'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.
' I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.' 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT) Jesus is the way. In Him there is no misdirection. In Him there is no misguidance. I am thankful that He stays close to me and never leaves my side. He takes me to the limits of myself. In Him do I trust....
' But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.' 1 John 4:3 (NLT) The war between heaven and hell is real. Adam and Eve lived with God in Paradise. The devil is in the details. He is here. Where he tries to take me is nothing short of hell. He will not acknowledge the truth and tries to suppress it for his own gain. He is not from God for he exhibits the spirit of fear, envy and jealousy. He is deceptive and He is evil. He is darkness and there is nothing good in him. The spirit of the Antichrist is out to kill, steal and destroy. He is headed to hell for eternity and would like to take as many of us with him as possible. Therein lies the rub. Listen and do what my flesh tells me to do, for a moment of pleasure. Listen and do what the Spirit tells me to do for a moment of denia...
' A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.' Luke 1:39-40 (NLT) Whenever you've got it and you know that you do, it's just too hard to contain it. That is why it is so important for women who have been filled with the Holy Ghost to communicate with one another on a regular basis. Think of the possibilities. Think of the sharing and the caring that would go on. Think of the potential ministries that would be developed and birthed. Sinners, yet under grace and saved! That's reason to rejoice. That's cause to celebrate! That's just what these two women did. Rejoice! Many months of moments filled with laughter. Many discussions about their concerns for one another and their future. Many times that they shared their most intimate and deepest thoughts with one another. Praying and singing. Praising and worshiping. Hoping and caring. Trusting and beli...
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