Pursue Prophecy

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy."
~1 Corinthians 14:1

Before I get too much into this, I want to ask a question.  What does it mean to prophesy?  I remember reading this earlier in my spiritual life not really understanding it.  Are we to foretell the future and what nations will rise and fall in the next decade?  Or what natural disasters are coming our way soon?  That is a part of prophecy, but I think it is also simpler than that.

Let's look at Old Testament prophets.  What was their job as prophets?  The job of the prophet was to tell his people the will of God in their lives and encourage and comfort them in their times of need.  Reading through the books of the prophets, you will see that they communicate the words God gave them to Israel.  As a modern day prophets it is our jobs to give God's word to other believers.

Often prophecy will simply be giving a word of encouragement to a fellow Christian.  If you feel the Lord is calling you to tell someone a word of scripture or it comes to you in a moment of conversation say it.  The Lord can use you mightily in his strength to further is kingdom.  We don't know how and when the seeds we plant will come to fruition, but he calls us to still be faithful.

Do you earnestly desire to prophesy and encourage?  If not, why?  God has equipped some of his saints to be especially prophets, but he also calls all of us to earnestly desire prophecy.  Why is that?  Because the one who prophecies builds up the church.  God wants us to build up his church here on earth.

"So with yourselves since you are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church."
~1 Corinthians 14:6-12

"What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up."
~1 Corinthians 14:26

Let all of your prophecy be for the building up of one another.  Pray earnestly to God that you may have words to share and build up the believers. Listen to the voice of God; if he is prompting you to speak then speak.

Our Perfect Helper

"Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."
~Hebrews 2:17, 18

I think it is amazing that Jesus, came down for our sins.  But not only did he come and just die, though that would have been enough to save us, but he endured through temptation.  He endured and was perfect through his temptation.  Now indeed there is someone worthy to follow with all me heart, soul, and mind.  He is able to comfort us and lead us out of every temptation, because he has been tempted and found perfect.

Let me give an example.  If you were to go skiing for the first time, who would you want to teach you?  A newbie like yourself?  Probably not.  Someone who has researched it all their life, but hasn't actually done it them self? They may have the know how, but they can't really relate to it.  No, I want someone who has been on the slopes.  Someone who has had years of experience and seen what it is like.  

Jesus has been there.  Wherever you are he has faced that temptation.  He knows what we go through daily.  Isn't that amazing?  Our king is not only able to comfort is with words how to face temptation, but he has also endured through it.

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 

~1 Corinthians 10:13

God will provide a way out.  If we are being tempted by our sin, all we have to do is ask God for the strength to continue to follow him.  God has promised to see it through with us.  He won't leave us alone.  He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  He is there with us in our darkest sin, and will provide a means to come back to himself.

As we go through temptation, take comfort in this.  Trust in God!  He has been there before you, and will be with you wherever you go.  Sometimes we don't realize it, but he is with us in we are in sin.  Pray earnestly that he will lead you out of temptation.  He is faithful to answer our prayers.

"Where shall I go from your Spirit?
     Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
     if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.....
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
     Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievious way in me.
     And lead me in the way everlasting!
~Psalm 139: