After you have attained to some spiritual maturity, you will recognize the value of having certain spiritual gifts. DESIRE the gifts of the Spirit! Among all the spiritual gifts to be had, Paul urges us to desire to prophesy! Yes, prophesy! This does not necessarily mean you will predict some future event. Maybe you will, but prophecy also includes inspired words of edification, exhortation and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:1 - "Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. ...he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. ...he that prophesieth edifieth the church." PRINCIPAL - "Witnesses Of The Resurrection" Jesus' resurrection is one of the best-corroborated facts in ancient history. Peter saw Him, then all the disciples. 500 saw him at once (most of whom were alive in Paul's day). James, the Apostles and others saw Him again. "Last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also, as of one born out of due time." "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ...and we are found false witnesses of God." 1 Corinthians 15:20 - "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." PRINCIPLE - "Prophecies Fail, Tongues Cease, Knowledge Vanishes" Theologians call it "Cessationism," - that God no longer uses prophecies or speaking in tongues because of 1 Corinthians 13:8. If their argument was valid, there would be no knowledge in the world today, either. Paul was showing that people sometimes prophesy inaccurately. Sometimes they fail to speak in tongues, and sometimes knowledge is elusive. Nevertheless, Paul commanded, "covet to prophesy" and URGED speaking in tongues! 1 Corinthians 13:8-9 - "Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part." PROPHECY - "The Gift Of Prophecy" Among all the peoples and nations on earth, NONE have manifest the prophetic acumen and accuracy of the Old Testament prophets of Israel. That is because Jehovah God moved upon them by His Spirit. Now, the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, and that Spirit moves inside the Church. As Ananias and Agabus prophesied over Paul, God often prompts Spirit-filled believers to declare or decree things unseen or unknowable in advance. Mind you, God HATES false prophets. Do not play games with this gift. If in doubt, remain silent. 1 Corinthians 12:10 - "To another prophecy." |
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 |
 |
Notice that this scripture instructs us to give thanks in all things, not for all things. When tragedy or temptation strikes, we are not to thank God for them. He is not their author. He's the One who provides our way of escape from them. And that's what we're to thank Him for. If you read the four Gospels, you'll find that Jesus never gave thanks for sickness or death. Instead, when He encountered them, His response was to overcome them by God's power. So give thanks as Jesus gave thanks—not for Satan's activities but for the victory God has given you over them. |
Amen!
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Monica