The Daily Dose

Firstfruit

But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

The firstfruits.  It is the first produce of a crop each harvest season.  Proverbs instructs us that we are to honor God with the firstfruit of all our increase.  It means we give our first and best to God.

I imagine what it was like when people actually gave their produce from an agricultural harvest.  It would be the beginning of each harvest season, when the first of the crop is ready to be gathered in.  People would watch and eagerly wait for the firstfruits to be ready to bring in and then, after it was collected, it would be offered to God as the firstfruits offering.  The first and best offering of the season.  Of course, they tithed on everything that came in after that, but the first fruit was the most anticipated because they were ready and watching for that crop to be fully ripened for the first pickings.  Not for themselves, but for God!

I can relate to this on a small level, having a small garden of my own.  After it is planted each spring, we carefully watch over and tend to the needs of that vegetation.  Then we watch as it begins to grow and ripen until completion.  It is quite a process.  By the time it is finally ready, we are too.  We are excited when the first is ready to be picked and look forward to when we can actually eat from our garden and enjoy it for the rest of the season.

Today we are talking about Jesus being the firstfruit raised up from the dead.  If you imagine that He was placed in the ground and raised up, like a harvest growing to full maturity until God His Father brought Him out of the grave.  He was the first “seed” that produced and entire crop of people who would be raised up with Him in salvation.  His sacrifice was an offering to God, but His resurrection became the firstfruit that brought in the greatest harvest of all time, the family of God!  Not to be consumed, but to be an offering to the world. 

Jesus’ sacrifice was the greatest offering to God for our sin, but His resurrection was the greatest gift to us from God for new life.  Now we are God’s greatest gift to the world to gather in the family He sent Jesus to rescue from the clutches of hell.

Today I want to encourage you to reap your harvest of salvation.  If you have never received God’s first and best for you, receive it today in His salvation through Christ Jesus.  Pray this prayer or something like it and invite Jesus into your life:

Pray:  God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me from my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him form the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

The resurrection

_{If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 1 Corinthians 15:19}

Do you believe in the resurrection?  This is a pretty easy question to answer if you are a believer in Christ Jesus, but I am asking you to consider your resurrection?  Yes, we believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried in a tomb and resurrected from the dead after 3 days, but do you believe you and all others will be resurrected after you die?

I think about movies where someone comes back from the dead.  It always seems to surprise me, which is why I am asking my self this question.  Yes, I know the movie isn’t real, just some fictitious story that Hollywood made up, but if I find it so surprising in the world of make believe, how can I be sure that I really believe in my heart that we will be resurrected when Jesus comes?

Today’s reading is about the resurrection.  Not just the resurrection of Jesus, but the resurrection of the saints.  Paul says if we don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus, then our life is meaningless beyond this world.  When we die and those who have already passed have perished or just fade away.  Paul concludes that if we don’t believe that we will be resurrected, we are like all who do not believe that are most pitiable.  Which means should be pitied or pathetic.

My conclusion is that I will now believe and not be surprised or skeptical when it happens.  God raised Jesus up and He is able to raise up the entire body of believers on that day.  I actually look forward to that day, now.  Of course, my hope is that I will not have to be resurrected, but I will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. (see vs. 52)  but until that day comes, I will believe that I will live out the full number of my days, the days He numbered for me and then when He raised up the believers that have gone on ahead, I will be raised up and glorified with them.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the resurrection of the saints who have gone on before us.  No doubt, we all know some that have already passed.  Will we see the day that they will be resurrected and receive their glorified body and are we looking for that day to come.  Decide that you will not be like those who are most pitiable.  Solidify you faith in the resurrection and that you are living today for the benefits of tomorrow resurrected life.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

No more excuses

^{But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10}

I think we as believers get the wrong impression of the apostle Paul sometimes.  It is often said that he was the one who wrote 2/3rds of the New Testament.  He was the one that preached the good news to the known world at that time.  Paul did signs and wonders through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He pushed through an innumerable number of afflictions, trials and setbacks.  Acts 19:12 even says that people brought handkerchiefs and aprons for Paul to touch to take to their sick, diseased and people with evil spirits to heal and deliver them.

Yes, we have a pretty high opinion of him and rightly so, but our thoughts about the apostle Paul should in no way be compared to the ministry we are called to.  Sure, we will probably never have to go to the extents that he did by being arrested and taken to the leader of the world for trial, but we have the same Holy Spirit that Paul had and the same grace of God.

Take a look at what Paul said about himself in today’s test.

1. Someone born at the wrong time
2. The least of the apostles
3. Not worthy to be called an apostle because of his past
4. I am what I am (it is what it is)
5. Worked harder than anyone

These objections sound like many of the excuses you can hear today from people who are unwilling to pursue the call of God on their life.  They say things like: “I shouldn’t be here, I’m at the wrong place at the wrong time.” Or “I am just one person, what can I do.  God can’t use me because of have too much sin in my past.”  Even, “This is as good as it gets and there is nothing more.  I would have to work harder than anyone to get God’s blessing on my life.”

The truth is, it doesn’t matter when or where you were born or how small or great in importance you think you are.  It’s not about being worthy of a title or even the sin in your past.  You are not limited by what your surroundings and circumstances are today or how hard or not you are working.  It is all about God’s grace on you to get His mission accomplished.  God’s grace is big enough to overcome any objection and with the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction, you have the power to make a difference in your home, neighborhood, community and the world around you.

Today I want to encourage you to stop making excuses.  Don’t let your thoughts lie to you about who you are now that you have met the Savior and have a loving heavenly Father.  Take authority over the lies of your enemy and tell those lies who you are now that you are in Christ Jesus.  You are redeemed, you are righteous and you are a witness of the goodness and grace of God to others!  Don’t let that list of un-qualifications slow you down, there is something greater than those limiting qualities and that is the grace of God that you received in His salvation!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Invite Him in

Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Here is the key to spiritual gifts.  They are to be used for edification and building others up.  They are not to draw attention to yourself, and they are not to make you famous or popular.  They are for reaching the world.

When Jesus was about to leave this world, He told His disciples to go into all the world and reach all people.  Essentially, He was saying:  I paid the price for all people for all time and now I want you to go out there in the world and rescue them all.  He didn’t stop there either.  He also said:  Before you go, wait in Jerusalem until you receive the promise of the Father to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and His power.  He will be here in just a few days.  He went on to say: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you to be my witnesses all over the entire world.  The Holy Spirit will be with you until the end of the age. (Not until the end of their lives. See Acts 1)

That is the reason for the instruction about the Holy Spirits gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14.  How different would our world be if Christian people were the solution to the problems people face.  Yes, we invite people to church and hope they will experience God there, but isn’t there something else we can do besides bring them to a service?

The answer is yes!  We can be a voice of encouragement and edification.  Start looking around you and notice when there are hurting people close by.  Let them know there is a solution, and it is salvation in Jesus.  Then let them know there is power to overcome through the Holy Spirit.  Power to stand in adversity, power over every oppression, power against affliction and power to overcome every obstacle.

Start by praying for others before you even encounter them.  Pray for opportunities, pray for boldness to love others and pray for wisdom to reach them.  Also, pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be evident to draw people into the Kingdom of heaven and to our loving heavenly Father. 

Lastly, walk with people.  After you bring them into salvation, bring them into community.  Connect them with others that can show them how to walk closely to their Savior in faith and don’t let them slip back into a world that wants to devour them the first chance it gets.

Today I want to encourage you to let all things be done for edification.  If you have never received the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, do it today.  You can do this the same way you received your salvation, by faith.  Just invite the Holy Spirit to come in and welcome Him to lead, instruct and comfort you in every area of life.  Let Him know you are available for Him to move through to reach the world around you and ask for Him to give you the boldness to be His vessel.  The Holy Spirit will not possess a person like evil does, He will only act if He is invited and surrendered too.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 14

The God kind of love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

I have always thought that this chapter in 1 Corinthians was a description of how love should be in a marriage. Like this was a template of the way a husband should love his wife and vise versa. However, since this chapter falls right between chapters 12 and 14 that are both about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and since it starts out talking about the gifts, I have now come to realize that it is about operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit with the love of God.  This great love chapter is the instructions of how we are to love all people, not just our spouse.

It starts with: If you can speak in the language of people and of angels but you do it without love, you just sound like a lot of noise.  It goes on to say that even if you have the gifts of prophecy, knowledge and faith but do not display them with love, you have nothing.  Those gifts are worth nothing in eternity.

Love is the key to operating by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This goes along with what was mentioned yesterday that you can desire the best gifts, but truly operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit only matters if it is done with love.  It makes sense too.  Since God is love, surly everything He does is motivated by love.  Not a human temporal love, it is by God’s eternal, perfect and unconditional love.  If God’s love is our motivation in all things, toward all people, then we can expect that the Holy Spirit of God/love will flow through us.

Below is a list of what love is according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Wow!  That truly is perfect love.

Today I want to encourage you to study this list of things that will improve your love walk.  Don’t hold back your love to only give it to those who are deserving.  The truth is none are deserving, we only hold a higher standard of love for those closest to us.  Drop your guard and decide that you are going to love all people with the God kind of love.  The only thing it will cost you is your pride, and that’s a good thing.  Of course, you will not get it perfectly, but that’s ok.  Just get back out there and do it again.  It is a practice and as you practice loving all people, your daily practice will make impactful progress.  So go ahead and get rid of your pride, humble yourself by practicing loving like God loves.  It will not only make a difference in the lives of those around you, it will change your life too!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13

The best gifts

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31

What are the best gifts.  Of course this is talking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but how do we know which gifts to desire.  Beyond that, is it even our place to decide which gift to use?  Well, this is one of those sentences with the understood subject of you, so if we put that in the phrase, it looks like it is up to us personally.  But, (you) earnestly desire the best gifts.  Below are three examples in scripture of choosing the best gift:

First, Acts 3:6 & 7 Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Peter and John saw the lame man at the gate Beautiful and knew that the best gift for that time was not silver or gold, but strength in the mans feet and ankle bones.

Again, in Acts 9:40 Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Here, Peter desired the best gift of raising Tabitha from the dead.  A total and complete healing.

Lastly, in Acts 16:18 it says: And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Paul recognized that the best gift in this situation was to cast that evil spirit out of the girl and set her free.

There is no record of the Holy Spirit telling them what to do or which gift to use.  They were able to identify by themselves the gift needed for the moment because of the circumstances surrounding them.  Of course, they were well prepared because they were earnestly desiring the best gifts at all times.  From these passages and many others, we can discern that the best gifts are the gift that is needed at the time.  Peter need healing, so he desired that gift to heal the lame man at the gate.  Paul needed discerning and casting out demons so he desired that gift from the Holy Spirit.

There is one instance when someone tried to buy the gifts and that did not go so well. (see Acts 8:14 – 25) These gifts of the Spirit can only come from earnestly desiring them from the Holy Spirit.  Not from any person.

Let’s talk about earnestly for a minute.  The definition of earnestly is pursuing with serious intensity.  I have to be honest with you and say, I don’t believe that I have ever pursued the gifts of the Holy Spirit with serious intensity, although I am learning to.  Of course the apostles were taught by Jesus personally, but even Jesus said:  “Whoever believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  John 14:12  So now we know that the works of the Holy Spirit are not limited to the apostles that walked with Jesus in the world.  He said who ever believes in Him will do these works.  He even went so far to say that those who believe in Me WILL do these works also.  It almost sound like a requirement.

So here is what I am encouraging you to do today:  Earnestly desire the best gifts!  It is not unscriptural.  It is not ungodly and it is not wrong.  In fact, it’s a command.  You earnestly desire the best gifts and then you will see a more excellent way.  Pray to your Father in heaven and ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to flow in your life so that you can change the world around you and bring others to Him. Begin to earnestly desire the best gifts and believe that the Holy Spirit wants to work with you to accomplish your mission here in this world. Only then will you see a more excellent way.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Differences

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?”   1 Corinthians 12:17

Today I want to talk about differences.  Criticism can stem from the frustration of people doing things differently than others.  Because you are different than I am, you see things differently than I see them.  Therefore, you have another perspective and get things accomplished in your own way.  Neither of us may be wrong, we are just different.  Let me give you an example of what I mean. 

I see many people at my place of employment that become frustrated with the supervisors because management must look at the big picture while the employee is focused on their own position’s benefits.  So, when the boss doesn’t see things from the employee point of view the employee begins to complain and criticize the way things are handled and think they could do their boss’ job better.

In the same way, it is easy to become frustrated with people doing things differently than you would like them done.  This is often seen in close relationships and even marriages.  Your closest friends can be the most frustrating at times because they just do things differently than you would do them.

I believe we can learn some about this from today’s scripture.  God made us all to have a different perspective and there are some very good reasons why. 

1. If we didn’t have diverse points of view, we would all see things the same way which would cause us to do things all the same, resulting in a very boring world.

2. He designed us with differences, so we have to work together and learn from one another to accomplish things. 

3. He gave us a variety of gifts and abilities to complement each other and in the case of most marriages, we balance each other out. 

Where one person is weak, the other is strong in that area and vice versa.  Also, bringing two perspectives or ideas together can translate into a third possibility and better solution.  That’s what becomes the most frustrating.  If you are anything like me, you would rather just get the job done your way, but that is not the way God wants us to be.  He wants us to meet, commune, and brainstorm with each other often.  He made us different so we could all contribute in a different way to get the job done the best way possible.  The results are far superior because of all the unique contributions.

Today, I want to encourage you to see things in a different light than you have in the past.  Notice how those around you are doing things differently than you do, then ask yourself, is it really a bad thing?  Maybe there is a reason they are doing it that way.  Is there any potential for something beyond me if our two ideas come together?  Can there be a third and better option if the two ideas meet?  Recognize that God has you connected with the people around you to strengthen you and to make a better version of all involved.  Then begin to thank God for all the diverseness in the world and that life is more interesting with other perspectives in it.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

The language of heaven                                                                                                

To another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:10

Here it is:  The most controversial of the gifts of the Holy Sprit!  Today I am going to write about the last two of the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in this passage because they go together.  Different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues.  First of all let’s define tongues:  Tongues is the language of heaven, given supernaturally to God’s people through the Holy Spirit.

Since this is such a disputed topic, I am going to stick to the scripture as closely as possible and leave out my personal feelings on this subject.  God’s word says plenty about tongues so it is best to just listen to what He wants us to know about it. 

I want to start where the gift of tongues was first given in Acts chapter 2.  On the day of Pentecost, many of Jesus’  disciples were in the upper room waiting for the promised Holy Spirit to come.  Jesus told them to wait there for the Holy Spirit and His power.  He didn’t tell them how they would recognize the Holy Spirit and I’m sure after a few days they began to wonder.  However, when the Holy Spirit showed up, there was no questions anymore.  They knew exactly what was happening as it was happening.

Here is what the passage says:

• When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

The first Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance.  While in the upper room, I will make note that they had no interpreter or interpretation at that time.  It wasn’t until they went out on the streets that people began to hear them speaking in their own earthly languages and proclaiming the gospel.

• And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”   Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2:5-13

They even had mockers back then.  So when Jesus’ followers came out on the street, a supernatural thing happened.  All the people around could understand them in their own language, yet there were still some that were mocking, obviously not understanding what was happening.

After the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the disciples were filled and spoke with tongues again in Acts 4:31 when they all prayed for boldness to speak God’s word. All through the book of Acts, we see various times where the disciples spoke or prayed in a heavenly language.

Now in 1 Corinthians, we find the first teaching on tongues.  Up until this time, the gift of tongues was being used regularly, but some didn’t even know how to use it.  This is why Paul began to teach the church at Corinth what tongues was all about.  In chapter 14, Paul unpacks it for everyone to understand.  In verse 2 he says whoever speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God because no person understand him. However, in the spirit that person is speaking mysteries.  Paul says praying in tongues is for speaking to God in His language not to people.  Certainly this requires the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit.

In verse 4 of chapter 14 Paul says whoever speaks in a tongue edifies or builds himself up.  I know we all have times when we need some building up.  It makes sense that God provided a supernatural way for us to recharge when we get depleted.  In verse 5, (this is simply amazing) Paul flat out says:  I wish you all spoke with tongues.  He qualifies it by saying it is a thing you do in your personal time, not in the church unless someone is going to interpret.  So here is the reason for interpretation of tongues.  In a group of people, you are to speak with your understanding or else a tongue is unprofitable to the hearer. Others cannot understand it.

Lastly, in 1 Corinthians 14:18, Paul says he is so thankful that he speaks with tongues more than any of them, but in church he would rather just speak a few words that others could understand.  Then in verses 20-21 He brings in an Old Testament prophecy about tongues:

• Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.

As I write this, I am overwhelmed with the amount of scripture there is about the gift of God’s heavenly language.  From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament church this gift has been widely proclaimed and sought after.  The only scripture I have ever heard that debates this gift of tongues is in chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians.  The only problem is that the dilemma of tongues passing away is right in the middle of a verse that ends with knowledge will vanish away and that hasn’t happened yet, either.  I know I have barely scratched the surface on this subject, but given the amount of scripture that supports this gift, I believe it is for believers today and that it is a great benefit in the faith walk. The Holy Spirit wants to show us things to come (John 16:13) and pray God’s perfect will through us (Romans 8:26-27).

Here’s my encouragement for today.  Talk to God about this gift from His very own Spirit.  Ask Him if it is for you today?  Ask Him to make it plain and clear to you and that you would have no more doubt about what is right.  Then put away all your pre-conceived ideas about this gift and open your heart to whatever the Holy Spirit of God wants to show you.  They are working together and they want the best for you!  The last thought I want to leave you with today is:  There are going to be times in life when you will need all that God has for you!  Fill up with His Spirit and receive all the gifts He wants to fill your life with.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 11:9-13

• “So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Discerning of spirits

To another discerning of spirits.  1 Corinthians 12:10

The Holy Spirit’s gift of discerning spirits is defined as being made aware of the presence of a demonic spirit.  I have heard people say in the past that they had the gift of discernment, but there is no gift of discernment.  It is the gift of discerning of spirits.  Claiming to have the gift of discernment usually meant that they were good at criticizing and judging others.

Discerning of spirits is critical because it is vital to know the spirit behind the voices you hear each day.  In Acts 16, Paul and his team were being followed around by a girl that was saying “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim the way of salvation.”  She wasn’t wrong.  What that demonic spirit was saying through her was actually true, but after it went on for many days, Paul finally turned to her and commanded the demon to come out of her, and it left.  The reason he discerned that evil spirit and called it out was for two reasons.  First, it was to set that young girl free.  The second reason was for the ministry.  The people of that region knew that girl was a slave to fortune telling and Paul did not want their ministry to be validated by her and look like she was working with them. 

Jesus worked through discerning of spirits many times during His ministry.  He even told the religious leaders of the day that they were of their father the devil in John 8.  Even though they were the leaders of the people of Israel, Jesus could tell that the spirit behind their teaching was not from God.  He said “I desire mercy over sacrifice.”  He also told James and John that they did not know what spirit they were of when they wanted to call down fire from heaven on sinful people. (see Luke 9)  He told them that He did not come to destroy men but to save them.

Even though people may look like they are spiritual, as in the case of the religious leaders and the disciples, it is still important to be able to discern the spirit behind their voice.  Mostly, you can discern a wrong spirit when words do not line up with the Word of God.  In the case of James and John, they were actually with Jesus and part of His ministry team, yet they still took on a worldly spirit when the pressure was on. 

Today I want to encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to discern Him from the evil spirits in this world.  Ask for the wisdom to see the forces of evil that try to stir up discord and trouble everywhere they are.  Stand against the spirits of darkness each morning and resists them as you go on your way.  Lastly, refuse to be pushed into taking on their ways of pride, arrogance, evil thinking and hate for others.  Instead, turn your heart to God and take on His way of loving others because God’s love will push the evil away, every time.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:51-56

Prophecy

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy.  1 Corinthians 12:10

The Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy is a message of encouragement through one person to another person.  The purpose of this gift is to minister and encourage others.  Many people think that the gift of prophecy is for being a prophet.  That you receive revelation about coming events or future occurrences and proclaim warnings to those the message affects, like the old testament prophets did.

1 Corinthians 14:3 says that he who prophesies speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to people. In 1 Corinthians 14:31 it says that everyone can prophesy so that all can learn and be encouraged.   This gift is for encouraging people.  We all have those moments when someone randomly comes to our thoughts, but what do we do when that happens.  In the past I have taking those opportunities to pray for that individual, but now I recognize that the Holy Spirit is “tapping me on the shoulder” so to speak, to not only pray for them, but to also encourage them.  In the times we live in, it is easier than ever to get a message to inspirer and build up a friend.  We have email, text, phone calls, social media and various methods of reaching out.  Begin to recognize those times and pause for a minute to connect with someone that needs to hear some good news. 

Lastly, I want to talk about encouraging vs. discouraging.  Encouraging words are simply words that put courage into another person.  When you edify and build others up, you are actually putting courage into them.  They begin to believe their life has purpose and they can start to have faith to take steps in a direction that leads them into all God has planned for their lives.  In contrast, when you speak words of discouragement, you are taking courage out of someone.  Your words to others are so important that you can actually be paralyzing others from taking action to change their circumstances.  Consider this when you want to motivate people to grow in their walk with God.

Today I want to encourage you to prophesy over others.  Be a voice of encouragement to all those around you.  When you see others who are struggling to get things right in life, take some time to pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit for a word of encouragement to give that will propel them forward in life.  It can be easy to see other people’s problems and then criticize and complain that they brought it on themselves.  The most helpful thing to do is to pray and prophecy over them.  Ask God to show you that person as He sees them and then tell the person with the issue that there is greatness inside of them just waiting to get out!

Today’s scripture reading:  Acts 27:13-26