Good morning! Thank you, Lord for blessing us with another day. As I read today’s verses, I was reminded that my highest goal should be love. Join me as we begin reading 1 Corinthians chapter 14 where Paul continues to teach the Corinthian church about spiritual gifts with chapter 14 focusing on the priority of prophesy to tongues. Have a wonderful day. 

Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NLT

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. ² For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,^[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit,^[b] but it will all be mysterious. ³ But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. ⁴ A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.”

Reflection

As we read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 we learned that love is greater than any spiritual gift. In reading these verses we learned that love should be our highest goal. Yet, we should also pray and ask God to bless us with special spiritual gift abilities.

Paul addressed two spiritual gifts: speaking in tongues and prophecy, but one was creating conflict in the church – the use and abuse of speaking in tongues. Many members of the church were speaking in tongues and nearly no one in the church could interpret what was being said. Paul certainly had his preference, but his concern was that the lack of interpretation left many in the church assembly out of the loop and had created a disconnect between what was truly important.

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gifts, but no one in the assembly was able to interpret what was being said – basically no one in the assembly had the gift to interpret what had been spoken. Only the speaker benefited from the gift because the person with the gift of tongues could only edify themselves if a person with the gift of interpretation wasn’t present. Whereas the spiritual gift of prophecy benefited the church because those who heard were strengthened, encouraged, and comforted.

Sisters and brothers, we are all given spiritual gifts and we are all called to love. Paul didn’t say a particular spiritual gift is bad, but there are times when the gift of tongues without interpretation can create a disconnect within the church for those who do not understand what is being spoken. Let us use our gifts with love that overflows so others can see the fruit of the spirit within us. Let us encourage, strengthen, and comfort our sisters and brothers in the faith and nonbelievers.

What are your top three goals today or this week? Let me help you with number one:

1. LOVE
2. _____________
3. _____________

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Lord, continue to lead us and transform us to be more like you. Lord, may we use the spiritual gifts that you give to bring glory to your name. Lord, help us to discern when, where, and how you desire for us to use those gifts. Lord, take the lead in our homes, jobs, churches, schools and our nation. Lord, continue to work in us. Lord, continue to work in our hearts and help us to love as you love. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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