NT: “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭CSB)

As Paul closed out his letter of correction and encouragement to the Corinthian church, he gave them this final exhortation. The same words that Paul gave the 1st century Corinthian church should also resonate in and exhort all of us who are a part of the 21st century church.

Firstly, Paul charged the church to “Be alert.” The word for “be alert” in the Greek means to give strict attention to, to be actively cautious, to stay awake and vigilantly watchful. The kingdom of God has three main enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. Those three enemies are always working from within and without to make inroads into the church to distract, discourage, bring disunity, disqualify and ultimately destroy the people of God. We cannot afford to grow passive and tolerant of behaviors and attitudes that are ultimately out to destroy our witness and effectiveness. We need to be vigilant as we keep watch over our individual lives, our families and our church communities.

Next, Paul exhorted the church to “stand firm in the faith.” Stand firm means to persevere, persist and remain standing in the faith that we have in Christ – faith in who Christ is, faith in what Christ accomplished for us, and faith in who Christ has made us to be in Him. How do we become steadfast instead of unstable? By honoring, studying, pursuing, applying and obeying the word, will and ways of the Lord.

Then Paul challenged the church to be courageous and strong. The Greek word for courageous actually means to act like a man. In our culture, that phrase probably brings up a lot of negative feelings in many. What Paul meant by using that word is to not childishly run away from frightening and challenging circumstances, but to maturely face frightening and challenging things and do what needs to be done – even if it means sacrificing your comfort, your preferences, or even your life. The Greek word for “be strong” means to increase in strength. We need to endeavor to always be growing in strength… always exercising our faith – that when the time comes, we will be able do what is right and needed as we face challenging things in faith – not giving in, giving up, or running away.

Finally, Paul conditioned everything by saying that we are to do everything in love – agape. Agape is an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of another person, no matter what the other person does. It is a self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return. Agape is the love that God shows us and calls us to show to others. And because it is the love of God, the only way that we can walk in that love is to be graced with that love. In our alertness and vigilance, in our steadfast faith, in our courage and strength – we must wrap all of that in the self-less, others-seeking sacrificial love of God, otherwise we risk becoming insensitive dogmatists that drive people away from God instead of welcoming people into a life with God.

Prayer: Lord, I know that in this world, there is no neutral ground. The world, the flesh and the devil do not take a respite from their attempts to disqualify and neutralize me. Because of that, I must always be vigilant… always be seeking to build up my faith, that in all things I will be able to stand and do what is needed. Yet, I must also do everything in self-giving, others-focused, unconditional love. I know that I cannot do any or all of that on my own. The only way to do all of that is to remain submitted to you and filled with the Holy Spirit. So – fill me afresh and lead me in You ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms: “How happy is anyone who has put his trust in the Lord and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies! …You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; you open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering. Then I said, “See, I have come; in the scroll it is written about me. I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.” I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed — as you know, Lord. I did not hide your righteousness in my heart; I spoke about your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal your constant love and truth from the great assembly.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40:4, 6-10‬ ‭CSB)

A recurring word throughout the psalms is the word delight, which is translated from the Hebrew word chafets. Chafets, more than the English word delight, which means to take pleasure or enjoyment in something; means to be inclined toward, to cherish, and to love and desire something. One way I describe chafets is a primary pursuit and ultimate desire. David, through revelation from the Lord, said that sacrifice (the slaying of an innocent animal) and offering (the burning of that animal on the altar) was not God’s chafets for us. It was required for humanity to draw near to God, but it was not God’s ultimate desire. Using parallelism, David implied that God’s chefets for us was that we would chefets His will and instruction… and because that was God’s chafets for us, David made that his chefets… what he inclined his life toward… what he cherished… what he loved and desired… what he pursued before anything else. And David framed that by saying, “How happy (blessed) is anyone who places his complete trust in the Lord… who does not turn toward the ways of the proud, nor pursues idols (lies). In order that all in his kingdom may experience the same blessedness, he would not hide the Lord’s righteous ways and keep them to himself, but would declare them to all of God’s people.

The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews wrote that verses 6-8 ultimately spoke of Christ (Hebrews 10:5-9). Because God’s chafets for humanity was not sacrifice and offerings, God sent His Son to become our sacrifice and offering that we may be freed to chafets God’s will and instruction. Because Jesus came and truly chafets God’s will, He obeyed God the Father – even to the point of willingly laying down His life as our substitutionary sacrifice and fully offered His life in our place. Because Jesus chafets God’s will, we now, through faith in Christ, can fully chafets God’s will and instruction by grace through faith. Through our faith in Christ, we now can experience the blessing and happiness that David celebrated by primarily pursuing the kingdom of God, the righteousness of God, and the will of God. And because the Lord God doesn’t want anyone to miss out on the blessing that He has provided, He has called all redeemed saints to not hide the good news of righteousness and keep the gospel of the kingdom to themselves, but to proclaim it unashamedly to all who will hear.

Prayer: Lord, Your ultimate desire for me – what truly delights Your heart – is for me to submit myself completely to Your word, will and ways, and to make Your kingdom and righteousness my primary pursuit and ultimate desire. Lord Jesus, because You endured the cross through the delight You had in pursuing the Father’s will and the joy it would bring You to see me and all of humanity set free from sin, I now am able to fully delight in what truly delights Father God. Therefore, by the grace You give me through the faith I have in You – I too, make Your word, will and ways my inclination, my primary pursuit and ultimate desire. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:50-58‬ ‭CSB)

This is the hope that we have in Christ. As the hymnist wrote, not only do we have strength for today – we have bright hope for tomorrow. At the end of this age, Christ will return for his bride. He will give the signal to those heavenly trumpeters to sound the blasts to call His people home – and as that last trumpet blast sounds, all who died in Christ will be raised. Those still alive in Christ will be changed in a moment. All who placed their faith in Christ and remained in Christ will put off their corruptible and mortal body and be clothed with an incorruptible and immortal body that they may inherit the kingdom of God forever. This will be Christ’s final victory, were death is swallowed up, never to have power again. The life that we live now, though it is of eternal importance, is not our forever home. While we were saved by Christ in this life,  we were not ultimately saved for this life. We were saved for the incorruptible, immortal life to come.  While faith in Christ gives us grace for today, that grace through faith is that we may reach our eternal destination. That is why we forsake all for Christ. That is why we remain steadfast in our faith. That is why we remain faithful to Christ’s commission and excel in the Lord’s work. It is to be rid of sin and death for good, and to see others share in the same eternal victory. We live this life surrounded by the muck and mire of the world by grace through faith in Christ, that one day He will return and lift us up out of death, corruption and mortality to eternal life, incorruption and immortality. Thanks be to God who gives us this victory in Christ!

Psalms: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the Lord.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40:1-3‬ ‭CSB)

David said that he waited patiently for the Lord. The waiting that David described was not a passive waiting. It was an eager expectation full of hope. David had cried for help and knew without a shadow of a doubt that God would rescue him – and He did. David said that God descended to where he was, lifted him up out the pit of destruction where he was trapped… out of the clinging, sucking muck and mire, and set his feet high above on a safe, solid and steadfast rock. That is what Christ did for us. Not only did Christ descend to earth to where we are – He descended into hell where we were destined to go and took captivity captive, winning the keys of death, hell and the grave. When we place saving faith in Christ, He lifts us out of the pit of destruction, cleanses us of the muck and mire, and sets us on a solid foundation in Him. Christ doesn’t just do that once. In Christ, there is an ongoing upward call of God that takes us from glory to glory. As we maintain faith in Christ and faithfully obey His word, will and ways, He continues to take us to new heights, until ultimately we are called up to heaven with Him.

David said that when the Lord rescued him, he was filled with praise and was compelled to  sing out a new song testifying of what God had done for him. Christianity is a faith full of new songs born out of new victories, new things, new revelations, new heights that Christ blesses us with as we remain in Him. Even in Heaven, as we see in John’s Revelation of Christ – when Christ stepped victoriously on the scene, all of heaven burst out in a new song… and new songs continued to flow as God’s redemptive purposes through Christ were fulfilled… and they will continue to flow from the faithful redeemed in Christ for all of eternity. This is why we remain steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work. This is the full-of-hope eager expectation that we have in Christ through faith. Thanks be to God who gives us this victory in Christ!

Proverbs: “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is put out.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:9‬ ‭CSB)

Those who are declared and made righteous through faith in Christ shine brightly for eternity, that many may see and fear and trust in the Lord. Those who reject Christ and choose the path of wickedness will eventually have their lamp snuffed out. Thanks be to God who gives us this victory in Christ!

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You not only saved me for a liberated and grace-filled life, but You saved me for a glorious and eternal future with You. Help me, as I walk in the Spirit by grace through faith, to remain steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in Your work that You have called me to fulfill on earth – that I may live in the glorious future You have won for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms: “Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them. Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools… You discipline a person with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; yes, every human being is only a vapor. Selah Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am here with you as an alien, a temporary resident like all my ancestors. Turn your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭39:6-8, 11-13‬ ‭CSB)

Most of King David’s life was categorized as devoted to The Lord God, His plans and purposes. However, there were a few times in the Biblical record where David gave in to the trappings of this world. Most of the time, the spoils that David won in battle were dedicated to the Lord, but there was a time (during the capture of Rabbah in 2 Samuel 12) that David allowed the plundered crown to be placed on his own head instead of dedicated to God. It was also during that time that David pursued his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. Then, there was a time when David ordered an unrighteous census to stoke his ego. Each time David pursued the things of this world instead of the purposes of God, David was disciplined by the Lord. I wonder if Psalm 39 was written during one of those times of worldly indiscretion. From David’s writing, we can see that he had transgressed, and that his transgression had brought about painful discipline… and during his time of discipline, David came to realize the vanity of pursuing worldly things that eventually come to nothing – like a moth eating away at a wool garment. It was there in the midst of his pain-stoked awareness that David realized that the only meaningful substance of life came from waiting on and hoping in the Lord.

Jesus taught that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of seeking the things of this world. Jesus said that if we seek first the substantive things of the Kingdom – the things that moth and rust cannot destroy – the things that last forever, then the secondary things of this world that we need will be given to us. As David found out, if we instead seek first the secondary things of this world, we will lose the primary things of substance as well as the secondary things that eventually pass away. Our life here on earth is a vapor. This mortal existence that we inhabit is temporary. How much better it is to seek things of kingdom substance than worldly vanity.

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to become enamored by the pleasures and possessions of this world, and make those desires and dreams our primary pursuit. However, You teach me in Your word to be eternally minded – to pursue truly substantive things like the kingdom of God and righteousness. Lord, help me, as I live in this world, to not be of it – to not pursue secondary things which will pass away with time, but to pursue Your purposes while trusting You to provide all the earthly things that I need. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms: “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am. In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭39:4-5‬ ‭CSB)

When King David wrote this psalm, he was going through a challenging trial – so challenging that he was concerned that he would inadvertently say something in anger and frustration that would dishonor God. So, to keep from saying something he shouldn’t, David didn’t say anything at all… and it was wearing away at him. David was growing weary and worn out. In his weariness, he was reminded of how short and insignificant our lives on earth are. Compared to the span of time, our lives are but a blip – a small scratch on timeline that extends far beyond our gaze. And the span of time itself is but a blip within endless eternity.

We tend to put utmost importance on what we know and see. From our perspective, all we can see is the time we are living in now.  We tend to think that this time in history is the most significant time ever, and it is hard to see beyond our meager lives… so we put all our efforts into trying to enjoy what we can before we die. Americans, because of our relative prosperity in the world, tend to think of life as a spring break vacation – a time to party and indulge all of our senses, so we drop enormous amounts of resources to feed the desires of our flesh – all the while ignoring those in other areas of the world who live outside our periphery and beyond our line of sight. When challenges come and we can’t “enjoy” life any longer, and our indulgence turns into suffering, we can lose hope and try to find anything that will ease the pain and bring some sort of happiness to our existence.

There is, however, more to our existence than the years that we inhabit in our mortal bodies. For some, that is good news – for others, not so much. For those who have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ, this life is the worst we will experience. For those who have not placed saving faith in Jesus Christ, this life is they best they will ever experience. This life will eventually end – eternity will not. How we prioritize our life now sets us up for how we will spend eternity. Do we live our lives now with eternity in mind, or de we simply live for the moment? King David did not want to sacrifice his eternal standing for momentary satisfaction, and neither should we.

NT: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins… But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:13-14, 17, 20-26‬ ‭CSB)

Humanity was created and has a finite beginning. However, humanity was created to live eternally with God without end. Adam brought sin into humanity’s existence – and by subjecting humanity to sin, he also subjected humanity to a separation from Life – also known as death. Because mankind is eternal, there will come a time at the end of this age when all who have lived will be resurrected to face a final judgement. People will either be resurrected to eternal life with God, or they will be resurrected to face eternal separation from God who is the source of life and anything good. Resurrection is sure – Christ’s resurrection from the dead proved that. Christ was the firstfruits of those who will rise to eternal life with God. Just as Adam brought death to humanity, Christ brought the promise of a resurrection to eternal life to all who believe in Him. For those who are resurrected in Christ, they will spend eternity with God the Father and the Son – eternally separated from death, and living in the fullness of life. Those who are not resurrected in Christ will join death in eternal separation from life.

Prayer: Lord, Your word teaches that there is more to my existence than the sum of years that I live in my mortal body – however many years that may be. I thank You that through my saving faith in Your life, death and resurrection, I too will be raised to eternal life in You to be ever-present with God. Help me, by Your grace, to not merely live for this life, but to live with eternity in mind and store up treasures in heaven which cannot be destroyed. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:1-10a ‭CSB)

During Holy Week, my church went through a sermon series titled “The Gospel Is.” When describing what the gospel is, we use The Gospel Creed, written by Rice Brooks:

The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died – in our place. Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving He is the Son of God and offering the gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins to anyone who repents and believes in Him.

The Gospel Creed, by Rice Brooks

Paul also considered it important to review the gospel message with the Corinthian church. Resurrection from the dead was not a common or accepted belief among Greeks. When Paul was in Athens, he was scoffed at by the Athenian philosophers for his belief in resurrection. Perhaps, the cultural rejection and ridicule of resurrection was beginning to affect the faith of the Corinthian church. Paul reminded them that the gospel, which was and is the most important message among believers, includes both the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ did physically die for our sins. Once He died, He was actually buried in a sealed and protected tomb. On the third day, He verifiably rose from the dead and was physically seen by over 500 witnesses. Even Paul, who was not even a follower of Christ at the time and didn’t deserve to see Christ, witnessed the resurrected Christ on His way to Damascus – and he was not about to allow that opportunity to be wasted. He would declare and witness to the veracity of Christ’s resurrection to his dying day. Christ lived the life we should have lived. He died the death we should have died, paying for our sins. He was buried and most definitely rose again on the third day. It was because Christ actually rose again, that the Corinthians were able to stand as transformed believers. It is because Christ actually rose again that all believers in Him have been transformed and now live free from sin with new life… and it is because Christ actually rose from the dead that all believers in Him will rise at the end of this age to rule and reign with Him for eternity. As wonderful and good as the gospel message it, it only has power to save and transform those who believe all of the message. Do you believe? The word in Hebrew for believe is the same word from which we get the word “amen:” I believe, so let it be done according to Your word.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the gospel message that has power to save those who believe. I thank You that the gospel message had the power (and continues to have the power) to save me when I believed. To all that the gospel message proclaims and to all that Christ has provided for me, I say, In Jesus’ name – Amen!

NT: “What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything is to be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, there are to be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate. But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged. And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets, since God is not a God of disorder but of peace… So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything is to be done decently and in order.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:26-33a, 39-40‬ ‭CSB)

Paul gave two statements that summarized the lesson he was giving to the Corinthians: “Everything is to be done for building up” and “Everything is to be done decently and in order.” The main reason for the church to gather together was to be taught, encouraged and edified. If the gathering was chaotic and out of order, teaching, encouragement and edification could not happen. Apparently, the members of the Corinthian church were not attending church to build each other up – they were attending church to exhibit their “gifts.” Everyone wanted their time in the “spotlight” and the services were anything but orderly. Someone wanted to sing a song that was on their heart. Someone wanted to bring a teaching they thought the church “needed to hear.” Someone had a dream they wanted to share. Some were blurting out in unknown tongues, while others were competing with each other with their “prophetic insight.” In order to correct the free-for-all that Sunday gatherings had become, Paul reminded them that God was not a God of disorder, but of peace. At creation, the Holy Spirit was present to bring creation from chaos into order. The Holy Spirit does the same today.

Inviting the Holy Spirit into a service doesn’t indicate that things are going to become disorderly. It should actually result in the opposite. When everyone is humbly led by the Holy Spirit, everything flows smoothly, the overriding message is clear and edifying, and God is glorified through it all. One sentiment that is common in Charismatic churches is: “I can’t be responsible for what happens when the Holy Spirit takes over.” That sentiment actually runs contrary to Paul’s teaching in the word. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of peace and unity. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. The Holy Spirit does not “take over” and control a person, nor does He “take over” and control a service. No matter how compelled a person may feel, a prophet’s spirit is always subject to the prophet. So how do we have a Spirit-led service that is not out of control? We do not forbid the Holy Spirit from manifesting through submitted and trusted believers, we humbly allow the Holy Spirit to lead in a spirit of mutual submission, unity and peace, and we don’t give up control of the service – allowing those charged with governing to govern the direction and flow of the service. Then, the Holy Spirit will have the freedom to work, the service will be orderly, and the church will be edified.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are not a God of disorder, but of order and peace. I thank You that You do not cause Your Spirit to possess me, but to fill me and lead me. When I yield to the leading of Your Holy Spirit, You don’t take over my will and ability to control myself, but empower my self-control that I may walk in peace, unity and order. As I allow You to manifest Yourself in me and through me, help me to remain humbly submitted and not do anything that causes distraction and disorder. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking… If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all. The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:18-20, 23-25‬ ‭CSB)

Paul made it very clear that he was not anti-speaking in tongues. He actually said that there were benefits to praying and praising in a spiritual language, and was glad that he spoke in tongues more than anyone. What Paul was against was the misuse of spiritual gifts – and I imagine that extended to any spiritual gift, not just the gift of tongues. The Corinthian church was immaturely treating spiritual gifts like toys. They were more excited in the gifts themselves than the intended purpose of the gifts. The Holy Spirit does not distribute gifts as toys for our enthrallment and entertainment. The Holy Spirit distributes gifts as tools to be used in effective ministry and to glorify God.

For the manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit to have full affect, there must be understanding. Praying and praising in our spiritual language is beneficial to a point, for with it we are able to pray and praise beyond our understanding – but how much more effective is it when the Holy Spirit then gives us understanding by interpreting to our spirit the words we have just released. On the Day of Pentecost, the gift of tongues that was given to the Apostles had its optimal affect because those words were understood by various people in the crowd… and because of that, they served as a sign to the unbelievers that God was doing something supernatural. Authentic prophecy is effective because there is immediate understanding among everyone present when the prophetic words are given. I qualify it as “authentic” prophecy, because there is such a thing as manufactured prophecy that causes confusion rather than understanding. There are people who just want the gift of prophecy, and in their desire for the gift above effective ministry, will just utter whatever comes to their mind and call it prophecy. True and authentic prophecy from the Holy Spirit will reveal secrets of the heart… it will resonate with the hearers and bring about conviction and convincing. It won’t bring about confusion and a lack of clarity.

The quantity of words spoken really isn’t that important. What is important is the quality of words spoken. Are the words accurate? Are the words precise? Are the words understandable and clear? While it is good to pursue spiritual gifts, “having” the gift is not the goal. Using the gift in a mature and purposeful way to minister to people and glorify God is the goal.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that through Your Holy Spirit, You distribute gifts to me for effective ministry. I thank You, that by being filled with the Holy Spirit, I can speak as an oracle of God… I can speak words of prophecy that can effectively encourage, edify, comfort, convict, and convince others and glorify You in the process. In my desire to use the tools You give me, help me to not be more enthralled by the gift itself than its intended purpose for others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

OT: “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited me against him, to destroy him for no good reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan answered the Lord. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “he is in your power; only spare his life.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.” (‭‭Job‬ ‭2:3-10‬ ‭CSB)

Despite Satan’s best efforts at destroying Job’s life, Job remained faithful to God. Undaunted, Satan asked to attack Job’s body and subject him to physical suffering. Satan believed that if he caused Job enough physical pain and suffering, then surely Job would curse God and Satan would win. Not only did Job have faith in God, God had faith in Job… that is the kind of man that Job was. In order to prove Satan wrong again, God allowed Satan to afflict Job’s body – and that is exactly what Satan did. Job was struck with such a tortuous disease, that even his closest friends did not recognize him. So terrible was Job’s physical suffering, that Job’s wife wanted him to curse God and die.

If you think about it, Job’s wife’s reaction was understandable. Everything that Job had lost, she had lost, too. She lost her creature comforts and standing in the community… she lost the stability that wealth brings… she lost all ten of her children… and now her dearly beloved husband was suffering immensely. She just wanted the whole thing to end. She wanted a way out of the trial and she hoped that God would end it all for good if Job just gave up on his integrity and cursed God. Satan wanted Job to curse God as well. How often do loved ones and people close to us, out of well-meaning intentions, do Satan’s bidding by encouraging us to give up on God and take matters into our own hands? Job rejected the temptation that his wife held before him and maintained His integrity saying, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” What faith and commitment to integrity! Through all the suffering Job endured, not once did he say anything against God.

Though my suffering does not compare to the suffering of Job, I can relate somewhat to what he must have faced. Just shy of 2 months ago, in an instant, I slipped on some black ice, broke my ankle, upended my life and shut down the plans I was looking forward to. I was on my way to lead worship of all things. The temptation was definitely there to get really discouraged… to allow doubt to creep in… to say, “God… I was on my way to serve You, why didn’t You protect me?” I remember sitting there in the icy parking lot thinking, do I get angry and frustrated and fight against what has just happened, or do I embrace what just happened and see what God does in me and through me through the process. I chose to do the latter. During each step of the diagnosis and treatment of my ankle, I wanted God to do a miracle and remove me from the process – but at the same time, I told God that I was willing to go through what I needed to go through to see Him be glorified fully. While the process hasn’t been easy and is still on-going, God’s grace has been so present and sufficient. During the past 6 weeks, my faith and intimacy with the Lord has gone so much deeper. When suffering comes, the temptation is often to get mad at God, take matters into your own hands, and try to escape the pain. But if we maintain our integrity and embrace the process – oh the glory that will come on the other side.

Psalms: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue speaks what is just. The instruction of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. The wicked one lies in wait for the righteous and intends to kill him; the Lord will not leave him in the power of the wicked one or allow him to be condemned when he is judged.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:30-33‬ ‭CSB)

Again, this passage from Psalm 37 so closely parallels Job’s experience. The wicked one lay in wait for Job to take the bait, curse God and lose his life for eternity. But Job, being a righteous man of faith and integrity, did not allow himself to sin with his mouth – but only spoke what was wise and just. Because Job maintained his integrity, the Lord did not leave him in the power of Satan forever and delivered him from condemnation. God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He does not change and is ever faithful to His word. Suffering doesn’t happen because God changed, nor does suffering change God’s faithfulness to His word. The question is, will suffering cause our faithfulness to change, or will we maintain our integrity and faith in the ever-faithful God?

Prayer: Lord, Your word teaches that suffering is a part of life in this fallen world that I live in. In fact, Jesus said that in this world, you will have suffering… but to take heart and be encouraged for He had overcome the world. When suffering comes, help me by Your grace, to curse you and run away from the pain, but maintain my integrity before You and embrace the process with faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

OT: “Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (‭‭Job‬ ‭1:20-21‬ ‭CSB)

Job was described as a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. God had nothing against Job, but Satan did. The name Satan means adversary and he is called the accuser because he opposes all that is Godly and does that by accusing man to God and God to man. Job was extremely blessed by God because of his integrity and fear of the Lord. However, Satan accused Job of only being faithful to God for his blessing. By saying that, Satan accused God of not being worthy of worship… of being someone that had to bribe people into faithfulness. In order to prove out Job’s faithfulness and God’s worthiness, God allowed Satan to put Job’s faith and integrity on trial through suffering. In one day, Job lost all of his wealth and all of his children. At hearing the terrible news, Job tore his robe and shaved off his beard in immense grief. What happened next was amazing. Satan said that as soon as Job’s possessions were taken away, Job would curse God. Job proved Satan wrong. Instead of cursing God, Job humbled himself, fell to the ground and blessed God in worship. Whether Job abounded in prosperity or was abased in poverty, God was worthy of worship and Job blessed His name.

NT: “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:1-5‬ ‭CSB)

Paul’s charge to the Corinthian church was that they pursue love and desire spiritual gifts… and the spiritual gift that they should especially desire was the gift of prophesy. Many people misunderstand what prophesy is. They either think that prophesy is strictly foretelling future events, or that prophecy is heavy handed and harsh chastisement. More than anything, prophecy is speaking forth a message from the heart of God the Father or the Son in order to strengthen (edify), encourage (exhort) or console (comfort) His people. Apparently, the people in the Corinthian church were all about speaking in tongues. Perhaps they felt that speaking in tongues made them seem more spiritual. Paul encouraged the gift of tongues, for that gift on its own was effective at self edification – which is good and needed. But in the context of a gathering, prophecy was much more desirable, for prophecy could be understood by all and was effective at building up all. Soon after Job’s horrible loss, some of his friends came to “prophesy” to him. Through their words, they tried to convince Job that everything was his fault and that he needed to humble himself and repent from his horrible sins. Their words were not from the heart of God, and their words did not edify, encourage or comfort Job. Instead they discouraged Job and drove him to frustration. Prophecy is not about tearing people down. Prophecy is about building people up and stirring them forward with words that are from God by His Spirit.

Psalms: “A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread. He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:23-26‬ ‭CSB)

These words from King David are true and encouraging. The veracity of these words are proven out in the story of Job. Job was a man whose steps were established by the Lord. Though God allowed Job to go through immense suffering, Job was not completely overwhelmed, nor was he abandoned. The truth of these words were proven out in David’s life as God led him through numerous times of hardship and suffering. These words have also been proven out in my life as well. In my 50 years of life, though I have been through some challenging and lean times – as I have allowed God to establish my steps, I have never been abandoned, God has provided for my every need, and my children have grown up to be a blessing to all. Let these words from David be words of prophecy to you… words from the heart of the Father and the Son to build you up, encourage you on, and comfort you as you trust completely in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, Your word says that the power of life and death are in the tongue. My words can either curse or bless – they can either tear down or build up – they can either condemn or encourage – they can either be harsh or bring comfort. Regardless of where I may be in life or what challenges I may be going through, by Your Spirit, may my words be words of prophecy… may my words be spoken from Your heart, stir up faith and bring life to all who hear. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.