GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 The Holy Bible says, “When you are arrested and taken to court, do not worry beforehand about what you are going to say, when the time comes say whatever is then given to you. For the words you speak will not be yours they will come from the Holy Spirit”. (Mark 13:11)

COUNSEL

Prophet Isaiah visualizing our God proclaimed Him as a ‘Wonderful Counselor.’ (Isaiah 9:6)

The Gift of Counsel guides us with an appropriate Word of God amidst our trials and troubles of life. The one who exercises this gift can solve problems easily while revealing God’s plan.

“……..the Lord will bring to light the dark secrets and expose hidden purposes of peoples’ mind”. (1 Cor. 4:5)

God has wisdom, insight and power to act.

The Psalmist says. “God guides me and in the night my conscience warns me.” (Psalms 16:7). The plans that God makes are wise and they always succeed.

Those blessed with this gift stretch their hands out to God and remain close to God in every circumstance. God leads them by holding their hands. Whoever asks for the gift of counsel He guides them with instructions and at the end you will receive them with honor. He makes wise plans and does mighty things; He rewards His people according to their actions.

In the Book of Jeremiah, the Lord says “I alone know the plans I have for you. The plans to bring you prosperity.”

When we seek His goodwill with the help of this gift He reveals us His plans.

God our Father revealed His plan to Lord Jesus while praying in the garden of Gethsemane (refer. Luke 22:40-45). 

Jesus the Wonderful Counselor said to His disciples, “The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.” (John 14:26) 

People could not catch Jesus Christ in anything because He gave them amazing answers.  God’s plans endure forever and His purposes last eternally. 

The one who truly denies self whole-heartedly and follow the footstep of Lord Jesus by obeying His advice will not stumble because the Holy Spirit and His gifts work in him. 

Mankind has freewill to refuse the plan of God, but it will destroy him and bring disasters.  If you seek His plan and wait to act patiently, you will flourish and succeed. 

What happens if you disobey the law of God and live according to your own way?  “You will look for peace and will never find it.  One disaster will follow another and a steady stream of bad news will pour in. You will beg the prophets to reveal what they foresee.  The priest will have nothing to teach and elders will have no advice to give.” (Ezekiel 7:26)

God shows the path that leads to life and His presence through gifts and fruits fill us with everlasting joy.  His advices are eternal and unchangeable.  The one who asks His decision are obliged to obey reverently.  People who met the Lord in their lives have the pattern to seek His will in everything they do.  Our God is the Lord who answers His people.  It is a wise practice to submit our ideas and plans to His attention and seek the will of Lord in all worship. 

Being still and waiting patiently for a few moments to listen to His voice is an awesome experience.

Gradually, you will be blessed with the gift of counsel. 

Welcoming the Holy Spirit and opening your Holy Bible as per the Spirit’s inspiration is another way to grow in gift of counsel.  Be truthful to God even if the message is against your plans.  Human counsel may fail and disappear, but the one which comes from God will fulfill the purpose in it.  

God says in the book of Isaiah 46:10, “……… from the beginning I predicted……… long ago I foretold……. I said that my plans would never fail, I would do what I intended.”

This is the reason behind why devotees fast and offer prayers and wait patiently so as to seek the Will of God prior to planning their decisions. The one who follows His decision is enabled with the gift of vision and he/she can lead others easily towards the Will of God. 

The one who show contempt towards the gift of God can lose it as well as become a slave of darkness.

So faithful devotees of Christ, your negligence made you stumble or fall.  The Sovereign Lord says “Return to me”.  The Lord is always merciful to us, His own people.  Although He punishes us, even with disasters He never abandons us.  He is the source of all our blessings.  You are wise enough to understand what I mean here.  Take it to your heart.  The Lord’s ways are right and righteous people live by following them. 

So let us consecrate all our plans to Him, who longs to communicate with you.  He will make you a good listener and it will be an important record of your spiritual walk with your Savior. 

When you patiently allow Him to fondle you through the release of His Holy Spirit slowly you will be empowered and the gifts and fruits will bring marvelous changes in your world as Christ Jesus confidently blessed His followers……. “You will be my witness to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)