Those with the Motivational Gift of Teaching are focused on truth, accuracy, and detail.  They study each word in three categories.  First, the definition of the word itself.  Second, how it fits in the context with the scriptures surrounding it.  Third, they want to know how it fits doctrinally with the rest of the Bible.  Researching, studying for hours; they are most fulfilled by having discovered the truth.  Meanwhile, they are quick to hear heresy and to speak out against it with solid, sound arguments based on scripture.

Designed by God to keep us doctrinally sound; they play a vital role in the body of Christ.  Yet, because their greatest joy comes from discovering and proving the truth; they may not seem as interested in people as they are in knowledge.  This can cause them to appear distant or calculating; while listening more than talking.  Their brain constantly sorting and filing the information flowing in; they are very attentive to every detail. Continue reading Gift of Teaching: The Torchbearers For Truth →

Jesus calls some to encourage others into spiritual growth and maturity by gifting them with the special motivational gift of exhortation. Motivated by a passionate desire for others to grow in Christ; they delight in watching God’s work flourish within the lives of others.   Because they can see past all the mess of today, focusing on God’s finished product; they urge the young believer on.  They clearly discern the problems of faith and theology standing in the way of success; laying out step by step the process one must follow to achieve their fullest potential in Christ Jesus. Each step outlined is clearly based on Biblical Principles; with strict detail to accurate theology.

Before establishing the step by step plan, those with the gift of exhortation invest many hours of study.  When they are one on one with those whom they are helping, they observe and analyze the problem prayerfully before developing the best plan. When those who are gifted with exhortation write or speak publicly, they often have either themselves lived through the problems or knew someone who did.  That way they bring experience to the table.  I see portraits of exhortation in the books of Lysa Terkeurst, as well as in her speaking style.

EXHORTERS SEE TRIALS AS MERELY STEPPING STONES

Continue reading Exhortation: The Heart of Enlightenment and Growth →

Those gifted by Christ with the motivational gift of giving know how to manage money well.  They are very concerned with wisely managing the money to make the greatest impact to the most.  They proficiently manage money, time, energy and creativity.  This is quite different than what society would think; because, society would be concerned with the amount of giving. Whereas, the true spiritual gift of giving never is concerned with the amount as much as how that can be utilized to its fullest for the kingdom of God.  Also, those with the gift of giving are very astute to differentiating true ministerial need from unwarranted use of the money.

Often, those with the gift of Giving; give anonymously; because their pleasure comes from act of giving, not the accolades of others. Because they gain their greatest pleasure from giving; often, they live very frugally to give more.  Hoaxers beware, those with the gift of Giving can spot you from miles away. They are sometimes misunderstood by those who call them tight-fisted; which is the furthest from the truth.  They make wise investments of their resources.  When giving they do so with discernment, carefully choosing those in whom their investment will reap the most benefit. Continue reading How to Understand the Frugal whose Gift is Giving →

This week, I listened and I watched as the news media continued to talk.  I had heard the same words of the President, that now they twisted.  Furthermore, I had watched the real time videos from which he based his statements; then, I realized all this incessant speech from 24 hour news was dividing my own heart and dividing our nation.  Words that pushed to drown me in a sea of negativity spewed by men and women.  At best, our hearts cannot see truth, unless God shines light into our darkened hearts so filled with pride. My heart bleeds for the police officers ambushed and killed in Kissimmee, FLorida.  Furthermore, my heart bleeds for a nation that has turned its back on God, turning to listen to the ideas of man instead.  So, how do we know what is true? My TV now silenced that I might pray.

How Can I Know What’s Really True?

 

I listened to the news today

My heart so heavy, now I pray

Dear Father, please, I ask of you

How can I know what’s really true?

They talk and talk incessantly

Until the truth I cannot see

But Lord, I know Your Word is true

And so, Your truth I do pursue

Turn off the noise, turn off the sound

Before in words my heart is drowned

So, let me sit here at your side

Safe in your love, I can abide

For all man’s talk can never heal

The hate, the sin that is so real

You are the only one who can

Transform the heart of evil man

And so, I humbly bow my head

Filled by hope, Your words I’ve read

Your Joy, Your love to fill each day

Protecting me along the way

The pains and sorrows You erase

Each time I gaze upon Your face

Your Glory shining oh so bright

Into the darkness of my night

So, fill my heart with You today

That I might know just what to say

To lead someone to see Your Son

The truth, the victory He has won

So, one by one help them to see

Their only hope to be set free

From all the hate and bigotry

Was purchased there on Calvary

And lift the darkness o’er this land

Your light to shine, that truth may stand

You are our only hope today

For this I bow to you to pray

Deuteronomy 32;

³ Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

⁴ He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

⁵ They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation

SEEKING WHAT IS TRUE

Some will take a moment to listen or to consider who I am.  Those who know me; realize I hate bigotry and racism in all its forms.  Yes, I have seen it first hand; because, I stood for equality for all.  In fact, I and my family were targeted at times.  So, yes; I oppose the KKK, the White Supremacist and the Neo-Nazis.  Furthermore, I oppose Socialism as a form of Government; because, with it I lose my right to speak up for gospel of Christ.  There is no place for hatred, bigotry nor racism against any race.  Violence is not acceptable! We must respect and pray those placed in authority over us.

Neither can we heal through lies.  Yesterday, there was a freedom of speech Patriot rally in Boston.  The media for days painted this group as White Supremacists–inciting the counter protesters to come out in full force.  Oddly enough, I saw a piece of the rally on youtube as well as the one earlier this year in May-The Boston Freedom of Speech Rally.  There was no hate speech to be found; no Neo-Nazis, no White Supremacist, and no KKK.  They were multicultural Patriots. After their speeches,they closed with a prayer for the healing of our nation, they picked up any trash located in the park and quietly, peacefully marched out of the area. So, the news media knew the Freedom of Speech group weren’t the White Supremacists that spewed hate in Charlottesville.

Since their message did not meet the narrative the media wanted; I was appalled to hear the News say, the rally never took place.  Indeed, they said; the anti-protesters shut down the White Supremacist rally.  So, Sad!

CONCLUDING TWEETS

[tweetthis]When the news is blurred by half-truths; there is no truth for real[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Spewing hate divisively They talk and talk incessantly Until the truth I cannot see ” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]We can’t heal as long as we believe truth is relative Absolute Truth is God[/tweetthis]

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR? OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

A Broken and Contrite Heart, I published in 2010, answers the question, “What do I do when I keep falling into the same sin? Does God hate me because I keep failing to get this right?  So, where do I begin again and find joy in my salvation; after, falling.  If you want to know more about this book or the other books I have written:  You can find a link at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

 

The inscription I added; Photo by Eepeng Cheong on Unsplash

God chose some to carry the torch of Mercy as their special spiritual gift.  Those who bear this motivational gift see and feel the pain and sorrow of others.  As they enter any gathering, they immediately see and make their way toward the sad, down trodden soul sitting off in the corner.  Feeling their pain, the person gifted with Mercy is drawn like a magnet to their side.  Likewise, the sad heart seeks out Mercy.  I speak more personally of this gift; because, I have learned of its power and its deepest sorrow by living a lifetime with it.  Until that fateful day that I heard Dr. Charles Stanley preach on the gift of Mercy from his series “God’s Children Gifted for Ministry”; I had been a victim of my own spiritual gift.

A victim whose pathway lay strewn with shattered pieces of her own heart; because, I did not understand why I was drawn toward all the broken and down trodden hearts.  Oh, yes; I knew and eluded joy throughout this journey; because, I knew my source of joy was God alone.  Yet, at the same time I bore the scars of pain. For you see, those with the gift of Mercy are all in; therefore, they often feel rejected or unloved; because, few can respond with the same depth of love as do they give. Those bearing this gift tend to see the good, the best that another person can be, if only they could see who God made them to be. Therefore, Mercy forgives whatever offence today; because, they know, if only the other person knew God’s love; they wouldn’t have caused such pain. Continue reading Where Joy and Sorrow Meet-The Gift of Mercy →