'Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even
more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who
speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be
built up.' 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (ESV)
I
was recently challenged to remove old wallpaper in a house that we are
restoring. It is strippable they say. So with steamer in one hand and
putty knife in the other I climbed the ladder. I descended the ladder.
And again and again. Climbing and descending a hundred times that day,
with handfuls of complete strips and piles and piles of the tiny
residues of the past that would not budge without a fight. Paper covers
up so many sins of the past. It has got to go! Sadly, it was a battle
against paper and glue and all fought with only weapons of the mind,
muscles and steam. Gladly, it did bring its intended results.
Results?
For me it was so many sore muscles. Sore muscles and sore knees. Sore
knees and two large garbage bags of 1980s floral print of pretty little
pink flowers. Sins of the past? Defeated. Did I tell you that I have
amazing grandsons? So inappropriate for future all-boy stay-overs. That
which remains is only the sheet rock and all the notes that the sheet
rock hangers and finishers had left for those that were to come after.
Those
that were to come after? That's me! Those notes they left me? Funny and
concise. Meant only for one certain audience and set of eyes. Telling
me where I am to go; north, south, east and west. Telling me what the
builder (the one reading the blueprint set of plans) had intended. Paint
here, varnish there, wallpaper everywhere. Arrows. Light switch here,
power outlet there. Arrows pointing up and arrows pointing down. Arrows
pointing right and arrows pointing left. So many directions and yet...I
plan to paint. Light mint. Past meets present.
I
am living in the present 21st Century of good and bad feelings. So
isn't that a lot like the Word of God? It brings Good feelings. It
brings feelings of regret. But mostly, how it encourages, edifies and
directs me. I can see the signs of the times and analyze the message for
the day which may be bad and compare that message to how the stripping
wallpaper times that I am living in are just what He will use to get His
Good message and blueprint set of plans to me. Arrows and directions
from Him just for me! I am listening.
Good
messages are just what I need. What a Gift. Even now, how the Holy Word
of God directs me to desire His gifts. The Word directs me to pray in
the heavenly language. The Word of God directs me to be a prophet and
even more to use that gift to prophesy to others. The Word of God
directs me to allow God's Holy Spirit to move me and to use me to help
God edify others. Just as He encourages me, I am to be an encourager!
Encouragement
comes to us directly from God through His Word, His creation and the
prophets. His type of encouragement is Spiritual and is more than just a
kind word such as, 'have a nice day' or, 'you look good today'. Those
types of encouragement are nice, but He leads us to help build up the
Church in more powerful and take authority kind of heavenly ways. The
kind of ways that cause us to look up and that we need for the moment.
In
His Way, He directs us and teaches us. He exposes our sins and forces
us to deal with them. He uses us to speak for God Himself. We are to
speak the words that we hear directly from God with the Words He gives
us. We are to prophesy Words from Him of life, health and joy. So we
strip away at the things that hide us from the Truth of God. We pray for
the Gifts of God. We reject sin and receive Jesus as Lord.
Dear
Father. Thank you for your gifts of Tongues and Prophesy. Strip us of
the things that are not of You. Make us usable. Defeat our enemies.
Anoint us. Use us to edify the Church and to build up one another with
Words of Power and Truth. Lord have Your way in us.
We
pray this forty-forth day before the election and thank you that You
are in it. We hear your words of encouragement to us every day. We
believe that you are directing the paths of those that are fighting on
the front lines, give them wisdom and strength Lord, as we intend to do
our part at the ballot box. Thank you for the vision you gave our
Founding Fathers. Thank you the for the Holy Spirit that continues to
speak to us and through us and anoint us for Your Glory.
In Jesus's name we
pray. Amen.
Source: 'Drummingthemessagehome', September 20, 2019 post.
' not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.' Hebrews 10:25 (VOICE) Days of future trials are coming and yet are here. Last days. The day of His return approaches. No one knows the hour. So we are told to be even more diligent in our calling. We should be always watching, praying and bringing a word of encouragement to one another through the power of God. For what signs and wonders happen in the House of the Lord! Oh so amazing. The Miraculous. God provides the Fire. The battle is the Lords. We are told not to fret but only to enjoy the ride as we thank Him. So as I pray I want to thank you Lord. I am totally devoted to You. Equip me to preach the gospel. Now is the time and I will not forget my mission. As I arise I will not forget to put on my Full Armor of God. I will cling to your Bible. I am committed to carry it with me. I will hold it up as a sword in the town
‘What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.’ Isaiah 5:20. The Word of God really is like a light unto my feet, it illuminates my thoughts, it justifies my behaviors. The Word of God is good. The Word of God is good because it reveals the Truth. God is Truth. God warns those that light up the darkness in order to rebel against Him. Darkness is sin. And in darkness sin is used to cover up sin. Lies are told to justify the ungodly; bitter is sweet, dark is light, up is down. Woe to those that condone and therefore justify sin. God will deal with them justly. God is Holy. Justice will be served. And don't we see it being played out on the intellectual side? Being smart in the ways of the world might gain you some position of power and some stuff, but worldliness is lacking in righteousness and it will never prevail. There is nothing wrong with having nice things, bu
' Looking straight into their eyes, Jesus replied, “Humanly speaking, no one, because no one can save himself . But what seems impossible to you is never impossible to God!”' Matthew 19:26 (TPT) So if the poor deal with envy and the rich with pride, who then can get in? Who can be saved? None, except through the grace of God. Only God can save us. Only God can change the hearts and minds of men. Nothing is impossible to Him. Dear Father Thank you for loving us and sending us Your Son Jesus our Savior even while we were yet sinners. When we were sinners You pursued us and turned our hearts toward You. With just one look You could see into our souls. You knew what we needed. You did what needed to be done. You did the thing that seemed impossible to man. You perfected a Way for us to be reconciled to You and even with our sinful natures. You made converts out of us. It's nothing we could have done on our own without You. We could never doubt You. You cleaned us
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