Comments on: I Know Some Servants . . . http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm equipping believers for ministry Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:36:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: MinTools http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2485 MinTools Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:56:32 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2485 More humility in any of us never hurts, Filip. Human nature makes us want to form a hierarchy when it comes to spiritual gifting. The reality is that all gifts are given on the same basis -- grace. All gifts are used by the same means -- grace. All gifts are to administer the same thing -- God's grace. Being a leader or a teacher does not make a person any more spiritual or important than any other role in the Body. Part of it could also be that you need to more fully believe and trust in the sovereignty of God. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, "All these (referring to the different spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." If He determined that the best gift for you is exhortation, than that is the absolute best gift you could have. Remember the passage about Him being the Potter and us the clay (Rom. 9:20-21). But, it is also possible other gifts simply aren't scoring higher because you haven't had much experience in it yet. Spiritual gifts tests ask questions pertaining to your experience and how others perceive you in that area. Perhaps feeling like there is more in you is because there is but it just hasn't been sufficiently developed within you to show on a spiritual gifts test. Or perhaps, you have some natural tendencies toward leadership and/or teaching due to your personality. God will use all of who you are when you serve. I obviously cannot determine from what you've written, especially not knowing you or observing you in ministry, which of what I've written might be the case for you but I can pray for you. The more you get involved in serving in different ways, the more it will become evident. Just remember that you will be most effective doing what God designed you to do rather than trying to be someone of your own choosing. He makes no mistakes. Every person is as important and as needed in the Body as the next person. We simply have different responsibilities and fulfill different types of ministries based on gifting. More humility in any of us never hurts, Filip. Human nature makes us want to form a hierarchy when it comes to spiritual gifting. The reality is that all gifts are given on the same basis — grace. All gifts are used by the same means — grace. All gifts are to administer the same thing — God’s grace. Being a leader or a teacher does not make a person any more spiritual or important than any other role in the Body.

Part of it could also be that you need to more fully believe and trust in the sovereignty of God. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these (referring to the different spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” If He determined that the best gift for you is exhortation, than that is the absolute best gift you could have. Remember the passage about Him being the Potter and us the clay (Rom. 9:20-21).

But, it is also possible other gifts simply aren’t scoring higher because you haven’t had much experience in it yet. Spiritual gifts tests ask questions pertaining to your experience and how others perceive you in that area. Perhaps feeling like there is more in you is because there is but it just hasn’t been sufficiently developed within you to show on a spiritual gifts test.

Or perhaps, you have some natural tendencies toward leadership and/or teaching due to your personality. God will use all of who you are when you serve.

I obviously cannot determine from what you’ve written, especially not knowing you or observing you in ministry, which of what I’ve written might be the case for you but I can pray for you. The more you get involved in serving in different ways, the more it will become evident. Just remember that you will be most effective doing what God designed you to do rather than trying to be someone of your own choosing. He makes no mistakes. Every person is as important and as needed in the Body as the next person. We simply have different responsibilities and fulfill different types of ministries based on gifting.

]]> By: Filip Milosavljevic http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2483 Filip Milosavljevic Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:59:56 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2483 It's a little tough/discouraging discovering that this is my greatest gift. I've always wanted to be highest in leadership, teaching, or something of this sort. Yet, this semester in the seminary I'm in Pastoral Counseling. It was just three weeks ago that one client (for a class assignment) said "You are really gifted in this, you just knew what you were doing." It really hit me in a way I had never thought about before. It gave me a sense of joy. I've always been one to listen and comfort and come up with solutions to help others. Except I feel unfulfilled thinking that this is my highest gift. I don't really know why I have this expectation that I need to be a visionary leader (it was my second highest), charging forward like Moses. I just feel like there is more in me...but maybe I just need humility... I could use some prayer about this. It’s a little tough/discouraging discovering that this is my greatest gift. I’ve always wanted to be highest in leadership, teaching, or something of this sort. Yet, this semester in the seminary I’m in Pastoral Counseling. It was just three weeks ago that one client (for a class assignment) said “You are really gifted in this, you just knew what you were doing.” It really hit me in a way I had never thought about before. It gave me a sense of joy. I’ve always been one to listen and comfort and come up with solutions to help others. Except I feel unfulfilled thinking that this is my highest gift. I don’t really know why I have this expectation that I need to be a visionary leader (it was my second highest), charging forward like Moses. I just feel like there is more in me…but maybe I just need humility… I could use some prayer about this.

]]> By: Filip Milosavljevic http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2482 Filip Milosavljevic Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:50:40 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2482 This was a really good clarification...I've been discovering this gift as of late. Thanks for the extra info. This was a really good clarification…I’ve been discovering this gift as of late. Thanks for the extra info.

]]> By: MinTools http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2427 MinTools Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:46:22 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2427 Hello, Renee. Certainly wanting to inspire people and help them see the potential of who they are in Christ reflects the heart of someone with this gift. There are many ways to do that which is why it is important to also factor in your heart passions, personality, experience, natural abilities, and walk with God. For example, He will use natural abilities, like photography, as vehicles through which a gift can be used. He will use your own life experiences (i.e., the struggles you've had through your life) to help others. Put all of who you are into all of who He is and He will use you to His glory. Hello, Renee. Certainly wanting to inspire people and help them see the potential of who they are in Christ reflects the heart of someone with this gift. There are many ways to do that which is why it is important to also factor in your heart passions, personality, experience, natural abilities, and walk with God. For example, He will use natural abilities, like photography, as vehicles through which a gift can be used. He will use your own life experiences (i.e., the struggles you’ve had through your life) to help others. Put all of who you are into all of who He is and He will use you to His glory.

]]> By: Renee http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2426 Renee Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:08:54 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2426 I took the test and I scored high on exhortation. I'm not surprised by the results. I've struggled throughout my life and I've always heard "the struggle is not for you, it's for other people." While that didn't help me at that time, I think about that often. I started a journey 10 years ago trying to discover my true self, and I think I'm at the door right now. I started out thinking that I wanted to help people and I would go to law school in order to do that. I first became a paralegal and discovered that was not for me, but I still pushed for law school. To make a long story short, when I got to the point of taking my LSAT, I was redirected to Professional Counseling, which is what I'm doing at the moment. I'm two semesters away from graduating and opening my own counseling practice, and it's been so hard. I've always been the type of person to attempt to inspire people. I've done that all of my life, and my heart just opens up to people that need inspiration. While on my journey while I was in school, I started a photography business to make extra money. That photography business turned into a full time business for me. Even in my photography business I've geared it towards helping women discover their true beauty within, which ultimately helps them to walk in the person that God created them to be. I never went to school for photography, it's just a God given gift, and I've been having that business now for over 6 years. I do believe I have the gift of exhortation, and I just pray I'm using it in the way God wants me to. Thanks for your site, it has confirmed some things for me. I took the test and I scored high on exhortation. I’m not surprised by the results. I’ve struggled throughout my life and I’ve always heard “the struggle is not for you, it’s for other people.” While that didn’t help me at that time, I think about that often. I started a journey 10 years ago trying to discover my true self, and I think I’m at the door right now. I started out thinking that I wanted to help people and I would go to law school in order to do that. I first became a paralegal and discovered that was not for me, but I still pushed for law school. To make a long story short, when I got to the point of taking my LSAT, I was redirected to Professional Counseling, which is what I’m doing at the moment. I’m two semesters away from graduating and opening my own counseling practice, and it’s been so hard. I’ve always been the type of person to attempt to inspire people. I’ve done that all of my life, and my heart just opens up to people that need inspiration. While on my journey while I was in school, I started a photography business to make extra money. That photography business turned into a full time business for me. Even in my photography business I’ve geared it towards helping women discover their true beauty within, which ultimately helps them to walk in the person that God created them to be. I never went to school for photography, it’s just a God given gift, and I’ve been having that business now for over 6 years. I do believe I have the gift of exhortation, and I just pray I’m using it in the way God wants me to. Thanks for your site, it has confirmed some things for me.

]]> By: MinTools http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2361 MinTools Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:11:47 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2361 You are welcome. From what you shared, it certainly does sound like you have the gift of exhortation and possibly mercy as well. Counseling is definitely a way the gift of exhortation can be used but the ways you described that you are already using the gift are important too. I am sure your job situation and resultant financial instability can be frustrating but I encourage you to keep seeking after God. In His timing and in His way, He can open the way before you. Sometimes what He does is unexpected, not what we think we need, but in the end is exactly what we needed because He is God and He sees the big picture. You are welcome. From what you shared, it certainly does sound like you have the gift of exhortation and possibly mercy as well. Counseling is definitely a way the gift of exhortation can be used but the ways you described that you are already using the gift are important too. I am sure your job situation and resultant financial instability can be frustrating but I encourage you to keep seeking after God. In His timing and in His way, He can open the way before you. Sometimes what He does is unexpected, not what we think we need, but in the end is exactly what we needed because He is God and He sees the big picture.

]]> By: shiko kamau http://mintools.com/blog/gift-of-exhortation.htm/comment-page-1#comment-2360 shiko kamau Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:51:53 +0000 http://mintools.com/blog/?p=2191#comment-2360 thanks for the guidance. i took the test n highest ranked gift was exhortation. i have realized my friends come to me about various issues in their lives n am always happy to give them a reason to carry on n smile again based on what God xpects from us, His commandments n our fear of Him. at times i find myself helping people solve the problems that av not solved in my life. i talk to n guide kids alot. i also have a super soft spot for the disabled, the sick, the poor n the afflicted. most of the times i shed a tear when i see them n feel sad when i cant help them out especially coz i have been financially unstable most of the times n now jobless. lately, i find myself seeking n applying for customer service/care jobs though non has come my way yet. i once enrolled in a nursing school but couldnt complete due to family issues n had to drop out in my 2nd year. i now yearn to learn counselling psychology though i have no idea how i would pay for the course. i have been searching 4 jobs n trying to start businesses in vain!! thanks for the guidance. i took the test n highest ranked gift was exhortation. i have realized my friends come to me about various issues in their lives n am always happy to give them a reason to carry on n smile again based on what God xpects from us, His commandments n our fear of Him. at times i find myself helping people solve the problems that av not solved in my life. i talk to n guide kids alot. i also have a super soft spot for the disabled, the sick, the poor n the afflicted. most of the times i shed a tear when i see them n feel sad when i cant help them out especially coz i have been financially unstable most of the times n now jobless. lately, i find myself seeking n applying for customer service/care jobs though non has come my way yet. i once enrolled in a nursing school but couldnt complete due to family issues n had to drop out in my 2nd year. i now yearn to learn counselling psychology though i have no idea how i would pay for the course. i have been searching 4 jobs n trying to start businesses in vain!!

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