SERVICES: SATURDAY 6PM | SUNDAY 9AM & 10:45AM. 

We Livestream at www.FaithFellowshipWeb.com/livestream, through the FFC App, and YouTube.

Measuring your Impact

Words of Faith Final

Measuring your Impact
Words of Faith 7-6-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><<><    

Romans 1
    [11] I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong‑‑ [12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. [13] I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

       Here is a question: Have you stopped lately to consider your spiritual impact?

       Often Christian believers sit back and think that their lives have no impact. Paul realized that his journey to see the Romans would be more than a social visit. In fact, there was a great deal of impact to be made.  Paul knew from experience that he would impart some spiritual gift through his visit that would make the believers strong and encourage them at Rome.  
       The term spiritual gift (charisma) means a gift of grace.  A charisma is not simply a human talent, though it may involve the use and direction of human talent.  The term refers to specific gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  So how could Paul impart such a gift?  Spiritual gifts are always gifts from God, and yet apparently, God chooses to impart some spiritual gifts through relationships. In His wise grace, God chooses to use a relationship to impart or stir up a spiritual gift.  
       Paul will write later that we have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying (inspired speech or preaching), let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Romans 12:6-8).
      If such gifts are indeed imparted, Paul suggests that the gift of preaching is stirred up when one hears great preaching. The gift of service is inspired by observing someone who serves. The gift of teaching arises in the presence of a great teacher. The gift of encouragement becomes evident in an environment of encouragement. Generosity inspires others to give.
      Genuine leadership arises among those who have been led faithfully by a spiritual leader.  The result is the mutual encouragement of believers by experiencing the faith of another. Spiritual gifts are never for the receiver but are for the mutual encouragement of all believers.
        Is God imparting His spiritual gifts through your relationships with others?  Are some inspired to preach as a result of your inspired words?  Is someone drawn to serve because of your example of servanthood? Is someone inspired to become a teacher because they have been taught well by you?  
        Do those you encounter encourage others because they have been encouraged by you?  Does your generosity inspire others to give generously?  Do those who follow your leadership grow to become Christian leaders as well?

        Lord, help me to look beyond myself.  Help me to see the impact of your action in my life.  Give me the grace and humility needed to exercise Your gifts in my life as You impart gifts to others through Your work in me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIPTIONS - To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an e-mail message addressed to join-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an e-mail message addressed to unsubscribe-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. The daily devotion and archive are posted at http://www.faithfellowshipweb.com/cgi-bin/devotions/displayMonths.cgi
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      
The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.