Blue elegant gift box on a wooden background
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Read: Daniel 2:24-3:30, 1 Peter 4:7-5:14, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 28:15-16
Relate: Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Have you taken any assessment that can help show you? How recently? Do you have five minutes? Here’s a link to a good and very quick (but not necessarily thorough) online assessment:
React: So, what does it say your gifts are? Do you agree? Were there any surprises? In what ways are you using your giftings on a regular basis? In what ways can you make small changes in your daily life to better use those gifts? What are some other gifts you believe you have that weren’t included in this assessment? How are you using them?
In case any of you are curious, the test told me my top five are faith, apostleship, intercession, teaching, and tongues. No. There aren’t any surprises and I can almost laugh to see how easily and often they are each applied in my daily life. Other gifts that I believe I have that aren’t on this list I believe I have are that of a worshiper, writer, and a student. Yes, I do believe the ability to study is a gift, not a curse. So there it is. Of course, I expect your answers in the comments. 😉
Respond:
Dear God,
I am so thankful for the diversity not only in appearance and culture, but also in passion and talent among Your people. Forgive me for the times I have jealously wished I had other gifts that might seem more important rather than appreciating where You have blessed me. Forgive me also for the times I have looked down on the gifts and passions of others simply because they are not ways You have stirred my heart. Help me to use my gifts to be a blessing to Your Church and Your world. Help me also to help nurture and develop the gifts You have placed in others so that Your health can be a healthy, growing body of love.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
What great news that God gives us such great gifts. Didn’t take the quiz yet but wiD
… will come back when I have a few minutes. Be blessed. God is with you.
Always enjoy your blog! Thanks for the post and the link. According to the test, my gifts are exhortation, mercy, administration, discernment, faith.
Administration… better you than me. 🙂
Exhortation…had to look it up. I’d say that does describe my spirit over others
Yep it nailed my gifts. Except for the gift of mercy, which these types of tests never get right because of a problem with the questions- the assumption is that if you have the gift of mercy you will seek out such people to minister to them. That is actually helps or service. Those of us with the gift of mercy tend to avoid hospitals and large groups of hurting people because it’s physically painful for us to be around them. We feel the pain of others – the way that gift works is that we’re supposed to pray for them and call attention to them not try to fix them ourselves.
Exhortation healing hospitality shepherding service (mercy) but I did not find the description. Perhaps you can show me a link to that?
exhortation = preaching, public speaking
healing = ummm… healing?
hospitality = having people for dinner – guest welcoming at church, etc
shepherding = pastoring (leading church, small groups, ministries, etc)
service = seeking out and helping others in need
I don’t know a good website that describes them all off hand, but this is how I understand they are meant in scripture while applied in our modern context. I am guessing you are a bit of an extrovert with a big heart, good communication skills, and leadership ability.
I also checked my e-mail and the test results came with an explanation 😉 thanks!
Took the test !! No surprises… Evangelism, Teaching, Discernment, Healing, Intercession
Blessings in Christ, bruce
Results were Exhortation, Teaching, Mercy, Pastor/Shepherd, Evangelism
I can see all but pastor. Not sure about that one yet.
The modern “position” of pastor in many ways is better suited to those gifted in administration and exhortation or teaching. The ministry gift of pastor is often better seen through ministry or home group leaders than in those carrying the title.
Exhortation, tongues, discernment, faith, intercession.
I had to lie about my zip code *shame* wouldn’t accept my Canadian postal code… do I lose my giftings? 😉
Lol. I actually do have a zip code here in Gaziantep and as I put it in, I wondered where in America they think I live. Don’t think of it as “lying”. It is simply creative geo-locating. You definitely have an effective prayer cluster in your gifts. Feel free to intercede for me as often as you can. =)
I never expected to be a ‘prayer warrior’ – it would have been the last thing on my heart if you’d asked me – not ‘flashy’ enough. But God did something and although I am growing in appreciation for the call I haven’t begun to use it to the full – but He is working there too. I do pray for you – God brings you to mind when I pray 😉 Bless you!
Such an interesting post! I can’t believe I’ve haven’t discovered The River Walk before 🙂
Yes it is important that we know about our GOD given spiritual gifts. Also, I have taken this test more than once as the years go. I do find my gifts changing in importance as well……one might stand out more than others so remember to repeat this test every so often. Thanks for the link. There are many spiritual tests online that you can find. Blessings.