For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV) Google “word of knowledge,” and you’ll get tons of results about what that gift means. For example, Wikipedia says that “the word of knowledge is a spiritual gift listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8. It has been associated with the ability to teach the faith, but also with forms of revelation similar to prophecy. It is closely related to another spiritual gift, the word of wisdom.” That’s a great definition! But those of us who have this gift need to go beyond understanding what it means; we need to know how to grow in it. So here are some practical suggestions for growth. 3 Tips for Growing in the Gift of Knowledge 1. BELIEVE that God knows. You won’t go very far in using your gift of knowledge if you don’t develop a deep, unshakable faith in the fact that God is the only all-knowing, all-seeing, and all- powerful living being in the universe (which He created, by the way!). Why? Because God is the source of the gift, and if you walk around thinking that the Gift-Giver has any flaws or limits, you won’t trust the power of the treasure you’re carrying. In other words, you won’t operate in the authority God has given you. Be sure to make your belief in God’s amazing omniscience a core value of your life. You can do this by spending time worshipping the Lord for His genius, creativity, and wisdom. You can also meditate on the truth that He is flowing His incredible knowledge and wisdom to, and through, you. And when you’re facing a tough situation, make seeking God’s insight through prayer your first line of defense. For reflection: Isaiah 55:8–9, John 6:28–29, 1 Corinthians 2:6–16 2. MEMORIZE scripture. Having an abundant reservoir of scripture in both your heart and your mind is essential to growing in the gift of knowledge. Some might say that you just need to know the “sense” of a scripture in your heart. Sure, that’s great! But when it comes to operating in the gift of knowledge, you’ll want to have the Word of God stored up in your conscious, academic mind too. Why? Because you will be communicating words of wisdom to others, and you don’t want to leave people with only your interpretation of scripture or a guess that something you’ve said is in the Bible. No! You want to leave people with the true and pure Word of God, along with the specific word you’ve given them. So get out those notecards and be intentional about memorizing whatever scriptures God instructs you to learn like the back of your hand. Before you know it, He’ll be sending you people who are desperate to hear those very words you’ve stored up in your memory bank. For reflection: Joshua 1:8, John 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:16 3. STEP OUT in faith. What’s the use of having a glorious gift if you’re not going to use it? If you’ve been developing your intimacy with Christ, spending time in the Word of God, and praying to grow your gift for the benefit of His Kingdom, go ahead and “test the waters.” Ask the Holy Spirit to give you nudges for when it’s time to use your gift. You can even “practice” your gift! For instance, choose a trusted friend and commit to praying for him or her for a week, asking God to give you a word of knowledge for that person. He’ll surely do it if your motive is to bless that person and to be a good steward of the precious gift that He’s given you. Having that educational experience with your trusted friend will make you bolder the next time God gives you a message to impart to a stranger. But please remember this: Sometimes stepping out in faith may look like not saying anything at all. I can’t tell you the number of times God has revealed personal information to me about a person, leaving me asking, “Whoa, God! What am I supposed to do with this?!” But then He tells me that I’m not supposed to do anything except pray for that person as it relates to the divine knowledge that He as revealed to me. In response, I obey, pray, and honor the person’s privacy. Before long, the person comes to me with a ministry need related to the information God has given me. And since I’ve already been praying and interceding, I’m able to meet that person with the wisdom they need for that situation. So whether it’s being brave and speaking up or having the fortitude to watch and pray, step out in faith! For reflection: Jeremiah 33:3, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 May Jesus richly bless you as you edify His Body! Author: Words4HisGlory

Before we begin to discuss spiritual gifts and the power of God that operates in our lives. Let us all be reminded of a few key concepts: 1. The purpose is always to Glorify God AND 2. Point to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 3. Our motive is LOVE. AND 4. We come in peace! For Scripture aptly urges us: Romans 12:17-18, New King James Version 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. AND 1 Corinthians 13 New King James Version 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. The writers in this forum will speak about the Spiritual gifts that are operating in their lives. The gifts that they have been privileged to operate in by power of the Holy Spirit. Our purpose is always to point to Jesus. As we discuss these topics. As we share our personal experiences. Let us remember: 1. Though we may speak a true word from God, if it is given outside of love, what is our benefit? 2. Though we have power to bring healing, and we forget our compassion, what is our benefit? 3. Though we can prophesy the truth, yet we have no empathy, what is our benefit? We believe in Spiritual gifts here at Freedom’s treasure. We believe in the five-fold ministry. There will be discussions regarding prophesy and Prophets, healing and Apostles, The Word of the LORD and Teachers, miracles and Evangelists, tongues and Pastors as the Holy Spirit leads us. Deep from our hearts, we want everyone to know that nothing we do for God is a substitute for KNOWING GOD. Loving God, loving ourselves, and loving people. There may be conversations in this forum for which others disagree. Topics that are uncomfortable and unbelievable. 1 Corinthians 2:13 New King James Version 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. As we discuss: Remember with all of our words, actions, purpose, and life—LOVE never fails. We are all at different places, and our consciences will bear witness to us. (Romans 14:1-12) If we are born again, then we have the Holy Spirit in us, who leads us and guides us into all truth. Let us enjoy this topic of Spiritual gifts together. Let us fellowship in the Spirit of Love, Peace, Joy and Righteousness. As you read on, know that we are praying for you just as the Apostle Paul prayed. Ephesians 3:14-21 New King James Version 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. -Gabriella Diaz

Author’s Note: I wrote this post a few years ago as a very new ministry leader. Looking back now, with 20/20 hindsight, I can see that the truth of these words only rings truer with each passing day. I pray my testimony blesses you in your leadership journey. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:5-8 (NIV, emphasis mine) As a new leader, my first and greatest lesson thus far has come as the Lord was preparing me to serve. A couple of years ago, I recall a fervent time of prayer and seeking the Lord for wisdom and revelation in being used for His Kingdom. As I confessed my love for Him and my desire to be used, I requested a vision for my life. I wanted God to help me see past my current situation into a future of greater purpose and influence. The Lord faithfully answered my urgent prayers. The answer, however, was not what I hoped or expected. The Lord simply whispered, “Abide.” One word! It was a verb at least - an action I could carry out. Afterall, I was eager to DO something. Upon closer inspection, though, “abide” seemed like a whole lot of INaction and more of the same. What I didn’t realize is that the Lord had answered my prayer and provided profound, life-changing instructions. I was seeking Him for a grand assignment. He was calling me into a deep dependence. As Jesus describes in John 15, a time of pruning the fruitful branches has followed. A time of pruning the dead and dry has also followed. As the Vinedresser, my Father has carefully and lovingly begun curating my branches in preparation for the appointed seasons of growth and bloom only He can see. With His steady hand, He is crafting and clarifying that vision I had so ardently longed after. Instead of revealing the entire picture at once, He is leading me step-by-step, one day at a time in obedience and service as I learn to rest in His faithfulness. As I dwell in Him, He dwells in me. My daily prayer is to be present and remain - abide - vitally connected to the Vine. He has promised to do the rest, and I believe Him. Author: Pastor Erin