Speech That Builds People Up - 1 Corinthians 14:22

S. 1 Corinthians 14:22 “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.”

O. Speaking in tongues without interpretation does not build up others (it may build up the one who worships privately). But in public, it is confusing, especially for unbelievers. It is a sign to unbelievers that something isn’t right (v.24); however prophecy (speaking God’s word to build up others) is highly valued as believers and unbelievers are built up.

A. Paul commended speaking in tongues (v. 2, v5, v. 15, v.18, v.28 and v.39) but he highly praises prophecy so that the entire church might be built up.

I enjoy the private use of tongues as the Holy Spirit guides me and builds me up; however, I love to proclaim God’s word and build others up through preaching, teaching, mentoring and coaching. This is the value of the prophetic gift.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and the gifts you provide through His ministry. I will continue to enjoy private and public worship so that the church might be built up. In Jesus’ name!

Called by God - I Know My Identity - 1 Corinthians 12:12

S. 1 Corinthians 12:12 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”

O. The note in the margin of my Bible summarizes this verse quite well - “The believers in Corinth and elsewhere in the ancient world came from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. But in Christ, there is no ethnic, cultural or social distinction."

A. I will continue to affirm and celebrate the unity and the oneness of being members together in the Body of Christ.

Our identity in Christ is not so much connected with our ethnic our cultural roots; rather, it is connected through the deployment of our God given gifts for Kingdom purposes.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for saving me, gifting me and calling me to serve as a member of the Church - The Body of Christ. I pray that through the deployment of my gifts and calling, there will be much eternal Kingdom fruit -

Finish The Race To Win - 1 Cor. 9:24

S. 1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize!”

O. Paul is teaching about preaching the gospel and having great discipline. I liken this to a foot race. Only one gets the prize - so Paul teaches that we should live our lives to win this race - be the one who stands out - be the one who wins, be the one who gets the prize.

A. I understand this language all too well - I do desire to have better discipline in my life. I desire to continue to preach, to stand out, to be like one in training, putting up with hardships, so that I can be the one who stands out, be the one who wins and be the one who gets the prize.

P. Thank you Father for this word. It so resonates with me. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to train well, to run well, and to finish well for the prize of serving Jesus. In Jesus’ name!