By Juanita Smith“You are a cup” is a metaphorical statement Henry Blackaby made in Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. He was explaining the fact that we are instruments-channels for the Holy Spirit to use. But we do not initiate the action, the Holy Spirit does. The cup does not say to […]
Category: Short Essays
Proximity Matters
By Juanita Smith Scripturally, where spiritual gifts are mentioned or ministry in general is mentioned, the word “LOVE” is in close proximity to the message of how to minister or operate in your gift. This paper focuses on the spiritual gifts aspect in particular but is applicable to ministry in general. Here are the primary […]
Ordinary in the Hands of God
By Juanita SmithGod gives every believer something that contributes to the Kingdom. In many cases, what he gives seems unremarkable. For example the ability to be kind, comfort, encourage, help, serve, cook, sit at the bedside of someone sick and pray. These are not things done on Sunday or in church, they are done in […]
Start a Band
By Juanita Smith News reports were ablaze this past week of the passing of Lou Reed, a famous singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Reporters complimented Reed as a highly regarded music master, perhaps an elder statesman in the industry. He was famous not for any particular piece of work but instead was famous for pushing the […]
Are You the Light of the World?
By Juanita SmithHave you taken a Spiritual Gifts assessment and at the conclusion felt none of the gifts listed adequately match you? Are you unsuccessfully struggling to fit into one of the assessment categories? Maybe your struggle relates to the fact that all gifts are not specifically mentioned in the Bible and most assessment tools […]
Cooks and Chefs
By Juanita Smith “For you can all prophesy…” 1 Corinthians 14:31 I am often asked the meaning of the scripture, you can all prophesy. What’s distinguishes one who prophesies from one who is a prophet? This thought came to me while in my quiet time recently. It is this: “Prophesy is to the prophet as […]
What’s My Line?
By Juanita Smith I have come to the realization that many believers are reluctant to let people know their spiritual gifts. Reflecting on how some believers handle information about their spiritual gifts, I am reminded of the all-time classic TV game show that was popular back in the day called, “What’s My Line?” It was […]
What Are You Waiting For?
By Juanita Smith “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14) NIV “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands.” […]
The Unfulfilled Christian
By Juanita Smith Regrettably, unfulfilled is the way several long-time Christians describe how they feel despite the fact that they are very busy doing good works. Many literally dash from one committee meeting to another, then to a board meeting, only to return in short order for choir rehearsal without pausing to understand that […]
Father God, May I?
By Juanita Smith Is it an affront to the Holy Spirit to be bold enough to ask for a particular gift? Scripture says, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” ( 1 Corinthians 14:1 New American Standard) In the Old and New Testaments there are instances where people requested […]