Recently, I've had the pleasure of meeting regularly with two young men, both in professional ministry, who are reading the church fathers for themselves. I had the privilege of helping them know where to start, then getting to discuss what they were finding in both the fathers and in the Scriptures.

I am fairly certain that next year, they will ask me questions I have never thought of, questions I can't answer because they have become as grounded or more grounded than I am in the faith once for all delivered to the saints. They will not be the first ones to leave me behind as they press forward into the things the Holy Spirit has for them.

Nothing delights me more. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says:

"Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all."

God has given me certain gifts, and he has given them certain gifts. All are for "the profit of all."

I'm not sure why I wrote this newsletter other than I felt compelled to, but in light of it, I do want to encourage you to find your own gifts by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But not only your own gifts, but the "kind of service" that the Lord would have you in.

Spiritual gifts and a spiritual service to God, the people of God, and to the world are something God has for everyone. I know of a couple people whose gift of hospitality doesn't seem like a spiritual gift to them. I also know that their amazing hospitality, and the love it conveys, is refreshing for the saints and draws those who do not know Jesus towards him, especially those who have been previously hurt by Christians or by a church.