We recently began a new course on the ministry of healing. New sessions in this series will be posted about once a week until December. In this week’s session we began with a healing testimony before moving into a time of teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit, followed by prayer. We focused on what is the greatest obstacle for many people who seek to be used by God in the spiritual gifts: understanding and believing that they are both qualified and capable of being so used.

Class notes are available here as a PDF.

You can also watch on my YouTube channel.

—EXCERPT—We need to recognize that it’s biblical to desire spiritual gifts – in fact, we are commanded to do so!

Contrary to what tradition might say, God says to be zealous to have the Gifts operating in our lives. In his teaching, Paul uses a certain Greek word three times to emphasize this. It’s the word zelóo, which means to be zealous — and it’s the source of our our English word zeal. Using this word, Paul says:

·  “earnestly desire the best gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31)

·  “desire spiritual gifts but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1)

·  “desire earnestly to prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:39)

You need to be convinced that the choice between fruit and gifts is a false choice, a choice God doesn’t ask us to make. He wants us to have both, so He can extend His power through us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nickuva.substack.com