just bells and whistles that really don’t accomplish anything.

Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts Spiritual Gifts are like all gifts. They need to be unwrapped. Don’t you just love to look forward to Christmas or Birthdays when you are given gifts? A beautifully wrapped gift only adds to the excitement because they are so much fun to unwrap.

It’s interesting to watch people unwrap gifts. Some just ―Rip off the paper‖ and can hardly wait to see what is inside.

Others carefully undo the ribbon and try not to tear the paper, because they may want to use it again. It really doesn’t matter how you unwrap the gift, only that you do, or you will never know the joy of discovering what was selected just for you.

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Have you ever given a gift to someone to have them give you a quick ―thanks‖ and then set the gift aside and talk about something else? Or maybe they opened it and looked it over and didn’t bother to even thank you. How did that make you feel?

How about the times you carefully selected a gift for someone and they were so excited to unwrap it? Their face lit up when they took the gift out of the box.

They not only said ―Thank you!‖ they gave you a big hug or maybe a kiss. And then they joyfully examined the gift thinking of ways they could use and enjoy it. How did that make you feel?

God has given you special gifts designed just for you. He molded them into all that is you. He placed you in a church where you would fit perfectly in using your gifts.

He opened up many opportunities for you to experience the joy in doing what you were made to do. Have you said ―thanks‖ and set the gift aside, or have you examined the gift thinking of ways you could use it for God. How can you unwrap the Spiritual Gifts God has for you? You begin by desiring to be used of God. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says, ―Eagerly desire Spiritual Gifts.‖ Matthew Henry said, ―We bar our own Page | 29

doors.‖ We set our own limits because we don’t really desire to be used of God. When we have no desire to use our gifts everything else becomes a priority and we leave God’s gifts unwrapped and in the box.

We need to get past the wrapping paper by using them. Just desiring to use them is not enough. We need to get out of our comfort zone and actually take a risk by starting to use the gift. You may be afraid to do what you know you should do.

What if you meet with rejection? What if people don’t recognize your gift? What if you fail, or even worse, is laughed at?

We ask the Lord to enlarge our territories 1 Chronicles 4:10 and then when He stretches us, we say ―Oh, I can’t do that.‖ ―I can’t,‖ usually means ―I won’t.‖ Until you take a chance to exercise your spiritual gift it will stay unwrapped in the box.

Then, we stick with the process. The unwrapping your spiritual gift will be a process over a period of time. You begin by taking small steps in using your gift, and as you use it more it begins to ―unwrap‖ itself. You will experience joy and others will recognize your gift. God will give you more opportunities to use it and strengthen it. Over time you will step out in faith and do amazing things that Page | 30

you never would have done if you had never taken the wrapping off and taken the gift out of the box. ―God has given gifts to you from His great variety of Spiritual Gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.‖ 1 Peter 4:10 As you begin to read this book to discover your Spiritual Gifts, God will make it plain which ones you possess. If you see you don’t have a particular gift study it anyway so that you can ―get past the wrapping paper‖ to find the true gift in others. It will benefit you to know how others are ―wrapped.‖ You will understand why they do things the way they do them, and appreciate their gifts that complement your own.

Romans 12 begins by talking about God’s mercy on our lives, and in response we should present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. One of the ways we present ourselves to the Lord is by using our gifts for the Lord.

Paul then presents the gifts given to us and after each gift he says to the church ―Let him use it.‖ Don’t try to stop them.

Don’t tell them they are out of line. Don’t tell them they are too young. Don’t tell them ―it’s never been done that way before.‖ We are to encourage every person to use their gift for the glory of Page | 31

God. Some misunderstandings you have about people can cause you to see them in a different light when you see their heart.

You may even want to help them unwrap their gift. Don’t think someone has no value or has no gift; remember ―there is always something in the box.‖ Take time to unwrap it.

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Chapter Two Tell it Like It Is The Gift of Prophecy Prophecy: To speak forth the message of God to His people and the forth-telling of the will of God. Ephesians 4:11 Scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center reported that one of the largest stars in our galaxy is about to selfdestruct. The star, Eta Carina, has a mass 100 times greater than that of our sun. It is giving signs that its life is about to end.

Researchers say it will become a Supernova – a blazing exploding star within the next ten thousand years. What it is especially interesting about the ―Science 82 Project‖ report is the statement that since light from the star could take 10,000 years to reach the earth, the people on earth won’t see it for thousands of years, even though the actual explosion could have already taken place.

Those with the gift of prophecy have seen ―the explosion‖ of what error is and there is intensity within them to warn others of Page | 33

what is coming, by holding up the truth of God’s Word.

The Greek word for prophesy is ―Propheteia‖ It carries the meaning ―to look out beforehand,‖ or to consider in advance.‖ This gift isn’t fortune telling!

Scripture clearly shows that fortune telling is opposed to the truth about the Word of God. Prophecy is simply telling the truth about what God has said.

In the Old Testament God would speak to prophets in visions and in dreams. They were the ―instrument of enunciation‖ of God’s Word and direction. If a prophet claimed to speak for God and what he proclaimed did not come to pass, he was a false prophet and was put to death.

Today we have the written and revealed Word of God. We can open our Bibles and check for ourselves whether a person is actually speaking for God or not. The gift of prophecy is proclaiming the Word of God boldly. This builds up the Body and leads to conviction of sin.

Prophecy often manifests itself in preaching and teaching. Many Pastors have the gift of prophecy. This gives them the courage to proclaim the truth of Page | 34

God publicly and with great boldness.

They are gifted with the ability to proclaim the truth of God’s Word under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, bringing conviction to the hearer. We think of them as being a supernaturally illuminated expounder of the Word of God. They have great faith in the Word of God and will defend it very strongly. They will listen for what God is revealing to them, and share with us what they hear God say. They choose their words carefully and base them on Scripture.

When they preach, they are to preach God’s message and nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.

Those with the gift of prophecy speak divinely inspired words that declare the purposes of God in many ways including reproof, confrontation, and comfort.

The gift of prophecy reminds me of a certain bar of soap that we had when I was a kid. It was called Ivory Soap. It was advertised as ―so pure it floats!‖ And it did! It was such fun trying to sink it. I would shove it down but it always popped right back up. However many times I

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tried to ―sink it‖ it came back and floated on top of the water, every time.

The person with the gift of prophecy is like Ivory Soap. Nothing will sink their quest to keep the truth of God ―on top‖ and visible. They can see error coming just as sure as it has already happened, even though others can’t see a thing.

They will float the truth on top where everyone can see it; no matter how many times others will try to sink it.

The motto of the person with the gift of prophecy is ―Tell it like it is,‖ with little or no regard for personal gain or loss. Those with prophecy are given to the local church keep the theology pure.

Prophets speak the truth boldly, with authority and with no apologies. They are very emphatic and unyielding and even dogmatic in presenting what they believe to be truth. After all, in their mind, if God said it, there is no room for debate. They speak divinely inspired words that will declare the purpose of God through reproof, confrontation and comfort.

That was what the prophet Isaiah was called to do, even though for many years Page | 36

he didn’t know it. He was well established as a scribe in the royal palace in Jerusalem. As such, his duties included writing the King’s letters, drawing up his decrees and managing his finances. He would be the one who wrote out the law, classified and arranged its precepts while counting with scrupulous minuteness every clause and letter contained in each law. A scribe worked alone under the King’s personal direction. Those with that type of job would not usually be considered a ―people person.‖ In the book that bears his name we read that on a very ordinary day Isaiah was going about his duties when suddenly and without warning, he had a vision of God and things happened that he was not expecting. One can imagine that he was pretty much in a state of shock. All sorts of thing happened that he didn’t like and didn’t understand. Like when a burning coal was put on his lips. All he knew was that it was very painful. He didn’t understand the significance of the act was a painful cleansing process that was necessary before he could be qualified to speak for God. The cleansing was extended to include his conscience, Page | 37

because he confessed his own sins, as well as those of the nation.

It was only after the cleansing and confession that he heard the voice of the Lord, asking ―Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people‖ Who will go?‖ Without any hesitation Isaiah said, ―Lord, I’ll go! Send me! Isaiah 6:8 When God called Isaiah as a Prophet, God did not encourage him with predictions of great success. God told him that the people would not listen to him. He was to speak and write his messages anyway because eventually some would listen. As a prophet he would need great courage His mission was to rebuke the people for their sins and define their evil and he did so with great urgency. Isaiah carried out a ministry of rebuke and confronted them by warning them of the judgment to come even though there was little response from his listeners.

For thirty nine chapters he rebuked and confronted the people constantly calling them rebels, evil-doers, sinners, and filth, all the while pronouncing endless ―woes.‖

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Chapter forty makes dramatic shift in the prophet Isaiah’s ministry. In Isaiah 40:1 He leaves the rebukes and ―woes‖ behind and changes to words of comfort. ―Comfort, yes comfort my people,‖ says your God. ―Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone.

Her sins are pardoned and I have punished her in full for all of her sins.‖ The rest of his book discusses the majesty of the majestic God who is coming to rule the earth and judge all people. He will reunite Israel and Judah and restore them to glory. God’s people still had 100 years of trouble before Jerusalem would fall.

Then there would be 70 years of exile.

Instead of warning the people of impending judgment, Isaiah now comforts them. So God tells Isaiah to speak tenderly and to comfort Jerusalem for He knows what is ahead. And faithful prophet that he was, Isaiah did just that.

In my younger days I was blessed with a good friend who had the gift of prophecy.

Looking back I see that she was one of the best friends I ever had, even though I didn’t realize it at the moment. In fact, I

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was sure her mission in life was to point out all of my faults.

She attended a neighborhood Bible class I was teaching. If I was in the smallest way ―off target‖ in teaching, she would reproof me by patiently showing me where I had strayed. Through the years she took on my personal life, and then my inner life. She could detect and confront attitudes in me that I didn’t even know existed. Sometimes I was sure she had dedicated her life to revealing all of my blind spots to me. I learned to appreciate the fact that she loved me enough to confront me.

Yet, in my times of distress, no one could comfort me like she did. She knew exactly what to say and when to say it.

More times than I can count she gave me the courage to keep on keeping on when I felt like quitting. When I was dry and empty, she patiently gave me the right word from the Lord to fill my cup. She would pick me up, dust me off, and I would start forward once again. I learned to love her for her reproof, confrontation and comfort, and shudder to think of all of the mistakes I would have Page | 40

made without her love for me. Many people will tell you what you are doing right, but a really good friend will point out your blind spots and comfort you and spur you on to greater growth.

The person with the gift of prophecy sees everything as black and white. It is either right or wrong. Their reproof comes from an overriding desire to share God’s truth with the listener. When they see a disturbing situation, they can confront courageously and with authority because it is based upon what God has said. They will openly ask ―are you living up to God’s standard in this area?‖ It takes someone with a strong will to be able to confront others firmly with truth.

Because they know God’s truth they feel compelled to use it also in comforting others. They are very discerning and keenly sensitive to the Holy Spirit and know how to translate complex issues into encouragement and hope. Accuracy is very important to them, so they will make the meaning of scripture crystal clear. While teaching they will often say ―this word, or verse means.‖ They are very good at applying scriptural truths to Page | 41

people’s daily lives. Such is the paradox of the person with the gift of prophecy.

On one hand they are confronting what is wrong in a person’s life and in the next moment they are comforting them, offering them God’s mercy and forgiveness.

If you have the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy:         

You are sensitive to the motives of people, and are good at assessing inward conviction.

You have no problem in defining evil very quickly, always equating deceit with evil.

You depend heavily on Scripture as your authority.

You can spot a phony long before others do.

You can identify other’s blind spots and want to help them to see them so that they can mature.

You have an inner drive to communicate the truth of Scripture.

You are very direct and frank about what God says.

You will endure pain, stress or persecution with confidence when proclaiming God’s truth.

Courage is your badge of honor and will stand firm even if you have to stand alone.

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

You are more interested in expressing God’s message than your own personality.

You will have many opportunities to express this gift, especially in small group settings. When a person brings a problem or need to you, you immediately listen for what God is revealing to you and share what you hear God say. Since you are sensitive to the fact that you are God’s spokesperson you choose your advice and words carefully The Body of Christ needs people who will boldly proclaim God’s truth with authority and conviction. If the prophet doesn’t do it how will others know what God’s truth really is? The Body needs God’s revelation through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Body also needs someone who can interpret God’s truth and relate it to life. The person with the gift of prophecy clearly identifies sin, discerns what truth is and what isn’t…..keeping us on God’s pathway of truth. Thank God for the person with this gift for they keep our theology pure and keep us true to the Word of God. Those gifted in prophecy are easily misunderstood, especially in the area of Page | 43

relationships. They may appear to lack interest in individuals because of their outspokenness. They seem uninterested in making friends because they are uncomfortable on a one-to-one encounter.

They are often seen as being harsh, unyielding and dogmatic. They often exaggerate to get a point across.

Their firm convictions may seem like strong-willed stubbornness since they don’t like to compromise. Their tendency to dramatize, exaggerate or resort to showmanship to get their point across.

This leads others to think they are extreme and impulsive. This may cause others to see them as a show-off. They are not comfortable in showing their emotions in public. They will need to guard against pride and driving themselves crazy by trying to be the ―perfect saint.‖ They need to temper their dogmatic tendencies with mercy and humility.

The gift of prophecy is greatly needed within the church, to keep our theology pure and keep us true to the Word. They keep us from straying off into what is not truth. If they detect error they will Page | 44

confront with the truth regardless of the consequences. They are excellent as teachers who stand before others proclaiming truth and answering questions to keep people focused on the Word of God and not what the culture is promoting. As a teacher they will patiently make the meaning of scripture very clear.

They make great board or committee members because they are diligent and responsible and are not afraid to speak up for truth. They are not a ―go along to get along person.‖ Group pressure will not cause them to back down. Although this can be unsettling in committee situations people would be wise to listen to their point of view, for often they keep the group from running off a cliff and doing things they may regret.

They are very good at putting their thoughts into writing and should be encouraged to do so. This is particularly helpful in getting truth into the hands of people who can read and study on their own. Because of their great writing skills and intensity they are often found on drama teams.

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They excel as counselors, using Scripture to point people in the right direction.

They do not speak words primarily on their own, but rather shares with the listener what God has revealed to them.

They rely on God’s point of view in any given circumstance, and will share it with authority and courage and boldness.

If you are a person with the gift of prophecy you are not only valuable to keep the Body in line with Scripture, but you may use it even more with friends who come to you ready to give up. If the person feels like they are a failure, as Prophecy you will instinctively, absolutely convince the person that God has a wonderful plan for their life and they must simply press on. You might say something like ―You can’t quit now because God isn’t through with you yet.

When you are scared He will give you courage. He will be there to walk you through every difficulty, and when it is all over you will be a far better person than you were before.‖ You are amazing at giving a person a word from the Lord. You will remind them that weeping may come for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.‖ Psalm 30:5 In this way you are giving a word of prophecy based upon the truth of God’s Word!

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The person with the gift of prophecy is like an FBI Agent looking for fake dollar bills. When the FBI trains a person to spot phony money they do not send them out to study all of the fakes. Instead they give them an intense period of training until they know the real bill so well they can detect even the smallest of details that reveal it as false. They see things that the average person would never even notice.

It might be a subtle shading of the paper or a slight variation in one tiny dot. The tiniest of details out of place do not go unnoticed. They jump right out at them and raise a red flag that tells them immediately that the bill is a fake. They can tell you immediately what is wrong with the bill that proves it is a phony.

It is much the same way with the person with the gift of Prophecy. They will spend hours searching out the truth and be so full of the truth that they overflow on everyone around them. They are so in tune with what God has said in His Word, that they can detect in their spirit immediately anything that is not quite

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right, and are compelled to share the truth when they see error.

Our world is filled with voices claiming to speak for God. Self proclaimed prophets can easily gather around them people who do not know the Word of God, and convince them that what they are saying is from God’s Word. Some will follow blindly, to their own peril. God’s plumb line in testing whether the prophet is from God is to examine what is being said in light of what God says. We would do well to do as the Berea’s did, ―They examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.‖ Acts 17:11 As a member of the Body of Christ our part is to be discerning about what we are told, even from the pulpit.

The Prophet will speak the Word of God, nothing more, nothing less and nothing else. Our part is to keep softened hearts open to receive rebuke and confrontation when necessary for it is essential in keeping our theology pure and going forward in keeping with what God has told us to do.

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If you have the gift of prophecy ―May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial beliefs so that you may live the truth that lies deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of the truth so that you may be a beacon for justice, freedom and the Word of God. May God bless you with just enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you can do through the power of God, what the rest of the world claims cannot be done.‖ <> A Franciscan Blessing Suggested Scriptures for further study: Joel 2: 28 – Deuteronomy 18:18-22 – Matthew 7:22 – Luke 2:36-38 – John 3:3 – John 14:6 – Acts 2:14-16 – Acts 15:32 – Acts 16:16-18 –

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Chapter Three A Great Second Fiddle The Gift of Serving Service: To render support or assistance to others in the Body so as to free them up for ministry. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Many people who have the gift of service are unknown but have played key roles in making many ministries successful. For instance, Chuck Swindoll asks the questions, ―Who taught Martin Luther his deep knowledge of theology? Who inspire d him to translate the New Testament?

When Dwight L. Moody was a shoe salesman, who was it that came to his store and told him about Christ? Who gave the money to William Carey so that he could take the Gospel to India? Then, who was the man who personally taught G. Campbell Morgan, the great preacher, how to preach? We don’t even know the names of the parents who raised the prophet Daniel and instilled in him righteous living.‖ Had it not been for those unknown, behind the scenes servants, church Page | 50

history would be very different. Many people then and now, would never have risen to prominence had it now been for those ―Unknown Nobodies‖ who quietly and patiently used their spiritual gift of service to build their lives into those who became great.

The original word to describe the gift of serving is ―Diakonia.‖ It comes from the thought ―Diako‖ which means to run errands, to tie up loose ends, to free up the time of someone else. It includes the idea of waiting on tables, or doing other menial duties. ―Diako‖ is where the word ―Deacon‖ originated. In the book of Acts the Apostles were just like your Pastor, trying to take care of all of the details of the church and still have quality time to pray and prepare messages. There were so many things that needed to be done that they did not have time to do what God called them to do. One day they brought the disciples together and said, ―It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables.‖ Acts 12:6 They solved the problem and appointed Deacons. They became the ―table Page | 51

waitersâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; and did the everyday duties, like dividing and distributing the food so the Apostles would be free to do what only they could do. The Deacons became like servants, exhibiting faithfulness and loyalty, coming forward to take over the endless duties that burdened the Apostles. They did not just serve, they served well. They identified what needed to be done, and used their energy and resources to finish the job. This enabled the Apostles to use their time and energy to teach and preach and spread the Gospel to the known world Those with the gift of service joyfully work behind the scenes to assist others in ministry to accomplish their goals. They see their service as working as unto the Lord. Leighton Ford asked Mother Theresa how she could serve the poor and dying of Calcutta. She pointed to a sign over the door which said â&#x20AC;&#x2022;To Christ, through Christ, for Christ.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; This could be the motto of every person with the gift of service.

Nothing quite represents a person with the gift of service like a towel. They spend their lives doing what Jesus did, Page | 52

washing the feet of the saints through their service. They pick up the humble towel of service and encourage and serve others emotionally, financially, and spiritually so that others can move their ministry forward and reach their goals.

The motto of the gift of service is: ―I make a great second fiddler.‖ They don’t mind one bit serving behind the scenes to make other’s look good, or to advance other people’s goals. It does not matter to them who gets the credit, only that the job gets done and gets done well.

President Ronald Reagan had a sign on his desk that said ―There is no limit to the amount of good that can be accomplished if we don’t care who gets the credit.‖ An admirer once asked the famous orchestra conductor Leonard Bernstein what was the most difficult instrument to play. He responded with quick wit: "Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second French horn or second flute, now that's a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony." In a very real way, the person with the gift of Page | 53

service promotes harmony and minimizes discord. They do a great service to the Body of Christ by humbly picking up the towel of service and doing the job that no one else wants to do. In accepting their help we remove our proud selfsufficiency.

Jesus is a classic example of the Perfect Servant. It was just before the Passover Feast. John 13:1-17 Jesus knew that His death was eminent. He and his Disciples were having their last meal together. His time was short and he wanted to leave a lasting impression on those who were His own.

Now He was about to show them the full extent of His love. What better lesson could he leave them than that of being a servant? He got up from the table, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. He poured some water into a basin and began to wash His discipleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet. Can you visualize this?

God on His knees washing dirty feet, even those of Judas whom he knew was about to betray him.

One by one he scrubbed away. Although we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read it in Scripture, it is very Page | 54

easy to imagine that he had something personal and encouraging to say to each one. When he finished washing their feet He put on His clothes, returned to the table, and turned to them and asked, ―Do you understand what I have done for you?

No servant is greater than his master. If I, your teacher and master have washed your feet you should also wash the feet of others.‖ That was their marching orders!

They were not to be the great Apostles who had spent time with Jesus. They were not to be the top leaders to order others around. They were not to have special privileges or be paid homage because of their association with the Master. They were to be servants who would spend their lives washing the feet of others.

We don’t read of anyone objecting to having their feet washed, but Peter.

Jesus responded to him by saying ―you don’t understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.‖ I often wondered about that statement. What was it that Peter didn’t understand at that moment but he would know in the future?

Then one night I completely understood.

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I spoke at an interdenominational weekend retreat, and something very unusual happened. After the closing message the Chairman told us she had a surprise for us. We would be having a foot washing service. It was first time I had participated in the ceremony, so I was really interested in all that would take place. Little did I know that I would find out something about myself that would cause me to immediately identify with Peter. I didn’t have a bit of trouble washing the feet of others, but when it came time for someone to wash my feet, I was surprised to find pride welling up. I did not want anyone washing my feet!

My thoughts went instantly to Peter and his words to Jesus ―Lord you will not wash my feet.‖ Why was it that Peter did not want to have his feet washed by the Lord? It took a great amount of humility for Peter to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Peter and I shared the very comfortable, and I might add proud feeling of doing something for someone else, but it was very humbling to have someone else do something for us.

Accepting assistance from others means Page | 56

we must set aside our feeling of self sufficiency and admit that we need help.

There is humility in being a servant to others but it is an even greater humbling effect to allow others to serve us. When we allow those with the gift of service to minister to us our pride is totally shattered. We are admitting that behind our all sufficient face and attitude is really a person who needs help.

When my foot washing experience was over was I edified and built up?

Definitely! To edify means to instruct. I was instructed in serving others and allowing them to serve me. To build up means to make something stronger.

Washing someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet and having them wash mine created a strong bond between me and the woman washing my feet. We were made stronger and were unified.

Pride in the Body of Christ will always divide us. If you have the gift of serving your humble service to others causes them to become humbled by what you do for them, with the end result being unity.

It was interesting to observe how the people with different Spiritual Gifts reacted to the foot washing service.

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Without their realizing it, each exhibited the characteristic of their particular gift.

For instance, Mercy gravitated to those who looked like they were totally uncomfortable with what was going on.

Teaching was giving instructions about how the service should be conducted.

Encouragement was explaining how this was going to draw us all together.

Administration was busy delegating duties. Giving made sure everyone had enough towels to dry feet. Prophecy was saying ―This is so Biblical and we are following Scripture.‖ But Service cheerfully and joyfully picked up the humble towel of service and scrubbed away, and in so doing stripped us of our pride and unified the entire group.

If you have the gift of Service it is your desire to meet spiritual needs by meeting practical needs. And you do it cheerfully!   

You are a good follower and very flexible about when and where you serve.

You often see a need before anyone else does.

It doesn’t matter to you if the job is large or small; you do it simply because someone needs to do it.

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     





You will contribute your own money if you have to in order to meet the need.

It doesn’t bother you if others get recognition for what you do.

You would much rather get personally involved in meeting a need than simply writing a check.

Your reward ―is in the doing.‖ You gain great satisfaction to know you helped move a ministry forward.

You love to meet needs cheerfully, smiling, and completely happy because you helped someone.

Your energy level is high, and you will keep going when everyone else is worn out, wondering why other people don’t do the same.

When you see a leader has need for assistance you come along side of them and quite happily take care of any unnoticed job that will free them up to do what only they can do.

Your service to others is the way you show your love to the Lord.

Gresham Machen, the world renowned theologian had the spiritual gift of service.

He noticed something that needed to be done at a YMCA during World War 1. They needed someone at a canteen, to make the hot chocolate, and so he found out who was in charge and asked if he could Page | 59

do it. Since it had to be ready at 7 am Machen would get up before 5 am every day. He would take bars of chocolate and carefully shave them into slivers or small pieces. Then he would melt them, gradually adding condensed milk and water as the mixture heated. By 7 am the hot chocolate was ready to serve. From 7 to 9 am, he kept busy serving hot chocolate, often not getting his own breakfast until the middle of the morning.

The servicemen’s spirits and hearts were warmed by his cheerful attitude while he dispensed the hot chocolate each morning. He did this faithfully for several years and no one knew that he was one of the greatest preachers and theologians of their generation. He honored God by doing a mundane, simple task, to assist the ministry of others. That’s what servants always do.

Those with the gift of Service need to learn to say ―No‖ nicely or others will take advantage of them. They see so many areas to serve that they often accept too many responsibilities at one time which can lead to over-exertion or exhaustion.

C. H. Spurgeon said ―Learn to say ―No.‖ It

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will be of more value to you than learning to read Latin.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; They resent those who sit on the sidelines when so much work needs to be done.

They become frustrated with rules and regulations; they just want to get on with getting things done. They may become impatient with those who do not join in helping, as in the case of Martha.

They can easily become involved in others projects and neglect what should be their own priorities. In rushing to meet otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs their needs and the needs of their family can be pushed aside, even to the point of neglecting their own family to serve at church. They may be too quick to jump into a project without thinking things through. In their haste to get a job finished they often cut corners. Doing the job well is not as important to them as just getting it finished.

Others sometime see those with the gift of service as too aggressive. Some may think they are trying to show up everyone else by all of their deeds. Because they are excited about all of the things that are going on they want to share the progress with others, who often interpret their Page | 61

excitement as bragging about their accomplishments.

Others may see you as just another volunteer, but you are not - you are a servant! A volunteer picks and chooses when and where to serve. A servant serves no matter what. A volunteer serves when convenient; a servant serves out of commitment. The volunteer does what he wants to do when he feels like doing it. The servant does what he is asked to do when he is asked to do it.

You need to guard against feeling you are just another volunteer, and no one appreciates you. Because you are not in the spotlight those around you may fail to appreciate your tireless efforts in keeping things running smoothly. It is important that you keep before you the thought that your service is unto the Lord and you are doing it for Him. Brother Lawrence had the gift of service.

He was a cook in a monastery. He learned to press the attitude of service into an every action of his day. He saw purpose in all of his labor. He said â&#x20AC;&#x2022;I turn my little omelet in the pan for the love of God. When it is finished if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the ground and Page | 62

worship my God who gave me this grace to make it, after which I arise happier than a king. When I can do nothing else it is enough to have picked up a straw for the love of God. It is a sacred thing to do everything to show God my love for Him.‖ The church could not operate without those with the gift of service. You will find them everywhere from the nursery to the kitchen, to driving the church bus.

They keep the church going forward smoothly. They have no problem in asking others if they can assist them in what they are doing. They are very happy to be an ―assistant anything.‖ They will even call the church office and ask who needs help that week. They can spot people with the gift of administration, and will not hesitate to approach them to ask how they can help. They are sensitive to those who may be stretched in their duties and offer to relieve some of the pressure by helping. They go out of their way to make a conscious effort to see what needs to be done and then quietly and efficiently do the job, usually in record time.

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They are found assisting in most Sunday school classes, asking the teacher before class if there is anything they can do to help and check to make sure the coffee and cups are ready. They are the last to leave after class, making sure everything is put away and cleaned up.

You will find them at church suppers, setting the tables, preparing the food, and afterwards cleaning up the mess and packing the food that is left over to take to shut-ins. You will see them handing out church bulletins, working in the library helping young and old find a particular book, and janitorial work is not beneath them.

Without the gift of Service there are a lot of ministries that would be ineffective, and many projects would never get finished for lack of hands, energy and money. They are the grease that keeps the machinery of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kingdom advancing.

To let someone else serve us requires the admission on our part that we arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as great, wonderful, or capable as we would like the world to think. That is a much needed humbling experience in all of our Page | 64

hearts. Those with the gift of service build up the Body of Christ not only by assisting us but also by coming along side of us reminding us that we all really do need each other’s help and we shouldn’t be too proud to let them help us.

God’s word to you as a person with the gift of serving is 1 Peter 4:11 ―If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength that God provides, so that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ.‖ You are not serving so that you will draw attention to yourself or receive praise. Your motive for serving is that what you do will bring glory to God. ―I Wonder‖ by Ruth Harms Calkin ―You know Lord how I serve you with great emotional fervor in the limelight.

You know how eagerly I speak for you at the Women’s meetings. You know my genuine enthusiasm at a Bible Study.

But, how would I react, I wonder, if you pointed to a basin of water and asked me to wash the calloused feet of a bent and wrinkled old woman, day after day, month after month, in a room where nobody saw and nobody knew?‖ This would not be a problem for those with the gift of service.

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You have probably never heard the name of Pearle Good. She began praying for Dr. Billy Graham when he first began preaching. Over the years, she would go to the city of an upcoming crusade, get a hotel room and stay there throughout the entire crusade, praying night and day for Dr. Graham and the salvation of souls. He has often mentioned what a valuable part she played in the multitudes that came to Christ. He was sure that she would share greatly in the eternal rewards of the crusades.

Many prominent Christian leaders have had people who behind the scenes helped to build their ministry. We just don’t know their names. What was it Jim Elliott, the martyred messenger of the Gospel to the Auca Indians once called those who serve? Something like ―a bunch of nobodies, trying to exalt Somebody.‖ He was talking about the unknown Christians exalting Christ, but the phrase can also apply to the person with the gift of service who serves unnoticed and unrecognized to exalt the Lord and others in ministry.

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Scriptures for further study: Matthew 20:26-28 – Matthew 24:45-47 – Matthew 25:34-40 – Luke 10:38-42 – John 13:1-17 – Acts 6:1-7 – Acts 9:36 – Romans 12:7 – 1 Corinthians 16:15 – Ephesians 4:12 – Colossians 4:17 – 2 Timothy 4:5 – Hebrews 1:14

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Chapter Four Let Me Tell You How to Make a Watch The Gift of Teaching Teaching: To instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to clearly communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Dr. Howard Hendricks tells of a professor who had an unforgettable impact on his life. He learned from him fresh insight and interesting facts that made him eager to learn and put his knowledge into practice. He was different than all of his other teachers. He said things that made Hendricks think long after he left his class. The more he thought about what was said the more he tried to incorporate it into his everyday life.

Hendricks passed the professorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home many times. Sometimes it was very early in the morning. Other times it was late at night. When he passed by he would always look up at the large office window.

More often than not he found his professor pouring over his books. One day Hendricks asked him, â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Professor, I Page | 68

would like to know, what is it that keeps you studying all of the time? You never cease to learn.‖ His answer, ―Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than from a stagnant pool.‖ Dr. Hendricks remembers him as a teacher who always had a new fresh fountain of living water in his approach to Biblical teaching.

The Greek word for teaching is ―Didaska‖ which means ―to teach in a way that causes others to learn.‖ The word ―teaching‖ also carries with it the meaning of the word ―weight.‖ The teacher bears a heavy responsibility to be sure others learn the knowledge they have to share. The ministry of teaching is burdened by communicating clear information that will inspire and motivate their students to want to learn. They have a burning desire to communicate truth in a fresh unforgettable way.

Those with the gift of teaching have the ability to research, communicate and instruct others in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word for the purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the Body of Christ. They use many methods to do this Page | 69

but perhaps their greatest tool is to be a lifelong learner that can give others fresh information and insight into the subjects they teach.

God has given us teachers who love to research and share knowledge. Study is not a duty to them; in fact they consider it fun! Teachers cause us to learn what we need to know about God and the Christian life. We should be doubly grateful for those with the gift of teaching, for if most of us were left to ourselves, we would do little more than scratch the surface of His Word, and when we did find a great truth we would not know how to apply it to our lives in a practical way.

An object that is best associated with the person with the gift of teaching is a ―magnifying glass,‖ for the teacher will study the Word in great detail, and then clearly communicate to us what it means and how it applies to our lives.

The motto of the person with the gift of teaching could quite well be: ―If you ask me what time it is, I will tell you how to make a watch.‖

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A Biblical illustration of a teacher concerned with accurate information is Philip (John 14:5) Jesus had just explained to the Disciples that he was about to go to heaven and prepare a place for them. Thomas didn’t understand and asked ―How can we know the way.‖ Jesus replied, ―I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.‖ That was a lot of new information for Philip to digest, and he wanted to check it out. Searching for truth and clarity, Philip said ―Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.‖ His motive for asking wasn’t unbelief. He was concerned with clear thinking. He had a burning desire to know the truth, a trait typical of one who ministers through teaching. In questioning the Lord he was simply checking out the facts for truth and accuracy. This quite often is a trait of a potential teacher.

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Phillip learned from the Master Teacher on how to teach and to bring the hearer to a point of action. He was traveling on the long, dusty, desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. On the way he came across an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot reading. He drew near to him and saw that he was reading from the book of Isaiah. ―Do you understand what you are reading?‖ Philip asked.‖ When he found the man didn’t understand, Phillip did what good teachers always do, he started where the man was in that very passage of Scripture, and communicated with clarity the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:30-35 He explained the Scriptures so thoroughly that the Eunuch understood it clearly and wanted to take action. He was baptized immediately. This is real teaching: life changing information communicated in a heartfelt comprehended manner that leads the pupil to want to do something with what they have learned. When a teacher reaches the heart of the pupil and causes the pupil to act on the new information, then real learning has occurred.

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We have all had teachers who prepackaged materials and parroted it back to us. That is not real teaching. They have just gathered some information and passed it along to us. Anyone can obtain a teaching degree if they are interested in doing so. Others are fantastic story tellers that make you laugh or cry or remember everything they told you. But the person with the gift of teaching has the Holy Spirit’s power in communicating with a clarity that will speak directly to the listener’s heart and move them to action.

As a person with the gift of teaching you have certain characteristics that are evident to you and others: 

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You love to do research and check out information, words and definitions. The dictionary is your friend!

You present material in a logical and objective way, and want to know the authority behind the information.

You will look for illustrations that will help your students to understand and act on what you are teaching them.

Your answers are very detailed. If someone asks you ―What time is it?‖ You will tell them how to make a watch!

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You will often answer a question with a question so that people can discover their own answers.

You have a desire to know the meaning of words and love looking up their meaning in dictionaries or commentaries.

You find it easy to gather, organize and retain a large amount of facts, and then present it in a systematic way.

Using Biblical illustrations to make a point is very important to you.

You are aware of how words are used and test whether they are being used accurately.

You will spend a large amount of time searching for information that will clarify what you are teaching.

A teacher will not just tell their kids to rake the yard. They will say ―go around to the garage and look for the rake that is used for raking leaves. It is located on the left wall right next to the broom we use to sweep the garage floor. Make sure it is clean. Then start raking in the back upper right corner and keep raking the leaves to the center. When you are finished go get the garbage can that is behind the garage and take it to the center of the pile of leaves and put the Page | 74

leaves in it. Rake the center part over again to make sure there are no smashed leaves left because it will kill the grass.‖ Talk about communicating with clarity to move people to action! Such is the person with the gift of teaching.

Those that possess the gift of teaching can easily be understood. They may be standing up in front of people presenting facts that not everyone who hears will accept. It is easy for people to become bored with them because they will go into great detail about things that seem to have no relevance to the subject matter.

In their eagerness to share truth they may appear to be prideful of what they know. When searching others to discern error, or to clarify what is being said, they can appear to be arrogant of their knowledge. The Teacher becomes frustrated with a less than accurate instructor, and is seen as disruptive if they try to correct false facts or information.

They can irritate people by always asking ―Why?‖ in trying to understand the information they are being given. They appear to be overly critical when information is not presented in a direct Page | 75

truthful way. They will scrutinize instructions more closely than others will.

Words and how they are used is very important to them. They are more interested in word accuracy than in giving generalized information.

They may depend more on their research or writings of others than the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit. They feel empty away from the Word.

The greatest challenge in the life of a teacher is to sit in the class of someone who does not know as much as they do, and keep quiet. They feel like they will explode if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the truth out!

One of the greatest lessons a teacher can learn is to look past the person who is teaching them, to the person of the Holy Spirit He is the ultimate teacher and will use human teachers to show a person what He wants them to learn. God can teach the teacher anything if they will remain teachable.

The person with the Spiritual Gift of teaching has many avenues of service within the church. They are always looking for teaching opportunities and come alive when they can share what they have learned with others. They are Page | 76

found teaching Sunday school classes and leading Bible Study groups. If they are involved in children’s ministry, they often develop the Bible lessons to fit perceived needs of their students. They include marvelous stories in their teaching. They see a story in a cloud, a rock, a butterfly, or a little boy walking down a hill. They immediately apply everyday events to spiritual realities. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He called them parables. They were earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

They are very good at developing and writing curriculum and training materials.

This is greatly needed within the church.

Can you imagine how effective a church would be if those volunteering could have a ―job description‖ to help them to know what it is they are to do and how to do it?

Teachers would be thrilled to take on a project like that!

They excel at public speaking and many times you will find them active as part of a drama team. They love to disciple people, usually one on one, and often home school their children.

Some lead singing and teach people how to worship. Their teaching within the Page | 77

church often overflows into ministries outside the church such as teaching in nursing homes, prisons, or neighborhood Bible studies.

Teaching can be a learned skill that can be acquired through a college degree program and other studies. Some are born story tells that tell tales you will remember their stories with relish. But the gifted teacher, working through the power of the Holy Spirit will go far beyond presenting facts and information. As keen observers of human nature they will communicate with such clarity and intensity that students gain new spiritual insight that has a lasting impact upon them, touching their hearts and changing their lives. Daniel 12:3 could well apply to those with the gift of teaching, ―Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.‖ My second grade teacher, Mrs. Sweitzer, definitely had the gift of teaching. She had a profound influence on my life, by touching my heart. She changed my life forever. I came from a broken home and was given away as a child for others to raise. By the second grade I was an emotional mess. A burning question in my little heart was ―what is wrong with me that my own parents don’t want me?‖ Page | 78

Mrs. Sweitzer built into her teaching what I now know are Biblical principles. She gave unconditional love and acceptance.

I was eager to go to school and meet her at the door. She would always give me a loving smile and a big hug, and at that said ―I am so happy you are here!‖ That meant a lot to a little girl who received little affection. But the times I loved and remember the most were when she would sit me on her lap and sing to me. I can easily close my eyes and be transported back to being 7 years old, sitting on her lap as she sang to me ―Savior like a shepherd lead us, much we need they tender care.‖ In fact, that happened nearly every time I heard the song even though I am now in my seventies.

She instilled deep within my little soul a realization that she loved me and God loved me and He would guide and protect me. And He has! Later in life I learned the verse that says ―when your mother and father forsake you, the Lord will take you up.‖ He did just that in sending Mrs. Sweitzer into my life as a teacher. She taught me much more than what was found in books. Her love and acceptance

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motivated me to want to know the God that she knew.

I never got to tell Mrs. Sweitzer just how much her love and teaching affected my life. But someday in the presence of the Shepherd we both love, it will give me great pleasure to put my arms around her neck and thank her for her faithfulness to the Lord and her calling as a teacher.

Because of her my life was forever changed. But then, that is what teachers do!

Five women who wanted to study the Scriptures approached a missionary and asked her to teach their Bible class. The missionary recently returned from China seemed like the logical choice to be their teacher. This plain, statuesque English lady, who bore a strong resemblance to George Washington, agreed to teach them but warned that she would not spoon feed anyone. The students would have to dig into scriptural truth according to her instructions.

Miss A. Weatherall Johnson had no idea she was starting an International Bible Study group with these five women. Miss J, as she became affectingly known, Page | 80

created a clear, comprehensive method for studying scripture that has ministered to thousands and thousands of people around the world. Bible Study Fellowship began with one woman’s obedience to God allowing Him to use her spiritual gift of teaching. She also created a method for rising up new leaders who could follow in her steps to multiply the spiritual fruit of Bible study. Through all of this Miss Johnson kept her purpose clear. She wanted to accurately communicate God’s Word in a fresh new way that would be clearly understood, leading to a change in the lives of her students. That is exactly what happened and is still happening in Bible Study Fellowship.

The gift of teaching is foundational to most everything else. Biblical truth must be preserved and maintained in order for all of the other gifts to operate accurately and effectively. Without the ministry of teaching, Biblical truths would lose accuracy and fade into mythical stories, violated at the whim of the storytellers’ imagination. Thank God for those with the gift of teaching!

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Suggested Scriptures for further study: Matthew 4:23 – Matthew 9:35 – Matthew 13:52 – Matthew 21:23 – Matthew 26:55 – Luke 5:17 – Luke 21:37 – John 14:5-8 – John 14:26 – Acts 8:30 – Acts 8:35 – Acts 20:20-21 – 1 Corinthians 12:28-29 – 2 Timothy 2:24-26

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Chapter Five I Will Cheer You On The Gift of Encouragement Encouragement: To come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be.

Romans 12:8 The Boston Marathon is among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known races. One of the infamous portions of the 26-mile, 385yard course is called "Heartbreak Hill."

It's there, along that hill that thousands of spectators gather. As they see weary runners about to collapse, the cheer them on to keep going up the hill. During one race an older man was near total exhaustion as he approached the foot of Heartbreak Hill. It was doubtful he could go a step farther. About halfway up the hill a younger man, who was obviously in better shape, came alongside the older man, put his arm around him, and spoke quietly to him. Together, step by step, they painstakingly made their way up Heartbreak Hill. As the older man began to regain his strength, the younger man Page | 83

pulled back. The older man went on to finish the race alone. He did not win first place, but he finished with a flourish! A man with the gift of encouragement came along side the weary runner and gave him the comfort, motivation and encouragement he needed to finish the race. Without it the older man never would have finished his race.

Some translations of this verse use the term exhortation, but encouragement is a much better translation of the original meaning. The actual word is the Greek word ―Parakaleo‖ which means ―to call near, to invite, to comfort.‖ This particular form of the word means ―to call near,‖ As in drawing near to the person.

It also means to invite and to comfort, including spoken words. One of the words used in Scripture for the Holy Spirit is ―Paraklete.‖ It comes from the same word, and means ―one called alongside to help.‖ Possessors of the gift of encouragement keep others on their feet when they feel like quitting. They come along side of those who are in need of help and give counseling from Scripture that will point Page | 84

people toward the future with hope and expectancy.

They motivate others by pointing out their potential for service in the Kingdom of God. Blessed is the person who has someone in their life with this gift, who when they fall will be encouraged to get up just one more time.

The object that could most represent a person with the gift of encouragement is a Teddy Bear. Teddy Bears are soft and cuddly and give a sense of comfort just by looking at them. They don’t really have to do anything, but snuggle up and let us hold them. The Encourager specializes in drawing near to those who need a lift.

They don’t really need to do much more than hold us and whisper words that say ―You can make it.‖ The motto of the person with the gift of encouragement is ―Let me be your cheerleader, till you can run again on your own.‖ They have the remarkable ability to know exactly what to say to a person that will lift and inspire them to keep on keeping on. They will personally stand beside them and encourage them to take positive Biblical steps until they have the Page | 85

strength to go forward again on their own. The Encourager makes an excellent mentor. A person can be an encouraging mentor at any age.

A Biblical illustration of a person with the gift of encouragement is Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-51 Cleopas and another disciple were walking along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about the heartbreaking events surrounding the death of Christ.

They were grieving and confused about what had just taken place. Jesus drew near to them. He ―met them where they were.‖ He began asking questions like ―Why are you sad?‖ He listened intensely to them as they tried to identify their feelings. He became a ―joint mourner‖ as they told of their great loss and how devastated they were.

Jesus continued to ask questions and encouraged them to talk about their sadness. He focused entirely upon their needs. They had just lost the one whom they loved. Although Jesus suffered infinitely more on the cross than them, he did not minimize or make light of their suffering. He encouraged and comforted Page | 86

them and counseled them from Scripture.

He offered them this insight ―Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?‖ He expounded unto them Moses and the Prophets and pointed them in the right direction by teaching them things concerning Himself.

Then as a skilled encourager he left the next move up to them. They decided to invite him in to share a meal with them and he said ―Yes.‖ When he broke the bread their eyes were opened to who he really was and he vanished out of their sight.

Encouragers will draw near to people who are hurting and ask questions to identify their needs. They will let them talk and when they are all through getting out their feelings they will counsel them with Scriptures to correct their thinking. Their goal is to give the person hope, so will remind them what Jesus has already done in their life and in the lives of others.

When they sense the hurting person has gotten their eyes off of the situation and shifted their focus to Jesus, they will slowly withdraw. That is the ministry of encouragement.

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When the Apostle Paul arrived in Jerusalem for the first time following his conversion; the local Christians were understandably reluctant to welcome him.

They thought Paul’s story was a trick to capture and kill more Christians.

Barnabas, (his name means ―son of encouragement‖) stepped forward and was willing to risk his life to meet with Paul and then he worked to convince others that their former enemy was now a vibrant believer in Jesus. We can only wonder what might have happened to Paul without Barnabas. Also, what would have happened to Mark without Barnabas? Mark joined Paul on his first missionary journey, and then quit and returned home. Later on Barnabas wanted Mark to join Paul for another journey, but Paul said ―No.‖ Barnabas was patient and encouraging and eventually Paul later took Mark on another Missionary journey. Could it be that Mark’s eventual successful ministry was because Barnabas would not give up on him? Without a second chance he would not have penned the book that bears his name.

If you have the gift of encouragement: Page | 88

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You are greatly encouraged when others see their problems from God’s perspective and take Biblical action.

You reject solutions that do not take into consideration the application of Scripture to daily life.

You like to discover insight into human behavior and search Scripture to validate and explain the insights.

You patiently and faithfully stay with a person and give them encouragement as long as it takes for them to go forward on their own.

You are very good at reading Body language and are quick to help those who are showing signs of stress.

You view problems and suffering as a challenge in a person’s life for new levels of growth and maturity.

You are happy to find detailed steps of action that will help others turn their pain into spiritual growth.

You become discouraged when correct steps of action are given and they are not taken implemented.

You are happiest when you are encouraging, comforting and counseling.

You are highly motivated to stimulate the faith of others by setting spiritual goals and giving steps of action.

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You have found that the greatest source of comfort is God, and you take the comfort that He gives to you and turn around and share it with others.

You are a living example of 2 Corinthians 1:4-7. ―Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, who comforts us in all of our troubles that we might be able to comfort those experiencing all kinds of troubles, with the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.‖

Annie Sullivan definitely had the gift of encouragement. She poured her life into Helen Keller, a blind little girl, because Helen was eager to learn and act upon what she learned. Helen Keller said, ―I shall never forget the life-changing day Annie came into my life. I learned words like, ―water, mother, father and teacher.

As I lay in my crib at the close of that eventful day, and lived over the joys it had brought for me, for the first time in my life I longed for a new day to come.‖ The gift of encouragement is the ability to minister to those who are hurting, by using words of comfort, encouragement and counsel. The encourager has often Page | 90

experienced deep hurt, and so they know exactly what to say to those in distress.

Someone has said ―You need to bleed to bless.‖ Joni Eareckson Tada says that only three things are needed for a ministry of encouragement: ―A broken heart, bent knees, and wet eyes.‖ The person with the gift of encouragement often lives with all three.

Like all of the gifts the gift of encouragement also has some things they need to consider. They are often considered over-confident in giving steps of action. This can lead people to believe they are pushy or insensitive. They need to be careful about taking Scripture out of context when applying it to life. They are often prone to give simple solutions to complex problems, which can bring on a whole new set of problems. They are interested in the big picture and over all view of situations which may cause them to not consider important details. This person is so motivated to succeed in uplifting others that they may give out quick solutions to people they are counseling, thus depriving the person of their own initiative and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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As an encourager, perhaps the greatest thing you may want to consider is that you are not the Lord Jesus. You will need to be very careful that you do not take the place of the Holy Spirit in another person’s life. People will become emotionally dependent upon you if you let them. Your job as an encourager is to point them to the counsel of the Spirit of God, and not get caught up in feeling you have to do everything for the person in need. Your presence and standing with them in their suffering and supporting their decisions are all things that you do best and people desperately need. The hardest thing for you to do is to allow people to suffer a little.

Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of England was a great encourager. In World War 11 at the height of the war with bombs dropping on London around the clock, England’s morale was gone. Churchill walked to a podium, picked up the microphone, looked people directly in the eyes and said, ―Never give up! Never, Never, Never Give Up!‖ Those few words rallied an entire nation and gave them hope in despair. As a person with the gift of encouragement your challenge to others will be to never, ever give up!

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You cannot see a discouraged person and leave them as you found them. You take seriously the admonition of Scripture â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Encourage one another daily as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; Hebrews 3:14.

The gift of encouragement is used in the church in a variety of ways. You will find many women counseling other women friends. This gift is used through personal counseling, and many times in assisting the Pastor in visitation of shut-ins, absentees, at hospitals, or following up church prospects. When a problem is stated they clearly see the direction that must be taken to solve the problem.

These problems are a challenge for the Encourager. She sees in the other person an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Encouragers are particularly patience working with the retarded, handicapped and addicted. They excel in writing notes of encouraging words and are especially appreciated when they use the gift in writing missionaries. You will find them serving as greeters in the church foyer, and in assisting Sunday school teachers in Page | 93

visitation and making phone calls. They are especially good at writing notes to those who are absent or ill. Their notes are positive, uplifting and people look forward to them because they are always inspirational in nature. People who receive their notes often keep them and re-read them many times.

They excel in praying with, and for others.

They know exactly how to pray or what to say that will ease another’s burden.

Encourager’s are generally well liked because they make a conscious effort to let others know the qualities they like about them. They have a wonderful way of ―making someone’s day!‖ People say of the encourager, ―They make me feel good when I am around them. They are so interested and enthusiastic and when I take a nose dive they encourage me to get up and try again.‖ They help to carry the heavy loads for us, and we are blessed that they are Christ to us in this way. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a person on their feet and given them the courage to try one more time.

The person who has the gift of Page | 94

encouragement has the power to drastically change another personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life for time and for eternity.

Encouragers are so needed in the Body of Christ because discouragement is Satanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest tool. There's an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their price. They were spread out on the table and each one labeled. Hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality--all the weapons that everyone knows so well. But off to one side lay a harmless looking wood-shaped instrument marked "discouragement." It was old and worn looking but it was priced far above all the rest. When asked the reason why, the Devil replied, "Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get inside I can use any tool that suits me best."

The Encourager is not only a tremendous asset within the church; encouragement for them is a lifestyle wherever they are.

They permeate their life with it and are constantly on the outlook to encourage anyone who needs it, no matter who they are. They are sensitive to those who need a break, and go out of their way to Page | 95

give it to them. Chris Hogan the head coach of Faith Academy in Grapevine Texas is the perfect example of the Encourager looking for someone they can encourage.

Faith Academy, a Christian school, was scheduled to play a game of football with the Gainesville State School, located within a high-security youth correctional facility. The prison team comprised of 14 players had a record of 0-8 and had only scored twice the whole year. Their players were teenagers convicted of crimes ranging from drugs to assault to robbery. Most of their families had disowned them. They wore outdated, old used uniforms and helmets.

Faith Academy was 7-2 with 70 players, 11 coaches, and the latest equipment.

Their head coach, Chris Hogan, knew Gainesville had no fans and would get badly beaten, so he thought ―What if half of our fans and half of our cheerleaders…cheered for the other team?‖ He sent out an email to the faithful fans asking them to do just that.

Some thought he was confused and crazy.

One player said, ―Coach, why are we doing this?‖ Hogan said, ―Imagine you don’t have a home life, no one to love you, no one pulling for you. Imagine that Page | 96

everyone pretty much had given up on you. Now, think of what it would feel like and mean to you for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you.‖ The idea took root. On the night of the game, imagine the surprise of those 14 players when they took the field and there was a banner the cheerleaders had made for them to crash through. The Gainesville visitors’ stands were full. The cheerleaders were leading cheers for them. The fans were calling them by their names. Isaiah, the quarterback-middle linebacker said, ―I never in my life thought I would hear parents cheering for me to tackle and hit their kid. Most of the time, when we come out, people are afraid of us. You can see it in their eyes, but these people are yelling for us. They knew our names.‖ After the game the teams gathered at the 50-yard line to pray. That’s when Isaiah, the teenage convict surprised everybody and asked if he could pray, ―Lord, I don’t know what just happened so I don’t know how or who to say thank you to, but I never knew there were so many people in the world that cared about us.‖ On the way back to the bus, under guard, each one of the players was handed a burger and fries, a coke and a candy bar, Page | 97

a Bible, and an encouraging letter from the players from Faith Academy. You can bet that act of encouragement changed their lives.

Suggested Scriptures for further study: Luke 3:18 – Acts 2:40 – Acts 11:23 – Acts 14:21-22 – Acts 15:32 – Romans 12:8 – 2 Corinthians 9:5 – 1 Timothy 2:1 – 1 Timothy 6:2 – 2 Timothy 4:2 – Titus 1:9 – Titus 2:6 – Titus 2:9 – Titus 2:15 – Hebrews 3:13-14 – Hebrews 10:25 – 1 Peter 5:1 – 1 Peter 5:12

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Chapter Six I Came, I Saw, I Cleaned Up The Mess The Gift of Administration Administration: To steer and guide the Body toward the accomplishment of Godgiven goals and directives by planning, organizing and supervising others. 1 Corinthians 12:28 The world would be in a big mess if we didn’t all have some administrative skills.

We get up every morning and begin to organize a routine for the day. Fixing breakfast is probably a top priority, and after that getting the kids’ where they need to be. Maybe we even write out a schedule for the day and hope we can keep to it. As we organize our day, without even realizing it, we are being an administrator. If all of us didn’t have the ability to get things organized we would never be anywhere on time, or be able to manage the affairs of our family, or do ministry in or outside of the church. Our lives would be in chaos and we would become a victim of handling the problem of the moment without planning for important events or reaching goals.

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Having the gift of administration and having the ability to organize are two different things. All of us have the ability to organize to a certain degree just to keep our lives from spinning out of control. But the administrator can take a look at an organization, ministry, church, or business and know how to immediately put things together to make everything run smoothly.

Kay and Ann each held an administrative position in a Bible class. When Kay began her term she received a box containing all sorts of papers that related to operating the class. There were blank forms, instructions sheets, and piles of other papers needed to keep things running smoothly. Kay glanced at them and for the most part left them in the box. Once in a while, if she needed a certain item she pawed through the box until she found what she needed.

When her term of service ended she handed the virtually unused box to Ann. The next week Kay was amazed to see everything out of the box, and organized into neat folders. Ann had labeled, sorted and arranged them for their most efficient use.

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Kay and Ann both held the title of Administrator but there the similarity ended. Although Kay learned her job and accomplished what she had been told to do, she didn’t have the gift of Administration. Ann, on the other hand, demonstrated in the first week on the job some of the characteristics of the Administration gift. Her ability was not learned. Rather, it was a natural expression of the personality God had given her.

The administrator is a leader who is one that ―stands before,‖ or the one who presides or rules, or governs. It means ―steering‖ as in one who is the pilot of a ship. The word ―diligence‖ means constant, careful, intentional effort in carrying out tasks. They are able to analyze a messy situation and know how to lead others so that order is brought out of chaos. As one who directs the work they steer the Body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing and supervising the Body of Christ to move forward with God’s revealed plans and purposes.

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The item that best describes the person with the gift of administration is the gavel. The gavel is used with authority to keep things on track and pushing people and programs toward desired goals. We see gavels in the hands of judges, business leaders, politicians and anyone who is ruling over others. The gavel is used to keep order, and that is what an administrator does best!

The administrator will find themselves in any organization or group, and barely without realizing it say to themselves ―I came, I saw, and I cleaned up the mess‖ They will immediately see what needs to be done, and gather a group to do it.

They delegate others, always keeping the end in view, working step by step to clean up a disorganized .

Paul recognized this gift in Titus when he wrote to him and said ―The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.‖ Titus 1:5 Titus must have demonstrated the gift of administration for Paul saw it in him and knew that Titus would easily see Paul’s overall goal and Page | 102

quickly take the necessary detailed steps to get the job done. Paul expected him to bring order out of chaos, delegate the work to others, and reach the intended goal.

The early church spread rapidly and could have become chaotic if there hadn’t been proper organization. Someone needed to be in charge of each church to keep it on track and growing. Those overseers had to have specific standards, or the new Christians would have followed the whims of the best talker and the church would soon deteriorate in disarray. Paul was telling Titus ―Straighten out what is wrong, and delegate people to get it going in the right direction.‖ Moses had the gift of Administration, but it wasn’t always evident. After he killed the Egyptian, Moses fled to the desert and sat down by a well. He had attempted to do the right thing, in protecting his people, but he did it in a wrong way. He no doubt felt he was a failure. God used failure to cause Moses to learn that he didn’t know everything and needed to think before he acted. Failure became his blessing for through it he became humble Page | 103

and teachable. Every administrator will have to come to that point in life if they are ever to be used by God. Israel came out from Egypt as millions of unorganized slaves. As a new national togetherness was formed they needed to become organized, and Moses was just the man to do it. Many with the gift of administration are so goal orientated they will take on self-imposed tasks instead of giving the duties to people who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do them as well as they can. This can cause burnout. This was about to happen to Moses who was wearing himself out trying to administer everything that was going on every day. His father-in-law, Jethro, noticed that from sun up till sun down Moses was hearing all of the problems and disputes and it was causing him to grow. The people believed his word as coming from God so they were looking to form the laws and also enforce them as judge. With endless disputes to be solved the people were becoming upset because decisions were taking too long, and they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting the individual attention they wanted.

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Jethro saw the strain on Moses and proposed an idea to not only relieve Moses from undue hardship, but also give others with the gift of administration the opportunity to use their gifts. He said ―You will surely wear yourself out. The task is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone‖ Exodus 18:18 There are limits as to what one person can do.

Jethro encouraged his son-in-law by stating a spiritual principle of timeless relevance: ―If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure.‖ Exodus 18:23 He submitted his advice to the ultimate direction of God. The principle is that God assumes full responsibility for enabling a person to fulfill every task to which He has appointed them.

Jethro proposed a twofold course of action. Moses should continue to act as God’s representative, teaching spiritual principles and exercising his legislative functions. He should delegate the judicial functions to competent legal officers who could thus lighten his intolerable burden.

He would be the one to take the hard cases to God. It was wise advice, for had Page | 105

Moses succumbed to the strain of his office, he would have left behind him no one experienced and trained in the exercise of authority and the bearing of responsibility. Failure to make such provision has spelled ruin to many a promising work of God. Moses could doubtless have done the task better than the seventy men whom he selected, but had he persisted in doing so, he would soon have been only a memory.

A woman with the gift of administration saw many needs in her community. On the surface it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look like there was any kind of needs at all. However she saw things that others didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see. In her personal encounters she began to sense that most of her neighbors had everything to live with -- but nothing to live for. This troubled her so she got together some of her Christian friends and started a community hot line. Her enthusiasm quickly spread throughout the city. She began analyzing all of the elements of what needed to be done and then delegated specific small tasks to many people. A company donated a suite of ten offices. The local realtor agreed to do all of the printing free of charge. The bank Page | 106

donated paper, rubber bands, pencils and general offices supplies. The largest company in the area donated office furniture. Every business in town put the hot line number on their cash registers where their customers could see it.

During this time she trained her friends to counsel the callers. In less than a month the hot line was fully operational with people calling in around the clock. In a city that looked like it had no problems, they soon found there were many serious problems and people were hurting desperately.

How was the hotline up and running in an orderly fashion in a short period of time?

It came about because one person with the gift of administration saw messes that no one else saw, and set about to clean them up. She delegated jobs to everyone who wanted to become involved then she got out of their way and allowed them to accomplish the goal, their way. That is the art of delegation.

If you have the gift of Administration: ď&#x201A;ˇ

You have a remarkable ability to organize people and give each of them a job to do so that long range Page | 107

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goals and effective plans achieve the church’s goals.

You know how to steer the Body toward the accomplishment of Godgiven directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others.

You know how to easily take a series of tasks, and put them in a logical order to accomplish the goal.

You are rarely just a committee member. Almost always you are appointed the chairman or moderator.

You know how to coordinate people and things to accomplish the goal. It is no problem for you to choose people and delegate responsibility to them.

You are not completely happy unless you include tons of people. You will do this by making people feel like they needed to do the job, and their contribution is significant.

You can tell what details are important or unimportant, and will work on ―the big picture details‖ and take care of small details as the work progresses.

Pressure is your friend; pressure keeps you moving and the pressure does not let up until the job is done.

Not content to reach a goal in the allotted time you usually

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accomplished them ahead of schedule.

When you look at an organization or situation you can immediately identify its strengths and weaknesses.

When the job is completed you can mentally determine the reason for its success or failure.

Those with the gift of Administration have no trouble seeing a need and finding and delegating people to help meet the need.

Suppose a person in your neighborhood is sick and bedridden for a month. The administrator will find out what she needs and organize the neighborhood to help.

They will call on:      

Prophecy to pray for healing, strength and endurance for her.

Service to take over the meals, offer to do housework, or run errands Teaching to bring over some good books or CD’s.

Encouragement to go over and encourage her with Scripture.

Givers to bring food and other gifts, and spend time talking with her.

Mercy to ask how your sick friend feels, empathize and hug and weep

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with her.

The administrator, perhaps more than other gifts has many cautions to be aware of: Administrators are good at straightening out a mess and reaching a goal, but their relationship with people is not always good. Others may think they use people because often the project appears to be more important than the people. They push so hard to reach the goal that they may wear other people out. They can be bossy and overbearing. They are not always sensitive to people and doesn’t see their hurts until someone else points them out. John Maxwell gives us this reminder: "You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion. The heart comes before the head.‖ When picking people they can be a poor judge of character and overlook a person’s major flaws because they are helping them reach their goals. When they do delegate, they don’t want to take the time to show the person how to do a job step by step. They will often go back and nitpick because the job is not up to Page | 110

their standard. When this happens others may become discouraged and think they are not doing a good enough job.

Because they reach conclusions quickly they don’t understand how others do not do the same. They have little patience with interruptions, indecisive people, or working in the church nursery.

It would be good for those with the gift of administration to put themselves under the authority of others so they can see what it is like to submit to someone else.

Some people think they are lazy because they get other people to do the jobs without helping themselves. Those with the gift of Administration need to guard against a prideful attitude. They can believe that they are the only one that can ―keep the top spinning,‖ and without them, everything would fall apart.

I recently read something that helps to put it in perspective: If you have the gift of administration, the next time you're inclined to feel indispensable in church work, just take a bucket of water, stick your arm in it, shake it around a while, then quickly take it out. The hole that is left behind in the water is the measure of Page | 111

your own importance and how much you will be missed when you are gone. If we are not serving out of love to Christ, we might as well forget it.

The person with the gift of administration has many opportunities to use this gift within the church. They are good at planning long range future projects. They excel at leading meetings, controlling projects, keeping order, serving on committees or boards. They are very good as the Director of VBS. They easily plan, recruit, and coordinate all the various facets of VBS. During VBS you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know that she was the person directing it as she prefers to work behind the scenes making sure everything goes smoothly.

They make an excellent President or the director of ministries serving in executive positions. They will spend many hours in planning strategies to implement a more discipleship-oriented ministry. They are great at getting new ministries started and delegating responsibilities to others.

As a church administrator they find themselves planning, organizing, and coordinating efforts to efficiently use the Page | 112

resources and means God has given to the church to equip others.

This personality within the church may be a leader, administrator, or Pastor, each playing a distinct role. Leaders develop ideas. Administrators develop strategies to accomplish ideas. Pastors develop people to benefit from the ideas and strategies.

An administrator can use this spiritual gift with or without a title, in a recognized ministry position or not. They are particularly effective if they come alongside of their Pastor who is not administratively inclined in a way that can make the Pastor look more efficient. They coordinate tasks behind the scenes, reminding the Pastor of various details that need attention.

God gave the gift of administration to the Body of Christ to guarantee that someone would see the vision and goal of the ministry, and organize people to take care to see that every part of the ministry is taken care of to keep the vision alive and reach the goal. They are the pilot to see that the â&#x20AC;&#x2022;shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; of the local church does not get off course or crack up on the rocks because people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to do or Page | 113

don’t do what is expected of them in ministry.

Administrators would do well to learn to lead not through power but through authority. It is called being a servantleader. James Hunter in his book ―The Servant" presents a powerful picture of this. He says ―Servant leadership is not forcing our will on others, but demonstrating our will to serve. There is a big difference between leading through power and leading through authority.

Many people can simply force people to do what they want because they have the power to make them. However, few people like to be forced to do anything.

Eventually such ―power driven leadership‖ destroys relationships. On the other hand, some have the ability to lead through authority. Authority is different than power. Power is so something you force on people. Authority is something you gain – it is given to you by the people you lead. How does one gain authority from those they lead? Only through service and sacrifice. When people see that you have their best interests at heart, when they see that you are willing to sacrifice and serve them, they will be Page | 114

willing to follow. That is servant leadership, that’s authority to lead.‖ Suggested Scriptures for further study: Exodus 18:19-27 – Proverbs 31 – Mark 10:42-22 – 1 Corinthians 12:28 – Hebrews 13:7,17 – James 1:5 – Titus 1:5-9 - 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – 1 Peter 5:2-3 – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

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Chapter Seven Freely Receive, Freely Give The Gift of Giving Giving: To share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return (Romans 12:8) Bennet Cerf relates this touching story about a bus that was bumping along a back road in the south. In one seat a wispy old man sat holding a bunch of fresh flowers. Across the aisle was a young girl whose eyes came back again and again to the man’s beautiful bouquet of flowers. There was certain sadness about her, he noticed. She looked downcast and dejected, but each time her face lifted and she looked at the flowers, brightness came to her eye and she smiled. The time came for the old man to get off the bus. Impulsively he thrust the flowers into the girl’s lap. ―I can see you love these flowers,‖ he explained, ―and I think my wife would like for you to have them. I’ll tell her I gave them to you.

She’ll understand.‖ The girls accepted the flowers, and then watched the old man get off the bus and walk slowly through Page | 116

the gate of a small cemetery. That is what it is to sense a need, and give sacrificially to meet it with love and personal involvement. Certainly, the man had the gift of giving.

Those with the gift of giving give freely and joyfully to the work and mission of the Body. Cheerfulness and liberality are characteristics of individuals with this gift. The Greek work for giving is ―Metadidomi.‖ It means ―to give,‖ but it also means sharing in the giving. It is to have participation in the transfer of the gift from one to the other. Suppose I give you a piece of paper with some Scriptures on it, and then walk away. I gave you a gift without any more involvement. But if I ―Let’s sit down and discuss these verses,‖ there is a lingering, personal involvement in the gift. The person with the person with the gift of giving not only gives the gift they give themselves by their personal involvement.

Two items perfectly represent the gift of giving: a dollar bill and a clock. They give freely and cheerfully of their money and resources, but they also willingly become personally involved by giving their time in helping to meet needs.

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The person with the Gift of giving gives out of their gratefulness for all God has given to them. Their motto is ―Freely, freely, we have received, freely, freely give.‖ The theme song for the Billy Graham Conference of Itinerant Evangelists, called Amsterdam 86, was ―Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my Name and because you believe others will know that I live.‖ 10,000 Evangelists fanned out all over Holland and were heard singing that song everywhere they went. I heard it on the public transportation, at eating places, in boats in the canals, in fields of tulips. When I was leaving Amsterdam at the airport I was still hearing it from groups of Evangelists. In fact, I heard it again when the plane landed in New York. It had a great impact on me because it was so evident the Evangelists lived by that motto long before they ever got to Amsterdam 86.

The Macedonians are a marvelous example of the spiritual type of giving.

The church was in the midst of severe trials, yet they begged for the privilege of Page | 118

sharing in Paul’s ministry. Though they had many trouble and hard times, they mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result was an overflowing of giving to others. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. As with all who have the gift of giving, their gift was motivated by the need. Paul said ―They gave not only what they could afford, but far more: and I can testify that they did it because they wanted to, not because of nagging on my part.‖ 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul did not have to ask for money. The Macedonians were involved in his life and ministry and when they saw a need, they initiated the giving on their own.

George Mueller, born in Prussia in 1805, was converted to Christ. He and his wife gave away all of their household goods.

He refused a regular salary from the small mission he was serving. He felt led of God to start an orphanage to care for the homeless children of England. The first home was dedicated in a rented building on April 21, 1836. Within a matter of days 43 orphans were being cared for. Mueller and his co-workers would rely on God to Page | 119

send those with the gift of giving to take care of their needs. No funds were ever solicited. No debts were ever to be incurred. No money contributed for a specific purpose would ever be used for any other purpose.

All accounts would be audited by an outside group. No ego-pandering by the publication of donor’s names. No prominent people would be sought for the board or to advertise the orphanage. The success of the orphanage would be measured not by the numbers served or by the amount of money taken in, but by God’s blessings on the work.

Soon people heard of the great work he was doing, and without any prompting but that of the Spirit of God, Givers began to pour money into the orphanage. They were motivated by the need, and supported him throughout Mueller’s life.

When the first building was constructed, Mueller and his friends remained true to their convictions. The public was amazed when a second building was opened six months after the first. The needs kept growing, and the Givers kept giving and eventually there were five new buildings, Page | 120

110 workers, and 2,050 orphans being cared for.

George Mueller not only counted on God to provide, but he believed that God would provide abundantly through those in the Body of Christ who had the gift of giving. For over 60 years Mueller recorded every specific prayer request and the results. He was responsible for the care of 9,500 orphans during his life.

These children never went without a meal. Mueller never asked for help from anyone but God. $7,500,000 was given to him over the course of his life and it was all in answer to believing prayer. God used those with the gift of giving who were motivated solely by the need, to do remarkable things at Muellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orphanage.

Characteristically, they did not want their name in the paper or a plaque on the wall.

Most of the money was given faithfully, and generously and anonymously. Such is the characteristic of those with the spiritual gift of giving.

You may have the gift of giving if: ď&#x201A;ˇ

You are thrilled to give of your time talent or money. It is your way of showing your love to the Lord.

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You spend your money wisely so you will have more money give, and you do not like to be in debt to anyone.

You acquire resources easily and do not see giving as an obligation You always give to meet the need, not some slick fund raising program.

You are sensitive to the quality of your gift, and are happiest when you can give of yourself and try to involve others in giving.

You are more inclined to give to projects rather than to people, and you want direct involvement in the work.

You are not upset if someone else receives the credit for the gift you give.

You do not give to get something in return, so your gift is often given quietly and secretly.

You see the gift as God’s gift and you are only the instrument through which God gives the gift.

You see a need and you want to respond immediately to meet it.

There is a God-woven thread inside of people with the gift of giving that causes them to respond personally and liberally when a specific need is observed.

Marquis De Lafayette was a French General and politician who joined the Page | 122

American Revolution and became a friend of George Washington. He was a very influential man and a great man of compassion. The harvest of 1782 was a poor one, but his fields did well. His manager came to him and said, ―Sir, this is the time to sell.‖ Lafayette thought a moment about the poor people in the villages and he turned to his manager and said, ―No, this is the time to give.‖ Gaining more money was not important to him. Seeing a need and responding to it was very important to him. Scriptural giving is to evaluate the need, listen for God’s promptings, and respond.

The giver is not always seen in a positive light. Some may think that they are ―showy and are only trying to get attention.‖ Others think they are not generous but are just trying to impress people. They are often seen as being materialistic or selfish. Their conversations may over emphasize giving, leading others to believe that they are trying to control things through giving, especially in the church. Others may believe givers are trying to make them feel guilty because they are not giving as much as they are. They need to guard Page | 123

against giving to every need they perceive because others can easily be manipulating them to get money. They would do well to check out charities and organizations they give to, for some may not be good stewards of their gift.

They can tell you exactly how much money they have at the moment in their wallet. They are so thrifty others may think they are stingy or cheap because they will do without necessities in order to save money to give away. They are very money orientated and so they often talk about money or what they have saved with coupons or bargains. This causes people to think they are very materialistic.

Their family may do without some things which cause family members to resent their sacrificial giving to others. They may give to people they admire, such as missionaries, while their own family could use the money to buy necessities.

There are many ways the gift of giving can be used in the church. It could include helping to pay the bills of the church to keep it operating, such as building maintenance and repair, utility bills, and buying Sunday school supplies.

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They particularly like funding specific projects such as Mother’s Day Out, printing costs, vacation Bible School, the bus ministry, and flowers for the pulpit or nursery supplies. High on their list of projects are spreading the Gospel, missions, prison ministries and printing of evangelism materials. They look for ways to give in order to meet specific individual needs: the child with no shoes, that family that needs groceries, or paying the rent for someone out of work. They will do without themselves to fund such projects.

As one with the gift of giving, you may never go to the mission field, but you have made it possible for many others to take the Gospel around the world. You sacrificially give out of love to Christ. The gift of giving is not the same as giving of tithes and offerings. It is far deeper than that. It is a great intensity in giving to the point of deeply sacrificing to help someone else. The giver believes that to really give it must cost you more than money. They firmly believe that no one should have two of anything while someone has none. The same concept that John the Baptist uses in Luke 3 when he says ―The man with two tunics should contribute to him who has none.‖

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The local church is sustained and grows through those who give. About 20 % of the people give 80% of the money.

Without those with the gift of giving the churches would soon shut their doors and cease to do ministry.

An artist was asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church.

After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task.

The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled.

Several people standing around the easel had already given their description of what they thought the church would look like. Some had said it would be a rundown building in great need of repair and paint. Weeds would be growing in the church yard, and there would be some broken window panes. Everyone in the group seemed to have the same picture in mind.

However, when the cloth was removed, a hush fell over the group. Everyone was stunned. Before their eyes was an absolutely beautiful church building. The grounds were well kept and the exterior Page | 126

of the building was in excellent condition.

After a few minutes, one person stepped forward and said to the artist, "I thought we asked you to paint a dying church?"

The artist smiled and invited everyone to step closer to the painting. He pointed through the windows to the empty pews and to the collection plate on the table.

There was nothing in the plate but "cobwebs."

The church that has cobwebs in its collection plate is a church that is decaying and dying. Without the giver, there is no vibrant alive church. Without giving, ministries cannot be conducted by the church. Without ministries being conducted, the mission of the church cannot be carried out. If the mission of the church is not carried out, the church is purposeless and dead.

If you give to God while you are poor, you will eventually give in days of wealth. If you do not give while you are rich, you will eventually abstain from giving because of poverty. God has willed that there be two hands in the matter of giving â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one that gives and one that receives.

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Thank God that yours is the hand that gives.

What do you do if you have the gift of giving but not much money? Give out of the abundance that God gives you in all areas of life. Not everything is measured in dollars. There is spiritual sharing and giving, faith giving, encouragement giving. All are a part of giving. Let’s not look at what we don’t have, and say God can’t use us. The amount is not the issue but rather being used by God to bring about eternal good. Sometimes He will use the means of those who are rich and sometimes He will use the means of those who are poor. If He is the one using what is in our hands, it is not insignificant.

Suggested Scriptures for further reading: Deuteronomy 16:17 – Ezra 2:69 – Nehemiah 13:10 – Malachi 3:10 – Matthew 6:1-4 – Mark 12:41-44 – Luke 3:11 – Luke 12:48 – Acts 3:1-6 – Acts 4:36-37 – Acts 11:29 – Romans 1:11-12 – Romans 12:8 – I Corinthians 13:3, 16:2 – 2 Corinthians 9:7,8:1-15

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Chapter Eight If You Hurt, I Hurt The Gift of Mercy Mercy: To be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion, and caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress. (Romans 12:8) A store owner was putting up a sign above his door that read ―Puppies for sale.‖ Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough a little boy appeared under the owner’s sign. ―How much are you going to sell the puppies for?‖ he asked. The store owner replied, ―Anywhere from $10 to $30 a piece.‖ The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. ―I have $2.37 cents,‖ he said. ―Can I please see the puppies?‖

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The store owner smiled and whistled. Out of the kennel came ―Lady‖ who ran down the aisle of the store followed by five tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, ―What’s wrong with that little dog?‖ The store owner explained that the Veterinarian had examined the little puppy and discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. It would always be slow.

It would always lag behind. The little boy became excited ―That is the puppy I want to buy,‖ he said enthusiastically.‖ The store owner said ―No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.‖ The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes and said ―I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I will pay you full price for him. In fact, I will give you my $2.37 now, and a dollar a month until I have him paid for.‖

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The store owner said, ―Son, you really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.‖ Then the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, ―Well I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands.‖ The person with the gift of mercy is one who understands their own weaknesses and therefore empathizes with the weaknesses of others. They readily open their heart to people who need mercy, because their hearts are merciful. George Washington Carver said it this way: ―How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak, because someday in your life you will have been all of these. Treat everyone as if they were hurting in some area of their lives because they probably are.‖ Mercy is compassion. Compassion means ―to suffer with.‖ Wherever this word Page | 131

―Eleeo‖ is written in scripture it is used in the verb form, which means it is an action word. Having mercy always involves action of some sort. A person is either giving or receiving it. Mercy isn’t a treasure to place on a shelf. It is a working gift. It is something you do. The person with the gift of mercy is one who understands their own weaknesses and therefore empathizes with the weaknesses of others. They hearts are merciful and they readily open them to anyone who is in need of mercy. Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. They keep the Body of Christ healthy and unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church.

The ministry of mercy is the ability to empathize with the hurting and to cheerfully, compassionately act to relieve the suffering. Acts of mercy are often done in quiet ways, without fanfare or glory. They are given from the hearts of those who care. Privately, compassion flows in unobtrusive ways to heal the hurts of people.

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You can’t have mercy without doing something. Mercy is shown through spoken words or through acts of kindness.

Mercy means to feel the suffering of others and to act in a sympathetic way toward them. Mercy is rich and full, pouring grace over another’s wounds with the deeply penetrating balm of love.

The image of mercy could well be a picture of a heart, because they are all heart, and lead with their heart. They are focused on other’s needs and keep us looking outside of ourselves. They identify with the weak, struggling and the hurting and will go out of their way to show how much they care for them.

Mercy’s motto is always ―When you hurt, I hurt.‖ They really do feel your pain.

In Luke Chapter 10, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan who showed the gift of mercy when he came upon a man robbed and badly beaten lying along the side of the road. A Priest and Levite passed right by the wounded man, but the Good Samaritan had a heart of compassion and took pity on the poor man. Others probably looked at the man and saw him as a worthless human being.

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The Samaritan didn’t look at his worth, or lack of it, all he saw was the man’s need.

One would think the priest would reflect the character of God, but he quickly went past the hurting man, probably hurrying on to his religious duties. He didn’t give him a second glance, and crossed the street to avoid him. At least the Levite took the time to take a look at the wounded man. But he crossed on over to the other side of the street too. Neither person wanted to become involved, that would take time and they had religious functions to attend. It might cost them money, which they were not willing to pay. They didn’t even have common compassion. Maybe they thought ―I won’t bother, someone else will come by and take care of the man,‖ which is exactly what happened.

Mercy will always feel something. The Bible says that when the Good Samarian came along ―He saw the man and had compassion.‖ The Greek word for compassion is a word called ―spllanchnizomai.‖ It means what we talk about when we say we have a ―Gut feeling.‖ It refers to the intestines or bowels. It meant that the feeling the Good Samaritan had came from the deepest part of who he was. His heart and inward being could not pass by Page | 134

someone in such great need. The heart of compassion has to help in any way it can.

It has to do something. The Good Samaritan did more than a little something. He did a lot of everything. He cleaned the man’s wounds, put him on his own donkey, took him to a place where he would receive care, paid his bill and promised to stop back by and pay any expenses the man incurred while the Good Samaritan was gone. That is the gift of mercy. That is true compassion.

Many of us felt the same compassion when we saw the earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami in Japan. It troubled us and never left our mind until we just had to do something to help, even if we just stopped and prayed. It wasn’t based on people’s worth it was based on their need. The person with the gift of mercy, like the Good Samaritan, will move toward the person in need and express their compassion, do what needs to be done even if it costs them something, and they never expect to be repaid or rewarded for their effort. When it is all over, in all probability no one will know who did the act of compassion, or their name.

Mercy or compassion reflects our relationship with God. ―But whosoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart Page | 135

from him, how does the love of God abide in him?‖ 1 John 3:17 Matthew 25:35-40 illustrates this: ―Then I, the King, will say, ―Come you blessed of my Father into the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me‖ Then those righteous ones will reply, ―Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger and help you? Or naked, and clothe you?‖ When did we ever see you sick and in prison and visited you?‖ And I, the King, will tell them, ―When you did it to the least of these my brethren you did it unto me.‖ These verses describe acts of mercy anyone can do every day. These acts are not dependent on wealth, ability or intelligence. They are simply random acts of kindness anyone can freely give and others can gratefully receive.

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The main characteristic of those with the gift of mercy is that they identify with the needs of others, and are compelled to do something about it.

The person with the gift of mercy has many characteristics that are very easy to see. You may have the gift of mercy if: 

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     

You mentally and emotionally identify with the misfortune and hurt of other people, and take practical steps to remedy them.

You are more interested in meeting specific needs of individuals than you are in the needs of an organization or group.

You are drawn to others who are in distress and have a deep desire to ease pain and bring healing.

You are an empathetic listener and tears spring to your eyes easily.

Your prayer time is very important to you as you intercede for people who are in distress, or need or hurting.

You have a special joy from working with people who are ignored or forgotten by others.

You prefer to spend your time in meeting practical needs than in participating in organized activities.

You often do acts of mercy in quiet ways without fanfare or glory.

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

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You believe that mercy isn’t a treasured gift to be put on a shelf. It is a working gift. It is something to be used in great measure.

You do not feel ―put upon‖ to show mercy or compassion, you do it with a grateful and cheerful heart.

A few years ago in the Netherlands, thousands of poor evangelists from developing nations were brought together to be trained in evangelism. They had no money for the trip, so thousands of individuals and many churches took it upon themselves to sponsor an evangelist to attend the Billy Graham Amsterdam ’86 Conference.

When the Evangelists got off the planes, it was all a person could do to keep from crying. Even grown men, officials of the conference, had tears in their eyes. Most of the evangelists came with just the clothes on their back. Many had no shoes; some came with old torn clothes. Others had clothes that did not fit them. Some did not have shoes that fit and so they stuffed paper in their shoes. Many had scars because they had been tortured for being a Christian. But all came with

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smiles and the joy of the Lord in their hearts.

Two years before the conference Samaritanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Purse, an organization characterized by mercy, began working with the Dutch Christians in collecting clothes and shoes. What they ended up with nearly filled the bottom section of the very large convention center. For a week before the convention workers worked tirelessly around the clock sorting clothes and shoes into sizes.

Because of the mercy of the Dutch Christians each of the evangelists was given a new white shirt, and a bag in which to pack any clothing they wanted to take back home with them. Everyone took a turn in the â&#x20AC;&#x2022;clothing storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; where they could look for items that were needed by their families. Many had tears in their eyes when they held up a pretty little dress that would be just perfect for their little girl. Some looked at items for a long time wanting to be sure it would fit their loved ones.

People took turns helping to hand out the clothing, but one person was there every day from early morning till late at night Page | 139

for the entire ten days. That was Ruth Graham, the wife of Billy Graham. She patiently spent as much time as was necessary to personally help each evangelist. She bent down to help them try on a stack of shoes. She looked for specific items and sizes they wanted.

Every request sent her on a personal mission to meet the need of the person doing the asking. She looked for three days to find a suitable wedding dress for an engaged evangelists---and she found it! Her mercy led her to patiently spend endless hours behind the scenes to help those in need. She did it cheerfully and anonymously. Those she helped had no idea she was the wife of the most famous evangelist in the world.

A person with the gift of mercy may appear to be proud of their ability to empathize and tends to resent others who are insensitive to others personal needs.

They are often gullible and let others sap their time and energy. They find it difficult to say ―No‖ when there is a need of any kind. They are often embarrassed about this gift, thinking it to be ―nothing‖ and inferior to other gifts.

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Some may feel like they are being cross examined by the person with the gift of mercy, because their motive is to gain a clear understanding of the person’s pain, and so they ask personal questions others would not ask.

They often operate from their emotional frame of reference rather than thinking things through. Because they are guided by emotions rather than logic they can be easily hurt, and become subject to depression and a martyr complex.

Mercy reacts emotionally to others around them, and can become so involved in others’ lives that they neglect their own.

They can become emotionally drained if they take others problems and make them their own. They sometimes forget the goal is to help others not to make them emotionally dependent upon them. People do need help, but they can go too far and do too much. They need to know when to quit, and that’s tough for a mercy person to do. They need to remind themselves that they are not the Lord Jesus and there is no value in becoming a vegetable for Jesus’ sake.

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Mercy has been blessed by God with a special sensitivity that others don’t have.

They zero in on suffering and sorrow that everyone around them misses. They will notice that something is bothering someone, even if no one else notices or gives it a second thought. They cannot not just notice a need and then go on their way. They are compelled to give action to come along side of that person to pray and help in practical ways like sending cards to those who need special care and understanding. They have a burning passion to help hurting people.

The early church was blessed with an exceptional person with the gift of mercy.

His name is Onesiphorus, whose name means ―mercy-bringer.‖ Paul was so grateful for him that he prayed that he would find mercy from the Lord. ―May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains."

On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord.‖ 2 Timothy 1:16-18 The gift of mercy is of great value within the church. It can be used in diverse ways. They excel in any ministry that stresses compassion. They make great Page | 142

Sunday school teachers, especially for children. You will find them visiting shutins, who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get out, in jails among the lost and ignored; they will visit anyone in need, anytime, anywhere. They are quick to identify when someone is in distress, and will share the persons need with others encouraging others to show mercy too.

They organize and operate the food pantry, and find transportation for those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a car. They invite an overlooked family in the church to their home for dinner. They are there to support women and children in a divorce.

You will find them visiting senior citizen and writing cards and letters to those who are hurting. They show care for widows in the church and are excellent at counseling unwed mothers.

You will find them in prayer chains, working in the church nursery, and helping with handicapped ministries.

They adopt orphans and become foster parents to unwanted children. They participate in hospice programs and sit for hours with those who are near death.

Many are Doctors or Nurses or counselors.

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John A. Huffman, Jr., tells the story of Florence Nightingale who, one night during the Crimean War, was passing down a hospital ward. She paused to bend over the bed of a wounded soldier.

As she looked down on him with eyes of compassion, the young man looked up and said, "You're Christ come to me."

When we truly minister with love and compassion, we reflect Jesus and His love.

Joni Eareckson Tada is one of the most merciful and compassionate people I have ever met. Injured in a diving accident at the age of 17 and sentenced to a wheel chair for the rest of her life, one would say she has earned the right to a life of ease, yet on behalf of her organization, Joni and Friends, and the handicapped, she has traveled around the world at a fast pace showing mercy to countless people in many countries. Travelling was very difficult for Joni. She was strapped into a reclining seat in the airplane and some of her trips around the world could take 15 hours or more to get to her destination.

In 1989 a group of us were returning from the International meeting of the Lausanne Committee on World Evangelism, in the Page | 144

Philippines. Joni spoke about mercy at the conference on 2 Corinthians 12:9 ―God’s grace is sufficient for His power shows up best in weakness.‖ She said, ―We all have handicaps, some of them are visible, and some are invisible. In Christ the poor become rich, the weak become strong and fools become wise. Even the mentally retarded can have the mind of Christ, and the blind can see His face. Yes, the deaf can hear Him speak to them and the abused person can feel His love.

Jesus loves the losers.‖ That was Joni’s heart, the heart of a person with the gift of mercy.

At the end of the conference we went to the airport and she gave a living breathing object lesson on mercy that was burned into my memory. As we were waiting to board the plane there was a crash on the runway. Our flight was cancelled and we were to begin a very long delay until the runway could be cleared and flights resumed. Our plane was supposed to depart at 5 pm. Most of us had been up since 5 am and were very tired. The runway wasn’t cleared for takeoff until after noon the next day.

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The Manila Airport has a hard and fast rule. All of the water is shut off and the workers go home at 12 midnight. Period!

It didn’t matter if there was a plane crash on the runway. It didn’t matter that hundreds of people were stranded.

Everything in the airport was shut down at precisely midnight. That meant that there was no water, food or electricity for the entire night. Everyone was tired and no place to sleep but on the floor. We were hungry and thirsty with no food or drink. Babies were crying, radios were blaring on a multitude of stations, and the toilets wouldn’t flush. So here sat some of the greatest theologians, some known the world over, with no creature comforts, lying on the floor, sharing what little food they had, taking off their jackets to cover little children, and trying not to get just a little bit edgy. They are human you know!

But Joni’s cheerful smile never left her face.

At least the rest of us could get up and walk around, or lie down on the floor and try to get some sleep. Joni had been sitting up in her wheelchair, in one position for over 24 hours. I watched all through the night as a steady stream of Page | 146

people lined up to talk with her. She encouraged, comforted, counseled and prayed with them all. While many of us grumbled and groaned, Joni smiled through the whole night as she cheerfully gave of herself to every person who came to her. It was an object lesson in selfless mercy, love and grace that I will never forget.

Mercy is far more than a reaction to a situation. The person with the gift of mercy lives the problem with the other person. There are many people whom some would overlook but not the merciful.

Mercy sees the hurting, the helpless, the blind, deaf, sick, and the grieving. They see with eyes of compassion, the elderly, the weak, those who are suffering inwardly and the emotionally distraught.

Most do not even see such people. If they do, they walk right by them pretending they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see them. Mercy will stop because they see the heart of the people the rest of us miss.

They see them all. They can walk through a crowded room and be magnetically drawn to an elderly person sitting alone in a corner, or take the arm of a person who Page | 147

is new to a group and immediately draw them into a circle of fellowship. The hungry, the mentally handicapped, the child who needs more attention, the deaf, the blind—all catch the heart of the person to whom God has granted an abundance of mercy.

It was people with the gift of mercy that caused the world to know about the starvation in Ethiopia. We would never have heard about the famine, except perhaps in statistics, had not people with mercy been moved to get up and do something. The outpouring of compassion that resulted showed that the world community can act in a merciful way.

Mercy saw the need, Administration organized an avenue of response and Giving gave what was needed to supply the aid to hurting people.

Suggested Scriptures for further study: Matthew 5:7 – Matthew 9:27 – Matthew 15:22-28 – Matthew 18:21-35 – Matthew 25:34-40 -- Acts 3: 4-8 – Romans 9:15-16 – Romans 12:8 – 2 Timothy 1:16-17 -- 2 Corinthians 4:1 – Philippians 2: 27 – 1 Timothy 1:12-16 – 1 Peter 2:10 – Jude 1:21-23 Page | 148

Chapter Nine Does God Have You All by Himself?

A young man returned home from the war with one burning dream on his heart. All during the war he dreamed about returning home safely, buying a home on a large piece of ground, and planting a beautiful flower garden. He had the entire garden outlined in his mind, where to put different flowers so that they would be perfectly coordinated and how to mix the colors effectively.

After much searching, he found the perfect town, the right sized house and a hugh piece of land on which to plant his marvelous flower garden. There were just a couple of problems. The house was in great disrepair, in need of paint, mortar, plumbing and a new roof. The grounds were in even worse shape. The weeds and thistles were everywhere. In fact it looked like a whole field of nothing but weeds. As if that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, to add to the problem, the ground was hard, dry and unyielding.

With hopeful heart and hand, he rolled up his sleeves, sharpened his tools, and Page | 149

began what looked like an impossible task and an impossible dream. For the next 15 years he made enormous sacrifices.

He did without things to save his money for his project. He sacrificed time and money and vacations in order to reach his goal. The most important thing in his life became the completing of his goal of a beautiful home and garden.

Finally the house was restored to its original grandeur and elegance. The abundance of flowers of all breeds and colors made for stunning grounds, and were a source of amazement to his less dedicated neighbors.

One day he received a surprise visit from one of his army buddies. They had not seen each other since the war so he was so glad to see him! He was even more excited to show him his home and the stunning grounds surrounding it. As they strolled through the garden, his friend marveled at the abundance of flowers and said, ―Boy, God sure does make beautiful gardens, doesn’t he? His friend smiled slowly and said, ―oh yes, and you should have seen it when God had it all by Himself!‖ Page | 150

God sent His Son to die for your sins. He descended into hell and ascended into heaven with Spiritual Gifts designed just for you. He equipped you before birth and at the new birth to fulfill the purpose for your being on this earth and the plan for your life. He engineered your life to put you in the church that needs you in order for the Body of Christ to be completed in that place to equip the saints for ministry.

The script has been written. The stage is set. All of the other people are in place.

The flood lights have been turned on. All of the people are in place, ready for the Body to tell the story. Everyone that is, but you. Where are you? There are several reasons why you are not there.

Maybe you didn’t know you were supposed to be there. No one told you that you had a part to play. You have not felt equipped and are afraid you will make a mistake. You feel equipped but have decided you have more important things to do. The list goes on and on. In effect, God has your life and future ―all by Himself.‖ A choice is looming. A majority of people do not know their Spiritual Gifts or serve in the local church in the wrong place, primarily because they have not Page | 151

been given the opportunity to know or understand Spiritual Gifts. This is no longer true of you. Do you disregard what you have learned and go back to your comfortable rocking chair on the sidelines? Do you toss the script aside and decide to write your own? Do you keep the script and only play in your favorite scenes? Or do you thank God for planning and scripting your entire life, and equipping you to play an important part the story of His Kingdom? If so, it is time to take your Spiritual Gifts out of the box, take a good look at them, try them on for size. Come down from the stands and get on the playing field. Pick up your equipment and use it for the glory of God.

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Chapter Ten What You Do Today Matters Forever Knowing and using your Spiritual Gifts matters forever. It matters to the Body of Christ in your local church. Without you, it is not functioning fully in a healthy manner. There is a hugh gap where you should be. Someone is trying to fulfill your role and theirs too. Or maybe someone is trying to take your place in a spot where they are not qualified to do so, simply because you are missing and there is no one else there to perform what only you can do.

Knowing your Spiritual Gifts and using them for the glory of God is the only way you can fulfill God’s plan and purpose for your life. You will never know God’s will for your life if you are not doing what He enabled you to do with your life. You will wonder aimlessly, out of the will of God, knowing there is ―something more‖ you should be doing, but not knowing the joy of doing what only you can do.

At the end of your life, you will be buried and on your tombstone will be the year of your birth and the year of your death. In Page | 153

between the years will be The Dash, as in 1936-2009. The Dash will represent your entire life, everything you did and everything you didn’t do. When you die it will matter not how much you own—the care—the house—the cash. When you stand before the One who gave you gifts-all that will matter is The Dash.

Dr. Ray Pritchard tells us some important things to help you to begin to use your Spiritual Gifts and fill in The Dash of your life. He says ―There are three things that happen when Spiritual Gifts are ignored.‖  



There is wasted effort as people work in area of ministry for which they are not gifted.

There is unused potential because many people would like to serve the Lord but don’t know where they fit in.

Some ministries will prosper because people with the right spiritual gifts are involved, while others will die because they lack properly gifted leadership.

 ―What is my Spiritual Gift?‖ is such an important question to ask. Unless you know the answer, you’ll never be 100% effective in your service for the Lord Jesus Page | 154

Christ. You may spend your life doing something for which you were not gifted

by God and will be frustrated and ineffective. There are at least three things you can do this very week.

1. You Can Read. That’s simple. Most of us can do that. You can take your Bible out and read for yourself what it says about spiritual gifts. The four key chapters are Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and I Peter 4. I’m not asking you to take my word on this crucial topic. Go back to the Bible and read it for yourself.

2. You Can Pray. Ask God to show you what spiritual gifts he has given you.

You might pray, "Open my eyes and show me where I fit in the body of Christ.‖ 3. You Can Ask. This is the most interesting step of all. Simply go to several friends who know you well and ask them to tell you what spiritual gifts they think you have.

You may be surprised at the answer you receive. Your friends may have seen evidence of a spiritual gift at

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work in your life that you never even considered.‖ <> Dr. Ray Pritchard James White, in his book You Can Experience a Purposeful Life, provides some questions you can ask to see where your heart lies.  

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  

What do I really care about?‖ When I have an afternoon all to myself, free of family and work responsibilities, how do I want to spend it?

When I look around and think something needs to be changed, what area does my mind tend to travel toward?

What do I dream about?

What would I do to make every morning feel like Christmas day?

If I could leave my mark on any area of life, what would it be?

Other spiritual gift indicators are:     

What do you do really well?

In what service areas do you experience the most joy?

In what service areas are you willing to make the most sacrifice?

In what service area have you experienced the most fruit?

In what service area have others affirmed what you do well?

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The meaning of life is not how long we live, how famous we become or the riches we gather. Jesus said the true measure of our life is our service to others. Out of this spirit has come all of the worthy works in the world. We are not in the church to be there…..we are there to do something! God does not ask your ability or inability. He is only looking for your availability.

The best investment we can make with our life is to use what God has given us to bring honor and glory to the Father. This approach will lead us away from many of the dangers of life; it will enable us to share in the blessings of fulfilling God’s plan and purpose for our lives and lead us to the indescribable joy of hearing the Father’s ―Well Done!‖ Philosopher William James affirmed that the great use of one’s life is to spend it for something that will outlast it, for the value of a life is computed not by its duration, but by its donation. Not how long we live, but how fully and how well.

George W. Truitt, the great Baptist preacher said ―It is not the talents one Page | 157

has that makes him great, however many and brilliant they may be; it is not the vast amount of study that gives mental enrichment to the mind and life; it is not shining social qualities; it is not the large accumulation of wealth that secures peace and honor. In none of these measured by God’s standards does true greatness reside. The true greatness consists in the use of all the talents one has in unselfish ministry to others.‖ ―It is my prayer that you will pour out your life into the lives of others. Those who lose their life for the sake of the Gospel will find what it really means to live.

While others stroll aimlessly through life, you, by using your Spiritual Gifts will find great joy and true purpose for living.‖ Give it all you have…...Give it all away!

Much love,

Marilyn Orton

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Chapter 11 The WOW Story WOW really began in 1986 at the Billy Graham Conference for Itinerant Evangelists where I met hundred of Evangelists in the Prayer Room.

I wrote to them and sent them Books and Bibles for 17 years, before seeing them again in Nigeria in 2003. They came from all over the country to welcome me.

While there, I noticed there was no Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry in the churches. My friends asked me to return in 2004 and show them how to start them and link their churches together.

In 2004 I was diagnosed with a rare disease and given 2 months to live. My friends in Nigeria and elsewhere prayed for me and God completely healed me!

I returned to Nigeria with a team and we laid the ground work for WOW. In 2006 McGregor Baptist Church sent a large team to start WOW. In five short years we have grown to thousands of women in over 80 countries. To God be the Glory!

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Chapter 12 The WOW Connection Creating a WOW Chapter Step 1. PRAY! WOW is founded on prayer and operates by faith, through prayer Step 2. God will show you the women in your church who have the spiritual gifts needed to form the WOW Team WOW’s Core

The Leadership Team

Step 3. Select and appoint a Leadership Team member for each of the positions below. Go over their duties with them.

If only one person is in charge, the ministry will never grow any larger than the burden that person can carry. The WOW Leadership Team will administrate the Women’s Ministry together using the structure of multiplication. This:    

Builds a stable ministry Provides a place for accountability in ministry responsibilities Develops a strong leadership base and involves many women in ministry Creates a leadership style that will not depend solely upon one another Page | 160

The Leadership Team Team Director Leads Ministry Team and trains and disciples Leaders Liaison to Pastor and Deacons Appoints and oversees Retreat Director and committees Develops overall retreat schedule Selects workshop and other speakers Bible Study Coordinator Submits studies for Team approval Finds and trains Bible Study leaders Coordinates teachers, childcare, refreshments, etc., for weekly studies.

May also teach a Bible Study Encouragement Coordinator Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Counseling Ministry Mentoring Ministry Prayer Ministry and Events Service Coordinator Leads ladies visitation program Missions Meals for the sick Publications and Registration Coordinator Oversees the planning and production of printed materials Tracks the budget and reports on it monthly Page | 161

Oversees Registration Music Coordinator Obtains musicians for worship and special music Selects music Retreat/Event Coordinator 

Organizes monthly activity/fellowship time



Works with Director to plan annual Women of Worth Conference Oversees all areas of the retreat Delegates tasks to Team leaders Develops the overall schedule for the event and works with Team members to coordinate music, workshops, and other activities

  

Micro Enterprise Coordinator 

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WOW will soon begin offering women an opportunity for training in sewing and other enterprises. This person must be able to be trained and then train the rest of the women in your chapter or village. This would be a person with good organizational, administrative and communication skills.

We will also be offering an opportunity for your women to learn Page | 162

a craft and sell them on the World Craft website. Your women will be given funds and training to start their own business and they will be paid a fair trade price for what they make.

Ask each group to hold a meeting to get to know one another, and the duties you will be performing.

Step 4. After you have appointed your team members and gone over their duties, it’s time to introduce WOW to your women Begin with a Girls Night out. Bring your women together for fun activities so they can get to know one another better   

Ask a few women to give testimonies on how they came to know Christ or have a devotional Ask someone to organize a game Continue to have a Girls Night out once every month. Be sure and invite the young women too

Have a "girls night out" or "girls day out" once a month. It is a time to do something fun together. Maybe some of them can put on a drama. Or they can tell funny stories of things that happened to them, or choose women to give testimonies. This time is just to have fun Page | 163

together whatever makes you smile do it together.

Step 5. Have a signup sheet ready with all of the committee duties and ask the women to sign up to serve in one of the team groups.

After appointing the Leadership Team Register your WOW Chapter at http://www.wowintl.net Step 6. Print this sheet and distribute it to other Pastors, asking them to start a WOW chapter in their church Step 7. When you have several churches in an area that have WOW chapters, then you may want to meet and consider joining together to sponsor a Celebrate Jesus Festival WOW is designed to be in the local church. The idea is NOT to take women from other churches, but to build on the women you already have in your church.

While you are forming the group in your church, you can hand out the WOW Connection to women in the other churches in town to start a WOW chapter in their church. When you have several chapters going then you will all come together once a year for a Celebrate Jesus Festival. A day with all of the WOW

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groups in the town praising Jesus and hearing great speakers.

For more detailed information please go to our website at www.wowintl.net Please do not change the name of WOW International or The WOW Connection sheet. The program is free, but we do ask you for periodic updates and pictures. If you have been given permission to use program, you may add your name, email address, and phone number for contact purposes.

You will find Steps to Planning a Celebrate Jesus Festival on our website Note: WOW does not charge for anything we do. We do not collect dues, or charge for training.

Copyright 2011 Marilyn A. Orton all rights reserved.

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Chapter 13 Spiritual Gift Resources Ministry tools Resource Center www.Mintools.com Spiritual Gifts Test www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.ph Spiritual Gifts survey questions www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_S piritualGifts_Survey.pdf Spiritual Gifts List and Scripture www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_S piritualGifts_List.pdf Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift www.lifeway.com/article/157375/ Help Your People Discover Their Spiritual Gifts www.lifeway.com/article/153478/ Ministry Evaluation Form www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_MYCS_ Appendix_8_Ministries_Evaluation_Form. pdf.pd Spiritual Gifts service areas within the Church www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_S piritualGifts_Serve.pdf Page | 166