OPERATING IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

Shortly after Jesus was baptized in water and the Holy Spirit came upon Him, He was launched into ministry. Throughout the next three years He demonstrated the nature of God by what He said and by what He did. 

What were some of the things? He taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, healed the sick, delivered the demonized, fed and comforted people, uncovered their pasts (like the Samaritan woman at the well) and revealed their futures (like Peter’s denying Him). Jesus did so many miraculous things, in fact, that John wrote, “if every one of them should be written down, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25)

And then, right before He ascends into Heaven, Jesus tells His followers something extraordinary:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in My Name, and I will do it.” John 14:12-14

Isn’t that incredible? God the Father wants to do wonderful, miraculous things on Earth today through His children! Not because we’re especially smart or talented. Not because we “deserve” to because we’re good people. No! It’s because of what Jesus did by shedding His blood, rising from the dead to return to the Father and then sending the Holy Spirit to us! He created us to do good works, and then provided everything necessary for those good works to happen. We’re qualified, because we are His!

It’s important to understand there will be times when we don’t feel qualified or able to do anything worthwhile for God. The enemy of our soul likes nothing better than to remind us of past failures and try to exploit our weaknesses. He’s not called the “accuser” for nothing! (Revelation 12:10) His intent is to beat us into ineffectiveness.

Even those closest to us might look at us sideways when we start stepping out in our gifts. Has anyone ever mocked what you are doing, or said to you, “Who do you think you are?” 

Lack of faith in ourselves and from others are attacks from the enemy, and we can’t let them stop us! Even Jesus faced these things, and He was perfect! “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?...And they took offense at Him.” (Matt. 13:54-57) This chapter closes by saying that He didn’t do many miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith! 

When it comes to operating in the gifts of the Spirit:

We are authorized to do it by Jesus, in the Name of Jesus

We are empowered to do it by the Holy Spirit, according to the will of God

Friend, there is rest in knowing that it is God in us doing the work.  Our part is to embrace what He’s called us to, make ourselves available to Him, and trust Him to do it!

GUEST BLOGGER - Janece Herrington