Nspire4Today

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

(1 Corinthians 14:1).

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I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 this morning regarding love and continued reading into chapter 14.  In Chapter 14, Paul urges us to “pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts”, and especially the gift of prophesy (v. 1).  We will see that love is not listed as a spiritual gift but as the “more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31). 

Paul urges us to strive for the gift of prophecy above any other spiritual gift.  Some will deem speaking in tongues as the greatest indication of our faith in Christ, but Paul says otherwise.  Others claim prophecy is predicting the future, condemning others, or understanding the end times.  We like to think the role of Hebrew prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel was to condemn Israel for its sins.  While calling them to accountability for breaking their covenant with God was part of the prophetic ministry, the prophets ultimately sought to “build up” their people by “rejoicing in the truth” and “enduring all things” (1 Cor. 13:6-7).

Paul says one who prophecies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues.  Prophecy according to Paul is the greatest spiritual gift because it is directed to others for their “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” and “builds up the church” (1 Cor. 14:3-4). 

 Prophecy is directly connected to love.  Paul urges anyone who claims to be a prophet to acknowledge this (1 Cor. 14:37).  Whatever we do, let it be done in love for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:26).

 

Questions to Consider:

1. What is your spiritual gift.

2. How can you act out love through your spiritual gifts?

3. If you are a pastor/preacher, do you speak/prophesy in a such a way to “build up the church?”

 

 

 

Read: 1 Corinthians 12-14. 

-What do these chapters teach us about the connection between spiritual gifts and love?

 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:2)

In my sermon Sunday, I challenged the congregation to list 20 things they are thankful for.  Here is 11-20.

11.  The Church – which through its imperfections is the Kingdom of God on earth.

12.  Everyone who has supported, prayed for and guided me.

13. Past experiences –  which have made me the person I am today.

14. My voice – which enables me to speak.

15. Family – which is more than blood relation.

16. Those who think differently than myself – because their insight expands my mind.

17. Creation – Hopefully we don’t destroy it.

18. A Budget – It greatly reduces my anxiety about money.

19. The Goodness and Grace of God – see Psalm 118

20. Life – I’m so thankful I’m still alive.

What are you Thankful for?

In my sermon this past Sunday, I challenged the congregation to list 20 things they are thankful for; here are 10 things I’m thankful for with the other 10 coming later this week.

I’m thankful for:

1. God – who have me a hope and a future.

2. Jesus Christ – who saved me when I was lost.

3. The Holy Spirit – who advocates on my behalf.

4. My wife Elizabeth – who inspires me and is the love of my life.

5. For my son Elijah – who gives me overflowing joy.

6. For Rev. Nancy Hull and Charles Frye – who heard God’s call and gave me opportunities to succeed in life.

7. For Toastmasters International – which taught me the skills I needed to articulate clearly.

8. For Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – which taught me a Biblical understanding of money.

9.  The Bible – which tells the Story.

10. For Bluffton University – which taught me the way of non-violence and shaped the person I would become.

 

Stay tuned this week for next ten things I’m thankful for.

 

Blessings,

David.

Are you undignified in your praise of God?

I’ve been thinking about what it means to praise God.  Often we are restrictive in our praise.  We are hesitant, worrying what others may think if they see us lifting up our hands or letting loose in our worship of God.  We want to be dignified in our praise and worship. 

Our worship indicates the following sentiments;

“We can’t put our hands up in church, it causes too much excitement.”

“Church should be quiet and meditative, the Bible says so.”

“Let’s just keep one hand in our pocket, the other holding the hymnal and sing each verse in the same monotone voice.  Keep it simple and no one will get hurt.”

In other words, we are saying, “let’s be dignified, civilized people in church.”  

Worship has nothing to do with being dignified, it has to do with praising our creator and savior with heart, soul and strength.  Caution: worshiping God with heart, soul and strength may cause you to be undignified in church.

An Undignified King

In 2 Samuel 6 we read how David, the greatest king of Israel undignified himself in praise of God.  David is leading the procession as the ark of the covenant is finally coming to Jerusalem.  David, without hesitation or concern what others might think danced up and down the streets of Jerusalem exposing parts of his body unbecoming royalty.  In short, King David exposed himself before the people.  His wife Michal put it best; “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”  (v. 20).

David, not ashamed of given praise to God; replied to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. ²² I will become even more undignified than this (v. 21-22a).  

David justified his praise before the Lord.  He was not concerned with appearance or what others might think.  He was not concerned with dignity.  His worship was not quiet or meditative, much to the chagrin of his wife.  David was not afraid to get loud and boisterous in church.  King David praised God with his heart, soul and strength, with undignified praise.

Will you give God undignified praise?