Holy Fourth of July

Holy Fourth of July! It’s a time to celebrate our wonderful nation’s independence with parties, picnics, and fireworks. Our independence is a gift from God. So how can we show our appreciation for all God’s blessings? We can show our appreciation by using the gifts God has given us to promote His glory and honor.

Do you know what your spiritual gift is? Does your child know what gifts they have? No matter how old we are, we need to be aware of our spiritual gifts so that we can do our utmost to help others for the sake of the Kingdom of God!

Identifying your spiritual gift begins with recognizing that spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Both you and your children need to be fully aware of the differences between the two—as well as the connections.

Let’s consider what the Word of God means by “gifts” of the Spirit versus “fruit” of the Spirit. We’ll begin with spiritual gifts. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 provides a list of the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit that are given to believers. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Meanwhile, the Book of Galatians helps us define the “fruit of the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.”

In sum, spiritual gifts are wonderful tools that the Lord has given us so that we can minister to others and lead others to faith. The fruit of the Spirit gives us the love, kindness, faith, and hope to accomplish our tasks using our unique gifts.

Here is a wonderful website that will help your children identify their spiritual gifts:

https://www.life.church/chazown/

May your children learn what their spiritual gifts are at an early age so that they can accomplish all they are meant to for the Kingdom and our Lord!

SeaKidsTv.com