FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

plum but not a ruler will have straight walls that go up and up, but will not expand very far. We are called to “go out into all the world” but also to “make disciples, teaching them to obey.” If we teach people to hear the Lord, but never take the word out, we have not obeyed the Great Commission. Just the same, if we go out, but do not discipline the new followers to the teachings of Christ, including hearing His voice, we have also not obeyed. Both are required and the prophetic has its part in direction for the Church. There also is the part required of the prophetic to clearly direct the body through the revelatory word of God. It must be understood that there is a difference between the prophetic gift and the prophetic ministry, the office of the prophet, and the level in which they may operate. God has given gifts to the members of the Church through the Holy Spirit. The Gifts of the Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7- 11 and include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. To understand that these gifts are given freely to all believers is not to deny that some people have long suits in specific areas. For in- stance, there are those with the gift of faith, yet we all have a level of faith. There are those who have a gift of healing or working of miracles, yet we can all lay hands upon the sick and see them recover or see miracles through our ministry even if we are not gifted with special anointing in each of these areas. Likewise, if we are faithful with the gift(s) we are given we may receive more. These are all manifestations of the spirit working through the believer to provide edification, exhortation, and comfort to the Church and others.

1 Corinthians 14:3 “ But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men .”

But there likewise is a noticeable difference between the gift of prophecy and the gift of a prophet. One is a man operating the gift, the other is a gift operating within the present-day ministry of Jesus to the world through his or her life and ministry. The Bible tells us that we all may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:31), and that the sons and daughters of the Kingdom will prophesy (Acts 2:17). However, nowhere does it say that everyone may fulfill the role of an ascension

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