Today at 04:29 AM Andrew said this in Post #15
A Word of Wisdom and A Word of Knowledge.
I'd like to address these questions to Quaffie, Hobie or SnuP first.
How do these gifts operate in a small setting like a cell grp? I'm trying to step into it by faith but am wonderin how it works. I'll share 3 experiences.
Once in care grp, a sister shared abt her dependence on medication to sleep. She had an operation some time ago and had difficulty sleeping and was dependant on doctor's drugs to sleep. As she shared, I felt a very strong impression on my heart/mind to tell her 2 things: 1) that this problem is temporary/will be fine soon. 2) To overcome her sleep problem, simply dont try so hard to sleep/relax dont think abt it.
Now, I suffered from sleep problems/fears and insomnia too some years back so I cld strongly emphatise with her and felt very strongly to tell her these 2 things.
Well I didnt there and then becos I was shy and afraid to speak out in the grp (quite a big grp), until I reached home that night. I just cldnt get it off my chest and so finally picked up the phone and called her to share these things with her. Of cse, she thanked me and was encouraged. That was Tue nite.
On Sunday at church, she came up to me and basically told me she's now "ok" and has no problems sleeping (without the drugs) and thanked me again for speaking to her that Tue night. I was rather surprised that she 'recovered' so fast.
So is this a gift of the Word of Knowledge ("temporary/will be over soon") and Word of Wisdom (dont try so hard to sleep, in order to sleep) in the simplest sense? Or just my mind? and coincidence?
Recently, a small prayer mtg in my careleader's home (1st I ever attended), one brother was sharing abt how an injured worker in his company was not satisfied with the compensation offered by the insurance company and was suing for much more, like half a million. As he was sharing, a verse came to mind: "Differing weights and dishonest scales, the Lord detests them both." Now, I had read this verse in Proverbs a day or 2 earlier and it just came to mind.
Well, I stepped out in faith (heck so wat if its just me) and told the grp abt it and how this brother shld entrust the matter to the Lord and let Him give what is due to this worker.
So is that what they call "a word" from the Lord? Or just coincidence and my own memory? Perhaps I'll have to see what is the outcome of the court case first.
We also prayed for a sister who was a nurse. I prayed for her protection (bcos of the deadly SARS pestilence in Singapore) and I specifically asked that John G Lake's experience -- when the plague virus was put on his skin under the microscope, doctors saw the germs die instantaneously -- wld also be her experience, shld she come into contact with the virus. After I prayed that, a sister said that was exactly what she had in mind too! We're both familiar with John G Lake's experience/story becos Pastor has shared it many times in services.
Is that being Òin the flow of the SpiritÓ as they call it or mere coincidence?
Of cse, I wld like to think these are not mere coincidences and I believe they arent. -- becos I'm beginning to see that it just takes very simple faith and starting out/stepping out somewhere at the simplest levels, when it comes to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps, if I'm faithful to these very minor/non-spectacular/simple 'versions' of the gifts, the more spectacular ones will come later *L. Well, actually, what the heck, as long as it helps/rescues someone or edifies someone!
Well Andrew, drawing from my own well of experience LOL Yes, this is part of moving in the Spirit.
With the first story, I believe that especially since you had such a strong urging from the Holy Spirit, that was Him desiring to use you. And the Word incouraged your sister and she responded and healing came.
It being the gift of knowledge and wisdom? Possibly.
The steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord, so we can conclude it is NOT coincidence.
With the second, like you said, so what if it's just you and your memory. But the Holy Spirit would not be able to bring something back to your remembrance if you never read it. And. . .since it was from scripture, then it definately is a Word from the Lord. Again, you incouraged your brother. I don't think it even matters how the court case turns out. . .God takes care of His Own.
The third story. . .it's never a problem to pray the Word. While we may come up with good sounding prayers and say good things I believe it especially benificial to pray what God says. Such as PS 91 "Father, I thank You that as my sister dwells in Your secret place she abides under Your shadow. You Lord, are her refuge and her fortress and in You she will put her trust". etc, etc.
I believe Andrew, that God is using you to minister to others around you. Knowing that we can do nothing in and of ourselves, we can step out with confidence that He will move through us. . . we are merely the instrument in His hand.
Quaffer
Yes, of the physical and the spiritual. Ps 1 compares us to trees. 
