Downpour: Tools not Toys

Great weekend. We wrapped up our annual retreat on the Holy Spirit on Saturday. Dale Evrist from Nashville spoke and I believe he helped some people. The theme on Saturday was the gifts of the Spirit as "tools not toys." Important to understand.

I have been saying this and was glad to hear this affirmed by someone else. Many look at the gifts in 1 Cor 14 as gifts which are resident. Rather these are "owned" by the Holy Spirit, not us. I don't own the gift of healing. But the Holy Spirit can in His wisdom sovereignly give me a gift of healing--not for myself, but to be given away to someone who needs it! The gift isn't for me but for whom I might be praying for!

If we don't understand this, some will decline to pray for someone who needs healing giving the reason: "I don't have the gift of healing. You need to contact "Brother Jack" who has that gift." While some may seem to be used more frequently by the Holy Spirit with a particular "tool of the Spirit" this doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit won't use you at a given moment. If you are there and Brother Jack isn't, expect that the Holy Spirit may use you.

These gifts in 1 Cor 14 are different than those mentioned in Romans 12. Romans 12 are gifts the Father wired you with when you were born. They can be used for good or for selfish reasons. (Just consider those with the gift of government!) The gifts of the Father are "inherent" in the individual and would in my view be those gifts that remain. These gifts may be those referred to by the Scripture, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11.29, niv)

Saturday, Pr. Dave and Pr. Ryan led a session where people prayed for one another and waited for the Holy Spirit to minister. People were encouraged and blessed in these circles of prayer. That's the idea: the members edify and build each other up by the Holy Spirit as He gives them tools for the moment as needed.