May 2008 Missions Focus

God Can Use YOU!

by Suzanne Krein

These seven women minister at the same church. God uses them as individuals—put them and their spiritual gifts together, and watch what happens!

Just like every body part must function for the body to be healthy, every woman must use her gifts for your Women On Mission^® group to function as it should.

What are spiritual gifts?
According to Romans 12:6, we each receive a gift from the Spirit at the time of our salvation, a gift by God's grace. These gifts are different from our natural talents. God wants us to use our talents for His glory.

A spiritual gift is God supernaturally at work through us performing what we can’t do on our own.

Linda, Carol, and the other women mentioned earlier each have a different gift. God intends that they work together using their gifts. (Read Rom. 12:4–6) The soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts to a song often sound discordant sung separately. Sung together, they produce glorious harmony.

Let's look at the spiritual gift of each woman mentioned earlier:

• Linda has the gift of administration. This gift, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28, includes the ability to organize and lead. Linda heads the women's ministries at her church and has directed VBS. Has God given you the gift of administration?

• Carol has the gift of generosity, described in Romans 12:8. She sees needs and seeks to meet them. She makes sure others in the church give and show appreciation for others. Has God given you the gift of generosity?

• Suzanne has the gift of prophecy. This gift isn't about seeing the future—it's about sharing her faith (see Romans 12:6). Suzanne is a storyteller who shares God's truth by writing and by telling others what God has done in her life. Has God given you the gift of prophecy?

• Jo has the gift of service, listed in Romans 12:7. A lot of what she does is behind the scenes. Her church's parsonage sat unused. A missionary suggested turning it into a Shepherd's House (a home for missionaries during stateside assignments). Jo and others took this idea and ran with it. (See [link to AOM ministry article].) Has God given you the gift of service?

• Lynn has the gift of leading in worship. Nehemiah 12:46 mentions those gifted to be directors of singing and praise. David was anointed by God with this gift (2 Sam. 23:1). Lynn encourages those with the ability to sing, to play an instrument, or to dance to become worship leaders, too. Has God given you the gift of leading in worship?

• Lana has the gift of hospitality. Romans 12:13 mentions the importance of being hospitable. Hospitality is often included on the list of spiritual gifts. Lana graciously opens her home to others. She makes sure she has homemade goodies and fresh coffee prepared for her guests. Has God given you the gift of hospitality?

• Phyllis has the gift of teaching. This important gift listed both in Romans 12:7 and in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is more visible than other gifts. Phyllis teaches a Sunday School class for senior adult ladies. Her gift helps her to make the Bible interesting and relevant to the women she teaches. Has God given you the gift of teaching?

You may read this and think, “I have no gifts for God to use.”

The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to each believer. When you feel the least talented, this may be the time that the Spirit will perform a ministry through you that you would never have been able to do without Him!


Suzanne Krein worships at Ramoth Baptist Church in Stafford, Virginia, where she is currently teaching a women’s study course about spiritual gifts.