God Blesses With Gift & Talents

My top 7 Spiritual Gifts:

I took a short study some years ago by B.LeHay on Women's Spiritual Gifts. I got the results out and thought I would post here.

If you have not discover the gifts and talents that God has given you, I urge you to study what the bible says, seek out a study or book on the subject to help you find out.

Music

Music - The gift that gives a believer the capability to present personal witness and inspiration to others through instrumental music, singing, or dancing.

The special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to praise God through music in such a way as to enhance the worship experience of other believers. It gives the believer the desire and capability to express personal faith and provide inspiration and comfort through the playing of a musical instrument, singing, or dancing. The spiritual aspect of the gift is revealed as the gift bearer gives witness to love and praise for the Lord, and thus glorifies God. Those listening or watching become inspired to feel the presence and majesty of God when music, song, or dance uplifts their soul in a manner that brings them closer to their Lord.

People with this gift:
- sing or play a musical instrument quite well, and enjoy it
- have special joy singing praises to God, either alone or with other people
- feel secure in the fact that their musical ability will be of benefit to other people with whom they come in contact
- can use their musical ability to help and inspire others to worship God
- see that their singing or instrument playing is a spiritual encouragement for others.

1 Samuel 16:14-23
1 Corinthians 14:26
Psalm 33:1-3
Psalm 96:1-2
Psalm 100:1-2
Psalm 149:3
Psalm 150:1-6
Colossians 3:16
2 Chronicles 5:12-13
2 Samuel 6:14-15

Craftsmanship / Artist

Craftsmanship / Artist - The gift that gives the believer the skill to create artistic expressions that produce a spiritual response of strength and inspiration. Skilled Craft - the gift that enables a believer to create, build, maintain, or repair items used within the church.

The divine enablement to creatively design and/or construct items to be used for ministry or the divine enablement to communicate God's truth through a variety of art forms.

People with this gift:
- work with wood, cloth, paint, metal, glass, and other raw materials
- make things which increase the effectiveness of other's ministries
- design and build tangible items and resources for ministry use
- work with different kinds of tools and are skilled with their hands
- use the arts to communicate God's truth
- develop and use artistic skills such as drama, writing, art, music, dance, etc.
- use variety and creativity to captivate people and cause them to consider Christ's message
- challenge people's perspective of God through various forms of the arts
- demonstrate fresh ways to express the Lord's ministry and message.

Exodus 28:3-4
Exodus 31:1-11
Exodus 35:30-35

Intercession / Prayer

Intercession / Prayer (Serving Gift) - The special ability God gives to some to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

The divine enablement to consistently pray on behalf of and for others, seeing frequent and specific results.

People with this gift:
- feel compelled to earnestly pray on behalf of someone or some cause
- have a daily awareness of the spiritual battles being waged and pray
- are convinced God moves in direct response to prayer
- pray in response to the leading of the spirit, whether they understand it or not
- exercise authority and power for the protection of others and the equipping of them to serve.

Ephesians 6:18
1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 Kings 13:6
Luke 11:1-10
Matthew 6:6-15
Mark 11:22-25
James 5:14-16
Colossians 4:12-13
1 Thessalonians 3:10

Faith

Faith - The special conviction God gives to some to be firmly persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction.

The divine enablement to act on God's promises with confidence and unwavering belief in God's ability to fulfill his purposes.

People with this gift:
- believe the promises of God and inspire others to do the same
- act in complete confidence of God's ability to overcome obstacles
- demonstrate an attitude of trust in God's will and his promises
- advance the cause of Christ because they go forward when others will not
- ask God for what is needed and trust him for his provision.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Mark 5:25-34
Acts 27:21-25
Hebrews 11
Romans 4:18-21

Administration

Administration (Serving Gift) - The special ability God gives to some to steer the body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others.

The divine enablement to understand what makes an organization function and the special ability to plan and execute procedures that accomplish the goals of the ministry.

People with this gift:
- develop strategies or plans to reach identified goals
- assist ministries to become more effective and efficient
- create order out of organizational chaos
- manage or coordinate a variety of responsibilities to accomplish a task
- organize people, tasks, or events.
(See also Leadership )

1 Corinthians 12:28-31
Luke 14:28-30

Discernment / Distinguishing Spirits

Discernment / Distinguishing of Spirits - The special ability God gives to some to know with assurance whether certain behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power.

The divine enablement to distinguish between truth and error, to discern the spirits, differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong.

People with this gift:
- distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
- identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
- determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic
- recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation
- are able to sense the presence of evil.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
1 John 4:1-6
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
2 Chronicles 2:12
Psalms 119:125
Proverbs 3:21
1 Kings 3:9
Hebrews 5:14

Encouragement

Encouragement (Speaking Gift) - The special ability God gives some to offer comfort, words of encouragement, hope, and reassurance to discouraged, weak, or troubled Christians in such a way that they are consoled.

People with this gift:
- come to the side of those who are discouraged to reassure them and give them hope
- emphasize God's promises and confidence in his will.

(See also Exhortation )

Romans 12:6-8
Titus 1:9
Acts 11:23-24
Acts 14:21-22
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

God's Calling

In 1993, I publicly accepted God's calling on my life to minister with my musical & artistic abilities. I was scared to death! I accepted with my heels dragging through the dirt! I did not understand why I had been called - but, did I want to be chosen?

I was trained musically/vocally by some of the best in this area during my teens and twenties. Then, life happens. I got married...had kids...and my voice and talents became silent...I rebelled...I was like a spoiled brat! "I don't wanna sing/play/create and you can't make me" was my general attitude.

My dad, who's been in the ministry for years, told me then that even though I had been called...I still needed to prove that I have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had my spiritual condition changed and my ears attuned to God's leading.

For the first year after this calling, it took me a while to gather up the courage to minister in front of a congregation. I am naturally shy and would be so comfortable in the back corner of the back pew and seen by no one! Even though I grew up singing on stage at church, I was still timid!

So a few years went by, and guilt was eating at me...which I later discovered was God's reminder that I was not using my gifts and talents for the furtherment of His Kingdom or winning new souls to Him. But, he was not going to force me! He created me with a free will. But, He sure could remind me!

I allowed the Holy Spirit to bring me to God which allowed me to listen to His reminders. And there were many! I have a hard head! I eventually answered...again, Here I am, Send me Lord.

I also had to learn the hard way that God does not take into consideration, as in my case, my natural shyness in front of a crowd, that His calling was not about me! I am very hard headed! God saw that I was in a good relationship place with him and wanted me to start reflecting His love, grace and mercy through my art, singing & music. When I finally realized that, it changed my life!

Since then, I have been able to come out of my shell to serve and offer my my gifts and worship to God with total motivation and love.
The summer of 2009 I joined in as 4 of us formed our brand new Praise Team in our church. We now have 8 members with a few of our youth joining in when able! Hallelujah!
When I sing on stage, I no longer feel nervous...when I create my art, I no longer feel embarrassed when it's viewed by the public...I know that's the Holy Spirit dwelling within me to keep me from withdrawing back into my shell...where I would surely go!

We all, with veiled face, beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

My Salvation Story

me at around 13 years old
I was saved in the summer of my 13th year. It was a hot Saturday, and the preacher and my parents had organized a youth group experience on the church grounds. My parents served as the youth directors. The church is located out in the country...lots of land around. One of the ladies in the church, an accomplished equestrian, brought her horses out for the day to let the youth group ride around on the grassy acres. As I was riding, the preacher rode up on another horse, started talking to me, asking questions, gave me my own personal plan of salvation and lead me to the Lord. But, the preacher had told me that I needed to "go public" with my decision to follow Christ by walking the isle on a Sunday morning...whenever I was ready. I don't recall how long it took, but it was probably more than a month before I gathered the courage to walk that red carpeted isle. When I finally made my public profession of faith, the preacher called on my mom to take me into the back counseling room where she prayed with me and for me. It was very emotional. In the following week, the preacher made a visit to our home to organize my upcoming Baptism, and all I remember is that when he sat down in my mom's wooden rocking chair, he broke the back out. I felt sorry for him. He was so apologetic. Dad eventually fixed the rocker. I was Baptised a few weeks after that and became a member of our Baptist church.

I realize everyday that I was lucky to be adopted and raised by loving Christian parents; an ordained father and a wonderful mother. And that I had an earlier exposure or a sort of a "back stage pass", if you will, as compared to most kids to the introduction of how important it was that Christ should be first in my life. I was the typical "church brat". Like any kid, I rebelled...not too much, but enough to cause my parents undue grief. I never experimented with drugs or alchohol. But I did venture out and tried smoking, which I thoroughly enjoyed at the time. After several boughts of bronchitis and a pnuemonia spell and my desire to get pregnant, I eventually quit -- cold turkey, Thank God! I was definately a "closet smoker"! You see, I knew that I was harming my body, which God calls His temple. I knew it was wrong and was constantly ashamed. When I quit, cigarettes were around $1 a pack.
Well, I eventually got out of the smart mouthed, disrespectful, rebellious stage and stumbled around trying to figure out where God wanted me and what my niche in life was to be. It wasn't long until He helped me choose my path...the path and the life that I follow today with Christ Jesus and my loving husband at the helm. I have been blessed!

GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION

God's Plan of Salvation

The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
Good works cannot save you.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do:
Admit you are a sinner.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)

Be willing to turn from sin (repent).

Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

What to pray:

Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian you should:

Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)

Talk to God in prayer every day.
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)

Tell others about Christ.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

100 Things About Me

1. I married in the 80’s
2. Doctors diagnosed us as “infertile” in the 80’s
3. I had my first baby at 25 (the doctors were wrong)
4. My second baby came when I was 30
5. I had my third baby at 35
6. And my fourth child was born when I was 36
7. I was saved/born again when I was 13
8. I disliked school & college very much…too sterile and confined
9. I believe in the benefits of homeschooling
10. Flute, saxophone, piano, drums are instruments I play
11. Had guitar lessons for maybe 6 weeks…have 3 guitars…will eventually learn to play one day
12. Was raised with one younger brother…and have met my biological siblings; one sister and two more brothers
13. I’m a "Fair-Festival-Event Judge" for the state of Texas
14. I'm called or invited about twice per month to judge somewhere around the state
15. Serve as Master Volunteer with Texas Cooperative Extension and am a Certified 4H Specialist
16. Languages – I can speak Spanish and took 3 yrs of Sign Language classes
17. Have had singing and drama lessons
18. My hair color is natural dark brown with light strands of gray here and there
19. Played bells with the ladies Chorale at church
20. I love cats, cattle & elephants!
21. In the winter we heat our house with only our wood burning stove
22. I collect buttons and antique hats
23. I have chickens in my freezer that were raised by us
24. Tamales…I made 1,200 of these at Christmas
25. When I feel a cold coming on, I make up a batch of Menudo
26. I don’t really need an excuse to eat Menudo…YUM!
27. Mowing on our riding mower is something I enjoy
28. I like to change my furniture arrangement in my home at least every 3 months
29. Been blessed with 4 nieces & 5 nephews…my 6th nephew will be here in August!
30. Was adopted when I was 12 weeks old
31. I was another race than my adopted family
32. I reunited with my biological mother in my twenties…she’s like the sister I never had…we email all the time…she lives 3+ hrs. away
33. I love to read local historical books written by hometown authors
34. Reading non-fiction is my favorite
35. I’ve taken photography classes
36. there are more vegetables in my pantry and freezer than there is meat
37. I’m a carboholic…there, I admitted it!
38. I was a member T.O.P.S. (Take off pounds sensibly) for 6 yrs.
39. Have never had a computer class…completely self taught
40. Bought my first computer in the 90’s
41. I’m the chief cook in our home
42. My husband can make better gravy than I can
43. We have refused to buy “new” furniture
44. We have always had “hand-me-down” furniture from family or friends
45. Have also agreed to not buy a “new-off-the-lot” vehicle
46. Only buy used vehicles from individuals…never from car lot!
47. I enjoy being frugal
48. Clothing I wear comes only from the clearance rack!
49. 5’8” is my height
50. My hands are larger than my husbands
51. Ring size is 10.5
52. Shoe size is 11
53. My feet are bigger than my husbands
54. Flat footed, I’m taller than my husband
55. So, I don’t wear heels…ever
56. I wear a lot of slip on sandals or flip flops…even in winter
57. I don’t like my toes confined for long periods of time…augh!
58. Enjoy going barefoot
59. A night owl, I am!
60. But, I’m up at every morning at 5 a.m.!
61. I have over 100 photo albums…each holds between 400-600 photos…you do the math…should’ve bought stock in Kodak, huh?
62. There are over 3,000 photos on my “jump drive” that I’ve taken with my digital cam
63. Eclectic traditionalist is what I’m labeled by my friends
64. I worked as a care provider for Home Health Care before the birth of my last 3 girls
65. I worked as a QCA for a large medical supply manufacturer
66. Worked as a paid leader for the Women’s Missionary Union through the Southern Baptist Convention
67. Our wedding was a huge, beautiful church event and we only spent $1,500…from my dress…their dresses…his tux…their tux…flowers…reception…the whole nine yards
68. I have always dreamed of being a flight attendant and experience a 3 day flight shift!
69. When I was younger I wanted to be a pulmonologist or the person who gives therapy to people with respiratory/lung problems
70. I’ve always wanted to go to school to learn how to cut/style hair
71. I’ve never owned a vehicle that had a cd/dvd player in it
72. Because of our refusal to drive new vehicles, we were able to build our first home and pay cash for it!
73. We don’t do credit cards…cash or check only
74. Built a special playhouse in the backyard where my girls keep their toys in order to lighten the clutter in the house.
75. We built the playhouse in 2005…the base is a heavy duty jumbo pallet that was once used to ship a large machine
76. I dabble in several types of art mediums…watercolor, oils, charcoal to clay, needlepoint, sewing, etc.
77. I’ve never had a mammogram…I think they are more harmful than helpful
78. Visited 22 states in our country
79. Been to Mexico several times
80. I love living in the country
81. You’ll catch me taking notes in church during the sermon…I use this in my Bible study for the week
82. 2001 is the year we first got satellite t.v. because the reception here in country is terrible.
83. Bought my first cam-corder in 1999
84. Owned only Cannon camera’s until this year…got a Kodak & Fuji
85. I like to watch movies
86. Our home is on top of a hill and our backyard has a slight slope that continue on down to the first creek on our place.
87. Don’t watch much t.v.
88. Have been through 3 study courses on Revelations
89. I have read the Bible through in a year through an organized course only once in my life
90. I believe that once saved, always saved
91. We own 4 vehicles…one is awaiting “head” replacement…the other is out for transmission repairs…the other two run fine
92. My view on the gay lifestyle…frankly think that it’s a mental disorder that can be healed/treated through corrective therapy and lots of prayer
93. My view on sex…is a God given gift between husband and wife…God created man’s anatomy to fit perfectly with woman’s anatomy
94. First time to vote: I voted for Reagan when I was 18
95. Political views…conservative...maybe even moderate conservative...but I do not believe that we should live in a sterile/cookie cutter society like many ultra conservatives do. I believe in balance.
96. I'm the type that is against creating a law to "make" one wear their seat belt in vehicles. I think that there should be encouragement for people to wear them...just don't make it unlawful if they don't. God's timing is perfect...when it's your time to meet Him in heaven...your going whether you have your seat belt on or not.
97. My freezer is in my kitchen
98. My living room is really a “great room”…there are no walls between the dinning room and the kitchen
99. My kitchen sink is in a bar that separates my dinning room from my kitchen
100. I love my life and am proud God has chosen me to be a wife to Keith and a mother to my 4 girls to live out my days here on the Texas countryside.