Spiritual Gifts: the Gift that SHOULD keep giving

In the last blog, I wrote about the final chapters of 1 Peter.  Part of the discussion was around the importance of being an active learner when you are younger, and a good mentor as you gain more experience.

I also touched on Spiritual Gifts.  These are the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to those who accept Christ as their savior.  Every follower of Christ has been given a gift.

So what are the gifts, and why do we have them?  I found a good list of Spiritual Gifts, and their definitions at this site: www.mintools.com/gifts-list.htm

So now that you have a list of the gifts, what do you do next?  There are multiple tests that you can take online to help determine what spiritual gifts you have been blessed to receive.  There is also a good online class given by Cedar Creek Church that can better help you understand Spiritual Gifts : www.cedarcreek.tv/get-connected/online-classes/

So now that you are aware of Spiritual Gifts, and have the ability to find out more about them and which ones you possess, what is next?

Let me submit that you need to be careful using your gifts.  They were given for a specific reason:

1. "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" 1 Corinthians 12:7
• That means that you are supposed to make sure that you are using your gifts for the GOOD OF OTHERS, not yourself.  Some of the gifts that you may have been given can very easily be used to manipulate others and bring power to yourself.  The devil likes nothing more than to twist a gift given by God to be wasted on yourself.
2. "..to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up" Ephesians 4:12
• Again we see another example of how the gifts are meant to prepare you for works of service to build up God's name
3. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others..." 1 Peter 4:10

The important thing to remember is that one gifting is not better, or more important than the others.  They are all meant to serve a purpose in God's plan.  It is not what gift you have, but how you use it to serve those around you.

I didn't write much this week, because there was no need for it.  The sites that I reference are far better at explaining and helping you uncover the Gifts of the Spirit.  My goal is to get you to take action!  Christianity is an action word.  Christ was the best leader that ever lived.  He was knowledgeable, powerful, personable, active, and above all humble.  There are not many stories about Jesus lounging around, waiting for something to happen.  Jesus used the all of his many gifts to DO things that helped others.

My challenge to you is this:

1. Do some research into Spiritual Gifts
2. Determine what gifts you have been blessed with
3. Use your gifts to DO something!

Start small, or go for it right out of the gate, just don't waste your blessing by sitting on the sidelines.  Now that you are aware that you have been given a gift, FROM JESUS, with the expectation that you should use it to help others.....what are you waiting for?

Peter 4-5: Practical Leadership

Before I continue my thoughts on 1 Peter, it is important to remember what type of person Peter was.  He was the "Do-er" of the group.  When Christ was walking on the water to the boat, what disciple left the boat to meet him?......Peter.  When the Romans came to take Jesus away to be tried, who cut off the servant of the priests ear?......Peter.  When Christ was ascending into heaven, who did he leave in charge of starting the church?.....Peter.

When something needed to get done, Peter was a good person to call upon.  At times it got him in trouble, but Christ always appreciated his passion, loyalty, and attitude.  So as I read the books that Peter wrote, I think of it through the mind of a "do-er"  It is easy to see this through his writing, because everything is made very clear on how to "do" Christianity.

In Chapter 4:1-6 Peter makes a great point that all Christian leaders need to understand and embrace.  If you are a follower of Christ, you have committed to not live the rest of your life for earthly desires.  You should not be motivated in the same manner that pagans are.  Be prepared to be ridiculed for not taking part in some of the activities that they do.  Remember, when all is said and done, EVERYONE will have to give an account for their actions to God.

In verses 7-10 we get a good dose of practical leadership advice:

• "Be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." - This breaks down into 3 sub-points.  First, make sure that you are thinking clearly.  If you are unsure, reach out to a trusted mentor or friend to get their take on how you are reacting to a situation.  Second, DON'T REACT!  Self-control is one of the hardest things to master.  However, the consequences of losing your control can be catastrophic.  Third, Pray.  Yep, that means right in the middle of your day.....all the time....big decisions or small.  The crazy thing that you might find, is that the more you pray, the less likely you are to lose your mind or your self-control....
• "Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  I think that Peter is speaking from experience with this piece of advice.  As leaders, if we love people, we will be able to see to good in what they are trying to accomplish, and not necessarily judge them by the means in which they are trying to accomplish it.  Thinking back to the beginning of the chapter, when I am faced with God's judgment, I would be thrilled if I could respond to him that no matter what, I loved people.
• "Offer Hospitality to one another without grumbling"- As your leadership expands, that does not exclude you from being hospitable.  By keeping this piece of advice in mind, you will be amazed at how hard it is to let your ego take over.  When was the last time you went out of your way to make someone feel comfortable around you?  What do you do in your leadership to foster a genuine feeling of hospitality?
• "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's Grace in it's various forms." -  He DID NOT SAY "use the gifts God gave you to make as much money as you can and become as powerful as the pagans around you will allow you to become."  Any leader has found a way to harness the gifts that God provided in a manner to get to the position that they are in.  Now that you find yourself in that position, how are you going to continue to use those gifts for the benefit of others?

The final point that Peter makes in Chapter 3 is an important one.  Often times people, in the workplace, are ashamed or afraid to admit that they lead a life that is committed to Christ.  He makes the point that murderers and thieves and meddlers should be ashamed, but believers should never be ashamed for being associated with the name of God.  I ask myself daily, "Who are you trying to impress?"  and more often than not, I am disappointed in my own answer....

There is one major point that Peter makes in Chapter 5 that I think has amazing power and impact.  He speaks to both Elders and young men and gives them distinct and important roles:

• Elders - "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples..."  He is challenging the more experienced to be Mentors, counselors, examples.....Who are you currently mentoring? How are you helping those people that you see around you that have a "spark"?  How are you helping create leaders that you would be proud to see rise to the top?
• Young Men - "....be submissive to those who are older.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time."  There is nothing in this passage that says you shouldn't drive hard, or have goals you want to reach in a short time.  It also doesn't say that you have to be older before you can be a leader, but it does say that being humble, and showing respect to those with more experience is an expectation that God has of you.

So which group do you place yourself in?  I hate to break it to you, but unless you are the oldest person you know.....you are in both.  Keep that in mind as you interact with those around you on a daily basis.  I find myself totally happy when I can act like an "Elder", but it doesn't give me a hall pass to discount the experience and insight of those older than me....

Finally, Peter implores everyone to stay alert, because the devil is always trying to find ways to trip us up. And the business environment is probably the battle ground that he finds the easiest to manipulate to his will.  It contains all of the most effective levers: power, money, greed, pride.  So remember to surround yourself with a support group of believers...yes, even at work, who can offer correction when they see you stray from the path.

So many parts of scripture can be confusing, or vague, when it comes to understanding how to apply them to everyday life in the 21st century.  The book of 1 Peter does not happen to be one of them.  I have often thought that Peter would be the Disciple that I would most like to hang out with.  He tells it like it is, and gives us simple instructions to insure success.....The hard part, as always, is in the execution....

Servant Leadership: 1 Peter Chapter 2-3

In this leadership lesson I want to discuss 1 Peter, Chapters 2 and 3.  In this section of the Bible, Peter is giving advice on how we should all act when dealing with others.  Often times when I discuss my thoughts on how to take advice from the Bible to be a better leader, I look at it from the point of view on how to actively lead people.  However, in these chapters, Peter reminds us of how to act as a person, in a leadership position.

Peter begins Chapter 2 by giving us guidance on how we should "reset our baseline" as we understand being a Christian.  I also think this advice is a great way to begin your day as a leader...."...rid yourselves of malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind...."  Consider how much for effective many of your daily leadership decisions would be if you entered into them with this state of mind.

In Chapter 2, verse 13 Peter also gives us guidance on how to act, as a subordinate.  Part of being a great leader, is being a great follower.  Regardless of your title, there is probably still someone you report to.  Peter reminds us that we need to check our egos at the door.  "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority:....For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people"  Think back over your leadership, how often have you spoken ill of the people at a higher level than you?  Have you ever done that in front of people that report to you?  What type of message do you think that sends them?  At the very least, it shows them that it must be optional to show you respect to their leadership, which includes you....  You also have the power to start "swirl" within your organization based on your lack of submission to authority.  Don't misunderstand me, there is definitely a time and place to bring your opinions and thoughts to your leadership, however, when final decisions are made, proper respect must be given.  God puts everyone in a position for a reason...Next time you struggle with those ahead of you, ask yourself what lesson God wants you to learn from the experience, and how can you grow from it.

For those of you who have bosses that are challenging, Peter has some encouragement in verses 19-21.  "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,  you should following his steps."  Peter calls us to endure every time that your boss does not live up to your expectations, every time your boss does not recognize you for your effort, every time that your boss takes all the credit, because God finds it commendable in his eyes.  Christ was never wrong during his time on earth, yet look at the punishment and rebuke he took from those holding a higher earthly position.  I think that sometimes, even good Christians forget that God is watching them at work, as much as he is everywhere else.  God does not have different operating instructions for us when we are working vs. when we are not, however, many people act as if he does.

As we move into 1 Peter Chapter 3, we get another great piece of advice in verses 8-10. "......be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."  In our daily work lives, think how easy it is to act contradictory to the above passage, however, Christ promises that if you repay evil with blessing, you will also receive a blessing.

Finally from verse 13 through the end of the Chapter Peter reminds us that the most important thing we can do is be eager to do good.  A Godly leader should act differently than other leaders.  Peter also warns that we should be prepared for people to want to slander us and speak maliciously against our good behavior.  Be prepared for people to judge your faith or question your motivation and ability to make "tough decisions" because your faith may make you soft.  We are to "....be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience...."

1 Peter Chapter 2-3 provides a lot of great insight on how we should behave, as people and as leaders.  It sets out some pretty high expectations of what appropriate behavior is, as a leader and a follower.  It challenges us to stand behind our righteous decisions without fear of what others might say. (As long as the decision is sound from a Biblical perspective)  It promises blessing and happiness for enduring insult and punishment for doing good.  Finally, it reminds us that we are held accountable for how we act at work, just as much as how we act at home.  There is no double standard in God's eyes.  Just when you think that you can't be expected to act like this and still be competitive in the work environment, ask yourself this question from Mark 8:36: "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"