– Eagerly Desire Gifts Of The Spirit
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Corinthians 14:1-25 and Psalm 143 (NIV)
(Stanley Loh, Zone Core Team, SGM)
READ:
1 Corinthians 14:1-5.
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Psalm 143:10
10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
OBSERVE:
What is the function and purpose of gifts, in particular speaking in tongues and prophesying?
Gifts of the tongue are to connect with God while prophecies are to strengthen, encourage and comfort people.
In Genesis 3:9-10 it is clear that Adam and Eve were communicating with God.
In Genesis 11:1,5-7, the world had one language then. But men’s intention to build a tower that reached heaven was not aligned with God’s plan and will. So God confused their language; they were scattered, lost the ability to communicate with one another and could not continue with their plans.
In Acts 2: 1-8, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit to enable us to speak in different languages. This enabled us to witness for Him even to the remotest parts of the world.
APPLY:
Reading those verses again, I am drawn to 1 Corinthians 14:1. ”Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit”.
My devotion is not about the ranking of the importance of each gift. I desire gifts that the Spirit deems appropriate for me for God’s glory.
When we confess our sins and accept Jesus, He will come into our hearts. When we allow the Spirit into us, we will receive gifts. But like the talents in the parables in Matthew 25, if we do not use the gifts at all or in the manner intended, opportunities to make use of our gifts will be removed.
But if we allow ourselves to be conduits of God’s love we can be like the 1st century believers. Be it tongues, prophecy or other gifts, we are to be channels of God’s love.
DO:
I want to be reminded of the purpose of gifts from the Holy Spirit. I have to seek and affirm the gifts that are bestowed and use them for God’s purposes. And I pray that I keep desiring them for the right reason.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
