Press In, Persevere, Press On ~ Part #2 continued (Spiritual Gifts & Using them)

Press In, Persevere, Press On

Part #2
(Finding out What your Spiritual Gifts Are & Putting them to Use)

As I reflect on this reading, I will do so in a overall of 3 posts this week. There are 3 verses that she shares with us and ask us to memorize them, cut them out and post them somewhere that we can reflect on over and over, and also re write them in our own words, so that we may understand them in relation to our personal lives. So I ask as I share these with you, that you do so.

During the holidays, so many of us have struggles, stress and difficulties. Which feel so overwhelming and frustrating at times. Don't they? It seems as if they Magnify especially right before Christmas, as though Satan tends to Lazor in on our "hot buttons or situations". But we need to remember friends, that we are not in control, Satan is not in control- yes we have the freedom to Choose to focus on the negative things in our lives, allow our lives to be brought down or feel overwhelmed <OR> we can trust and believe we will be okay, God has us and will get us out of the situation/ that He will provide ALL our needs, not some but ALL.

In the reading Joyce talks about taking a closer look at the difficulties or situations in our lives and How? We can press in, persevere and press on... I would suggest before we get started, get out a piece of paper and write down some things that are happening right now that are frustrating, overwhelmed situations, financial struggles, emmotional battles or relationships that might be straining. Write them down and leave spaces between each one. Some of us might only have a few things right now on that list but some may have more then 10 things written down~ thats okay. The purpose of writting them down is now they are written and infront of us... later I will explain what you can do with this list a bit later in the reading. Once you have the lsit completed. Continue to read on...

The second verse Joyce shares with us ~

Philippians 1:6

There has never been the slighest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you(me) would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Now after reading the verse above, lets now reflect on the list we wrote. Take it and put it infront of you. Based on the truth above in the verse from the bible- God's promise to us (which can never be taken from you, you find this in your Secret Place with the Lord/ your Heart) Pray over the list and take each one of the things you wrote down and reflect- ask the Lord to release you of them, lift them up to the Lord and give them to him. Declare what you want to happen and Speak it out, ask it from the Lord. " {Take a stance and say, I will not allow these things to hold me back from accomplishing my goals the Lord has for me! I will not let them hold me back from having a wonderful life the Lord has already planned for me. I will not allow the negative things in my life, to bring me down or hurt me anymore. I rebuke Satan and all his ways." and so on.... }

Now let's reflect on this verse above, what is jumping out at you? How does this verse make you feel? Have you zeroed in on the Work the Lord has started in you? Have you found the Gifts the Lord has given you, what are your spiritual gifts? What do you find passion in doing? Those sometimes can help you figure out what your gifts are. You can also take the spiritual gift test

Here is a List of Spiritual Gifts that the Lord has placed in each of us: (You can have several of these, but a couple will Truely stand out more then others)
1. Administration 2. Apostle 3. Discerning of Spirits 4. Evangelism 5. Ekballism 6. Exhortation 7. Faith 8. Giving	9. Healing 10. Helps 11. Hospitality 12. Intercession 13. Interpretation of Tongues 14. Knowledge 15. Mercy 16. Leadership 17. Miracles	18. Missionary 19. Prophecy 20. Service 21. Shepherd 22. Teaching 23. Tongues 24. Voluntary Poverty 25. Wisdom

The following is a list of Bible passages that are the primary sources for understanding spiritual gifts in the life of the church: Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, Ephesians 4:7-16, 1 Peter 4:7-11

My personal reflection on this verse, as I read it today: God started a great work in me and He is not finsihed yet, until the Lord comes back. I want to delight in the work He started in me, I want to do my BEST at the spiritual gifts the Lord has given me. The gifts are given to us, to use in our daily lives to help others and to do the Work of the Lord in the world= to stand out and be the Light for others, to Shine "bling" in the dark world. To give HOPE!!! I also get from the reading, to NOT give up, to know that God has a plan for me and my life, that "I do not need to worry or depend on what the world has to say"... that even though LIFE does not always make sense, things don't always go my way and sometimes I will struggle- that God will take care of me and has not finsihed His work in me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Jesus, Princess/Daughter of the High King above.

So after reading the scripture today Phil 1:6, what do you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to do? What is your reflection on the reading today? I encourage you to take the spiritual gift test this week- find out what your gifts are, once you do- the things you are passionate about might make more sense, you might be able to direct your actions and your future better. Once you have the gifts infront of you- it might be easier to Trust and Press On, through the hard times better.

I hope that you enjoyed reading this post tonight. I will share another verse from Joyce on Friday. Have a wonderful day! Please, if you would choose to FOLLOW my blog, by entering your email in the box on main page. And share this with your friends and family.

~Anita

Comment if you fee lead, would love to hear your reflection or comments.