Gift of Exhortation

An exhorter speaks words into another person's life that can give direction, instruction, and help that person apply the truth of scripture to their lives. The exhorter is an encourager.

Encouragement is an interesting word. When most of us think of encouragement, we think of affirming another person's behavior or achievement. We may also think of comforting or consoling. "Way to go!" "Good job!" "You can do it--keep going!" "You're almost there!" "You'll do it next time!"

Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives these definitions:

• to inspire with courage, spirit or hope
• to attempt to persuade
• to spur on

I like the definition of "to inspire with courage."

What I have found in my interactions with fellow believers, is that often exhortation/encouragement comes in the form of spurring them on in an area where God wants growth, change of attitude or behavior, or stretching. In that case, I find myself speaking words that give them the courage to (with God's help) make the change.

You see, we can speak truths, but unless we also have the words of "giving courage" or "spurring on," those truths may not be applied in the live of the hearer. The exhorter, led by God, is able to help the person hear the truth and see the possibility of applying it.

When I think of exhortation, I usually think of encouragement--speaking truth and encouraging application, but I also think of timing. Timing is born of the Spirit. He gives the right word at the right moment, and the exhorter's job is to listen to Him and follow His lead.

"The right word at the right time is like
precious gold set in silver." Proverbs 25:11

Thoughts? Write a comment!

Gift of Mercy

The spiritual gift of mercy is defined this way:

"to be understanding, compassionate and loving; to have pity on, to be compassionate by word or deed, and specifically by divine grace"

Mercy is a spiritual gift that is evident in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery, the story of the death of Lazarus, the feeding of the five thousand, his healing the lepers, his association with "tax collectors and sinners," and the way he reached out to those who society shunned. Jesus was known as a friend to sinners. In Luke 4, Jesus quoted a passage from Isaiah:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2

Those with the spiritual gift of mercy are often found ministering to those who society ignores. The ones called unlovable or unacceptable by others.

Consider Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She lived a life of mercy. She reached out to the poor, homeless, sick children around her. She fed them, nursed them to health, and spoke words of comfort to them. She also inspired others to do the same.

I believe that when we are given the spiritual gift of mercy, that we also receive mercy as well. If we did not, then we would at risk of becoming really burdened by all we see around us and after a time we would literally begin to burn out. Mother Teresa felt very burdened by what she saw, but it was probably her prayer life that kept her on an even keel.

We are all called to mercy.

He has shown you, oh man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

God tells us all to love mercy. But it could be said, I suppose, that those with the gift of mercy have an extra measure of mercy to offer. They are the ones that somehow know what you need in your time of distress.