Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself.

Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself
by,Dr Sammy When was the last time you acknowledged and appreciated yourself?
That’s right: YOU. Not your spouse, not your children, not your boss, co-workers or friends. Just YOU!
Seriously, think about it!
And if it’s been too long since your last pat on the back, then I want you to take the time right now to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for everything you've accomplished today, throughout the year, and in life.
Ask yourself: How many times have you succeeded in the past month? The past year? The past 10 years? Are you able to recall your successes as easily as your failures and missteps?
This is not a selfish or egotistical act in the least. By taking the time to stop and appreciate who you are and what you’ve achieved—and perhaps learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses—you actually can enhance everything about you!
Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and accomplishments.
In working with top leaders and thought philosophers of our time, I will tell you that among their secrets of success is a regular practice of acknowledging and appreciating what they have.It can offer an oracle into the future because it not only tells you where you are but it also helps clarify where you want to go in life. Whatever that might be. The road then becomes easier to navigate—easier to see from the distance and walk confidently step by step.
Don’t forget to think about both big and little accomplishments. Many people under-appreciate the minor things they do successfully every day . And yet they can recall in detail all the times they have failed or made mistakes. That's because the brain remembers events more easily when they are accompanied by strong emotions.
For example, you might vividly recall a graduation, losing 10 pounds, having a child, winning an award, or landing a highly sought after position. But see if you can identify just as many minor, more subtle successes, such as your intimate conversation with your spouse last night, the re-connection you established with an estranged friend last month, the quality time you were able to spend with your children today, how you checked off all your list of To-Dos for the weekend, how you learned a new task at work, or got your kid to school on time.
These may seem like minor acts in the grand scheme of life, but they are what make us feel whole, happy, and accomplished along the journey toward those larger, and much more deeply satisfying moments.
Acknowledging your mistakes also has it pluses, but we often don’t have trouble recalling or mulling over those. The point is, if you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders. And a mind stuffed with negative chatter about the gaffes of life won’t fuel your energy, nor your confidence, creativity, and motivation to keep going.
Consider this, too: if you only remember the mistakes and failures, you won't be as ready to take risks that will lead to your successes. Build your self-esteem by recalling all the ways you have succeeded and your brain will be filled with images of you making your achievements happen again and again.
Give yourself permission to toot your own horn and don’t wait for anyone to praise you. Here are two suggestions:
1.) Record Your Personal History. Take time to write your achievements down. Start when you were very young and think of all your achievements since then. Don't just pick the major milestones; write down all the things you take for granted. For example, if you list your college degree, write your appreciation for having the opportunity to go to college and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
You can also create a log of success every day and review it when you are faced with a new challenge. By writing it all down daily, you're securing it in your long-term memory and it will become a part of what makes you tick. It can even become a source of positive reminders and affirmations for when you’re feeling down, as well as a personal record of you that becomes your legacy.
2.) Celebrate Yourself with Mementos. Surround yourself with reminders of your successes. Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards and other pieces that bring your attention to your success. Make your environment speak to you about your achievements. Be proud of them!
By the way, showing appreciation for yourself and accomplishments has many rewards that go far beyond boosting your own self-confidence.
Appreciating yourself creates a cascading affect—your heightened confidence will spill over into other aspects of your life. Watch what happens when you gain that special trust in yourself. You’ll attract opportunities, experience more fulfilling relationships, and have no trouble reaching loftier goals.
Remember, people like to be around those who have a healthy self-esteem and who are achieving their goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and your brain will begin to tell you the truth: that you can do anything: When was the last time you acknowledged and appreciated yourself?
That’s right: YOU. Not your spouse, not your children, not your boss, co-workers or friends. Just YOU!
Seriously, think about it!
And if it’s been too long since your last pat on the back, then I want you to take the time right now to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for everything you've accomplished today, throughout the year, and in life.
Ask yourself: How many times have you succeeded in the past month? The past year? The past 10 years? Are you able to recall your successes as easily as your failures and missteps?
This is not a selfish or egotistical act in the least. By taking the time to stop and appreciate who you are and what you’ve achieved—and perhaps learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses—you actually can enhance everything about you!
Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and accomplishments.
In working with top leaders and thought philosophers of our time, I will tell you that among their secrets of success is a regular practice of acknowledging and appreciating what they have.It can offer an oracle into the future because it not only tells you where you are but it also helps clarify where you want to go in life. Whatever that might be. The road then becomes easier to navigate—easier to see from the distance and walk confidently step by step.
Don’t forget to think about both big and little accomplishments. Many people under-appreciate the minor things they do successfully every day . And yet they can recall in detail all the times they have failed or made mistakes. That's because the brain remembers events more easily when they are accompanied by strong emotions.
For example, you might vividly recall a graduation, losing 10 pounds, having a child, winning an award, or landing a highly sought after position. But see if you can identify just as many minor, more subtle successes, such as your intimate conversation with your spouse last night, the re-connection you established with an estranged friend last month, the quality time you were able to spend with your children today, how you checked off all your list of To-Dos for the weekend, how you learned a new task at work, or got your kid to school on time.
These may seem like minor acts in the grand scheme of life, but they are what make us feel whole, happy, and accomplished along the journey toward those larger, and much more deeply satisfying moments.
Acknowledging your mistakes also has it pluses, but we often don’t have trouble recalling or mulling over those. The point is, if you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders. And a mind stuffed with negative chatter about the gaffes of life won’t fuel your energy, nor your confidence, creativity, and motivation to keep going.
Consider this, too: if you only remember the mistakes and failures, you won't be as ready to take risks that will lead to your successes. Build your self-esteem by recalling all the ways you have succeeded and your brain will be filled with images of you making your achievements happen again and again.
Give yourself permission to toot your own horn and don’t wait for anyone to praise you. Here are two suggestions:
1.) Record Your Personal History. Take time to write your achievements down. Start when you were very young and think of all your achievements since then. Don't just pick the major milestones; write down all the things you take for granted. For example, if you list your college degree, write your appreciation for having the opportunity to go to college and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
You can also create a log of success every day and review it when you are faced with a new challenge. By writing it all down daily, you're securing it in your long-term memory and it will become a part of what makes you tick. It can even become a source of positive reminders and affirmations for when you’re feeling down, as well as a personal record of you that becomes your legacy.
2.) Celebrate Yourself with Mementos. Surround yourself with reminders of your successes. Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards and other pieces that bring your attention to your success. Make your environment speak to you about your achievements. Be proud of them!
By the way, showing appreciation for yourself and accomplishments has many rewards that go far beyond boosting your own self-confidence.
Appreciating yourself creates a cascading affect—your heightened confidence will spill over into other aspects of your life. Watch what happens when you gain that special trust in yourself. You’ll attract opportunities, experience more fulfilling relationships, and have no trouble reaching loftier goals.
Remember, people like to be around those who have a healthy self-esteem and who are achieving their goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and your brain will begin to tell you the truth: that you can do anything.

Self-Identity.by Dr Sammy

Self-identity? Who are you really? We identify with many things, but this is just a process in our minds. In fact, this identification causes us to suffer.
Your favorite basketball team loses, and you suffer as though YOU lost. Your car is damaged and it feels like YOU are hurt. Somebody attacks who they think you are, and it is as though they could actually reach inside and poke at your true self. Is there a way to escape this unecessary drama and pain?
Perhaps, if you can see what you are not. Seeing this clearly can free you from much of the suffering that comes from identification. Try this simple meditation.

A Meditation On Self Identity

Get comfortable in a quiet place. Close your eyes, relax and take several deep breaths, breathing through your nose. Let your breathing fall into a natural pattern. Allow tension to drain from your body.
Now begin by asking: Where am I? What am I? Who am I? Let these questions sit for a moment in your mind.
Be aware of your body. Think of your leg. If you lost it, would you cease to exist? Are you your leg? Go through the parts of your body, asking "Am I here?" "Is this my self?"
Open your eyes and look around you. Are you those things? Maybe it you feel pain when your favorite chair breaks, as though it were you. But you're not that chair. Ask yourself which of these things you own are you. "Am I this?"
Close your eyes and say your name. Do you feel a sense of identity? What if you had no name? Ask "Am I really..." and say your name again. What's the honest answer? If this one is tough, say "I am..." and insert any other name. Notice how when you call yourself by another name, you feel differently. Your name-identity is a collection of ideas, something seen differently by you and others.
As feelings arise, ask "Am I this fear?... this pain, desire, sadness, pleasure, anger? Your feelings are not you - they just pass through you. Your clothes, your body, your reputation - none of it is your true self-identity.
Do this meditation for twenty minutes, then take a deep breath and get up. Notice if you feel different - less worried or less attached to things, feelings and thoughts. Do the meditation as often as necessary, to remind you of what you are not.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT: GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD

Psalms 105:17 -22
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
We are living in a critical and prophetic hour where all things are shifting and being brought back into divine alignment. I sense there is a major attack on the Body of Christ and leaders. I am in prayer that you, your mind, your strength fail not. I am prevailing in prayer and I am decreeing and declaring that you shall be victorious and you shall recover all. I entreat you: There is humiliation before honor, price before promotion, stigma and scandal before success, attacks before accolades, but I hear God say, "when thou passest through the water, I will be with you and through the fire, you will not be burned". I hear the Word, "hold fast to the profession of your faith and having done all, still stand.
Your problem and crisis situation is a divine announcement that God is getting ready to either prosper you and/or promote you. Do not resist the situation. Do not throw in the towel. Do not ignore the situation. Do not demonize the situation. Do not pretend the situation is not there. Wrestle with it in prayer. Dare to press into God through prayer. Dare to see your storms as an opportunity to advance spiritually, financially, socially, ministerially, and for personal growth and development. Dare to walk on your prophetic turbulent waters, see and experience the power and presence of God in a new way (Matthew 14:23-33). According to these verses, not only will you overcome that which has overtaken you, but you will also be ushered into a new realm of power and a new place of worship.
I decree and declare to all of you that favor is upon you. He has anointed your head with fresh oil.
During this time, we all need to let go in order to see and experience Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Gibbor, Jehovah Rapha in your lives. You need to give up trusting in your own way and designs in order to experience God's all-sufficiency. Lean not on your own understanding.
I further exhort all of you, to stop talking to the snake. Take the time to hear and talk to God. He only is the author and finisher of your faith.
I encourage you from Psalms 46:10: Be Still and Know That I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Indeed God Has the final word.
The Key To Financial Success
You, too, can experience greater personal success and achieve financial freedom. The key is to constantly move forward while maintaining Persistence and Consistency. NEVER QUIT! Make it a goal to persevere and always remain focused despite life’s distractions.
To be successful, it is a must to follow this idea. Often we may not feel like completing all of the tedious activities that yield the best results for achieving our long term goals. Everyone wants to be extremely successful, but few are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve this goal. Success is a choice. You must choose success over failure. This means staying focused and always moving forward.
When asked, most people would prefer a sizeable bank account over an empty one. In order to realize this, it is important to be persistent and consistent. These are the traits that help one to create that personal success which provides financial freedom.Persistence means that you Do and will continue to Do until you have reached your goal. This is a strategy common with successful people. It is that whole attitude of Do Or Die Trying and the commitment of Never Giving Up. The most important thing is to complete that work necessary to achieve your financial freedom. You must remain motivated while others would just quit because seems too hard. It is helpful to surround yourself with people who will support your goal. Being persistent must be your state of mind to realize that success. Consistency is the other key to success. Perform all of your daily activities with 100% effort each day. Consistency moves you forward and becomes the core of your success. Daily repetition of productive activity leads to victory and personal success, which all contribute to financial freedom.Do not follow the masses of people who just quit when it gets too tough, or those who never even tried. Make that decision to Do something, reach for that goal and work to realize it. Never stop, stay focused and persevere ~ personal success can be yours.Dr Sammy .God bless you all.

Definition happiness by: Dr,Sammy

So many ways to define happiness. Here are some definitions of happiness to inspire you
Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.
This definition of happiness by David Leonhardt, The Happy Guy
True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
This definition of happiness by Helen Keller
You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.
This definition of happiness by Bette Davis
Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords.
This definition of happiness by Samuel Johnson
Happiness is man's greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness
Sammy D.James.Happiness is contagious...when you reflect happiness, then all others around you catch the happy bug and are happy, too.
This definition of happiness by Jennifer Leese
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
This definition of happiness by Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is an inner state of well being. A state of well being enables you to profit from your highest: thoughts, wisdom, intelligence, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values in your life.
This definition of happiness by Lionel Ketchian
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
This definition of happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh
A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
This definition of happiness by Hugh Downs
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
This definition of happiness by Aristotle
There is a French proverb: To live happy, live hidden. Where can Brigitte Bardot hide?
This definition of happiness by Brigitte Bardot
Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
This definition of happiness by Spike Milligan
Happiness ain't a thing in itself--it's only a contrast with something that ain't pleasant.
This definition of happiness by Mark Twain
Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.
This definition of happiness is a Swedish proverb
Happiness is the only sanction of life; where happiness fails, existence remains a mad and lamentable experiment.
This definition of happiness by George Santayana
I give thanks for the joy and happiness in life and trust that God does indeed want me to be happy.
This definition of happiness by Marty Varnadoe Dow
Happiness comes only from appreciating what you have right now. You can even be happy by appreciating your troubles because they are helping to build your character.
This definition of happiness by Harriet Meyerson
It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
This definition of happiness by Agnes Rippler
Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.
This definition of happiness by Dr. Benjamin Spock
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, And the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
This definition of happiness by Buddha
Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.
This definition of happiness by Robert G. Ingersoll
Happiness: An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.
This definition of happiness by Ambrose Bierce
Life can be divided into the horrible and miserable.
This definition of happiness by Woody Allen
There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lie happiness.
This definition of happiness by by Gelett Burgess
There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness. Happiness is not merely a life lived by accumulating moments of pleasure. On the contrary, happiness is a long lasting enduring enjoyment of life, it is being in love with living. It is your reward for achieving a good character and personal rational values in life. Some important values are a productive career, romance, friendship and hobbies.
This definition of happiness by Dr. Ellen Kenner.
By all means marry: If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
This definition of happiness by Socrates.
Happiness is not in having or being—it is in the doing.
This definition of happiness by Lillian Watson.
Happiness is living in a state of freely choosing to create and exchange one's rational values with others.
This definition of happiness by John Roberts
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads.
This definition of happiness by Albert Camus
The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.
This definition of happiness by Martha Washington.
Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin.
This definition of happiness by John Lubbock
Happiness... is not a destination: it is a manner of traveling. Happiness is not an end in itself. It is a by-product of working, playing, loving and living.
This definition of happiness by Haim Ginott.
Happiness for me is to know that my life has meaning and purpose, and that every day my life touches others in a positive way--whether to make them laugh or learn or both at once!
This definition of happiness by Deanna Mascle
To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.
This definition of happiness by Confucius
The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.
This definition of happiness by Francoise de Motteville
Happiness is something you get as a by-product in the process of making something else.
This definition of happiness by Aldous Huxley
What's the use of happiness? It can't buy you money.
This definition of happiness by Henny Youngman
Happiness is when your mind is thinking through your heart.
This definition of happiness by Judi Singleton
Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.
This definition of happiness by Albert Schweitzer.
Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.
This definition of happiness by Mark Twain
Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.
This definition of happiness by Stephen Covey.

Will Change from God.Dr,Sammy

Good or Bad-Takes Longer Than We Think
After three years of perestroika, the Soviet people still live with shortages of consumer goods. The grain harvest is still inadequate, the meat supply is still here-again, gone-again. The only real change is that front-page stories about the failure of the Gorbachev revolution now run not only in our press, but in theirs.
Those stories demonstrate a common confusion about how long it takes to change things. Ideas, prices, rules, and rhetoric can be altered overnight. They are information, not material, not bound by the physical laws of the planet. Concrete things like production lines or grain harvests may respond to new ideas, but the responses take a lot longer than most people expect.
During the energy crisis of 1973, President Nixon launched "Project Independence", a plan to eliminate U.S. oil imports by 1980. He and his energy analysts vastly underestimated how long it would take to discover new oil deposits and bring them into production, build pipelines, insulate buildings, replace oil-burning machines and furnaces with substitutes that burn something else.
The price rises and policies of the Nixon era never came close to freeing the nation from oil imports. They did launch explorations, capital replacements, and energy conservation measures that gradually reduced petroleum demand and increased supply. Oil price finally dropped in 1985, 12 years and three Presidents later. Then President Reagan and Congress, misreading the price decrease as a sign of sudden abundance, undid many of the policies that had helped to shift the economy away from oil. Given the slow workings of the world, their actions will set up another oil crisis sometime in the 1990s.
When the value of the dollar started down in 1984, conventional wisdom and optimistic Republicans led everyone to expect a rapid end to the enormous U.S. trade deficit. The dollar dropped for three years before the trade balance even stopped getting worse. That delay unnerved everyone, including the stock market, but it shouldn't have been surprising. A nation's trade balance depends upon purchasing decisions, credit applications, orders, export-import permits, production changes, shipments, customs clearances, bill-paying. The value of the dollar can change in a day, but not the flow of trade.
Scientists first warned in 1972 that chlorofluorocarbon pollution could destroy the ozone layer. In 1985 the ozone hole over the Antarctic was discovered, in 1987 a global agreement to cut CFC production in half was signed, by 1997 that reduction should be in place. CFCs take about 15 years to work their way from the earth's surface to the stratosphere, so a reduction in the rate of ozone depletion may start around 2012 -- 40 years after the first warning. Many environmental problems operate on these inter-generational time scales. They have to be anticipated; they can't be dealt with by waiting until all the proof is in.
There is one perverse blessing in the inherent slowness of physical change -- reforms don't take effect quickly, but stupidities don't send us to hell in a handbasket as fast as some pessimists predict. The U.S. budget deficit has not yet collapsed the real economy. The deterioration of our education system is only slowly impacting our labor force and economic productivity. If we do nothing to correct them, those problems will hit us hard, of course, one, two, or three Presidents from now. But we do have time to work on them.
Causes and effects operate on time-scales far longer than the elective terms of politicians or the attention span of media. If we don't realize that, we are doomed to expect too much, do too little too late, and give up too soon.
It took three generations to bring the Soviet Union to its present state. It will take at least a generation to revitalize it. It will take that long to restore our eduction system and make good the debts of the Reagan years. If we start tomorrow to reforest the earth and reduce fossil-fuel burning, we may be able to turn around the greenhouse effect sometime in the next century.
That's not an argument to give up. It's an argument to wise up, to be aware of the slowness of
change, to be careful with snap judgements about what is and is not working, and above all, to get moving.
unchanged is Change
TO BE OR NOT TO BE A VICTIM
Dr. Sammy D.James asks, "What makes some people hold onto being a victim and others choose to improve their lives?" The answer is control.
According to Dr. Sammy, when you are a perpetual victim, the past is in control of your present. When you are a conqueror, the present is controlled by your choices, in spite of the pain and pull of your past. Inspiring, isn’t it? Yet it is so difficult for some people to make up their minds and follow through, to become conquerors. Why? There are at least nine reasons, all having to do with an emotional attachment to certain kinds of crutches:

1) Identity
2) Rewards
3) Routine
4) Revenge
5) Dependency
6) Excuses
7) Avoid Challenges
8) Center of the Universe
9) Change is Scary/Hard
When someone has been seriously hurt in their childhood, the defense mechanisms and manipulative patterns, the warped perceptions, the out-of-control emotions, and the hopelessness that results in depression/anxiety are tough to completely shed. The truth is that there is always a battle between history and the present. It takes patience, courage, and perseverance to stay with the healthier and more positive program. It is a lifelong battle. Some people sadly hug the security of the familiar and rue change. Fear of change is a bad habit. But Dr. Sammy says, change you must, if you hope to have a life with meaning, pleasure, peace and joy.
I’M THE PROBLEM? According to Dr. Sammy, a bad childhood is easy to come by, and you don’t have any control over that. A good life after a bad childhood is not easy to create, but you do have control over that. In a bad childhood you struggle against forces external to yourself. To come to a good life, the struggle is against forces internal – they are yourself. Dr. Sammy offers ten qualities that make it possible to liberate yourself from victimhood, and change your life from victim to victor.
A look in the mirror means facing the truth and deciding not to be a victim any longer.
Enduring the pain means stop waiting for the pain of your past to go away – it never will. Eventually the pain will have so many wonderful interruptions that it will become more readily tolerated and a less powerful force in your life.
Acceptance doesn’t mean you embrace your bad experiences or that you like it or agree with it. It is now your turn to decide what you’re going to do with it – or in spite of it.
Letting go means not allowing your bad thoughts, memories, and feelings from your bad childhood to squeeze out any joy you could enjoy in a good life.
Replacing bad habits like negativity or always being suspicious of the motives of others. You cannot treat the world as though it was an instant replay of your childhood.
Reaching out means “filling up” the empty spots in your life with healthy, kind, encouraging, and supportive people. Although risky and sometimes scary, it is important and necessary.
Spirituality means opening outward. Living for something or someone outside of yourself is the primary means by which you find purpose and value in your life.
Perspective means getting the focus off yourself. Get involved in volunteer work, charitable causes, etc.
Hobbies are a good distraction to move your mind away from somber issues into a positive area for growth and change.
A positive Attitude always makes your circumstances look better.
Dr. Laura admits she could not of written this book earlier in her life because she too had to be well down the road of her own "good journey" before advising others. Yes, she too had a bad childhood.
According to Dr.Sammy, her father was "petty, insensitive, mean, thoughtless, demeaning, and downright unloving.” Once in college over spring break she actually stayed in her dorm room surviving on a bag of Oreo cookies rather than come home to his browbeatings. When her father died she did not mourn. There was no loving, emotional bond with either parent.
When her parents divorced, Dr. Sammy felt responsible for her mother. She helped support She financially (even though her mother had significant resources) and gave her a job as a receptionist in her counseling clinic. Her mother never remarried and constantly expressed disdain for men, sex, and love.
One day Dr. Sammy asked her mother to take a typing course to assist with some paperwork in the office. Her mother said "no", picked up her stuff from the office and refused to see or talk to her daughter ever again. Dr. Laura received word of her mother's death from the Beverly Hills police. Her mother was found dead lying on the floor of her condo. She had been dead for about four months.
Dr. Sammy says she was aware of the incredible impact her parents had on her life, as "I had difficulties being happy, building trusting friendships, being open, even relaxing. I didn't want to end up like either one of my parents, virtually alone and unloved." She chose instead to build her life on the principle of helping others.Is Change Good?
Organisms pass many different sorts of mutations on to their offspring as they reproduce. One might wonder if this is bad, since the Instructions they started out with were probably pretty good. After all, if they didn't have good Instructions, how did they manage to live long enough to reproduce?
It's easy to see that some mutations are definitely bad. Frameshifts and nonsense mutations are always bad, as they ruin an Instruction. Deletions seem bad for the same reason.
If deletions of an Instruction are bad, then surely duplications of one are good. While it's true that having more copies of an Instruction dramatically reduces the chance the a mutation will destroy that Instruction, the larger the Instruction Book, the more energy required to copy it, so there is some cost to having lots of copies. So, in the special case of deleting one of many copies of an Instruction, deletion is usually not bad.
But what of point mutations? Certainly, the ones that lead to Instructions that produce workers with broken active sites are bad. However, since the active sites are very small, most point mutations don't yield broken workers, but workers with slightly-to-somewhat-different specificity. To see how this matters, let's take a closer look at specificity and how mutations change it.
Mutations and Specificity
Even though workers' specificity lets them perform molecular origami on many different molecules, they aren't equally good at working on all of them. Usually, workers work best on one or two molecules or one or two classes of molecules with identical features. For example, Alcohol Dehydrogenase I can work on a great many alcohols, but it works fastest on ethyl alcohol.
As mutations change a worker's links, they may change a worker's specificity in three general ways. The worker's specificity may become broader, letting it work on more molecules, or narrower, reducing the number of molecules it can work on. Often -- although not always -- the narrower a worker's specificity, the better it is at doing its job; it's specialized. Mutational changes in specificity can also change which molecules a worker is best at changing. Whether these changes in specificity are good or bad depends on how well the worker can do the job it's being asked to do. If the worker is doing a job really well, and the change makes it worse at it, then the change is bad; if the worker is only able to do the job a little, and the change makes it better at it, then the change is good. Soon, we'll take a look at an example of why a worker might be bad at a job it has to do.
And what of new Instructions produced by swapping parts of existing Instructions (from eukaryotic Instruction shuffling)? These Instructions do something, but it's something different than what the previous Instructions did. Where point mutations produce changes that are slightly good or bad, exon shuffling produces big changes: the worker made by the new Instruction is likely to either be entirely useless (because it does something silly) or quite useful (because it does something that no other worker in the organism can do.)
Instruction duplication taken together with any form of mutation produces a beneficial result. Not only does the duplication prevent an Instruction from being destroyed by a particularly unfortunate mutation, it allows mutations to accumulate in one copy without harm to the organism. Since mutations generally change a worker's specificity, having an Instruction copied and then mutated gives rise to two Instructions that do slightly different things. This gives an organism the same advantage people have when they possess a set of screwdrivers rather than just one. This process of copying Instructions and mutating them is called duplication and divergence.
The process of duplication and divergence seems to have produced many of the Instructions living things have. For example, all animals contain a class of workers that digest proteins in their food. Since there are many different kinds of proteins, no single one of these workers works best on everything the animal wants to digest. These workers (called proteases) arose from duplication and divergence of a more primitive protease that could digest all proteins to some extent. The whole family of alcohol dehydrogenase workers also arose by duplication and divergence.
two members of the alcohol dehydrogenase family: Al and sigma
Since some kinds of mutations are good and some are bad, a living thing ends up with a mixed bag of Instructions in the Book it inherits from its parents. What makes an Instruction Book -- or more generally, any particular set of Instructions -- good or bad? Would living things be better off if there were no mutations? To answer these questions, we have to know what we mean by "good" and "bad". Most people would say that something -- anything, not just particular Instructions or Instruction Books -- is "good" for an organism if it helps that organism survive and reproduce. Anything that interferes with survival and reproduction is "bad".
To determine whether a mutation is good or bad for a living thing, one needs to look at living things with and without the mutation and see how well they do in their environment. Since by "good", we mean live and breed, the ones that have the "better" Instruction should increase in number over time. The process by which better living things out-compete worse ones and by which organisms themselves become better at living in their environment is called evolution.
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How to change bad habits for good ones
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It is by repeatedly performing little steps that move us towards our goals that we experience success. Success that leads to satisfaction and the strengthening of our self image.
There are two points here that I would like to address. The first is little steps and the second is self image. Little steps are those consistent and repetitive actions that form habits.
I believe William Arthur Ward sums it up with the following quote - "Our words reveal our thoughts; our manners mirror our self-esteem; our actions reflect our character; our habits predict the future.
Our habits predict the future. Isn't that powerful? We can actually to some extent predict the future outcome of our lives. By forming new habits we can direct our lives in a positive or negative way. This is determined by all our habits. We all have good and bad habits. If we decide to replace bad habits with good ones we can change our lives for the better.
All change starts with decision and it is in the moment of decision that we define our future. Decision followed by action is the start to forming a new habit. I do believe that there is something that is more powerful than the forming of a new habit. It is something we often don't consider and it is something that most people are not aware of. What I am talking about is the self image.
The self image is so important in how we direct our lives, how we perceive our world and is core to the self talk that we have chattering away in the back of our minds. Whenever we accomplish something good in our lives our self image is strengthened. Whenever we compromise on something in our lives our self image is weakened. It is extremely important that we commit to strengthening our self image as a weak self image can have a negative impact on us.
It is so critical that we maintain a healthy self image even to the point of small decisions, like should I go to the gym?, or should I mow the lawn?, or should I call my mother? When we decide against doing something that we know we should do, it let's our self image know that we are not committed and next time that we face a similar scenario our self image talks to us and lets us know that we are not committed. On the other hand each time we follow through on a commitment we strengthen our self image and each time we face a similar scenario the decision is easy to make because of our strong self image.
To sum up today's article I would like to remind you that your habits good or bad will shape your future despite what you think. Your bad habits damage your self image, your good habits strengthen your self image. So resolve today to perform little steps to change your bad habits from bad to good and shape the direction of your future. Our habits predict our future.
To your future successThe old saying is this: Old habits are hard to break. The other saying is this: You can't teach old dogs new tricks. So, are bad habits able to be turned into good ones? Absolutely. There are so many bad habits out there, not one person possesses them all, yet, we do have them and we work hard to try and break the bad ones and turn them into something that is better for our well-being and for those around us.
Let's take the first bad habit that some of us have. Smoking. What a habit. Some say this habit is harder to break than if you were on narcotic drugs like cocaine. This is really harsh. The unfortunate thing, this writer is a smoker, and deep down inside, after years of being involved athletically, he really hates the habit. What is bad about this habit is that when you are around other's who smoke, it is hard to break the habit. What is even worse is when you are around people who do not smoke, it is hard to keep those people around. This writer's wife has come to the conclusion that it is hard for one to quit. What we have to do as smoker's is first do it for ourselves and then do it for the one's you love. First, use aides if needed. Then when the craving for cigarettes is gone, then you can start to exercise a little bit more, breathe easier and climb more steps. Knowing that you have quit and do not need a cigarette again, turns things into good habits like caring more for the environment as well as those around you.
When the bad habits become compounded because of certain things that go wrong in your life, this is something else that has to be worked out to turn the bad things into good. For instance, if you are a person who just had the bad luck of not being able to hold a job, which in some ways can be considered a bad habit, can be turned to a good habit by learning tricks of the trade. For instance, getting a good education and learning everything that you can and working for success can lead to good things for you and your family.
Knowledge of the bad things that happen in life can help you change the bad into the good. This is important. In a Christian life, sin can be considered bad. Reading the Bible and understanding it can lead to good things in your life. Prayer is so powerful that it turns bad into good quickly because you are not letting the devil take over your life. Do everything possible to do good not for just yourself, but for those around you. Help at charity events. Attend church or synagogue as regularly as you can. Grante.
Why good people fail to change bad things
it has been a year of great change in the Symbian world. Important change initiatives that were kicked off in previous years have gathered speed.
it has also seen change and trauma at many other levels, throughout the mobile industry and beyond. And the need for widespread change still remains. Daily - perhaps hourly - we encounter items that lead us to wonder: Why isn't someone getting this changed? Why isn't someone taking proper care of such-and-such a personal issue, family issue, social issue, organisational issue, political issue, educational issue, environmental issue, operating system issue, ecosystem management issue, usability issue, and so on?
I've attended quite a few "change facilitation workshops" and similar over the last 24 months. One thinker who has impressed me greatly, with his analysis of the causes of failure of change initiatives - even when good people are involved in these initiatives - is Harvard Business School Professor John Kotter. Kotter describes a series of eight steps which he recommends all significant change initiatives to follow:
Build a sense of urgency
Establish an effective guiding coalition
Create a clear, appealing vision
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Remove obstacles (“empower”)
Celebrate small wins
Follow through with wave after wave of change
Embed the change at the cultural level.
Lots of other writers and speakers have their own different ways of describing the processes of successful change initiatives, but I find Kotter's analysis to be the most insightful and inspiring.
The main book that covers this eight stage process is "Leading Change" - a book that must rank high in the list of the most valuable business books ever written.
Subsequently, Kotter used the mechanism of an easily-read "cartoon book", "Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions", in order to provide a gentle but compelling introduction to his ideas. It's a fable about penguins. But it's a fable with real depth. (I noticed it and purchased a copy in the Inverness airport bookshop one day, and had finished reading it by the time my plane south landed at Gatwick. I was already resolved to find my copy of "Leading Change" and re-read it.)
As Kotter emphasises, the steps in the eight-stage change leadership process have mirror images which are the main eight reasons why change initiatives stumble:
Lack of a sufficient sense of urgency;
Lack of an effective guiding coalition for the change (an aligned team with the ability to make things happen);
Lack of a clear appealing vision of the outcome of the change (otherwise it may seem too vague, having too many unanswered questions);
Lack of communication for buy-in, keeping the change in people’s mind (otherwise people will be distracted back to other issues);
Lack of empowerment of the people who can implement the change (lack of skills, wrong organisational structure, wrong incentives, cumbersome bureaucracy);
Lack of celebration of small early wins (failure to establish momentum);
Lack of follow through (it may need wave after wave of change to stick);
Lack of embedding the change at the cultural level (otherwise the next round of management changes can unravel the progress made).
A few months ago, Kotter released yet another book on the subject of change initiatives that go wrong. Like "Our Iceberg Is Melting", this is another slim book - only having 128 pages, and with large typeface, making it another very quick read. But, again, the ideas have real merit. This book is called "A sense of urgency".
As the name implies, this book focuses more fully on the first stage of change initiatives. The biggest reason why significant change initiatives fail, in Kotter's considered view, is because of a lack of:
a real sense of urgency - a distinctive attitude and gut-level feeling that lead people to grab opportunities and avoid hazards, to make something important happen today, and constantly shed low-priority activities to move faster and smarter, now.
Instead, most organisations (and most people) become stuck in a combination of complacency and what Kotter describes as "false urgency":
Complacency is frequently fuelled by past successes and time-proven strengths - that may, however, prevent organisations from being fully aware of changes in circumstances, technologies, and markets;
False urgency involves more activity than productivity: "It is frenetic. It is more mindless running to protect themselves or attack others, than purposive focus on critical problems and opportunities. Run-run, meet-meet, talk-talk, defend-defend, and go home exhausted."
Kotter provides a helpful list of questions to help organisations realise if they are suffering from over-complacency and/or false urgency:
Are critical issues delegated to consultants or task forces with little involvement of key people?
Do people have trouble scheduling meetings on important initiatives ("Because, well, my agenda is so full")?
Is candour lacking in confronting the bureaucracy and politics that are slowing down important initiatives?
Do meetings on key issues end with no decisions about what must happen immediately (except the scheduling of another meeting)?
Are discussions very inwardly focused and not about markets, emerging technologies, competitors, and the like? ...
Do people run from meeting to meeting, exhausting themselves and rarely if ever focusing on the most critical hazards or opportunities? ...
Do people regularly blame others for any significant problems, instead of taking responsibility and changing? ...
The centrepiece of "A sense of urgency" is a set of four tactics to increase a true sense of urgency:
Bring the outside in. Reconnect internal reality with external opportunities and hazards. Bring in emotionally compelling data, people, video, sights, and sounds.
Behave with urgency every day. Never act content, anxious, or angry. Demonstrate your own sense of urgency always in meetings, one-on-one interactions, memos, and email, and do so as visibly as possible to as many people as possible.
Find opportunity in crises. Always be alert to see if crises can be a friend, not just a dreadful enemy, in order to destroy complaceny. But proceed with caution, and never be naive, since crises can be deadly.
Deal with the NoNos. Remove or neutralise all the relentless urgency-killers: people who are not skeptics but who are determined to keep a group complacent or, if needed, to create destructive urgency.
The rest of the book fleshes out these tactics with examples (taken from Kotter's extensive consulting and research experience) and additional checklists. To my mind, there's a great deal to learn from here.
Footnote: Kotter's emphasis on the topic of "real urgency" may seem to fly in opposition to one of the most celebrated messages of the literature on effectiveness, namely the principle that people should focus on matters that are important rather than matters that are merely urgent. In the renowned "first things first" language of Stephen Covey, people ought to prioritise "Quadrant two" (activities which are important but not urgent) over "Quadrant three" (activities with are urgent but not important).
To my mind, both Kotter and Covey are correct. We do need to start out by figuring what are the most important activities. And then we have to ensure that we keep giving sufficient attention to these activities. Kotter's insight is that organisations and people can address this latter task by means of the generation of a sufficient sense of urgency around these activities. In other words, we should drive certain key targets out of Quadrant two into Quadrant one. That way, we'll be more likely to succeed with our key change initiatives. You can stop divorce in its tracks, and improve your relationship.
Should you want to know how do I stop my divorce, you'll first have to convince your ex to give the relationship another try. This may be difficult, but it's absolutely necessary if you want to give yourself a fighting chance of stopping a divorce.
A divorce can be stopped at pretty much any stage - Ideally before it is even filed, But it can even be stopped right before the final paperwork is filed.
But the earlier you stop a divorce, the more likely it will not be restarted, at least not right away.
The way to learn how do I stop my divorce, is to encourage your partner to work with you to fix the relationship. If you have been begging him/her to give you another chance or whining for them to get back together with you, Stop it NOW!
This may seem odd, and you may think that without your nagging your ex will find it easier to divorce you. But nagging never does anything but convince them that divorce is a good idea. Who wants to be around someone acting like a child?
Those that act in an age appropriate way and behave in a pleasant manner, will surprise their ex and thereby help you in how do I stop my divorce. Explain to him/her that you want to stop divorce and calmly say you would like another chance.
Your partner has already heard you complain and carry on, so there's no need to do that any more. Just be clear that this divorce is not what you want. You may be pleasantly surprised how your partner reacts when you improve your attitude and behavior.
You may also be showing a mature side of yourself that your spouse hasn't seen for a while. You may also choose to suggest marital counseling for the two of you to stop your divorce. Counseling does work for some couples and your relationship might benefit from it.
Should your partner agree to counseling, then you have gained valuable time before they file for or attempt finalizing a divorce. Use this time to convince them repairing your relationship is the best way to go here.
Should the two of you choose counseling you'll have an opportunity to show your ex why they fell in love with you. You will remind him/her why the two of you got together in the first place. You can also demonstrate an honest effort in wanting to fix any problems that come up during your counseling sessions. This may help convince your partner to postpone a divorce indefinitely.
Please be aware; should you need help with how do I stop my divorce-that the person was about to divorce you. So it may be easy enough for them to change their mind and file for divorce in the future.
Always be aware of the state of your relationship, and keep the lines of communication open, but your goal is to have a great relationship for life.
DuPont patented the first commercial reverse osmosis membranes for treating brackish water in 1969 and improved Permasep® to the point that it was capable of desalinizing seawater in 1974. Permasep® is also widely used to produce highly purified water for industrial or medical use. For its innovation in developing the Permasep® B-9 permeator, the company was awarded Chemical Engineering’s Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Achievement Award in 1971. DuPont remains committed to advancing reverse osmosis technology and is the world leader in the production of technologies designed to make potable water available wherever it is needed.Sometimes I just like to look through the old files.
They tell the stories of hundreds of consultations I led from 1996 to 2000. During that time I led the W V M I, formerly known as Church Growth Visions, to help churches all across third world nations. When I found of LifeWay Christian Resources, I closed the company and christian company continued the work through Rainer Research.
The files I love to review are the stories of churches that made positive changes. Inevitably, each of these success stories has another great story within it. I then remember how leaders in these churches made changes in their own lives. Many of them didn’t believe at first that it was possible, and then God began to change them. He gave them strength they never knew they could have.
And they went from bad leaders to good leaders.
When Change Is Good
The bad leaders were not necessarily bad persons. But there was something about their leadership styles and efforts that was detrimental to the churches they led and served.
The good news is that a number of these leaders did make significant changes. They were willing to listen to input and seek God’s strength to move in a positive direction. As a consequence the churches they led became healthier as they made the changes.
Look at seven of these major transitions by the leaders. Every leader I studied in these files made at least one, and some made several, of the changes.
Seven Major Transitions
rom Arrogance to Humility. While some of the weaker leaders lacked confidence, others were simply self-centered. Sometimes our congregational surveys would reveal this perception. It was heartening to hear some of the leaders acknowledge their self-sufficiency, and move toward greater humility.
From Caution to Faith. On the other hand, some of the leaders were fearful of doing anything significant lest they offend someone or engender criticism. When they made the positive transition, they began to take steps of faith. The critics did not go away, but the vast majority of the church gladly followed.
From Inwardly-focused to Outwardly-focused. It was not uncommon to see some of the struggling leaders focus all of their attention on the needs of those in the church. While those needs should not be neglected, a church whose ministries are primarily focused inwardly is already dying. These leaders led their churches in the spirit of Acts 6:1-7, from self-centered to missional.
From Activity-driven to Goal-driven. The Apostle Paul said, “I pursue as my goal . . .” (Philippians 3:14, HCSB). His mission was one that was goal-centered toward Christ. Struggling leaders make the activities and the programs their goals. Those who became goal-driven looked at the reason behind the activities and focused in that direction.
From Credit-seeking to Credit-deflecting. It was absolutely amazing to watch these leaders move from persons who sought recognition and credit to persons who only desired that God be given the glory. They were also quick to praise and compliment others and to give others the credit.
From Prayerless to Prayerful. Leaders are often so busy that they take little time to pray. Those who became great leaders knew the Source of their strength, and they made time to pray. And it seems that the more prayerful the leaders became, the more prayer-filled their churches became.
From Somber to Joyful. One of the greatest rewards of observing these transitions was to see leaders move from a near joyless disposition to people who “rejoice(d) in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Their joy was contagious, and they led churches to become congregations of joy.

Stories Recalled, Lessons Learned

I did enjoy reviewing the old files. It reminded me again of what a great work God has done in the lives of many leaders. It reminded me again of the positive changes that took place in the churches they served.
But, above all, the files reminded me that those lessons should apply to me every day. If I’m not the leader God wants me to be, then I must stop leading. Still, I remembered in these stories that when we mess up, the God of all love and forgiveness will give us yet another opportunity.

Thank God for changed leaders.

Thank God for changed churches.

Thank God for changed lives.

And thank God that He can still change me.

Effective leader by:Dr, Sammy D.James.

Healthy Leaders
An effective leader possesses a blend of three special elements:
Leader in:Church,Business,Organization,Politic,House,Art,Sport.Etc
Vision. In circles,we could also call this Calling.”
Character.
Competence.
All three elements are found in the description of King David in Psalm 78:
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. (Ps. 78:70-72)
Verses 70-71 reveal David’s calling:
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people
Verse 72a shows his character:
David shepherded them with integrity of heart
Verse 72b describes David’s competencies:
with skillful hands he led them.
Just as a stool has three legs, there are three foundations of effective leadership. All three must be present and in balance for the leader to succeed. The three foundations are calling, character and competencies.
What would happen if one element were missing in the life of a leader?
If a leader possessed a strong calling and strong character but had weak competencies, he would produce a big mess! There would be lots of great ideas, good intentions, passion, zeal, sincerity and godliness, but nothing much actually accomplished by the organization.
If the leader had strong character and strong competencies, but was weak in the area of calling and vision, the organization would run like a well-oiled machine, but it would not accomplish anything of significant value.
To think of a leader with a strong calling and strong competencies, but who was weak in character is the very worst scenario! This combination would spell inevitable disaster for the leader and for everyone in the organization. In the words of Howard Hendricks, “The greatest crisis today is a crisis of leadership. And the greatest peril of leadership is a crisis of character. Think about it, to give a person management techniques and leadership skills without integrity is simply to enable him to become a better rip-off artist."
We need all three. Thus, the three necessary capacities of effective leadership are character, calling and competencies.
But is this sufficient? Is this model sufficient to describe a mature, balanced and effective Christian leader? Is there anything missing?
There are two elements missing in our model: Christ and Community. These are the two great commandments Jesus gave us:
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:35-40)
The leader must be in right relationship with God and with his brothers.
So, there are actually five elements that must be present in the life of a healthy Christian leader: Calling, Character, Competencies, Christ and Community.
Now, let’s put these five in order. Which should come first? Of these five, which produces which?
Here is the order. Our model of the holistic Christian leader starts with his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The leader must know God.
Christ must come first.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11)
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Col. 1:18)
True leadership is not possible without Christ first! Without Christ first, the other four elements will not work – like a body without a head!
Without Christ first in the life of the leader, he will never get along in community with others:
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Tit. 3:3)
Without Christ first, the leader’s character will be sinful:
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (Eph. 4:17-19)
Biblically, Christian leadership is not character-based; it is Christ-based. While character is vitally important in Christian leadership, it is not first. Christ is first!
In Christian leadership, everything does not proceed from character and values; everything proceeds from union with Christ. This is not mere semantics but it goes to the very heart of how we understand the Christian life and Christian leadership.
To make this distinction is not to undermine the importance of character and values. On the contrary, this actually establishes true character and values, proceeding not from human effort but from the indwelling life of Christ!
If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit… (John 15:5)
so that you may be… filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:10-11)
Without Christ first, the leader will have no calling other than hopelessness and futility:
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (Eph. 2:12)
Sadly, many Christian leaders put their callings first and then try to use Christ to fulfill their own ambitious, self-centered visions. But He will not accept second place in anyone’s life. We should not pray for power without first praying to know Christ. We should not use the Word of God for teaching, without first using His Word to know Him. Ministry must not be first; in all things, Christ must have the preeminence.
Finally, man’s competencies are useless apart from Christ. Without Christ first, the leader is capable of nothing of any value in God’s eyes:
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags… (Is. 64:6)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
True competencies come from Him:
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant… (2 Cor. 3:5-6)
Christ must be first! The leader must know God. He must walk with God, and out of his relationship with Jesus will proceed every other aspect of his leadership.
This is not just the “best” way; it is the only way to true Christian leadership. Everything else is mere fleshly works.
Second, the leader’s personal relationship with Jesus must be expressed and worked out in the daily life of his various communities: his family, his church community, the teams he is a part of, and the broader community of the world.
In this context of Christ and community, character will be formed in the life of the leader. The indwelling life of Christ expressed and worked out in community will develop godly character.
Since God now has someone with character, He can trust him with a calling. Once the leader has a calling he will need the competencies to fulfill that calling.
This is the logical progression of the elements in our model of healthy Christian leadership: Christ, Community, Character, Calling and Competencies.
Leaders with wrong priorities will never be satisfied and all they will ever produce will be like filthy rags in God’s eyes (Is. 64:6), useless works of wood, hay and stubble:
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. (1 Cor. 3:11-13)
The foundation must be right, and then the building on that foundation must be right. The four elements all come from Christ.
If men put community first, a shallow, humanistic social club will result. If character is put first, legalism and self-righteousness will result. If leaders put calling first, competition and gift-identification will result. If competencies are put first, self-reliance and mere human achievement will be the results; the leaders may outwardly succeed, but such success will be empty and transient.
Leaders with the wrong first priority will never be satisfied. Moreover, they will always be insecure in their leadership because only Christ brings true security. Insecure leaders, sadly, often become abusive leaders, using others to build their own value and meaning. (Please see Abusive Leadership: SpiritBuilt Leadership #6by Malcolm Webber for more on this.)
That is the logical progression of these elements of healthy Christian leadership. But we should not think that we must address each of these sequentially – as if a leader must first be mature in Christ before he begins to address his need for community, etc. The leader should grow in all five areas concurrently. Consequently, the following is a better way to visualize the relationships of these five elements:
Christ and community are the contexts of the healthy leader: he needs to live in Christ and in community. Character, calling and competence are his capacities: they need to be in him.
Christ is the Source of character, calling and competencies. Christ is also the broader context of true community. Truly, He is the Center and Circumference of all things (Eph. 4:4-6)! In community, character is formed, vision is clarified and competencies are developed.
The First Step To Wealth Building And Success
Enterprise
Written by:Dr, Samy D.James
If you want to be more successful in any area of your life, and especially if you're into wealth building, then there is one single step you MUST take before anything else.
Nothing can affect any kind of positive change on your success or wealth building journey until and unless this step is taken first.
Recently I came across the best written example I've ever seen that emphasizes the importance of this crucial concept.
I don't know who originally wrote it, but I found it in a great book called 'The PowerMind System.
I. Acknowledgments. Introduction: talking leadership. I.Leadership formed. 1.Exemplary formations. 2.Values and calling. 3.Commitment. II.Leadership performed. 4.Value aligned. 5.In character. 6.Acted out. 7.Capacity connected. III.Leadership sustained. 8.Sustaining dispositions. 9.Sustaining strategies. IV.Leadership learned. 10.A coherent story. 11.An ongoing conversation.
Leader.
1. One that leads or guides.
2. One who is in charge or in command of others.
3.
a. One who heads a political party or organization.
b. One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature.
4. Music
a. A conductor, especially of orchestra, band, or choral group.
b. The principal performer in an orchestral section or a group.
5. The foremost animal, such as a horse or dog, in a harnessed
6. A pipe for conducting liquid.
7. A short length of gut, wire, or similar material by which a hook is attached to a fishing line.
8. A blank strip at the end or beginning of a film or tape used in threading or winding.
9. Botany The growing apex or main shoot of a shrub or tree.
10. An economic indicator.
I claim to be no more than an average man with less than average abilities. I have not the shadow of a doubt that any man or woman can achieve what I have, if he or she would make the same effort and cultivate the same hope and faith.
In learning organizations, the leader's work starts with the principle of creative tension and includes building shared vision.
If learning organizations are so widely preferred, why don't more executives create such organizations?
I think the answer is leadership. Our traditional view of leaders-as special people who set the direction, make the key decisions, and energize the troops-is deeply rooted in an individualistic and nonsystemic world view. In the West, leaders are heroes-great men and women who rise to the fore in times of crisis. So long as such myths prevail, they reinforce a focus on short-term events and charismatic heroes rather than on systemic forces and collective learning. Leadership in learning organizations centers on subtler and ultimately more important work. In a learning organization, leaders' roles differ dramatically from that of the charismatic decision maker. Leaders are designers, teachers, and stewards. These roles require new skills: the ability to build shared vision, to bring to the surface and challenge prevailing mental models, and to foster more systemic patterns of thinking. In short, leaders in learning organizations are responsible for building organizations where people are continually expanding their capabilities to shape their future-that is, leaders are responsible for learning.
Leadership in a learning organization starts with the principle of creative tension. Creative tension comes from seeing clearly where we want to be, our "vision," and telling the truth about where we are, our "current reality." The gap between the two generates a natural tension.
Creative tension can be resolved in two ways: by raising current reality toward the vision, or by lowering the vision toward current reality. Individuals, groups, and organizations who learn how to work with creative tension learn how to use its energy to move reality more reliably toward their visions.
The principle of creative tension has long been recognized by leaders. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind, so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths, so must we create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism.
Without vision there is no creative tension. Creative tension can't be generated from current reality alone. All the analysis in the world will never generate a vision. Many who are otherwise qualified to lead fail to do so because they try to substitute analysis for vision. They believe that, if only people understood current reality, they would surely feel the motivation to change. They are then disappointed to discover that people "resist" the personal and organizational changes that must be made to alter reality. What they never grasp is that the natural energy for changing reality comes from holding a picture of what might be that is more important to people than what is.
But creative tension can't be generated from vision alone; it demands an accurate picture of current reality as well. Just as King had a dream, so too did he continually strive to "dramatize the shameful conditions" of racism and prejudice so that they could no longer be ignored. Vision without an understanding of current reality will more likely foster cynicism than creativity. The principle of creative tension teaches that an accurate picture of current reality is just as important as a compelling picture of a desired future.
Leading through creative tension is different than solving problems. In problem solving, the energy for change comes from attempting to get away from an aspect of current reality that is undesirable. With creative tension, the energy for change comes from the vision, from what we want to create, juxtaposed with current reality. While the distinction may seem small, the consequences are not. Many people and organizations find themselves motivated to change only when their problems are bad enough to cause them to change. This works for a while, but the change process runs out of steam as soon as the problems driving the change become less pressing. With problem solving, the motivation for change is extrinsic. With creative tension, the motivation is intrinsic. This distinction mirrors the distinction between adaptive and generative learning.
Building Shared Vision
New leadership roles require new leadership disciplines. Three of the most critical are building shared vision, surfacing and challenging mental models, and engaging in systems thinking. These disciplines can only be developed, in my judgment, through a lifelong commitment. And in learning organizations, these disciplines must be distributed widely because they embody the principles and practices of effective leadership.
How do individual visions become shared visions? A useful metaphor is the hologram, the three-dimensional image created by interacting light sources. If you cut a photograph in half, each half shows only part of the whole image. But if you divide a hologram, each part, no matter how small, shows the whole image intact. Likewise, when a group of people come to share a vision for an organization, each person sees an individual picture of the organization at its best. Each share responsibility for the whole, not just for one piece. But the component pieces of the holograms are not identical. Each represents the whole image from a different point of view. It's something like poking holes in a window shade; each hole offers a unique angle for viewing the whole image. So, too, is each individual's vision unique.
When you add up the pieces of a hologram, the image becomes more intense, more lifelike. When more people share a vision, the vision becomes a mental reality that people can truly imagine achieving. They now have partners, co-creators; the vision no longer rests on their shoulders alone. Early on, people may say it is "my vision." But, as the shared vision develops, it becomes "our vision."
The skills involved in building shared vision include the following:
Encouraging personal vision. Shared visions emerge from personal visions. It is not that people only care about their own self-interest-in fact, people's values usually include dimensions that concern family, organization, community, and even the world. Rather, it is that people's capacity for caring is personal.
Communicating and asking for support. Leaders must be willing to share their own vision continually, rather than being the official representative of the corporate vision. They also must ask, "Is this vision worthy of your commitment?" This is hard for people used to setting goals and presuming compliance.
Visioning as an ongoing process. Today, too many managers want to dispense with the "vision business" by writing the Official Vision Statement. Such statements almost always lack the vitality, freshness, and excitement of a genuine vision that comes from people asking, "What do we really want to achieve?"
Blending extrinsic and intrinsic visions. Many energizing visions are extrinsic, focusing on achieving something relative to a competitor. But a goal that is limited to defeating an opponent can, once the vision is achieved, easily become a defensive posture. In contrast, intrinsic goals -- such as creating a new product, taking an old product to a new level, or setting a new standard for customer satisfaction-elicit more creativity and innovation. Intrinsic and extrinsic visions need to coexist; a vision solely predicated on defeating an adversary will eventually weaken an organization.
Distinguishing positive from negative visions. Many organizations only pull together when their survival is threatened. Similarly, most social movements aim at eliminating what people don't want; thus, we see anti-drugs, anti-smoking, or anti-nuclear arms movements. Negative visions tend to be short-term and carry a message of powerlessness.
Two sources of energy motivate organizations: fear and aspiration. Fear, the energy source behind negative visions, can produce extraordinary changes in short periods, but aspiration endures as a source of learning and growth.

What is your gift:by Dr Sammy D.James

The Gift of Administration (1)

A gifted story: The church school was in need of a new director, but it seemed as if everyone who knew anything about education had already been enlisted to teach. A whole lot of telephone calls had been made to try and find a good volunteer for the job, but it seemed that no one would come forth and give it a try. Then the pastor suggested that they try to find someone with the gift of administration, rather than looking for someone with the gift of teaching. Someone remembered that Sue was a person who was good at visualizing and implementing plans. Sue was asked, and she accepted immediately and gratefully-- this was something she felt she could do and do well.
Biblical references:
1 Cor. 12:28 - In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues.
Acts 14:23 - In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Definition and comment:

The gift of Administration: the special ability that God gives for understanding clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the Body of Christ and the ability to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of these goals. The ability to organize and guide human activities in such a way that Christ’s program is carried out.
As a spiritual gift, administration has to do with guiding the affairs of the church and kingdom. The person with this gift has management ability. The administrator accepts the goals set by others and devises and executes plans to accomplish these goals. A sense for organization is evident. Often a person with this gift is characterized as able to direct and motivate people and coordinate their activities. Often, but not always, people with the gift of administration also have the gift of leadership.
A person with this gift will take an organized approach to most undertakings, and this attribute can be valuable in planning, coordinating, directing, supervising, or in committee work. Some would refer to this type of individual as a “how to” person. One might expect a person with this gift to enjoy preparing agendas and reports to help a committee become more productive. Expect that careful attention will be paid to even small details in planning an activity. Someone with the gift of administration is characterized as one who takes satisfaction in a well-run organization.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
1. Are you able to organize ideas, tasks, people, and time for Christian service?
2. Are you able to make effective plans to accomplish goals?
3. Do you have a sense for delegating important tasks to the right people at the right time?
4. If a group you are in lacks organization, do you have a desire to step in to help it to run more effectively?
5. Do you enjoy bearing responsibility for the success of a particular task within the church?
6. Are you able to analyze facts in order to plan for successful completion of a project.
Areas for study and personal growth:
Being an effective administrator requires attention to the basic quality at the core of this gift - that of directing. The Greek word for “administration” is kubernesis and it means “piloting or steering.” A good pilot is ever vigilant to steer his ship away from harm and catastrophe of Titantic proportions. Developing the means by which to watch over church affairs in areas of involvement is a matter of attention to detail, record-keeping, and keeping sight of chosen goals. Learn how to do these things more effectively.
It is the Lord who directs his church, and thus we want to follow his plan, not ours. To avoid the danger of drifting in the wrong direction, learn to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and on prayer rather than your own devices. Learn to pray before acting.
People are more important than projects. They need love and support; they do not want to feel used. Learn how to be sensitive to the needs of all those with whom you are working, and put people first.
Avoid the danger of “over managing” or “taking over” in such a way to exclude the contributions, ideas, and concerns of others. Remember that the Holy Spirit works through us in community - we need each other to get the whole picture that God has in mind for us. Learn to listen for the “still, small voice of God” by allowing periods of silence so that those with less aggressive natures can make their contributions comfortably.
Read and meditate on Exodus 18: 13-27 to learn how Jethro understood the use of the gift of administration. Seek out other readings about good administrators to learn how they proceeded, methods they used, and initiatives they took to help build up the enterprise. Look for new approaches that will help make things work better, always striving for improvement.
General ways to use the gift of administration:
Personally: organize family devotions, help a friend develop a family budget, organize a Bible study at work
Within the church: superintend the Sunday school, direct a program, or chair a committee (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: organize fund-raising campaign, serve on board of home for the aged, organize a rally
For reflection:
The gift of administration is really needed in the Christian community. St. Paul spoke many times about the church as a body with many essential parts, each being necessary for the body to function wholly. People with the gift of administration may well hold the key to pulling all the various parts together in harmony. Being able to absorb detail, organize and delegate are traits of this gift, and these qualities, when employed effectively, can be helpful in allowing the Holy Spirit’s work in one committee to compliment, rather than conflict with, the work of another. The instincts for what comes first and what follows, who can plug in where, and how to arrange things so that everything fits into the schedule or that everything gets done are sorely needed in a busy church environment. This is a wonderful spiritual gift to have.
With this gift you can help the church get in order and stay in order. That orderliness surely pleases God for he ordered the whole world. The piece of God’s image that he placed in you, which we here refer to as the gift of administration, is so like him. Marvel at the awesome detail God has attended to in creation - you like detail too, so you have a special propensity to feel his pleasure when attending to detail in carrying out your ministry. Your work in the church can help bring focus to what we undertake. You can assist us in seeing the way to get where we know we need to go. You have the gift that can help us manage our resources and be better stewards of our time and talent. We praise God for having given you this spiritual gift. May you be blessed as you use it for his glory and the building of his church.

The Gift of Apostle (2)

A gifted story: Mary's circle of friends had been a great source of enjoyment until they began experimenting with drugs. She knew that she did not want to become involved with drugs, but her friends told her she had to take one of the substances or no longer be a part of the group. Mary refused, and instead she stood up and proclaimed her faith in front of her friends. She lost many of her friends and went through a very lonely period after that, but in her heart she felt sorry for her friends and knew her intent was to try and help them. Mary possesses the gift of apostle-- she can see what others cannot see and she is able to take a stand in the midst of an adverse situation.
Biblical references:
1 Cor. 12:28 - In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues.
Romans 1:14- 16 - For I have an obligation to all peoples, to the civilized and to the savage, to the educated and to the ignorant. So then, I am eager to preach the Good News to you who live in Rome.
See also Acts 20:17-21 - (Paul’s description of how he conducted himself in Ephesus and his plans to be obedient to God and go to Jerusalem).
Acts 14: 21-23 - (The activities of Paul and Barnabas in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, and Pisidia).
Definition and comment:
The gift of Apostle: the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ which enables them to assume and exercise helpful leadership over a number of churches in spiritual matters which is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those churches. It is also regarded as a gift that gives the believer the courage and the urgency to express faith in settings where the Gospel is rarely heard. Apostles have a special calling - they are selected by Christ and sent out with a unique commission and divine credentials to act and speak authoritatively on his behalf. These people are called to lead, inspire and develop the Churches of God by the proclamation and the teaching of true doctrine.
Although some believe that this gift was given only to the original 12 men who had been with the Lord from the time of John’s baptism until his ascension, there is wide acceptance that Paul too was considered an “apostle.” It is interesting to note that Paul refers to himself as an apostle that was “abnormally born” (1 Cor. 15:7-8). However he may have felt about the receipt of this spiritual gift, he clearly accepted it, and his ministry was characterized as one of church building. In many ways Paul was the first practical theologian, the one who began to lay down rules for church members to follow. The fact that God chose Paul for this task is all the evidence we need that the gift of apostleship did not die with the original 12 apostles.
Many others were called “apostles” in the New testament: James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19); Barnabas (Acts 14:4,14); Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25); Silas and Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1, 2:6); Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7). A number of other references are made to the “other brothers” who are clearly acting as apostles in various passages in both letters to the Corinthians.
A person given the gift of apostle will feel an urgency to be a builder of churches for Christ and will most likely be drawn to the ordained ministry, but the building of churches is not the exclusive domain of ordained clergy. Anyone exercising this gift will be involved in starting and strengthening churches or in reaching out to those who may have little other access to the Gospel.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you have a sense that Christ has called you to build up his church?
Is there within you an urgency to take the Gospel to settings where it is rarely heard?
Are you compelled to find new ways of communicating God’s love to people that have not been reached by traditional means?
Do you feel that God is sending you out on a mission to reach a people in need of hearing the Gospel?
Areas for study and personal growth:
The roots of the word “apostle” reveal the full meaning of this gift: “stello” means “to send” and “apo” means “off from;” thus an apostle is sent off someplace to speak for Christ. A good place to begin understanding how this gift might be applied in your life might be to contemplate just where God might be urging you to go - in the language of the Shepherd, what sheep to feed. Prayer will be the chief means for this enlightenment.
Any call into the ordained ministry will need to be met with consideration for theological training in a seminary or in a special instructional program (such as a lay ministry course or AIM curriculum).
Read and study about the structure of the church and learn about the dynamics within congregations to better understand what is involved in building and growing a healthy body of Christ.
Look for ways to improve your ability to express your faith. You will need to tell both the Gospel story as it is found in scripture and your own Gospel story, witnessing to Christ in your own life. Listen to audio and video accounts by other Gospel storytellers, not in an effort to copy their style, but to sense their passion and build courage watching their joy in delivering the message. Your own story, in your own style, delivered from the heart will become God’s vehicle from within to reach those he wants to touch.
Seek out and speak with others with the gift of apostleship, hear their sensitivities as to where the Gospel needs to be taken, and then learn more about the needs that surface so that you will be better prepared to address them.
General ways to use the gift of apostleship:
Within the church: deliver Temple Talks, testimonials, and sermons (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: take the Gospel message to those who cannot come to church - the sick, the lonely and those in prison
For reflection:
The gift of apostleship is really about being creative in taking the Gospel message where it would not be otherwise be heard. No one did this better than the Apostle Paul, and he is the one to look at to best understand how this gift should be employed. Paul found ways to reach everybody; highly educated, he spoke to people in their own tongue - he knew the best way to reach a person is at their own level. He also trusted greatly in the Lord in all he did, and he recognized his own weakness but was not afraid of it, because the message he was giving out was God’s message, and he knew God would work through him effectively because of his willing heart.
Indeed, one of the great ironies is that God chose Paul to build up his church. Paul, who had persecuted so many Christians, seemed an unlikely candidate for such an important task. But God loves to rise up the weak to his purposes. Christ chose basically illiterate fisherman to spread the good news, even a despised tax collector. These early apostles were not superhuman people, but ordinary people whom God chose to give supernatural gifts to equip them for his purposes. But what an honor to be thus chosen for such a remarkable and world-changing purpose. Today’s Christians with the gift of apostleship have a similar honor of working to change the world for Christ. Clearly it is a job that needs to be done.
The Gift of Discernment (3)
A gifted story: Karen seems always to ask the most probing questions during Bible study. She looks very deeply into a passage and almost always discovers a new insight. There is always a clear desire to get at the truth or to determine what goodness can be discerned from a passage. We have come to expect special insights from her. If we are at a crossroads as to what course of action to take in the church, her input will be sought. Many in the congregation ask for her advice in their attempt to learn of God's will in particular personal circumstances. Karen has a thirst to discern God's will at all times-- she has the gift of discernment.

Biblical references:

Romans 9:1 - I am speaking the truth; I belong to Christ and I do not lie. My conscience, ruled by the Holy Spirit, also assures me that I am not lying….
1 Cor. 2:10-13,15 - …it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God’s purposes. It is only a person’s own spirit within him that knows all about him; in the same way, only God’s Spirit knows all about God. We have not received this world’s spirit; instead, we have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us. So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit…. Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him.
1 Cor. 12:10 - The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God’s message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. ….
Definition and comment:
The gift of Discernment: the special ability that God gives which enables a person to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human, or Satanic. This gift can motivate a believer to seek God’s will and purpose and apply that understanding to individual and congregational situations. It provides the ability to distinguish between truth and error, to know when a person or act is of God.
Sometimes the gift of discernment is referred to as “discerning of spirits.” That phraseology is certainly most descriptive of situations when the behavior or act could be of evil origin but disguised in such a way that many thought it was good. Jesus warned us to beware of false teachers and prophets, and the gift of discernment plays a critical role in helping the church stay the course of true doctrine in the face of error and untruth. Church members with the gift of discernment are responsible for keeping false teachers and teachings from influencing and possibly perverting the church.
The power of discerning good from evil is present in all mature Christians by virtue of guidance from the Holy Spirit. All Christians should seek to discern truth, and the ability to do so is there when conscience guides the mind. The supernatural ability referred to in this spiritual gift is simply a heightened and perhaps more critical sense of the same quality. With it comes a boldness to speak out, a willingness to question apparent authority, and a quality of continual evaluation that puts the believer on guard at all times. It is hard for Satan to sneak up on a person with this gift.
Anyone who has this gift has to walk a fine line. They are compelled to expose heresy, false doctrine, and untruths, but they must do so tactfully or lose credibility as an “overzealous heresy headhunter” or simply a highly judgmental person. Care must be exercised to expose untruths with clarity and kindness.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Have others in the church noted that you are able to see through phoniness or manipulative behavior before it is evident to other people?
Has your sense that a person’s teaching was from God, Satan or of human origin later been confirmed as correct?
Can you judge between the inadequate and the acceptable, or between evil and good?
Do you see a serious danger when false teachings and false practices creep into the church?
Are you usually aware of people who pretend or who wear masks?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Read works that help identify traits of evil and untruth. A classic is C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, which exposes many of the cunning methods Satan employs to wend himself into our lives. Study the life of Martin Luther to understand how he came to know he should speak out against the abuses of the church.
Become a scholar in what scripture has to say about discerning good from evil. Nelson’s Complete Concordance lists over 600 references to evil - it wouldn’t hurt to read all of them in an effort to hone your sense of awareness and become more alert to evil in the world.
Learn about “watchdog” organizations - those that are dedicated to righting supposed wrongs. Become aware of their tactics as examples for potential use when you need to expose error. In doing so you may uncover certain groups that you will want to support and encourage.
Read and meditate on Bible passages dealing with discernment and false teachings: Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-3; 1 John 4:6;Matthew 16: 21-23; Acts 5:1-11; Acts 8:20-23; Acts 13:6-12; Acts 16:16-18; Rev. 2:2; Rev. 2:14-15,20.
General ways to use the gift of discernment:
Personally: warn friends and family about false teachings and the dangers of some TV programs. Detect wrong motives of deceitful persons, and help others to be aware of con artists and fraud.
Within the church: expose error, evaluate study materials, join a committee; arm others through teaching (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: discern and encounter evil in societal structures; counsel those who are in error or who have failed to recognize the evil of their actions.
For reflection:
Anyone with the gift of discernment will know error and evil when confronted with it. To do something about it takes courage. You will become a “whistle-blower” against Satan, and, well, he’s probably not going to like that! Whistle-blowers are never very popular with the folks that did the wrong to begin with. There will be temptations to step back, perhaps to lay low and just “let sleeping dogs lie.” The trouble with that is that the dog is not sleeping, and unless evil is halted when it starts, it has a way of spreading. God knows that, and so he passed out this particular spiritual gift.
Discernment is a pivotal ability. It is a course-changer. Things are going right along, lickity split, (of course, in the wrong direction), and then comes the guy with the gift of discernment with a word of wisdom - “It doesn’t feel right. Something’s wrong here. It smells bad. It’s wrong because…” And the train stops dead in the track. There is a certain authority that comes with this gift that makes the bearer of the gift better able than most to stop the errant train. Then others can step in and re-evaluate, back up and go a better way. This should all be done in a spirit of love and community. And when it happens this way, everyone present will feel it - the warmth of the Holy Spirit. All of a sudden, everything feels right. It is a moment to pause and offer praise.

The Gift of Leadership (4)

A gifted story: The church was locked to keep out the riffraff, lest the building be ruined. It was already so run down. The congregation had dwindled to such small numbers-- most people had moved to the suburbs. Then George said, let's open the doors and welcome the street people in-- we'll make it their church. Horrors! But George was persistent. "Whenever you do this unto the least of me…" he proclaimed to the congregation. Eventually the doors were opened, the needs of the people were addressed, a soup kitchen was set up, the pews began to fill again, and a whole new congregation was born. And the priest? He went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Biblical references:

Romans 12:8 - …if it (our gift) is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do so generously; whoever has authority should work hard…
1 Thess. 5:12 - We beg you, our brothers, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life.
John 21:18 - …Jesus said to him (Peter).“Take care of my sheep.”

Definition and comment:

The gift of Leadership: the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and communicate these goals to others so that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish them for the glory of God. Through this gift the Spirit enables the believer to motivate, direct and inspire God’s people in such a way that they desire to work together to do the Church’s work effectively. The gift of leadership gives the believer the confidence to step forward, give direction and provide incentive to get a task completed or a dream fulfilled. Members of a group will be led with caring concern and foresight.
Sometimes this gift is paired with the gift of administration, but that may not always be the case. The original word for “leadership” in Greek is “prohistemi” and it conveys the picture of someone “presiding over others.” In 1 Timothy, chapter 3, a full account is given of the characteristics of a church leader. A high standard is set: without fault, sober, self-controlled, orderly, welcoming of strangers, able to teach, gentle and peaceful, be not enamored with money, able to manage his family and children, mature in the faith and respected by the people.
Caring more than rank or authority marks Christian leadership. The gift may be employed in a small and unofficial way, such as in a committee or task force, or it may be used in an official way, such as by a pastor or elected officer of the church. Christian leadership is always exercised under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy inspiring and leading others for the sake of Christ’s work?
Are you usually quick to sense when a group you are in is getting nowhere and you want to do something about it?
When you join a group, do others often expect you to take leadership?
Have you accepted leadership responsibilities and succeeded in helping a group work toward a goal?
Do you find it easy to motivate others to follow through on a ministry project?
Do you tend to think futuristically about ministries within the church and community?
Areas for study and personal growth:
There are many stories in the Bible that illustrate how leadership is exercised in the name of God. Temples were built, people were led to new lands, and armies were led to victory. Read passages throughout the Bible that exemplify leadership by people under God’s direction to understand what God expects of his leaders, the faith that is required, and the ways in which the leadership is carried out
Read biographies of great leaders to gain insight into effective methods used. Learn how to develop rapport, how earn the trust of others, and how to delegate. Study leadership techniques to understand how administration and leadership tie together for effective management practices.
Consider attending a seminar on leadership dynamics, management skills, or time management in order to gain more insight into effective goal-setting, prioritizing, and planning.
Build a library of leadership materials and resources, such as: Strategy for Leadership by Edward Dayton and Ted Engstrom, the Christian Leadership Newsletter (monthly), and Leadership 100 (bi-monthly magazine).
Meditate on the ways your gift of leadership could most effectively be employed to help build up the church. Where is leadership needed, and what skills can you bring to the table to help move things along in the right direction? Prayer is essential to support any initiative you may feel moved to take.
It will be important for you to develop discipline in the caring exercise of your leadership gift to avoid drifting into a condition where the sense of center-stage power moves your consciousness rather than the sense of how God wants ministry done. Understand fully how attractive you will be to the Evil One once you are leading others, and arm yourself to stay on God’s course.
General ways to use the gift of leadership:

Personally: help others to set healthy goals and objectives; lead family projects.

Within the church: chair a committee; assist in the setting of long-range church plans; head up a project (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: serve as a school board member; become involved in community service groups (Hospice, Bootstrap, youth activities).
For reflection:
A leader has to believe in himself or herself, and that carries the danger of being perceived as arrogant. But a good leader is not so. The good leader appreciates that there are a great variety of paradigms and principles out there about how the world works-- different ways of looking at things. Other viewpoints are respected - they are different, not necessarily wrong. Confidence in the leader stems from a sense that he or she is centered in basic principles that are true and good; the Christian ethic gives us these principles. Steven Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) believes that personal effectiveness builds when a person is proactive, begins with the end in mind, puts first things first, thinks “Win/Win”, seeks first to understand and then to be understood, synergizes (finding a creative result from cooperation), and works at self-renewal. These are good points for a leader to master for maximum effectiveness.
However it is arrived at, leadership requires conviction, the courage to pursue what you believe in, and the ability to convince others that you are on the right tract. Churchill said, “An accepted leader has only to be sure of what it is best to do, or at least to have made up his mind about it.” It is the curse of leadership that you have to stick your neck out every so often and see if you can get others to follow. One might say it is not a task for sissies!
But true Christian leadership is on a higher plain. God provides special empowerment when it is his plan that is being worked on. The leader is acting as God’s instrument, and when that is evident, a wonderful harmony can be achieved, the activity is blessed, and good things begin to happen. You share the spiritual gift of leadership with the likes of Moses, Peter, and Paul. Won’t it be interesting to uncover the special mission God has in mind for you?



The Gift of Wisdom (5)

A gifted story: "It's going to fall down any day now!" Everyone looked up at the top of the steeple at the sagging cross. "Someone's going to get killed when it comes down." “We’ve got to take it down now.” The feeling of panic was spreading through the Council. "I wonder how bad it really is- maybe we should just have someone check it over first." Bob spoke softly, and everyone listened. Everyone always listened when Bob finally spoke because it seemed he was usually right. He liked to wait until everyone had shared their thoughts, and then he would ask an insightful question or two, and render his opinion. In the end, Bob’s wisdom prevailed and the cross was simply repaired.

Biblical references:

1 Cor. 12:1-8 - The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. The Spirit gives one person a full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge.
James 3:17-18 - …the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.
2 Peter 3:15 - Look on our Lord’s patience as the opportunity he is giving you to be saved, just as our dear brother Paul wrote to you, using the wisdom that God gave him.

Definition and comment:

The gift of Wisdom: the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to know the mind of the Holy Spirit and to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ. With this gift the Spirit endows particular Christians with an understanding of God’s will and work as it relates to the living of life.
In the early church a “message of wisdom” served a revelatory purpose by enabling a few specially chosen individuals to receive the hidden and secret wisdom of God. There was a close kinship between this gift and the gift of prophecy. The Apostles and Prophets exercised this gift regularly, and the wisdom the Paul received resulted in a considerable amount of Scripture. Many feel that the “message of wisdom” was fulfilled upon the completion of the New Testament.
However, it is still commonly accepted that “wisdom”(vs. a “message of wisdom”) is needed by every Christian in order to find the right course to take after considering carious sources of information. Some people are endowed with a special ability to sift through all the facts and see the bottom line, to understand the direction that needs to be taken after hearing all the possibilities and considering all the details. These are the people today that we believe have the gift of wisdom. Although special inspiration from God is not ruled out, the gift is more likely to be exercised to choose the best logical course of action.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Have you applied spiritual truth effectively to situations in your own life?
When a person has a problem, are you usually able to guide them to the best biblical solution?
Do others ask you for workable ideas or alternatives?
Do your recommendations for church positions or solutions to problems often turn out well?
Can you intuitively arrive at solutions to fairly complicated problems?
Are you comfortable grappling with a variety of possibilities and determining which appears best?
Areas for study and personal growth:
It is especially important that you understand the nature of your gift of wisdom as it applies to you. Study all appropriate Bible passages to clarify the difference between a “message of wisdom” and the “use of wisdom.” Read especially: 1 Cor. 2:4-13; 4:1;12:7-10; 13:8-12; James 1:5; 3:13-18; Peter 3:15-16. Also read about the wisdom of Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1: 1-12; 1 Kings 3:1-28.
There is considerable responsibility attached to being known as a good decision-maker. It will be important for you to develop the discipline to hear all sides fully, to gather and absorb all relevant facts and consider all perspectives before making a determination as to the best course of action to take. Learn how to do this methodically and to document the details that support your conclusion.
Having the wisdom to make right choices carries the burden of delivering the advice thus generated, and this may not always be popular. Learn how to present your determination in a convincing manner, helping all sides realize how their views were carefully considered and weighed. Work on laying out your finding compassionately and always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Insure that you give attention to the urgings of the Holy Spirit in your deliberations and decision-making through prayer. Learn to subjugate your own beliefs, preferences and particular dogmas as well as those views of people in a position to influence you in favor of making truly wise determinations base on the evidence and guidance of the Spirit.
Develop the ability to ask probing and pertinent questions that bring out what everyone needs to hear. Study basic logical concepts (as well as fallacies) that will help you analyze arguments and see truth more readily. Appropriately targeted questions can often help a person see things in a different light.
Study group dynamics to learn how people interact in a group setting. This will give you insight into why people may be reacting and contributing in certain ways to the group discussion and better enable you to get to the heart of the matter at hand.
General ways to use the gift of wisdom:
Personally: assist family or friends in making good decisions
Within the church: be a council member or officer; plug in to task forces or committees (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: serve on any of various community service boards
For reflection:
Having wisdom and being able to convey it are two very different things. Your gift of wisdom will enable you to readily see a truth that you may find incredible others fail to see. You will need to be patient enough to give others time to “see the light” as is evident to you. Steven Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, presents a good discussion on paradigms that shape our thinking. Helping people to shift their paradigms is an important step in broadening their range of acceptance of new ideas. You will need to have a good grasp of where people are coming from as you seek to exercise your gift of wisdom and communicate your conclusions.
Wisdom is not the only gift needed for good decision-making. The logical answer may not be the right answer. As such, you will have to factor in the contributions of people with the gift of discernment - these people have a sense of what is right and wrong, what is good and what is evil, what is appropriately motivated and what is not. When it is determined, however, that the course under consideration is a good one, wisdom should be employed to help determine the best direction to take for the task to be appropriately completed to everyone’s satisfaction.
In some ways using wisdom is like playing chess - you have to look ahead at all the possibilities and see which avenues are clear and which are fraught with peril. It takes a lot of hard thought to be a grand master chess-player. Similarly, exercising wisdom is no easy task, but when thoughtfully done, perilous situations are avoided and the church is.
The Gift of Hospitality (6)
A gifted story: "Mom, there's an old guy at the back door," young Pete's voice sounded anxious. Meribel went straight to the door and welcomed the stranger in. "Set yourself down here in the kitchen," she said warmly. "I've got something here I think you'll like." Then she carved him a big slice of ham and heaped freshly-cooked beans on the plate with a thick piece of homemade bread on the side. It was a ritual Meribel went through often when "tramps" came bye, as they often did because the word was out that she was a kindly lady. Years before, when her father disappeared one day, she vowed never to let a stranger go hungry. God gave her the gift of hospitality.
Biblical references:
1 Peter 4:9-10 - Open your homes to each other without complaining. Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.
Hebrews 13:2 - Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.
Romans 16:23 - My host Gaius, in whose house the church meets, sends you his greetings…
Genesis 18:1-15 - The Lord appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day, he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground, he said, “Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. Let me bring some water for you to wash your feet; you can rest here beneath this tree. I will also bring a bit of food; it will give you strength to continue your journey. You have honored me by coming to my home, so let me serve you.”
Definition and comment:
The gift of Hospitality: the special gift whereby the Holy Spirit enables certain Christians to open their homes willingly and offer lodging, food, and fellowship cheerfully to other people. This gift causes the believer to joyfully open his or her home for meetings and overnight visitors, making people feel welcome and comfortable. Guests and strangers are graciously served.
The Greek word for “hospitality” is philoxenia, meaning, “love of strangers.” The hospitable person is comfortable entertaining others - family, relatives, friends to be sure, but most especially when welcoming strangers. People with this gift have a special sensitivity with others, and they know how to make people feel at ease and wanted. Making strangers feel comfortable and at home takes the form of a ministry that helps dispel loneliness and builds a sense of community.
Hospitality was not mentioned specifically as a gift in scripture, but there is wide acceptance of hospitality as a gift because it was used effectively to build up the body and also for community ministry. All Christians should be hospitable to one another - it is a Christian duty to be kind to strangers. Some Christians, however, feel drawn to reach out to strangers and to invite them into their home - evidence of a supernatural gift.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy providing a haven for guests and not feel imposed upon by unexpected visitors?
Do you have a knack for making strangers feel at ease in your home and at church?
Are you sensitive to the acts of kindness which make people feel comfortable?
Is your home usually open to people passing through who need a place to stay?
Do you enjoy participating in church suppers or other events that welcome people to the church?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Study scriptural references to hospitality to gain a full appreciation of all that is implied in “loving strangers” as well as who should and should not be extended this courtesy: Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb. 13:2; 1 Tim. 3:2, 5:10; Titus 1:8; Genesis 18:1-115; 2 John 10-11; 3 John 5-8, 10. Pay particular attention to the story of Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:24-26.
Learn about what it takes to be truly hospitable. Contemplate ways in which you can insure that those invited into your home will be given the best of care and service and will enjoy themselves. Understanding that this is a gift you have been given, do all you can to exercise it at the highest level.
Expand your abilities for entertaining by developing a file of recipes for different tastes, having on hand a variety of games and activities for a wide range of interests, and create a space utilization plan for how you will shuffle family or furniture quickly to accommodate unexpected guests. Train the family so that they know how to assist in creating a warm welcome when the need arises.
Become aware of the hospitality needs of the church, and make known your willingness to house people in need of overnight lodging. Offer your home for specific church-related gatherings (bible study, meetings, and fellowship), and make suggestions that would create opportunities for you to use your special gift.
Develop a special ministry of your own that will capitalize on your gift of hospitality - for instance, bring together new church members for a social evening to help them get to know one another.
General ways to use the gift of hospitality:
Personally: display gracious openness to strangers; entertain in your home; welcome into your home.
Within the church: be a greeter; make welcome calls to prospective members; help new members become oriented to and incorporated into the church (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: befriend foreign students; become involved in refugee resettlement; volunteer at a nursing home to offer companionship to the elderly.
For reflection:
Hospitality could be called the “making friends gift” because it is the great bridge-builder between people. Perhaps it was the quality tapped in olden times when a “match-maker” was employed to bring a boy and girl together. Most people have a natural reluctance or shyness when it comes to meeting people or approaching others about possibly getting together. There is a fear of rejection. But on neutral territory it is natural to converse, the first step in making friendships. People with the gift of hospitality can offer that neutral territory by bringing lonely folks into their homes and helping them mingle with others. It is a great service.
Graciousness is a wonderful quality that is born out of a genuine love for others. People with the gift of hospitality just simply like people, and it shows. They are involved in uplifting spirits, and they are good at it because God gave them a special pizzazz or charisma (which means gifted) that enables them to help people feel included and enjoyed as persons.
And so the stranger comes along, doesn’t know anyone in the area, no one to talk with, and destined for a lonely night - probably he doesn’t even feel like going out to eat alone. But maybe God will lead the stranger to his disciple with the gift of hospitality. It is easy to see how the evening would be gloriously changed as a result. To be touched in this fashion in the name of Christ is time-honored as a means of introducing people to him. Christianity spread throughout the world, not by crowds talking to crowds, but by individual Christians making friends, being friends, and bringing their new friends to Christ. Bringing someone into your home is an unmistakable act of friendship. No wonder God bestows it as a special gift.


The Gift of Faith (7)

A gifted story: All Christians have to learn how to ride out the various tests to their faiths that occur in adversity. During difficult times it is helpful to know of others who have maintained their faith through the worst of times. Betty's life was slipping away very quickly at too early an age-- the cancer could not be reversed. As her many friends and family visited her in the hospital, they were struck with the peace she displayed. Betty was not afraid to die, as she knew she would soon be with Jesus. She just wanted to comfort all of her visitors and say good-bye. The testimony of her courage in the last days was an inspiration to all that knew her that faith gives us victory over death.
Biblical references:
1 Cor. 12:9 - One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal.
1 Cor. 13:2 -- …I may have all the faith needed to move mountains, but if I have no love, I am nothing.
Heb. 11:1-3 - To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval. It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.
Definition and comment:
The gift of Faith: the special gift whereby the Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence so that they can take heroic stands for the future of God’s work in the church. The person with this gift is able to envision what God wants to happen and to be certain he is going to do it in response to prayer, even when there is no concrete evidence. There is discernment of the will and purpose of God for the future of his work. The believer with this gift is able to see the Spirit at work and trust the Spirit’s leading without knowledge of the path ahead.
Jesus made some extraordinary statements regarding faith. He tied faith to believing expectantly that prayers would be answered: “…if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, ‘Go from here to there!’ and it will go. You could do anything!” (Matt. 17:20) He also declared that “… when you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for.” (Mark 11:24) Often missed in discussions about the power of prayer is Jesus’ admonishment in the very next verse to “forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.” He said to do this when praying.
Most Christians have heard that prayer brings results if faith is present, but they feel a bit amateurish in the prayer and faith department. A quick word of encouragement should be added here - sincerity is the key, not eloquence. Faith is essential for all Christians. We know that it must be exercised with love, and we don’t need much of it. It is so powerful, that even just a little will do. However, some Christians are given an abundance of faith by God’s grace in the awarding of the spiritual gift of faith. Those so gifted have the capability, when exercising their gift, to address expectantly the greatest of concerns, plead for intervention in the largest of needs, and undertake prayer requests that seem mountainous.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Have you had the experience of knowing God’s will with certainty in a specific situation?
Have you felt assurance that God would do what seemed unlikely?
Do you have a sense for moments when prayer with deep faith is needed?
Are you able to go on believing God will act in a situation in spite of evidence to the contrary?
Do you depend upon God’s resources and guidance to an unusual degree?
Areas for study and personal growth:
As a receiver of the spiritual gift of faith, you need to become expert in what faith is. There is no better way to do this than to review the full text of Hebrews 11 where Paul recounts the history of faith in scriptural stories. Internalizing these stories will give you a sense of comradeship with people who had faith of great proportions.
The peculiar strength of your gift needs to be explored. Document what you can remember of prayers answered, and begin a log of prayer requests for the future. Few people trouble to do this, but you have every reason to do so. Evidence of prayers answered is powerful encouragement for Christians in need to trust the power of prayer and God’s loving response.
Seek out and read works that describe how prayers have been answered for others. Learn all you can about the power of prayer and how to use prayer in an intercessory fashion. Understand that it is harder for some, who do not have your gift, to maintain faith, and look for ways to build up the faith of fellow believers through the sharing of your faith stories.
Cut out for yourself an informal role of “prayer expert,” and offer help to others regarding various approaches to prayer (meditative, contemplative, intercessory, petition, praise, …).
General ways to use the gift of faith:
Personally: be available to anyone desiring your prayers.
Within the church: offer hope in the face of any discouraging situation, listen to the still small voice of God for a word of guidance for his church (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts)..
Within the wider community: seek God’s will for new community ministries
For reflection:
Some believe that the supernatural gift of faith was bestowed on believers in the early church to help get it started. They are less certain that it is given today in larger measure to certain believers because of the need for all Christians to have at least some faith to validate their membership in the Body. The counter perspective is that God isn’t finished with us yet. He has continual and creative plans for us. He needs people of extraordinary faith to counter evil and to spread his influence dominantly throughout the world. Extraordinary faith inspires healing vision in individuals and courage for action. God uses the gift of faith to bring glory to himself, to encourage the church to believe in a prayer-answering God, and to meet crises faced by individuals and by the church.
Love is the fuel that empowers faith. Thus empowered faith inspires hope. And there is no place, however cold and dark, that cannot be penetrated by the warmth and light that radiates from a hopeful soul. It is God’s plan that coldness and darkness be thus eradicated in this fashion. Exercise your gift of faith with a loving heart. That will bring a larger measure of hope into our community of faith. When hope is abundantly present, God’s plan for our church will be more fully revealed and our ability to know his purpose for us will be assured.
Reveal your faith in the ways that you can so that members of the congregation may witness it in action. Revealed faith strengthens the whole Body by example. Your faithful actions make tangible what is not so easily seen. Your lessons in faith will offer encouragement and hope. And in hope, one’s face always turns Godward.


The Gift of Knowledge (8)

A Gifted Story: I was not particularly interested in religion, but the campus Christian group gave me a chance to make some friends. They were all talking about the Bible, and i really couldn't offer anything on the subject because he had never even touched a copy. Curtis figured he'd better take a look at it before the next meeting. i began reading the Bible one evening, and he literally couldn't put it down. All through the night he poured over the pages and on through the next day. Day after day he lived and breathed scripture. His thirst for the Word of God was insatiable from that day on. i has the gift of knowledge, and today i have a Christian Seminary theologies school, and publish differents books.

Biblical references:

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. .

Col. 1:10 - Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God.
1 Cor. 12:8 - The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge.
1 Cor. 14:6 - So when I come to you, my brothers, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tiongues? Not a bit, unless I bring some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

Definition and comment:

The gift of Knowledge: the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discover, accumulate, analyze, and clarify information and ideas which are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body. This gift builds understanding in an exceptional way of the great truths of God’s word and gives insight into their relevance to specific situations in the church. A person with this gift will be driven to learn, analyze and uncover new insights with regard to the Bible and faith.
The spiritual gift of knowledge may well be revealed through certain characteristics - a bent for scholarship, a love of reading, contentment with study, at home wrestling with ideas and engaged in problem-solving. Undoubtedly people involved in Bible translation have this gift, as do those who often find revelation in the words of scripture. The particular kind of knowledge inherent in this gift is tied to God’s revealed word and it’s applicability to the moment at hand.
Since the major source of knowledge being employed by this gift is the Bible, there will most certainly be a high level of comprehension and internalization of scripture. It is said that immersion in God’s word readies a person for most any circumstance as the Spirit will then call forth a message of truth as needed from the storehouse of passages held in the heart. The person with the gift of knowledge will understand the living nature of God’s word.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Have you been able to help others distinguish key and important facts of scripture?
Do you enjoy studying and reading material that expands your understanding of the Bible?
In your personal study do you frequently discover new insights in scripture?
Do you feel compelled to share with others the biblical insights you discover?
Do biblical passages come to mind when you seek to know God’s will in a particular situation?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Full familiarity with the Bible is critical for effective exercise of the gift of knowledge. More than likely you will be at home with scripture for the rest of your life. A regular disciplined excursion through the pages will become an on-going visit with a friend. A rule of life of daily scriptural reading will help to develop your gift of knowledge.
Seek to build a library of biblical reference materials (such as Barclay’s daily study Bible series; guides to help with interpretation of idioms, parables and allegories, symbolism and figures of speech; and a concordance to assist in the finding of passages).
Develop a regular prayer discipline that you might be led by the Spirit to the knowledge that is needed for situations that arise. Trust not in your own intellect for God’s knowledge; instead, trust him to give you knowledge through prayer.
If your ministry calls you to work with others as you impart knowledge, strengthen your skills for presentation, whether teaching, mentoring or reading - all of these areas require skills of message delivery that can be learned. Consider attending appropriate workshops. For example, a workshop on techniques for being a lector could help you maximize your effectiveness in oral reading; a workshop on storytelling could help you relate the Gospel stories more dynamically.
Discover ways to share your knowledge with others, and be sensitive to where a message of knowledge may be helpful in the building up of the church. For instance, you may become better equipped than most to lead a bible study or to help develop a good curriculum.
General ways to use the gift of knowledge:
Personally: share biblical truths with family and friends; tell stories from scripture whenever they seem applicable.
Within the church: find ways to offer the knowledge you have gained in decision-making, instruction, and through writing (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts)..
Within the wider community: seek ecumenical involvement and help reveal Christ’s hope “that we all may be one.”
For reflection:
We Christians grow in our faith by many avenues, and the best spiritual growth occurs when we build up our faith in multiple ways. Tradition, the sacraments, heartfelt belief, and reason all combine to enrich our experience as children of God. All of these together complete our armor against the dark forces of this world and set us in forward movement on our pilgrimage as we seek to know our Maker.
Sometimes, through ill preparation or lack of opportunity, we fall short in our reasoning powers when it comes to our faith. Many feel that faith can only truly be known by sheer belief. The thought is that reason should not be employed because one cannot absolutely prove the existence of God. That, however, leaves the believer vulnerable to a loss of faith in a time of trial or attack of disbelief in depression. Actually, reason is as important as any other component in faith building, and the gift of knowledge is the chief gift that can be employed to help Christians see their faith in reasonable terms.
Your gift of knowledge is crucial in helping others to see and understand God’s truths in intellectual ways that will stand the test of dispute. Knowledge of our faith holds us together when weakness cools our hearts. We stay the course because our minds tell us with surety that the path we are on is correct, despite any feelings of despair that may grip us. Our grounding in knowledge and our consequential reasoning give us mental as well as heartfelt conviction. It is a case where our minds carry our hearts through the turbulent periods of our lives until our hearts can be rekindled again. Use your gift to help strengthen our minds for Christ in the certain and reasonable knowledge of the enduring quality of his love.

The Gift of Exhortation (9 A gifted story: Karen De la Cruz has a special sensitivity for people in trouble or facing a crisis in their lives. She recognizes that when bad things happen, our belief system can be violated and our faith shaken. These are the times that she is drawn to the side of the suffering person. Her compassionate nature and grasp of the human condition equip her to listen to those experiencing a crisis of faith, and she is able to relate God's presence in the midst of it all. Val's friendship, counsel and guidance renews and strengthens the faith of the afflicted people as they begin to see that the loving hand of God still at work in their lives. Val's gift of exhortation is a precious gift to the congregation.

Biblical references:
Romans 12:8 - …if it (our gift) is to encourage others, we should do so.
Acts 4:36 - And so it was that Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “One who encourages”), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and turned it over to the apostles.
1 Thess. 2:11-12 - You know that we treated each one of you just as a father treats his own children. We encouraged you, we comforted you, and we kept urging you to live the kind of life that pleases God…
1Peter 5:1 - (I appeal to you) to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly.
Definition and comment:
The gift of Exhortation: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to stand beside fellow believers in need and bring comfort, counsel and encouragement so they feel helped. It is an ability to minister strengthening words of consolation to other members of the Body in such a way that they feel helped and healed. The gifted believer is able to reach out with Christian love and presence to people in personal conflict or facing a spiritual void. By virtue of this gift these people are motivated through encouraging words to live fruitful lives.
The word “exhortation” today often carries a connotation of harshness, and that is actually incorrect. The Greek word “parakalon” in Romans 12:8 is literally translated “encouragement” - it refers to the often gentle actions of one who “comes alongside” to offer comfort, counsel and encouragement. The insights delivered with this gift enable the believer to find ways to bring out the best in others. It suggests reassurance, buttressing, consolation and support. Although it does not exclude the possibility of rebuke, the emphasis is on the positive. Many think of it as the “counseling gift.”
A number of apostles exercised this gift. Paul “exhorted them (the disciples) to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:21-22). Peter was commissioned by Jesus to “strengthen” his brothers (Luke 22:32) and he did so, encouraging the elders of the churches in their work. (1 Peter 5:1-2) This gift is especially helpful for those wishing to help others who are weak, drifting, or undergoing trials and difficulties in their lives.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Are you sensitive to suffering, troubled and discouraged people and desire to help them?
Are you accepting of people deeply troubled or in crisis?
Have you been (or do you think you could be) used to encourage people to live more Christian lives?
Have you urged others to seek a biblical solution to their problems or afflictions?
Can you see yourself in a counseling or mentoring ministry?
Areas for study and personal growth:
In the Bible Paul often urges the disciples to “stir up” or “encourage” one another to love and good works. Meditate on ways to discover where this is needed and what might be done to fulfill this mission as Paul describes it.
Examine your personal demeanor when trying to offer encouragement. Patience, kindness, good listening skills, ability to build rapport - these are all essential to effective counseling. Where are your strengths and weaknesses with respect to these qualities? Work to build up areas where weaknesses are evident.
Good counselors know how to work closely with a person while fostering that person’s sense of independence. Interdependence (ability to work well with others) comes later. Learn more about what goes into healthy relationships from a human psychological point of view. Strive to understand stress reactions as well as coping mechanisms in order to enhance your sensitivities to people in need and your usefulness as a counselor.
Consider attending a workshop on good listening practices. Verbalization is only the starting point. Learn how to interpret body language, how to respond to draw out the deeper message and where to probe to get to the core of a person’s pain.
Learn what programs are available for people who are troubled in various ways (addiction intervention, substance abuse, marital conflict resolution, and the disenfranchised).
General ways to use the gift of exhortation:
Personally: counsel a friend with a problem, console a bereaved person, encourage a new Christian.
Within the church: visit inactive or lapsed members, lead a marriage enrichment group, be a youth sponsor (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts)..
Within the wider community: be a telephone hotline counselor, become involved in an addiction intervention program.
For reflection:
The Apostle Paul tells all Christians to be encouraging to one another and build one another up (1 Thess 5:11), so this is clearly a role for all of us to play - it is expected of all of us. We are asked to draw upon our natural abilities and do the best we can to encourage others. But then there are those who are especially empowered with a supernatural gift to do this at a highly effective level. That we must all do this illustrates the importance of the activity. Those with the gift of exhortation have to recognize, therefore, that their unique responsibility is to exhort or encourage especially well, with the greatest of effectiveness and the greatest of sensitivities. Training to develop expertise should be a real consideration.
Dag Hammarskjold, past Secretary-General of the United Nations, observed, “It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” Those with the gift or exhortation know exactly what this means. They work with the individual on an extensive basis. It often takes a great investment of time to counsel well - it is not something done on a “quick fix” basis, but slowly, carefully, patiently, lovingly, hand-in-hand, for as long as it takes. After all, it takes time for healing.
Many would call people who exercise this gift to be “angles” on earth because the help they give is so precious to the receiver. There are many angelic parallels. God’s love is very real, whether sent in the form of an angel or in the form of encouragement at the hand of a gifted believer.
The Gift of Mercy (10)
A gifted story: They were traveling in Italy on a wonderful holiday from America. The children were in the back seat asleep as they sped down the road at night. Suddenly shots were fired into the car from highway bandits. They eluded the bandits, but their son, Nicholas, was dead. It was story that shocked and outraged the world. But Christ had a story to tell through this family as they employed their gift of mercy. They donated their son's organs to save the lives of a number of Italian children, a hitherto rare practice in that country. They call it the Nicholas effect-- all across Italy the reluctance to donate organs has been lifted as Italian people now see this as a good thing. Mercy has worked a miracle.

Biblical references:
Romans 12:8 - If it (our gift) is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully.
Matt. 5:7 - (Jesus began to teach the crowds)…. “Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!
Acts 9:36 - In Joppa there was a woman named Tabitha, who was a believer. (Her name in Greek is Dorcas, meaning “a deer.”) She spent all of her time doing good and helping the poor.
Definition and comment:
The gift of Mercy: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to feel exceptional empathy and compassion for those who are suffering so that they can devote large amounts of time and energy to alleviate it. This ability to empathize with hurting people manifests itself into cheerful acts of service. The believer feels deeply for those with physical, spiritual or emotional needs and is motivated to take action to meet the needs. The actions taken reflect Christ’s love.
The Greek word for “mercy” (eleos) means “to show compassion,” or “to feel sympathy of heart.” This gift is characterized by the ability to suffer alongside the person in pain, in a sense to feel the pain with them and to want to help them bear it. This extraordinary gift enables the believer to feel a deep compassion that transcends natural Christian caring and to minister to hurting people in a cheerful and sustained manner.
The person with the gift of mercy will be drawn to exercise it among the needy, ill, the mentally impaired, the handicapped, shut-ins, imprisoned, bereaved, lonely, and others in troubled situations. It is revealed in the person’s being able to serve in the presence of human misery such as is so often seen among the poor, the sad, the afflicted and the abandoned.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy visiting in hospitals and/or nursing homes and feel comfortable in these environments?
Are you able to turn compassion into cheerful deeds of kindness?
Would you enjoy spending time with a lonely, shut-in person or someone in prison?
Are you inclined to reach out to people who are ignored by the majority of those around them?
Do you sense when people are hurting in some way and feel moved to ease their pain somehow?
Is it fulfilling to you to work with people who suffer physical, mental, or emotional problems?
Does the sight of misery stir your heart to want to express God’s love to the hurting person?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Study scriptural examples of mercy to see how the gift is exercised: James 2:15-16; Luke 10:30-37; Luke chapters 4 – 8 (examples of Jesus showing mercy); Luke 7: 12-15; Matt. 25:34-36.
Look into various caring ministries that are available to assist the sick or the imprisoned (Stephen Series, People Helper Clinics, Prison visitations, Amity Workshops).
Seek out materials that will expand your knowledge about suffering and caring, and build a library of these resources. Also become familiar with films (videos) that are available in the general subject area of caring (such as Peege, about relating to older people).
Learn what you can about death and dying and ministering at the various stages of grief.
Identify areas within the church where the gift of mercy should be employed to a greater degree, and outline how these needs could be met with a program of regular visitation by a core of people with the gift of mercy.
Spend time with experienced caregivers who seem to you to have strong giftedness in mercy, and consult with them to gain effectiveness in your ministry. Learn also by this means how to shoulder all the pain you take on in the caring process and how to recover from these experiences and “recharge your batteries” when needed. Gain an understanding of healthy ways to work interpersonally with others while holding them harmless from forming a dependency upon you.
Prayer will be essential as you exercise the gift of mercy as you will need God’s empowerment for full effectiveness when working with individuals in need. Insure that your prayer life is disciplined and that you depend upon it for inspiration and strength in your ministry.
General ways to use the gift of mercy:
Personally: help a sick neighbor; send cheering cards and letters to people with special needs; offer transportation to elderly who cannot drive.
Within the church: visit church members who are in the hospital or who are shut-in; help with clothing or food pantry drives (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: work with various social ministries; become a foster parent to an impaired adult.
For reflection:
Jesus spent much of his time among the apostles displaying the quality of mercy - it was something he seemed to put above most other matters. His compassion for the unfortunate appears in scripture over and over. No matter what he was doing or where he was going, when he saw someone in need he would stop and help them. His way was to show mercy and to instruct us that we are to “be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
People who have this gift understand the value of facing pain with other persons, holding their hand and hearing what they have to say. Empathy requires no more response than a continual willingness to keep on listening. The expectation isn’t that you will find a way to change the unchangeable, but that you will simply be there through it all giving support. You will be the answer to the prayer, “If I am to suffer, Lord, please do not let me be alone.” You will provide the accompanying tears and the reassuring smile. You will find a way to bring cheer into fields of despair. It is a very blessed gift that lifts lonely souls and brings to them the love of Christ.
In the Prayer attributed to St. Francis, the author asks, “Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy…” Your spiritual gift of mercy is the gift that brings peace from God where it is needed - you are the instrument, the channel through which God will bring comfort to his beloved in need.


The Gift of Evangelism (11)

A gifted story: Dale doesn't like to give up on anyone. When he learns of a new visitor to the church, he wants to pay them a visit as soon as possible. He likes to just drop in on them and surprise them with a warm loaf of freshly baked bread. Then, with his foot in the door, he offers a warm and welcoming smile and a chance to learn more about the church. Dale's genuine concern for each person he visits comes through in a way that spells "LOVE." Often Dale returns for another visit or checks back by telephone just to keep the invitation open and renew the relationship. Dale's power of persistence is a natural outgrowth of his gift of evangelism.
Biblical references:
Eph. 4:7,11 - Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given….It was he who “gave gifts to mankind”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.
2 Tim. 4:5…you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.
Matt. 28:18-20 - Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
Definition and comment:
The gift of Evangelism: the special ability that God gives to believers to present the Gospel to unbelievers in a clear and meaningful way, which calls for a response. This gift enables one to present the story of Christ’s death and saving resurrection with simplicity, clarity, and effectiveness. The individual possessing this gift not only understands the Gospel, but feels a deep burden for those entrapped in the darkness of sin.
There are several dimensions to this gift that become evident from reading scripture. Sometimes the gift is embodied in an individual referred to as an “evangelist” - Philip is called that, and he is clearly a man on a mission to baptize. John, the Evangelist, is another example - he is known as the Baptist. In other references, however, people are called to “do the work of an evangelist.” Timothy falls into that category. In all cases the admonition is clear - effective evangelism brings people to Christ.
To evangelize is to bring the Good News of Christ’s salvation to unbelievers. To the degree that many Christians claim to belief is more in the category of “lip service” rather than discipleship, the gift of evangelism is needed greatly in the church to enable members of the body to develop ministries for true discipleship.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you like to talk about Jesus to those who do not know him?
Do you are able to share the Gospel in a way that makes it clear and meaningful?
Do you wish to relate to non-Christians so you can share your faith?
Are you are at ease in sharing how Christ has changed your life?
Do you get frustrated when others do not seem to share their faith with unbelievers as much as you do?
Have you been instrumental in leading others to believe in Christ as their Savior or in helping believers find their ministry?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Because of the poor reputation of so-called “televangelists,” many people today equate evangelism with quackery, and that is very unfortunate. Seek out the writings of reputable evangelists of today (such as Billy Graham), and strive to learn how they respond to God’s call in the use of this gift.
Scripture gives some wonderful examples of evangelism, both on an individual level (see Acts 8:26-40, where Philip performs his ministry), and in larger groups (see Acts 2:14-42, where Peter exercised his gift with a crowd of thousands). Study these passages to fully understand how these disciples used their gift of evangelism.
To evangelize effectively one must be able to communicate the Gospel story is the vernacular - that is, in today’s language. Read and internalize the story of Christ’s life, rising from the dead, and saving grace, and discover ways to speak about it from the heart.
Attend some workshops on evangelism to learn techniques and discover tools that may help you in this ministry. Seek to learn methods of reaching out to the unchurched as well as programs that will help church members connect with personal ministries. Plan to be a catalyst for change where it is needed.
Since approaching people effectively is critical if you hope to convey your evangelizing message, look for ways that will improve your appeal. Appearance, humor, tolerance, kindliness, patience - learn what attributes and virtues need strengthening within yourself to enhance your acceptance by others. Remember how Paul sought to fit in with all people to gain acceptance.
General ways to use the gift of evangelism:
Personally: be involved in one-to-one evangelism wherever the need is present; lead your own children to Christ
Within the church: participate in a church visitation program, lead an evangelistic Bible study group, serve on the evangelism committee (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: become involved in marketplace ministry; give an evangelistic message at a rescue mission; offer counseling at an evangelistic crusade.
For reflection:
The charge to evangelize is clear, the need is present, and yet many fear even the word “evangelism” because of the negative connotations involved. There are too many images of “Brother, have you been saved” on the street corner or high-pitched TV evangelists seemingly ranting and raving as they “pitch” the word of God as they see it. It makes one want to shrink from the duty of using this gift - “Please, God, give me a different one - I can’t be one of those people.
But you have something really special. You have a unique spiritual gift of evangelism. The words you use, the style you employ, the approach you make - these will be born of keen insight, reason and intelligence, and inner peace. Trust that God will empower you in appropriate ways to do his work. The way you operate will not be a “canned” approach; it will be all you, and it will be effective because you are gifted.
To some degree the exercise of all spiritual gifts should have evangelistic implications and bring people to the saving knowledge of Christ. Indeed, all Christians are subject to Christ’s great commission to spread the Gospel. But those who are spiritually gifted in evangelism have an even greater level of responsibility because evangelizing is what God has especially equipped them to do. Perhaps it is even more critical that you accept and use this gift because of the reluctance of so many others to do so. It is truly a life-changing gift that is also life-saving. Fulfilling Christ’s great commission is the result when this gift is effectively employed. Is there really anything that would be more important to do.
The Gift of Giving (12)
A gifted story: Billy usually fidgeted during the sermon, but this morning he was captivated by the story being told from the pulpit. The pastor had just told about the poor widow who gave all she had to the church, and how that was more meaningful than all the riches conveniently given by wealthy persons. Billy had his little coin purse with him-- it was filled with coins he had saved over many weeks. The plate was being passed down the pew. He knew what he had to do. When the plate arrived in front of him he squeezed open his coin pouch and all the coins tumbled out into the plate, and then it moved on. For a moment he was stunned by what he had done, but then joy overcame him and he was most glad at heart.
Biblical references:
Romans 12:6-8 - So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God’s message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do so generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do so cheerfully.
2 Cor. 8:2-4 - They (the churches in Macedonia) have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea.
Definition and comment:
The gift of Giving: the special gift that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord liberally and cheerfully. This kind of giving from material blessings is characterized by exceptional willingness. The believer is able to recognize God’s blessings and to respond by generously and even sacrificially giving of one’s material resources to support the Lord’s work.
The Greek word for “giving” is metadidomi - it means “to share,” “to impart,” or “to bestow.” None of these root meanings convey any sense of self-benefit. What is involved is simply unconditional giving. The Holy Spirit directs the giver to exercise the gift for the common good, and the giver obeys this message in the heart in such a manner as to draw no personal attention.
There is a temptation to connect this gift with the wealthy, but that would be in error because even the poor can exercise this gift with the greatest of effectiveness. Jesus took special note of the poor woman who gave “all she had to live on” to the Temple Treasury (see Luke
21: 1-4). Even though it was only two small coins, it became a gift that taught a lesson of great importance about sanctity of sacrificial giving.
Attitude, perceptiveness, and the spirit of self-sacrifice are the keys to understanding this gift. When giving is characterized by these attributes, the supernatural dimension is evident, and the spiritual gift of giving is undoubtedly at work.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
Do you feel moved to give when confronted with financial needs in God’s kingdom?
Are you willing to have a lower standard of living in order to benefit God’s work with your finances?
Do you have a conviction that all you have belongs to God and you want to be a good steward for the sake of his kingdom?
Do you freely and joyfully give of your resources because you love God?
Do your giving records show that you give more than 10% of your income to the Lord’s work?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Explore giving as it is described in scripture. Read Romans 12:8; Acts 4:32-37; Luke 8:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-7; 2 Cor. 9:6-15; Mat. 6:2-4; 1 Cor. 13:3; 2 Cor. 9:7; Phil. 4:14-19.
Learn as much as you can about being a good steward of the resources God has given you. Through good practices of budgeting, cost control, and abatement of compulsory behaviors, you will be able to maximize your giving potential.
Become aware of the needs of all that your giving may be able to help, whether in the church or elsewhere. No matter how willing you are to give, there are limitations to what you can do. It will be important to know where God wants you to direct your giving. Prayer is essential to hear God’s voice in this.
Find out how others who have this gift choose to exercise it. Biographies about philanthropists may be helpful in understanding the ways and means by which they exercised this gift. Examples of the generosity of people with more meager means may be even more enriching as you assess the best way to exercise your gift of giving.
Become an expert on stewardship in the church. Create a card file of examples of giving that touch you in a special way. Share faith stories of the giving of others that clearly demonstrate how God can use the giving of individuals for great and effectual purposes.
General ways to use the gift of giving:
Personally: help a person our financially; help a Christian friend discover the joy of giving; make a no interest loan where it will do some good.
Within the church: contribute generously to a fund drive; give above what is expected; give a presentation on stewardship (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: provide financial support for a Christian organization; invest “seed money” in a new and needed cause; give an anonymous gift to help a child attend camp.
For reflection:
Every Christian is called to give support to build up the Body of Christ. The tithe (10%) is the standard mentioned in the bible, and many people have yet to reach that level. Since giving is the responsibility of all Christians, it is hard to grasp that giving is also a spiritual gift given only to some individuals. But Paul clearly mentions giving as a spiritual gift, so we know that some people are endowed with this supernatural gift in the same manner that all Christians are called to have faith, but some are given the supernatural gift of faith.
If you have the gift of giving and you exercise it through study of needs, prayer and sacrifice, your giving will be especially God-directed, and there is assurance that important things will be done. Just as God will call upon you in a special way to provide from your blessings, he will return back to you even more blessings. To him you will be the faithful servant worthy of his trust. There has to be excitement in the prospect of opening the lines of communication with God, to use his blessings to do work that he has given you to do. Clearly, the process of deepening your spirituality in order to know where to exercise your giving will be faith enriching.
And so each of us is to “bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord (our) God has blessed (us).” (Deut. 16:17). Our gift is acceptable to God when the willingness to give is present. It is not the amount that matters so much as the willingness, and that may be hard for many Christians to bear. But for the person with the spiritual gift of giving, the willingness to give comes with the gift - it is just there and there in ample portion. Therefore the giving will not only alleviate human need, extend the gospel, and honor God, but it will also enrich the giver in the assurance that God will always find it acceptable. How wonderful a circumstance for your action to always be acceptable to God.
The Gift of Writing (13)
A gifted story: I just wanted to tell the story about my Pastor life after i listening to him. His sermons were so inspiring that he was known the world over for his splendid oratory from the pulpit. Somehow, he thought, he should try to put to writing some of his homilies. Would God give him the gift of writing to thus carry on his ministry?
Biblical references:
1 Tim. 3:14-15 - As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
John 20:30-31 - In his disciples’ presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.
1 John 2:12-14 - I write to you, my children, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have defeated the Evil One. I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are string; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One.
Definition and comment:
The gift of writing: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to translate Bible truths into a written form that can edify, instruct and strengthen the community of believers. This is a gift of creative ability that is called into use in the service of the Lord to forward his kingdom.
Although this gift is not specifically named in New Testament gift lists, there is little dispute that God still gives special creative abilities for use in his work today as he did in Old Testament times. David’s great poetic ability was a skill God used to enhance temple worship, and his writings became timeless through the Psalms, moving literally hundreds of generations of believers.
Man was made in the image of God, the Great Creator, and creativity is part of that image. As men and women find outlets for their creativity, they are fulfilled knowing what they have done is good. Music, drama, painting, sculpting and writing all are born out of the creative instinct God placed in humans. When these abilities are dedicated to the building up of the church or to glorify God, there is an openness to Holy Spirit empowerment. It is in that context that writing is being considered a spiritual gift.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
In your writing have you felt inspired by God to write a certain way?
Do you see your ability to write as your means of sharing God with others?
Do others see the significance of God in your life through your writing?
Have others been led to a new understanding of their own faith through your writing?
Do you sense a gifted power and ease in writing that at times seems to transcend your own capabilities?
Were your talents in writing evident even at an early age?
Areas for study and personal growth:
Come to understand the nature of your gift and how it appears to be utilized for best effect. Strengthen the tie between your writing and your prayer life so that it becomes always an act of prayer for the glory of God. Meditate on why you have been given this gift, and seek to use it in ways you believe fulfill its purpose in you.
Skill as a writer comes from mastery of basic rules of grammar and punctuation as well as learning the elements of style. Insure that you have mastered these essentials.
Establish a comfortable setting where you can write effectively without being disturbed. Equip yourself well for the task, and develop an appropriate discipline for regular exercise of your gift. Style and good phraseology are developed and enhanced through practice.
Make it a habit to read the spiritual writings of others to gain an appreciation for the range of content being offered, and consider the variety of ways you may be able to use your gift in God’s service. Learn also to listen to verbal accounts of Christian experiences that they might offer inspiration for future writings.
5. Seek the heavenly guidance of the Holy Spirit when writing. Insure that you are open to inspiration through prayer as you gather your thoughts and seek the best methods of expression. Develop a prayer rule of life to support your craft.
6. Consider attending a creative or spiritual writer’s workshop, such as the Christian Writers Conference and Workshop or the Billy Graham School of Writing.
General ways to use the gift of writing:
Personally: write a family history
Within the church: create worship liturgies; write newsletter articles; compose workbooks and teaching materials (see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
Within the wider community: do free lance religious writing.
For reflection:
When creating we must search for a new expressiveness we have not known before. This activity can only be performed with a high degree of openness to new possibilities. The need for this kind of openness is doubly important if we wish to be the hands of Christ in our writing. The Holy Spirit must be able to penetrate through the thick exterior of our limited experiences. Writing in the service of the Lord requires sufficient discipline to hold open the channel to God so that the Holy Spirit can move us in appropriate directions.
The spiritual gift of writing is both a personal and public blessing. Because the act of creation is so fulfilling, you will experience all the excitement that arises from any creative adventure. But when you place your writing in the service of the Lord, it takes on a public dimension of great importance to the church. The church needs spiritual writers and new ways for the gospel story to be told among the people. Each age brings with it different vernaculars, different perceptions, and different ways of comprehending truth. Spiritual writings expand the influence of the church beyond its limited boundaries, while often bringing new insights even to members within the church.
You will find writing in the service of the Lord to be a spiritual experience as you feel a responsibility and urgency to put forth a message that will enhance the spiritual understanding of others and move them into a closer relationship with their Maker. As your writing is led by the Spirit, so you will be too. What better way to straighten any crooked path that might lie ahead.
Other Spiritual Gifts
Listed below are nine additional gifts of the Spirit that are not included in the basic inventory due to the difficulty of assessment or their controversial nature. Anyone desiring to know more about any of these gifts is invited to seek spiritual direction and guidance from the pastor. A little information is presented to describe each of the gifts. Many of these gifts appear to be extremely rare today.
The Gift of Prophecy: This gift is mentioned in all of the major scriptural passages. Paul believed it to be an especially valuable gift. This gift provides the ability to proclaim and apply God’s truth so that believers may be edified, encouraged, and consoled, and so that non-believers may be convinced. Implicit is a “forthtelling” of God’s truth so that others may be touched by it. Today, the primary source of prophecy comes from Scripture itself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is understood that every prophet and prophecy is subject to Christ and to the Scriptures. The focus of prophecy today is upon Christ, who is the Living Word of God, but it is recognized that the Spirit is free to give direct guidance, and any such guidance will be tested by biblical teaching and the wisdom of the believing community. Martin Luther King is often cited as a person who had this gift.
The Gift of Healing: This gift is given to certain Christians to restore health to the sick. It is understood that the gift-bearer serves as a human intermediary through whom God pleases to cure illnesses and restore health apart from the use of natural means. Much criticism has been justly levied on the falsehood that there is a direct connection between healing and amount of faith. The truth is that all that is necessary is a “mustard seed of faith” (Matt. 17:20) for the accomplishment of God’s purposes. The person with the gift of healing knows that healing may or may not take place according to the loving purpose of God.
The Gift of Miracles: This gift is given by God to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature. A miracle is understood to be an event of supernatural power, perceived by the senses, accompanying a servant of the Lord, in order to draw attention to the Lord and his message. Miracles remind us of the power and wonder of God and often give us signs of his love for us.
The Gift of Missionary: This is the special ability that God gives to some members of the Body of Christ to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture or second community. Certainly Paul is the primary example of someone who exercised the gift of missionary regularly. Persons with this gift have a strong desire to win people of other countries to Christ.
The Gift of Celibacy: This gift is given to some members of the Body of Christ to remain single in order to use one’s time and other spiritual gifts to serve God more effectively. There are a number of references in New Testament scripture to persons who “have renounced marriage for the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12) with the recognition that being single frees the person from worldly affairs thus allowing full attention to the Lord’s affairs.
The Gift of Martyrdom: God gives this gift to some members of the Body of Christ to enable them to undergo suffering for the faith, even to death, while consistently displaying a joyous and victorious attitude that brings glory to God. This gift is marked by a forgiving spirit and a need to rejoice and to praise God. It is said that the blood of martyrs is the seed if the church.
The Gift of Tongues: This gift is a special ability for certain members of the Body of Christ to speak to God in a language they have never learned and/or to receive and communicate a message from God to his people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language they never learned. The practice of “tongue speaking” is highly controversial in some circles, but those with this gift enjoy exercising it as a spiritual communication with God for worship, prayer and praise. This gift is not given as a “necessary sign of the baptism of the Spirit,” nor is it evidence of the filling of the Spirit, although some people have that misconception. The speaker in tongues may or may not know what the utterances mean.
The Gift of Interpretation: This is a special ability that God gives to some members of the Body of Christ to make known in the vernacular the message of one who speaks in tongues. This knowledge of what has been spoken is regarded as an interpretation and not a translation. The early church did not permit speaking in tongues unless someone with the gift of interpretation was present so that the message could be used for the edification of the church. Tongue interpretation results in comfort, guidance, warning, encouragement, admonition, or edification. Like tongue speaking, interpretation of tongues is also highly controversial in some circles today.
The Gift of Exorcism: This is the special gift that God gives certain members of the Body of Christ to cast out demons and evil spirits. Jesus gave his disciples the power to expel demons, and the gift was exercised in the earliest days of the church (Acts 15:16; 16:16-18), It is also practiced today when there is clear evidence of possession by evil spirits. Extreme care must be taken not to confuse possession by evil spirits with mental illness, which will be unaffected by exorcism.
The Gift of Voluntary Poverty: This gift provides a special ability for certain members of the Body of Christ to renounce material comfort and luxury and adopt a personal lifestyle equivalent to those living at the poverty level in a given society in order to serve God more effectively. The gift may be given to provide for the poor, to resist material temptation, or to prove the faithfulness of God.Dr,Pastor,Politician,Leaders,Art,Businessman-woman,and so on.use your gift.God bless you.