1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but
rather that ye may prophesy.
1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Follow after charity, pursue love, run after love, let love be your highest
goal! Everything is to be done in love and the gifts of the spirit are motivated
by love. The Spirit works in us to do the will of God as servants who love the
Lord and through the power and grace of God we love others through our gifts.
The greatest gift is the gift of prophecy, hearing from God and speaking from
God. Prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort.
Many are hurting and need someone to care. Prophesying often sounds personal and
for the hearer. God speaks a word and the message is delivered. God is love, so
his word comes from the maker, the creator and the source of love. Often people
just want to receive comfort, but in their seeking for comfort they can block
the word of God by their critical and suspicious attitude. No one who reads this
has that attitude, but many do. They seek to suck the life out of others and
then they are suspicious and critical in their need. They need to back off and
let God minister to them personally. Sometimes the Lord will send someone to
edify, to build up and to strengthen. To be built up we need to hear from God
and remove the hindrances to be able to receive a message. The one hearing
should hear with understanding, not to argue or to accuse, but with a humble
heart. Many have been hurt and do not trust people, but if they refuse to hear
God through prayer and Bible reading, often they will not hear from someone sent
to edify them. We are to be ready to hear from God not to be having a pity
party. Worse yet there are those who never read the Bible who will follow anyone
without having spiritual discernment. We must have discernment in this time of
deception.
I tend to look for solutions to problems. Exhortation from God is for
instruction, encouragement or correction. Encouragement is one of the most
needed gifts. Often the encourager needs encouragement too. Do not forget to
encourage the one who gives out words of encouragement. We are to encourage our
self in the LORD as did King David. Encouragement requires seeking to hear from
the LORD and then doing what we hear to do. If we know to do something, then we
are required to follow in obedience. Seek to love others by speaking God's word
to build up, not to tear down. Lord help me to speak your word as directed by
the Holy Spirit.
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