I found across a terrific podcast WITH TRANSCRIPT on spiritual gifts. (I really like transcripts for video and podcasts.) This is Chip Ingram’s impassioned talk, “How to Develop Your Spiritual Gift for Kingdom Impact.” He lists 5 reasons to practice your gifts — not just research them. 1. Direction and purpose for your life. 2. Freedom to embrace and enjoy who you are. 3. The joy that results from impacting lives. 4. Affirmation of your victory with Christ. 5. Accountability because you will be held responsible for the stewardship of your gift. Seriously great stuff. https://livingontheedge.org/broadcast/how-to-develop-your-spiritual-gift-for-kingdom-impact-part-1/daily-radio#.WiQMKkqnE2w

Paul urges believers to put on the whole armor of God in Eph. 6:10-20. v. 10 – Be Strong in the Lord 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  v. 11-12 – Satan is Our Enemy 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  We shouldn’t go around hating people anyway, athough there are evil people in the world.  The thing to remember is that the REAL enemy is…

When we worship someone or something else besides God, we turn that person or thing into an idol. Idols can be husbands, kids, careers, money, health, even a ministry or a church. If it’s more important to you then God is, congratulations — you just made a golden calf.   Casting down the idol doesn’t mean abandoning a beloved person or thing! It means not putting insane expectations of godhood and your personal happiness on someone who isn’t God.   Question: In 2018, how will your shift your worship from an idol back to God?