Walking in God’s Supernatural Power
Have you ever received a gift - and left it unopened on a shelf? Imagine how the giver would feel discovering, months later, that you never even looked inside. Many believers are living this way with the Holy Spirit. We love Jesus, yet remain unaware—or hesitant—to unwrap the supernatural gifts already placed within us.
• Not might possess.
• Not could possess.
• You do possess them.
The Holy Spirit has equipped every Christian with spiritual gifts—not for our personal gain, but to reveal God’s presence here on earth and for us to serve others. When Jesus walked the earth, He was God with us—Emmanuel in the flesh. After His death and resurrection, He did not leave His followers orphaned. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within every believer, making us temples of the living God. God is no longer just with us; He is in us.
The Holy Spirit also came with purpose—to empower, equip, and gift us for ministry. The Gifts That Manifest God’s Presence are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, Paul explains that there are different kinds of gifts, ministries, and activities, yet the same God works through them all. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. These gifts are called manifestation gifts because they make God’s presence visible and tangible. They include:
• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Faith
• Gifts of healings
• Working of miracles
• Prophecy
• Discerning of spirits
• Different kinds of tongues
• Interpretation of tongues
These are not abilities developed through practice or education. They are supernatural presents, distributed by the Holy Spirit—just as He wills. So how do you discover the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you? Start by getting involved in ministry. When you step out and serve, something remarkable happens. Time seems to disappear. Fatigue fades. You feel energized rather than depleted. This is the Holy Spirit working through you in ways that align with how God has uniquely wired you. Church Community also plays an important role. Ask trusted and mature believers what giftings they may see in you. Sometimes others recognize what we cannot see ourselves. Most of all -pray - ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what He has for you - be ready - and He will. And remember this core truth: spiritual gifts aren’t for you—they’re to be given away for others. They exist to glorify God, not to make us look impressive or super spiritual. When you understand this, the pressure lifts. You’re not performing; you’re participating in God’s work.
The Man Born Blind:
- The Power of Obedience- in John 9, Jesus encounters a man who had been blind from birth. When the disciples asked whose sin caused the blindness, Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” He was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Then Jesus did something totally unexpected. He made mud - picking up some ordinary dirt and mixing it with His saliva - He rubbed it on the man’s eyes.
Why mud? Jesus didn’t need it. He could have healed the man with a single word. But God often chooses the ordinary things of this world to reveal the extraordinary things of His. Jesus told the man to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. Scripture tells us the man was not healed immediately—but only after he washed and was returning - did he receive his sight. Consider what "go wash in the Pool of Siloam" - meant in practical terms to this man. What this would still entail. He's still blind, yet he obeyed. He didn't know where he was headed - (he couldn't see) - yet he set out. Obediently. Just think of the conversations along the way. "Why do you have this mud on your eyes?" - "You have to go where to wash it off? - What's wrong with the water in this stream over here?" - "Who told you to do this?" - The man born blind ... All I know is that ... His name is Jesus!
I imagine that somehow, someone or perhaps - many helped him along the way. It seems to me that God loves to involve others (and us) in His workings of miracles. He could have just said the Word and he would have been healed - but Jesus - whenever possible - loves to include us.
Miracles aren’t just for the one receiving; they’re also for those who participate in bringing them about.
Two things stand out to me in this story and what I believe God requires for miracles today: faith and obedience. The man trusted Jesus and acted on His word. (Some might say - now ... that's blind faith) Through that obedience, God’s power was made known—not just to the man, but to everyone around him. Without faith and obedience, spiritual gifts remain dormant—unopened and unused - collecting dust - set upon a shelf somewhere. And when that happens, everyone misses out.
We carry the presence of God into a world desperately in need of hope. We are called to walk in the gifts He has given us, helping others find their way to the healing waters of eternal life (our personal Pool of Siloam). The word "Siloam" by the way means - "Sent" - and the pool signifies - "Living Water" - So be encouraged to unwrap your gifts today. Step out in faith. Walk in obedience. Who knows perhaps God will use you too - to lead someone "who just can't see" - sent to His Living waters!
Blessings, Pastor Bob
"All my life I've been waiting for God to move in my life - and all along - He's been waiting on me" - Bob DeFelice
Have you ever received a gift - and left it unopened on a shelf? Imagine how the giver would feel discovering, months later, that you never even looked inside. Many believers are living this way with the Holy Spirit. We love Jesus, yet remain unaware—or hesitant—to unwrap the supernatural gifts already placed within us.
• Not might possess.
• Not could possess.
• You do possess them.
The Holy Spirit has equipped every Christian with spiritual gifts—not for our personal gain, but to reveal God’s presence here on earth and for us to serve others. When Jesus walked the earth, He was God with us—Emmanuel in the flesh. After His death and resurrection, He did not leave His followers orphaned. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within every believer, making us temples of the living God. God is no longer just with us; He is in us.
The Holy Spirit also came with purpose—to empower, equip, and gift us for ministry. The Gifts That Manifest God’s Presence are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, Paul explains that there are different kinds of gifts, ministries, and activities, yet the same God works through them all. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. These gifts are called manifestation gifts because they make God’s presence visible and tangible. They include:
• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Faith
• Gifts of healings
• Working of miracles
• Prophecy
• Discerning of spirits
• Different kinds of tongues
• Interpretation of tongues
These are not abilities developed through practice or education. They are supernatural presents, distributed by the Holy Spirit—just as He wills. So how do you discover the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you? Start by getting involved in ministry. When you step out and serve, something remarkable happens. Time seems to disappear. Fatigue fades. You feel energized rather than depleted. This is the Holy Spirit working through you in ways that align with how God has uniquely wired you. Church Community also plays an important role. Ask trusted and mature believers what giftings they may see in you. Sometimes others recognize what we cannot see ourselves. Most of all -pray - ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what He has for you - be ready - and He will. And remember this core truth: spiritual gifts aren’t for you—they’re to be given away for others. They exist to glorify God, not to make us look impressive or super spiritual. When you understand this, the pressure lifts. You’re not performing; you’re participating in God’s work.
The Man Born Blind:
- The Power of Obedience- in John 9, Jesus encounters a man who had been blind from birth. When the disciples asked whose sin caused the blindness, Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” He was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Then Jesus did something totally unexpected. He made mud - picking up some ordinary dirt and mixing it with His saliva - He rubbed it on the man’s eyes.
Why mud? Jesus didn’t need it. He could have healed the man with a single word. But God often chooses the ordinary things of this world to reveal the extraordinary things of His. Jesus told the man to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. Scripture tells us the man was not healed immediately—but only after he washed and was returning - did he receive his sight. Consider what "go wash in the Pool of Siloam" - meant in practical terms to this man. What this would still entail. He's still blind, yet he obeyed. He didn't know where he was headed - (he couldn't see) - yet he set out. Obediently. Just think of the conversations along the way. "Why do you have this mud on your eyes?" - "You have to go where to wash it off? - What's wrong with the water in this stream over here?" - "Who told you to do this?" - The man born blind ... All I know is that ... His name is Jesus!
I imagine that somehow, someone or perhaps - many helped him along the way. It seems to me that God loves to involve others (and us) in His workings of miracles. He could have just said the Word and he would have been healed - but Jesus - whenever possible - loves to include us.
Miracles aren’t just for the one receiving; they’re also for those who participate in bringing them about.
Two things stand out to me in this story and what I believe God requires for miracles today: faith and obedience. The man trusted Jesus and acted on His word. (Some might say - now ... that's blind faith) Through that obedience, God’s power was made known—not just to the man, but to everyone around him. Without faith and obedience, spiritual gifts remain dormant—unopened and unused - collecting dust - set upon a shelf somewhere. And when that happens, everyone misses out.
We carry the presence of God into a world desperately in need of hope. We are called to walk in the gifts He has given us, helping others find their way to the healing waters of eternal life (our personal Pool of Siloam). The word "Siloam" by the way means - "Sent" - and the pool signifies - "Living Water" - So be encouraged to unwrap your gifts today. Step out in faith. Walk in obedience. Who knows perhaps God will use you too - to lead someone "who just can't see" - sent to His Living waters!
Blessings, Pastor Bob
"All my life I've been waiting for God to move in my life - and all along - He's been waiting on me" - Bob DeFelice
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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