Happy Friday! For the past two weeks we have read through 1 Corinthians chapter 14. The chapter reflected on spiritual gifts of tongues and prophesy, and a call for orderly worship. The entire letter to the Corinthian church was to correct some behaviors that were dividing the church, calling individuals to love another and to use their spiritual gifts to edify the church body and bring glory to the Lord instead of asserting their own behavior. We ended yesterday’s reading on verse 33, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.^[h]“ Join me as we continue to read Paul’s instructions 1st to the women in the Corinthian church who were being disruptive and further his correction to the entire church.

“³⁴ Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. ³⁵ If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.^[i]

³⁶ Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? ³⁷ If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. ³⁸ But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.^[j]

³⁹ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-40 NLT

Paul was not dismissive of women’s leadership in the church, even in this letter. In 1 Corinthians 11, he gives women prophets directions about their head covering while they prophesy. However, Paul did recognize that there were some women causing disruption and he brought light to the situation.

Additionally, Paul called the church out on their belief in what God commands for the church. Finally stating in verse 39, “brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.‘ Followed by him repeating, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”

Sisters and brothers, I cannot emphasize enough to you that God has gifted you with amazing spiritual gifts. That His grace and mercy covers our past mistakes and He will use every bit of our life stories to bring healing to ourselves and to others.

Will you allow God to use you and your spiritual gifts to build the kingdom of God, the church, your family and anyone that you come into contact with? ____________

Father God, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for helping us to understand your word and how you want to use us. Lord, thank you for being a God of order and of peace. Lord, thank you for gifting men and women in the church to serve you and your people. Lord, you have been so good to us. Lord, help us to grow closer to you and see this world as you see it. Lord, help us to love people today. Lord, help us to encourage those who need encouragement and build our faith in you more each day. Lord, we pray for local churches and churches around the world to be aligned more with your word. Lord, we pray for pastors, ministers and missionaries around the world and we ask that you equip them, convict their hearts to use the spiritual gifts that you have given them to preach and teach with boldness and accuracy. Lord, strengthen them to be shepherds who leave the 99 and seek the 1. Build-up their congregations so that leaders can step in and also strengthen and support bodies of believers. Lord, transform Your church. Lord Jesus, we love you and ask all these things in Your name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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