Preferring To Prophesy -- March 29, 2009

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts,
but especially that you may prophesy."
1 Corinthians 14:1NKJV

Of course we all recognize the need for God’s Church to seek the most loving ways to deal with each other and those outside the Church. But that leads my mind to other questions. Why is Paul so insistent that the Church prophesy? Why is he so sure that prophecy edifies men? I think we have to look to the final book in our Bible to find the answer to that question.

In Revelation 19 John sees the hosts of heaven worshipping God as they prepare to return to Earth for the victory of Jesus here. As the angel that is guiding him pronouncing a blessing on those who are called to the marriage of the Lamb, John falls down to worship him. The angel responds, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

I believe the Holy Spirit wants us to prophesy because that is testifying about Jesus and when done properly it does lift me. It builds them up so they can be closer to God. It stirs them up so they will move closer to Him and it comforts them so they can see Him more clearly in the pain of life. Along with Paul and the Holy Spirit, let me encourage you to be loving people who want to minister the spiritual gifts to those around us; especially prophecy. Find ways to bring your testimony into the conversation in a manner that those around you are lifted to God, motivated to seek Him, and less distracted by life’s difficulties, able to see Him better.

Pursuing Love and Others for Him,

Pastor Jason