Boundless Daily: Day 38 - Gifts of the Spirit
- Boundless Team
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Hey there! Welcome to Day 38 of our Boundless Daily journey.
If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been diving deep into what it means to live a life that is truly "boundless."
Today, we are talking about something that sounds a bit like a superhero movie, but is actually a very real part of our daily walk with God.
We’re talking about the Gifts of the Spirit.
In the Assemblies of God, we hold to 16 Fundamental Truths. These are the "north stars" that guide our understanding of the Bible.
Truth #8 is a big one. It focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. While it specifically highlights the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it opens the door to a life overflowing with supernatural gifts.
These aren't just "nice to haves." They are tools for the mission.
What exactly are "Spiritual Gifts"?
First off, let’s clear something up.
A spiritual gift is not the same thing as a natural talent.
You might be a naturally gifted singer, a great public speaker, or someone who is really good with numbers. Those are wonderful blessings from God!
But a spiritual gift is something different. It is a supernatural empowerment given by the Holy Spirit to an individual believer.
Think of it this way: your talent is what you can do for God, but a spiritual gift is what God does through you.
The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time writing about this in the New Testament. He wanted to make sure we didn't miss out on the power available to us.
The Light and the Crystal
Imagine a clear crystal sitting on a windowsill.
On its own, it’s just a piece of glass or stone. It’s pretty, but it’s still.
But when the sun hits that crystal, something happens. The light doesn't just pass through; it breaks into a thousand different directions.
You see rays of red, orange, blue, and violet hitting every corner of the room.
That is exactly how the Gifts of the Spirit work.
The Holy Spirit is the light. You are the crystal.
When you allow the Spirit to move through you, His power breaks out into different "colors" or gifts to meet the specific needs of the people around you.
Some people might receive a word of wisdom. Others might be used for healing.
It’s the same Light, but it shows up in many different ways.
Breaking Down the Gifts
The Bible lists these gifts in a few places, most notably in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.
To keep it simple and practical, we can look at them in a few categories:
1. The "Knowing" Gifts (Revelation)
Word of Wisdom: A supernatural insight into a specific situation.
Word of Knowledge: Knowing something about a person or event that you couldn't have known naturally.
Discernment of Spirits: The ability to perceive the spiritual source behind a message or action.
2. The "Doing" Gifts (Power)
Faith: A special surge of confidence in God’s power for a specific miracle.
Gifts of Healing: Supernatural restoration of physical, emotional, or mental health.
Working of Miracles: Divine interventions that defy natural laws.
3. The "Speaking" Gifts (Vocal)
Prophecy: A message from God to encourage, strengthen, or comfort.
Tongues: Speaking in a language you haven't learned.
Interpretation of Tongues: Giving the meaning of a message spoken in tongues.
If you want to dive deeper into how God's Word guides us through these truths, check out our post on Inspired Truth: The Gift of God’s Word.
Why Do We Need Them?
You might be thinking, "Penny, this sounds great, but I’m just a normal person. Why would God give me these gifts?"
The answer is simple: The gifts aren't for you. They are through you for the benefit of others.
The Bible says these gifts are given for the "common good."
When someone is hurting, God might give you a word of wisdom to share with them. When someone is sick, God might use your hands to bring healing.
When the church is fe
eling discouraged, God might use a gift of prophecy to lift everyone’s spirits.
The gifts are how we show the world that Jesus is alive and active today. They turn our "church talk" into "kingdom power."
Practical Living: For the Late-Shift Worker and the Seeker
We know that many of you reading this aren't sitting in a traditional church pew on Sunday morning.
Maybe you’re working the night shift in a warehouse.
Maybe you’re at home navigating a disability that makes getting out difficult.
Maybe you’re in a part of the world where it isn't even safe to talk about Jesus openly.
The beautiful thing about the Holy Spirit is that He isn't confined to a building.
The Gifts of the Spirit are just as active in a breakroom at 3:00 AM as they are in a cathedral.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the "Light" living inside you.
You can ask God for a word of knowledge to help a coworker who is struggling.
You can pray with a "gift of faith" for your family while you’re folding laundry.
These gifts are practical. They are meant for your everyday life.
How Do You Get Started?
If you feel like your "crystal" has been sitting in the dark, don't worry.
Getting started with the gifts of the Spirit isn't about being perfect; it’s about being available.
Ask: In Luke 11:13, Jesus tells us that the Father loves to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Just start there. "Lord, I want to be used by You. Open my life to the gifts of Your Spirit."
Study: Familiarize yourself with the gifts in the Bible. Read 1 Corinthians 12. Knowledge helps take away the "weirdness" and replaces it with wonder.
Step Out: This is the hard part! If you feel a nudge to pray for someone or share an encouraging thought, do it. The gifts are like muscles; they grow as you use them.
We actually offer some Digital Video and Photo Training if you want to learn how to use your natural tech skills for the Kingdom, but remember that the spiritual gifts are the "engine" behind the work.
A Welcoming Invitation
Maybe you’ve been told these gifts "passed away" or aren't for today.
At Boundless Online Church, we believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If the early church needed these gifts to reach their world, we certainly need them to reach ours!
We want to invite you to explore this. Ask questions. Be curious.
God isn't looking for perfect vessels; He is looking for willing ones.
Whether you’re wearing a Classic Snapback or your work uniform, you are a candidate for the supernatural move of God.
Let's Grow Together
This is just Day 38. We have so much more to cover in this journey.
If you’re looking for a way to stay focused on your growth, you can check out our Boundless Challenges to keep the momentum going.
The Gifts of the Spirit are about love.
Paul reminds us that if we have all the gifts but don't have love, we are just making noise.
So, as you seek the gifts, seek the Giver. Ask Him to fill your heart with love for people, and the gifts will naturally follow.
What gift are you most curious about?
Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt God use you in a way that was beyond your own ability?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Stay boundless, stay expectant, and keep looking for the Light.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
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