Beyond Measure

I recently got the new Jeremy Camp cd, and have been listening to one song over and over, Beyond Measure. There is something about that song that is reaching my heart and makes me think about all the things God has provided me throughout my life. I know he has given me so much and provided me with things beyond my wildest dreams. When I listen to the song I just sit and think about the things I pray to him about and don't seem to get answers and I have to wonder, "maybe I'm not seeing or hearing the answers He gives."

I mean how does one honestly know they have received an answer from God. When I was first saved I used to be able to actually hear God's voice answering me. I actually heard him guiding me and helping me through life, but that voice has faded throughout the years and I know it's because of me, not Him. I have somewhat blocked myself from Him each time I've gotten mad at Him for some reason or another, well mainly for all the pain I endure. Sometimes it creeps into my heart and I get angry God for allowing me to be in so much pain, even though I know it has nothing to do with God and everything to do with Satan. I mean all the hardships I've endured God has turned into God, so why should I still be hurting? I wonder shouldn't God help me heal, help me find the peace I need, better yet, find my own worth?

I know other people deal with pain everyday, some even deal with the same pain that I do, and I don't understand how some people can heal and become better when I can't seem to find that peace and be able to heal and move on with my life. Everyone deals with life's crap, but sometimes we need God's help, what do we do when it seems like he's not there? I'm not saying so much that I am losing faith in God or anything like that. I'm just having a hard time knowing that he is there with me. I mean if I'm having problems how am I supposed to be able to teach junior church and work with the youth group like I'm supposed to in a couple weeks, or even YES camp in June? How can I help kids, when I can't help myself?

Spiritual Gifts

So I have been reading my Bible trying to gather information on the various spiritual gifts. I’m trying to find what they are and pretty much how the benefit believers. So far all I have found has been about the gift of prophecy and the gift of speaking unknown languages. I also think there is something on the gift of teaching, but I haven’t read it yet.

From what I have gathered, the gift of prophecy is the most coveted because it takes the most faith and benefits the most people. Prophecy benefits the whole church while speaking unknown languages benefit the speaker, but speaking in tongue is only a benefit when there is an interpreter. Prophecy is not only predicting the future, but also delivering a message from God.

Speaking in tongue needs to have an interpreter with it (interpretation is another gift of the spirit). If one speaks in tongue without the interpreter, how will anyone, even the speaker, know what is being said. When one prays in tongue it is the spirit speaking not the person. If they understand the words, then both mind and spirit are involved and gains better understanding of spiritual needs over earthly needs.

Not everyone has the same gifts. One person may be a prophet while another may be a teacher, or have the gift of knowledge, or intercessory. Whatever the gifts may be we as Christians need to pray for understanding of the gifts and how to use them in order to give glory to God, instead of our selfish desires. The gifts of the spirit are meant to strengthen faith….use the gift to strengthen our faith, and the faith of others.