1 Corinthians 14 ~ Pursue Love

 

 

1 Corinthians 14

The Message (MSG)

14 1-3 Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.

Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim His truth. If you praise Him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and Him. But when you proclaim His truth in everyday speech, you’re letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience His Presence with you.

4-5 The one who prays using a private “prayer language” certainly gets a lot out of it, but proclaiming God’s truth to the church in its common language brings the whole church into growth and strength. I want all of you to develop intimacies with God in prayer, but please don’t stop with that. Go on and proclaim His clear truth to others. It’s more important that everyone has access to the knowledge and love of God in a language everyone understands than that you go off and cultivate God’s Presence in a mysterious prayer language—unless, of course, there is someone who can interpret what you are saying for the benefit of all.

6-8 Think, friends: If I come to you and all I do is pray privately to God in a way only He can understand, what are you going to get out of that? If I don’t address you plainly with some insight or truth or proclamation or teaching, what help am I to you? 

If musical instruments—flutes, say, or harps—aren’t played so that each note is distinct and in tune, how will anyone be able to catch the melody and enjoy the music? If the trumpet call can’t be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle?

9-12 So if you speak in a way no one can understand, what’s the point of opening your mouth? There are many languages in the world and they all mean something to someone. But if I don’t understand the language, it’s not going to do me much good. It’s no different with you. Since you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?

13-17 So, when you pray in your private prayer language, don’t hoard the experience for yourself. Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy. If I pray in tongues, my spirit prays but my mind lies fallow, and all that intelligence is wasted. So what’s the solution? The answer is simple enough. Do both. I should be spiritually free and expressive as I pray, but I should also be thoughtful and mindful as I pray. I should sing with my spirit, and sing with my mind. If you give a blessing using your private prayer language, which no one else understands, how can some outsider who has just shown up and has no idea what’s going on know when to say “Amen”? Your blessing might be beautiful, but you have very effectively cut that person out of it.

18-19 I’m grateful to God for the gift of praying in tongues that he gives us for praising him, which leads to wonderful intimacies we enjoy with him. I enter into this as much or more than any of you. But when I’m in a church assembled for worship, I’d rather say five words that everyone can understand and learn from than say ten thousand that sound to others like gibberish.

20-25 To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adult head? It’s all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that’s needed there. But there’s far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.

It’s written in Scripture that God said,
In strange tongues
and from the mouths of strangers
I will preach to this people,
but they’ll neither listen nor believe.

So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn’t help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn’t get in the way of unbelievers. If you come together as a congregation and some unbelieving outsiders walk in on you as you’re all praying in tongues, unintelligible to each other and to them, won’t they assume you’ve taken leave of your senses and get out of there as fast as they can? But if some unbelieving outsiders walk in on a service where people are speaking out God’s truth, the plain words will bring them up against the truth and probe their hearts. Before you know it, they’re going to be on their faces before God, recognizing that God is among you.

26-33 So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you’re also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

34-36 Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening, asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home. God’s Book of the law guides our manners and customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for unwarranted speaking. Do you—both women and men—imagine that you’re a sacred oracle determining what’s right and wrong? Do you think everything revolves around you?

37-38 If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it. If you won’t play by these rules, God can’t use you. Sorry.

39-40 Three things, then, to sum this up: When you speak forth God’s truth, speak your heart out. Don’t tell people how they should or shouldn’t pray when they’re praying in tongues that you don’t understand. 

Be courteous and considerate in everything.



Ministers who work effectively, realize out in the world, the world doesn't always want to listen. And there are moments that are teachable. And times to be warm. Time to earn the right to be heard.

We all have to seek our timing and style the Lord gives us. Catholics like to warm and assure - God is going to give you a time to bring out the Love God gives inside your love and heart and faith. Baptists like to put forth an altar alter call. Help in numbers, Jesus did always like this.  Episcopalians have always been terrific with those who wandered off and find themselves home again.

Bill Hybels, of Willow Creek Community Church, wrote a book called, "Walk Across The Room." When he challenged himself, to find a way to bring Jesus to someone not in His Church.  And found out immediately, soccer parents scoot way, way down the field from this.

A very interesting book on evangelical efforts while out and about. Love is the only way Jesus

arrives.  Love is the language.

When telling the one you love how God earnestly loves them - 

we need to see the Language the Word of God employs.


Bible

With - 5973 Times
Up - 2551 Times
People 2271
Children 1727
Sons 1061
Father 977
Jesus 953
Heart 925
More 770
Word 737
Love 684
Heaven 644
Brothers 641
Together 610
Given 591
Gave 554 Times - Good words 'given' as we speak of His Gifts 1145 Times.
Answered - 550
Voice 524
Christ 523
Life 550
Spirit 501 Times
Glory 480 Times

“Do not be afraid.” 70 Times. Most Repeated Phrase

1 Corinthians 14

ESV

14 Pursue love
 and earnestly
desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 

2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God;
for no one understands him,
but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies
speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

12 So with yourselves,
since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,
strive to excel in building up the church.


13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.


18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.


20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

26 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.

27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.


36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

Ministry. This Love they have for what they do, bursts forth.

Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.

Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you.

Pursue love

and earnestly

desire the spiritual gifts.

Abba, Father,

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Matthew 9:18-26 ~ will Live

 

 

Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew's 9th Gospel Chapter,

Jesus was having a crowded,

busy day

as the paralyzed man is lowered

through a roof

While He was saying these things to them, 

behold, 

a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, 

“My daughter has just died, 

but come and lay your hand on her, 

and she will live.”

19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with His disciples. 

20 And behold, a woman who had suffered

 from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him 

and 

touched the fringe of His garment, 

21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch His garment, 

I will be made well.” 

22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, 

“Take heart, daughter; 

your faith has made you well.”

 And instantly the woman was made well.

23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house 

and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 

He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” 

And they laughed at him. 

But when the crowd had been put outside, 

He went in and took her by the hand, 

and the girl arose.

 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

You can imagine, her parents would examine her to see if she was now healed, just trying to take in this miracle given by Jesus Christ.

Suppose you died. And you went on to your just rewards. Or the Mercy of Jesus Christ! We have all paused to consider our ultimate leaving the planet destination.

And the truth is, if we believe Jesus and His Promises, we want our loved ones to do well with their time on earth. And not to miss us too much, and instead, rejoice in the Promise of Jesus uniting all things. 

Hospice tells us the dying will try to pass on when their loved one goes to eat or take a break. Why? We really don't want the people we love to have pain. We would choose to spare those we love the grief and mourning. We would want to do like Jesus Christ in John's Gospel Chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17. To leave the ones we love with the Joy we shared.

In 2008, Edward and I experienced Hurricane Ike outside of Houston. We were losing our baby Isabelle, our daughter, as we waited for her to be born. Hurricane Ike and all Hurricane's change the barometric pressure and pregnancies can come too early. And this happened for our daughter, 3 pounds, who passed on as we reached the Hospital. My water broke and Isabelle's life went on to Jesus and His Promises.

The truth is, it was seriously hard on all of our family to lose Baby Isabelle. My youngest son asked me, age 14 years, "Did God know we wanted Isabelle, we would love her and take really good care of her?"

Edward came to me and he said, "I've always believed, but what is Jesus going to do with such a little baby girl? She doesn't walk yet. Jesus has got to be busy."

And as I went to sleep, the first night, my family had changed the sheets, I had crisp, soft pillows from coming home from the Hospital.  I pictured my Step-Grandfather's white, billowing Cassock. The Words of God, "Rest and Trust Me."

Isabelle had the nicest funeral. And even more difficult after a lovely funeral with so many caring families and friends, it was difficult not to burst into tears unexpectedly and to see people hurry to get out of my way during the tears.

Pandemic

Seasons change.  We know 7 families who have lost people, like the Rapture, without the sky opening to receive them. 2 have lost young daughters in their early adult years.

What helped? Dreaming of my Aunt Clarice passing on to Heaven. Being outside the Gates of Heaven where Aunt Clarice, age 94, jumped up and down screaming, "Everything in the Bible is Real! I have seen His Promises! ALL TRUE, ALL TRUE! I have Seen Jesus. THIS IS ALL TRUE! ALL TRUE!"  And waking up to the phone ringing - Aunt Clarice, no one knew, had passed on.  I completed my mother's sentence before she could tell me. Aunt Clarice is in Heaven.

What else Helps? 

Matthew 9. Just as Revelation is about Heaven opening up to the day we will all come to see Jesus as Abraham did with the 3 Angels or in fear.  Revelation is about our destination.

And Matthew 9 is about Jesus waking us up.  The Scriptures say we sleep. And as we awake, we find Jesus.

And we find we are a real, living body

given by God.

Salvation

And as we wake,

we find those we Love.

And we will do as Jairus Daughter did,

we will have a meal, as Jesus did.

Scriptures tell us Heaven

is filled

with

Shining Water

Leading to the Throne

and God's Own Home

and Hearth

for our Hearts.

This Post, we have discussed our own passing and we have seen Hospice explain the griefless passing wish.

Let's find a Scripture having the approval of our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

2 Samuel 12

How then can we say to him the child is dead? 

He may do himself some harm.” 

19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 

20 Then David arose from the earth

 and washed and anointed himself 

and changed his clothes. 

And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. 

He then went to his own house. 

And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 

21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 

22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? 

I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

David dealt with grief, real work, with complete confidence. James, the Brother of Jesus, had witnessed this himself.

 James 1:11

For the sun rises with its scorching heat 

and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. 

So also 

will the rich man 

fade away 

in the midst of his pursuits.

Let's be the rich man,

one who Knows and Loves and Believes Jesus

and we will

fade away

in the midst of our pursuits!

Like David has had confidence 

Not to give up on pursuits. Finding a Christian, Church Group Therapy group for Grief. Overcoming, in His time, like the time passage in the Prodigal Son. 

What else will we pursuit?  Goodness and mercy will follow our footsteps.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Colossians 1:16 

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, 

visible and invisible, 

whether thrones or dominions 

or rulers or authorities

—all things were created through Him 

and for Him.

Revelation 21:23 

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, 

for the glory of God gives it light, 

and the Lamb is its lamp.

…His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Might God,
…The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace 

Isaiah 9:6

…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! 

John 1:29

Abba, Father,

You alone are the LORD. 

You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, 

and 

all their starry hosts,

 the earth and all that is on it,

 the seas and all that is in them. 

You give life to everything, 

and the multitudes of Heaven worship you.

You are God of all grace, 

calling us to Your glory 

in Christ eternal,
with only small suffering,
You will,

 Yourself, restore us 

and make us strong, firm and steadfast.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, You are for us. 

Cover us, the ones we Love and You Love 

with the Strong Name of Jesus.

 Covering all of us, the world, You will save in Jesus Christ. 

Thank You, Father,

You have given us Jesus Christ

and

Dwell in us,

dwell in those we Love, God of Love.

God of Hope. 

God of Encouragement.

Help us to seek You

First

and 

we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

We know Your Love, Salvation, Promises

and Blessings. 

Thank You.

Knowing we are very Blessed in Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Abba.

Thank You, Jesus Christ.

Alleluia 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus perseverance