List of Spiritual Gifts

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Chaplain Dan

SPIRITUAL GIFT DEFINITIONS AND SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

The following contains suggested definitions of the spiritual gifts as defined by the Bible in no particular order. These definitions and supporting Scriptures do correspond to the characteristics of the gifts as expressed in most evangelical and reformed thinking.

1. HELPS: The ability to invest the talents one has in the life and ministry of other members of the body, thus enabling those others to increase the effectiveness of their own spiritual gifts. Mark 15:4041 Acts 9:36 Romans 16:1-2 I Corinthians 12:28

2. LEADERSHIP: The ability to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and to communicate those goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God. Acts 15:7-11 Romans 12:8 I Timothy 5:17 Hebrews 13:17

3. HOSPITALITY: The ability to provide an open house and a warm welcome to those in need of food and lodging. Acts 16:14-15 Romans 12:9-13 Romans 16:23 Hebrews 13:1-2 I Peter 4:9

4. SERVICE: The ability to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God’s work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results. Acts 6:1-7 Romans 12:7 Galatians 6:2 II Timothy 1:16-18 Titus 3:14

5. ADMINISTRATION: The ability to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals. Luke 14:28-30 Acts 6:1-7 I Corinthians 12:28

6. DISCERNMENT: The ability to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human or satanic. The purpose of this gift is to prevent confusion and false teaching from infiltrating the church. Matthew 16:21-23 Acts 5:1-11 Acts 16:16-18 I Corinthians 12:10 I John 4:1-6

7. FAITH: The ability to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purpose of God, and to propel the body of believers into actively claiming the promises of God. Acts 11:22-24 Romans 4: 18-21 I Corinthians 12:9 Hebrews 11

8. MUSIC: The ability to use one’s voice in the singing of praises to the Lord for the benefit of others, or to play a musical instrument to praise the Lord and for the benefit of others. Remember God is always the audience in worship! Deuteronomy 3 1:22 I Samuel 16:16 I Chronicles 16:4142 II Chronicles 5: 12-13 II Chronicles 34:12 Psalm 150

9. LANGUAGES/TONGUES: The ability to speak a divinely anointed message in a language one has never learned, but one that is known to the hearers. Its purpose is an evangelistic tool for spreading the gospel. Mark 16:17 Acts 2:1-13 Acts 10:44-46 Acts 19:1-7 (Make sure you follow the precepts of I Cor.14!)

10. MIRACLES – The ability to serve as a human intermediary through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature. Acts 9:36-42 Acts 19:11-20 Acts 20:7-12 Romans 15:18-19 I Corinthians 12:10, 28

11. CRAFTSMANSHIP: The ability to use one’s hands, thoughts and mind to further the kingdom of God through artistic, creative means. People with this gift may also serve to lead others in forming their abilities in this area. The gift may also be used in the areas of maintenance, care and upkeep for the benefit and beautification of God’s kingdom here on earth. Exodus 30:22-25 Exodus 31:3-11 II Chronicles 34:9-13 Acts 18:2-3

12. HEALING: The ability to serve as a human intermediary through whom God’s healing power is applied to another person’s physical or emotional need. Acts 3:1-10 Acts 5:12-16 Acts 9:32-35 Acts 28:7-10 I Corinthians 12:9, 28

13. GIVING: The ability to contribute material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness. Mark 12:41-44 Romans 12:8 II Corinthians 8:1-7 II Corinthians 9:2-8

14. MERCY: The ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into cheerfully-done deeds which reflect Christ’s love and alleviate the sufferings as well as motivate others to help. Matthew 9:35,36 Mark 9:41 I Thess. 5:14

15. WISDOM: The ability to apply spiritual truth to a specific issue in a specifically relevant fashion, and to make proper choices in difficult situations, based on sufficient information. Acts 6:3,10 I Corinthians 2:1-13 I Corinthians 12:8 James 1:5 II Peter 3:15

16. KNOWLEDGE: The ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information which is pertinent to the growth and well-being of the body. Acts 5:1-11 I Corinthians 12:8 II Corinthians 11:6 Colossians 2:2-3

17. EXORTATION: The ability to minister words of encouragement, consolation, comfort and motivation from God’s Word to help others complete their tasks and be all that God want them to be. Acts 4:32-37 Acts 14:22 Romans 12:8 I Timothy 4:13 Hebrews 10:24.25

18. TEACHINIG: The ability to employ a logical, systematic approach to Biblical study and to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the body and its members in such a way that others will learn. Acts 18:24.28 Acts 20:20-21 I Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11-14

19. PASTOR/SHEPHERD: The ability to assume a long-term personal responsibil­ity for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. John 10:1-18 Ephesians 4:11-14 I Timothy 3:1-7 I Peter 5:1-3

20. APOSTLESHIP: The ability to assume and exercise general leadership over a number of churches, with an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters, which is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those churches. Such as a bishop. This is not the same as the original 12 Apostles or Paul!  Acts 15:1-2 I Corinthians 12:28 II Corinthians 12:12 Galatians 2:7-10 Ephesians 3:1-9 Ephesians 4:11-14

21. MISSIONARY: The ability to minister with whatever other spiritual gifts one has in another land or culture. Acts 8:4 Acts 13:2-3 Acts 22:21 Romans 10:15 I Corinthians 9:19-23

22. PROPHECY: The ability to proclaim the Word of God with divine anointing, which brings conviction to the hearers so they recognize that it is truly the Word of God and they must do something about it. A prophet is also someone who keeps the church on God’s path and truth and makes sure we do not slip into false teaching. This is not the same as an OT prophet, which existed before the Word was completed! Acts 2:37-40; Mat ‘7:54 Acts 26:24-29 I Corinthians 14:1,3 I Thessalonians 1:5

23. EVANGELISM: The ability to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of the body of Christ. Acts 8:5-6 Acts 8:26-40 Acts 14:21 Acts 21:8 Ephesians 4:11-14 II Timothy 4:5

24. PRAYER/INTERCESSION: The ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to prayer, to a degree much greater than that, which is experienced by most Christians. All Christians are to exercise this, but the gifted person will go beyond. Luke 22:41-u Acts 12:12 Colossians 1:9-12 Colossians 4:12-13 I Timothy 2:1-2 James 5:14-16

R.J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.com

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I’m Not Sad Anymore

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Chaplain Dan

Praise Report from Los Angeles County Jail

Two weeks ago Gomez (Name changed for security purposes) came up after the worship service.  “I get it,  I understand!  I’ve been thinking about it, and now I know why Jesus died on the cross.  I get it.  Today I get it.”  He was full of joy.  Later, he asked me to pray that God would help Him be right with his wife.  I could sense his intensity while we prayed, and we both cried.

This Sunday, I was talking about how God changes our hearts and emotions.  He frees us from anger and bitterness.  He teaches us to bless instead of curse.  We need a Savior to fix our messed up lives … and God gets the glory for doing it (Jesus’ name means “Savior” in Hebrew).

Gomez interrupted, and asked if he could share something.

He started slowly, “I’m a three striker.  I’m looking at 57 years (in prison).  When I first came to (dorm number), I was trying to think of how to hang myself.  I was so sad.  I kept trying to think of how to hang myself.  I was trying to hang myself (he put his hand to his throat), and  Sheriff kicked down the door and arrested me … violence and domestic violence.  I was so depressed.  I looked at the window and … I was so sad.”

He started talking excitedly, “God changed me! I told my public defender, I’m praying for you!  She said, What are you praying for me for?  I said, That God would bless you!  She said, What  @#&* happened  to you?!?!???”

He was almost giddy with praise, “I know that I have to follow God and do it His way, if I am ever going to be good with my wife.   I don’t expect her ever talk to me because I (beat her), but if I ever get to be with her again, I know I have to do it God’s way.  If I ever going to be good with my kids, I have to do it God’s way.  Now, when I look at the window, I thank God for another day!  I’m not sad anymore. “

“God even changed the judge!”, he said with a stunned look on his face. “ The judge started talking rehab instead.  I can’t believe it! “

He finished with, “I thank God for (an inmate in his dorm). He is telling me (about God)!”

… I was done, I didn’t want to say another word …

At least six guys in his dorm have completed the Fundamentals of the Faith workbook to earn a study Bible.  After the service, I had the privilege of delivering another study Bible to a new believer in his dorm, who finished Fundamentals of the Faith.  God is doing amazing things in a dorm full of violent gang members.

Ask God to help you recognize something fresh to praise Him for.  God is awesome!  Unfortunately, too often, I am looking the other way and miss it.

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Shopping for God

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Chaplain Dan

God created us, we do not create God

Many people go to the grocery store, when they are looking for God.  They get a shopping cart and go up and down the aisles looking for what they want in a god.

They select what they want from the shelves.  “I want a God who is going to make me healthy.”  “I want a God who is going to make me rich.”  “I want a God who is going to make me famous.”  “I want a God who is going to make my wife and family love me.”

Next, they take all their ingredients home, mix them together and bake them in the oven.  Then they take it out of their oven and worship it.  When their god doesn’t do what they wanted, they get mad at the real God.

The problem is that they were following an idol that they made.  It was not the real God at all.  Their anger is misplaced.

God made us, we do not make God.  God tells us who He is in the Bible, we do not tell God who He is. God created the heavens and the earth.  God makes the rules.  God is free to do what He wants.  We need to please God.  God has no obligation to please us.

God is not a secret.  He gave us the Bible, so we would know who He is, what He has done and how to live a life that pleases Him.  The good news is that God does love us and wants us to walk in a close relationship with Him.

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
_Psalm24:1-5

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Being gay is not unchangeable

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Chaplain Dan

When presented with the facts that there are thousands of former homosexuals and homosexuality is not biologically based, those promoting evil often run from logic and hide behind emotions.

The following article is from Randy Thomasson’s website, SavingCalifornia.com.  Randy has been shinning the light of truth on Satan’s deceptions and trying to stop the promotion of evil in California’s public schools.  In this article, Randy Thomasson is summarizing a radio debate with the California Teacher’s union president who used teacher’s union dues to get a law passed in California that requires gender chaos to be promoted in schools.

The biggest and most immoral government union in California is the 340,000-member California Teachers Association (CTA). Extorting and giving millions of dollars to promote homosexual “marriages,” homosexual-bisexual-transsexual “curriculum,” and to oppose parental notification for abortion on the ballot, the CTA is also a big supporter of SB 48, “LGBT” role models, which Jerry Brown signed into law on July 14, 2011.

So you can imagine my gladness that on liberal KPBS Radio in San Diego, I had the privilege of going head-to-head with CTA President Dean Vogel. But get this: On the air, Vogel said he didn’t want to discuss the origins of homosexuality or the high HIV and STD rates of homosexuals. Also piling on me was the host, Maureen Cavanaugh, who said many in her audience were offended when I reported there is no “gay gene,” but there are thousands of former homosexuals. Hear it now | Resign from the teachers’ union |  See our SB 48 veto letter showing no need for more “LGBT” “anti-bullying” laws

Earlier in the debate, Vogel, who’s a big promoter of the “LGBT” agenda, admitted that the purpose of SB 48 is to make every child in California public schools communicate to homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals that “they’re not abnormal.”

Yet, after I stated the scientific and logical truth – that homosexuality is neither natural nor healthy and is not inherited, thus it was not appropriate to include among races and ethnicities in curriculum – CTA’s Vogel had the arrogance to conclude that I was not discussing the subject “thoughtfully,” but was being “ideological.”

What a contrast between fact and fiction. I was being scientific and logical, while the CTA president was blindly and ideologically refusing to care or think about homosexuality’s non-biological origins, homosexuality’s health risk, the obvious risks to children from “LGBT” indoctrination, and the existence of God-given parental rights (he ignored a direct question about that from the host).

Listen now to this revealing 10-minute radio “discussion”

On the recording, you’ll also hear from the San Diego County Office of Education representative, who, at the end of her segment, discloses that, while “LGBT”-affirming textbooks will take awhile to be approved and printed, supplemental materials implementing SB 48’s “LGBT” role models mandate will start being taught to children as soon as January. She agreed her office “has a big job to do” to change the curriculum, and will “work closely with our statewide network and history-based organizations…to provide access to supplemental resources in the interim.”

The kicker of it all was the host introducing the next segment. Although she was zero interested in the science confirming that homosexuality is not biologically based, and seemed to disrespect the HIV data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maureen Cavanaugh introduced the next segment, saying, “Coming up, the first scientific results are in from the hominem voyage to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.”

Learn this lesson

Have you noticed how on the topic of homosexuality, the liberal establishment often asks, “How does that harm you?” They want you to say God’s word is against it (which is true), so that they can dismiss you as being “ideological” or having a “religious bias.”

But when you get back to the main subject and bring out the two gods of liberalism – “Reason” and “Science” – they recoil in fear. They are covering their ears because they can’t stand the prospect of science or logic proving them wrong. Their tactic is to cease to be logical, fall into emotionalism, and engage in ad hominem personal attacks to try to change the subject.

Lesson: Change the debate and reach reasonable people with the truth by using the science which demonstrates homosexuality is neither natural nor healthy. Thus, the foundation of official “civil rights status” on the basis of homosexuality falls apart, and so do all the “sexual orientation” laws. For, in the United States, all adult citizens have the same legal and constitutional rights, but not “civil rights” based on behavior. A “civil right” cannot be changeable and must be “immutable.” Yet since homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality are behaviors, they don’t qualify for special “civil rights status,” which legitimately belongs to immutable race, for example. Get empowered by the facts at SaveCalifornia.com’s “Not Born This Way” page

Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?
Proverbs 24:11-12 NASB

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