Supernatural Abilities of the Soul 46

Some of you may have a hard time with this explanation, and that’s fine. This description accommodates the scriptures just as clearly as any other, it makes sense and works when tested. But if you want to abide by another teaching, that’s fine as well. Consider, though, that if you want to grow in exercising the gifts, wouldn’t you rather rely on God’s sovereign desire and ability to stir up and train you in the supernatural gifts, than on being in the right place at the right time to receive from the right people in the right way? (One test is, would an approach work if you were stranded alone on a desert island without the scriptures or anyone else to help you but God? If you need God plus something else you are not submitting to His full sovereign authority.) What Do We Do with The Gifts?  Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.