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O, That We Would Prophesy

I'm praying that Christ Redeemer Church will abound with members who "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that [they] may prophesy" (1Cor.14:1). 

Why?

Because "the one who prohesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation... the one who prophesies builds up the church" (1Cor.14:3-4). O, that we would be filled with this kind of grace!

Eph.4:29 says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Now, while it doesn't necessarily take a prophetic word to build up a person, or to give grace to those who hear, that is precisely the aim of prophecy in the "spiritual gift" sense: to build up, to encourage, to console, to strengthen the church. Prophecy probably refers to a message that God reveals to a person's mind spontaneously in any given situation that happens to fit that occasion well and so provides needed strengthening, and encouragement, and consolation.

"...we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all... Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good" (1Thess.5:14,19-21).

 May the Lord give us ears to hear and courage to speak!